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Does Knitting or Crochet Take More Yarn?

June 2, 2017 by Sarah White

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. Diane Perkins says

    June 2, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    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.

  2. Nancy Covington says

    June 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    Thanks Sarah. That was very interesting and a bit surprising.

  3. grandma says

    June 3, 2017 at 6:48 pm

    crochet uses more yarn

Have you read?

Fun Tank Top Knitting Patterns

It seems like every summer there’s a new crop of tank top knitting patterns, and what I noticed about a lot of the new releases this year is that they have fun little details that make them a little more interesting both to knit and to wear. 

Like the Sailoress Top from Joji Locatelli, which has a pretty cable worked up the center from and back, with shorter sections of cable work on the shoulders. It uses DK weight yarn and comes in 10 sizes up to a bust circumference of 72 inches/ 158 cm. You can find the pattern on Ravelry. 

Combine lace and cables in an allover pattern on the Mountain Laurel Top from Andrea Gaughan. This sport weight pattern is worked from the bottom up in the count and has 10 sizes. It’s available on Ravelry.

The Vienna Textured Tank Top by Sarah Hatton has wide ribs broken up by eyelets. There’s very little shaping so it’s a pretty easy knit worked in fingering weight yarn. There are nine sizes available and it’s a free download on Ravelry.

Make a tank with a boho vibe perfect for festival season with Mary Beth Temple’s Tropical Sunset Tank Top. Worked in worsted weight cotton yarn, it’s knit from the bottom up in pieces to make it more stable. The coloring changing yarn is perfect for this one, or you can make it solid or work in your own stripes. You can get the XS size free on her blog, and other sizes are available on Ravelry.

Looking for a cropped lacy V-neck top to knit for summer? Jessie Maed Designs has the Sundae Swirl Tank, worked in DK weight yarn in the round with a fun combination of lace and cables. The ribbing under the arms helps give it a great fit. There are six sizes up to a chest measurement of 62 inches/157.5 cm. You can find this one on Ravelry.

How about a tank top with buttons? The Ridge Tank Button Down from Bluebird Pine Shop could double as a vest in cooler weather. This one is made with light fingering weight yarn and comes in 10 sizes. Grab a copy on Ravelry.

An otherwise simple top can be made a little more interesting with the addition of a fun edging, like on Sarah Opie’s Seashell Tank. Worked in fingering weight yarn, it has a whopping 24 sizes and lots of customization options for making it fit the way you want. The edging is crocheted. Learn more on Ravelry.

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A Great Tank Top Knitting Pattern for Summer

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