Knitting

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Does Knitting or Crochet Take More Yarn?

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Yarn use in knitting versus crochetMost of us know that crochet tends to be — or at least feel — a little faster than knitting, because the stitches can be a lot taller than a standard row of knitting. But does crochet also use more yarn than knitting?

It seems like it should, but I’ve never seen anyone actually test the theory.

This post is old but I just came across it on Facebook the other day, where Not So Granny tested how much yarn different stitches use.

You should click over for the full results but the short answer is that different stitches worked in different techniques don’t make a huge amount of difference in a swatch, but over a whole sweater you might need an extra ball or two. To me the most interesting thing is the difference between Garter Stitch and Stockinette.

So the upshot here is, if you’re stash busting, you probably won’t go through more yarn that much faster if you crochet versus knitting. Just pick projects you’re excited about so you will actually use the yarn and finish the projects (yes, I’m talking to myself here, too).

[Photo: Not So Granny.]

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Comments

  1. I love the knit look but I’m too impatient with knitting so I stick with crochet because I’m much faster at it and way more experienced and proficient. If I were doing clothing I would take the time to learn more and knit for sure.

Have you read?

Knits for the Table for Thanksgiving and Beyond

As we get into the part of the year with a lot of food-forward holidays, it might be time to start thinking about knitting some new things for your table. While a few of these are more fall/Thanksgiving focused, just changing up the colors would make others work for Christmas, or keep it neutral and use them all year long. 

What got me started thinking about this was the lovely and simple Fresh Bread Dishtowel, a free pattern from Purl Soho. Worked in a lovely cotton and linen blend, the towel is mostly stockinette stitch with a bit of texture on the borders. 

You could use this same kind of pattern to make anything from placemats to a table runner, but let’s look at some specific patterns for those kinds of projects as well. 

The easy moss stitch table runner from Glass Bird Knits is beginner friendly can can easily be modified to fit your table (or, again, to make placemats instead of or in addition to a runner). This version is worked in macrame cord, but you could also use bulky yarn. 

Emielle Design has a garter stitch runner pattern that’s made with braided cotton cord for a lot of texture without a lot of work. But be sure to take a lot of breaks when knitting with cord because it can be rough on your hands!

I also love the diamond pattern on the Hamilton Table Runner from Wyndlestraw Designs. It calls for a DK weight cotton and linen blend yarn and comes in three sizes with different widths and lengths. The pattern has both written and charted instructions. 

Amy Marie’s Table Pumpkins (on Ravelry) is a fun mosaic knitting pattern that would be great to use as a table runner through the fall and for Thanksgiving. It uses a worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors, and you can make it as long as you like for your table. 

The no cable knit placemats from Yarn Culture Studio have a fun faux cable look that would be great for the table through the fall and winter. 

Or here’s another pattern from Wyndlestraw Designs, this time for an easy knit and purl stitch placemat pattern that looks different but still good on both sides. It calls for worsted weight cotton and comes in two sizes for placemats, but also has instructions for coasters, a hot pad and a table pad all using the same stitch.