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A knitting bias? Survey for knitters and crocheters
Needles vs. Hooks - who will win out in the yarnarama?
I am often reading on the forums of Ravelry crocheters bemoaning the bias in the fibre world that seemingly results in crochet being seen by some to be a lesser craft to knitting. To be honest, I haven’t noticed it that much myself, but as I have been told in reply ‘ah, but you are primarily a knitter therefore you are not sensitive to the jibes and comments’. This may be true, though in general I have seen good support of both crafts (which is not to say that I think they both receive the same amount of coverage – as far as I can tell there are more knitters than crocheters on ravelry and other such gathering places for fibre enthusiasts, so I’d assume that the greater number of patterns, etc for knitting is a direct reflection of that – but am I right in those assumptions?
As for my own feelings on the matter – I think that there is plenty of room in the fibre-crafts world for both past-times. I learned to crochet only shortly after (a couple of weeks, maybe) learning how to knit. I have definitely advanced further in my knitting than my crochet in that time. I prefer the fluid fabric of my knitting for most item, but I appreciate the rigidity of crochet can benefit the construction of many garments such as hats. The popularity of Japanese pop-culture and the amigurumi explosion also gives good support to crochet being king of the soft toy castle, but in general I prefer the smooth surface of stockinette and the manipulations of knitted lace and cables to the fabrics generated by crochet in many instances. This is not craft snobbery, and I do not look down on crochet, it is just a personal preference of aesthetics and form, and I think that must be separated away from the idea of a craft bias. An amigarumi maker may extoll the virtues of their craft in the formation of their adorably cute creations, but again this isn’t snobbery against knitted forms, just the personal preference of one way of creating a fabric for a specific function over another.
I am still confused about to what extent members of the knitting community do ‘look down’ on crochet as a craft, and how keenly this is felt by crocheters, so I have written out this short and completely anonymous survey to hopefully just break the surface of opinion. As it is completely anonymous (the clicks are registered as numbers and nothing more) you can be totally honest, so if you are a knitter that hates crochet, vent your frustration with a click. Conversely, if you are a crocheter that thinks that knitted things are soooo 2005, and hate the way crochet is treated, anonymous clicking awaits.
If you have any comments to make that aren’t covered by the survey, please feel free to leave them in the comments section, though obviously if you fill out the field with your name, then that is less anonymous – though this still cannot be linked with your poll results. I’ll close this on the 8th of February, and by then hopefully there will be enough results to make a fancy graph or two…
The survey is now closed. There were 704 (!) responses in total. I shall try and make a few graphs and publish the full results tomorrow, as it will take me a while to compile the information. Thanks to all that took part
What an excellent survey. I hope you get plenty of responses.
Thank you for posting the survey. I just want to express what kind of anti-crochet bias I’ve encountered. I have, at various times and by different knitters, that it is impossible for me to knit with XYZ yarn as it is only for knitters, that crochet is ugly and I should learn to knit so I can make prettier things and that if I want crochet supplies I should leave their LYS and go to the nearest big box store so I can get hooks and acrylic because the yarn THEY sell is too good for me to use in my projects.
Thank goodness that the two LYS’s that I go to are both more progressive than that. The one store is owned by a lady who primarily crochets, she has a good selection of crochet hooks and books in her store and she gives equal display space to crochet and knitted FO’s. The other store owner is willing to be won over. She dosn’t know anyone close to her that crochets and she can’t do much with it beyond some edgings, but she does carry the full set of brittany hooks and she’s willing to order anything in that you might want.
I’m always a bit bemused by this whole thing. A couple of times on Ravelry I’ve seen people looking for ‘crochet friendly groups’ – at the group I go to people knit or crochet as the mood takes them (and sometimes sew or just sit and drink….) and no one would think of batting an eyelid. Someone started a crochet group in Leeds, which also seemed odd.
I don’t really crochet, although I know the basics of it, so I don’t know what ’special supplies’ crocheters need, the patterns I’ve seen in Rowan books and the like just seem to use ordinary yarn. And my LYS sells a similar amount of knitting needles and crochet hooks so far as I remember. But I often see people bemoaning the lack of crochet supplies – perhaps this just shows how little I know ;)
I learned to crochet many years ago. I’ve only been knitting for a little over a year. I personally prefer the look and feel of knitted garments, but have nothing against crochet. I love crocheted granny squares (I have a whole collection of them in my UFO tote). I also have a cute yarn earring pattern that would be IMPOSSIBLE to make if it weren’t for crochet. I think each craft has its pluses and its limitations.
It’s too bad that some people have experienced (or have) bias, either direction. Personally I’m happy to know any crafty people (sewers, knitters, crocheters, whatever) because I think beauty and inspiration can come in many forms.
This is a wonderful survey! I hope you get a good cross sectin of response and will be very interested in seeing the results.
As to the bias, I crochet and have for many years. I can knit just a little but am working on learning more for now. We have 2 Yarn Shops close by and one of them is owned by a woman who is a crocheter who knits. (she does both quite well but crochet is her first love). I can tell you that even in her shop the books, patterns and supplies for crochet available are very limited. the reason is that they simply do not sell even when she did stock them, yet we have a very large crochet guild that meets just a few miles from her shop. It used to meet at her shop but outgrew the room available. I know that many of them buy yarn in this shop as I see them in there all the time so I am at a loss as to why they do not buy supplies as well.
Also, I find that people who tend to look down on others will find whatever reason they can to do so. It was the kids who picked on others in school all the time, the office workers that scorn other workers for they clothing, weight, car they drive, or whatever. It only stands to reason that a percentage of any group will be of that personality type and since there are more knitters around at the moment those people have a great outlet in their favorite pastime
. The non-knitters.
I work in a Crochet-Friendly LYS, teaching crochet and helping customers of both persuasions to find the supplies they need for their projects. I have, however, experienced the “crochet is for fuddy-duddies, rednecks and only good for toys and afghans” prejudices VERY often. It’s amazing the number of times knitting customers come in to the shop and see my very softly draping, delicate fabrics (whether sweater, lace shawl, cowl, baby blanket, scarf, etc.) and are AMAZED OUT LOUD that it could possibly be crocheted… because they have always thought of crochet as stiff, rigid, thick…. because they had only been exposed to crochet in its sculptural forms (dolls and toys) or done with an inappropriate mismatch of hook size to yarn size. This myth is perpetuated, too, by yarn manufacturers who insist on suggesting the same size crochet hook as knitting needle on yarn ball bands… if they bother to mention a crochet gauge at all, which many do not. The fact is that when the correct hook is used with a yarn, (and it WILL BE a very different size than the correct knitting needles), the resulting fabric is as soft, drapes as well, can be blocked as well, and is as thin as knitted fabric made at the correct gauge for knitting that yarn. Made correctly, crochet also doesn’t take more yarn, per square foot of fabric, but uses fewer stitches per square foot. The continual comparison of crochet to knitting using the same yarn and same sized tool is just so false and irrelevant… really apples to oranges. How sloppy and ugly would knitted fabric look if it were worked with the same size knitting needle as is correct in a crochet hook? — this is usually about 3 sizes larger, maybe more if doing lace. Each craft needs to be done with the right size tool, in order to compare the product/fabric that’s created.
I do many crafts but crochet is my preferred yarn craft. The way that people react in real life is “Wow, you MADE that? That’s so cool! Can you make me something?”
However, the Internet opened my eyes to the negative attitude that some people have towards crochet.
Personally, I think that crafters should be more supportive of each other. I have no interest in, say, quilting… but I don’t go around saying nasty things about it!
Do you find that people say nasty things about your crocheted items, then? if you don’t mind me asking, where does this happen? I assume it is not among your friends that knit, as they wouldn’t be friends, but I can’t imagine saying to someone I was not well acquainted with that I didn’t like her crocheted/knitted/quilted jumper/scarf/scarf, etc.
I’ve only had positive responses to my work, but I have heard negative things about crochet in general on the Internet. I think they’re secretly jealous
I teach crochet at my LYS. They’re very open to crochet. Lots of hooks and stuff, and all but one of the staff know at least the basics of crochet. However the number of crochet books and patterns they have compared to knit is pathetic. There’s 1 shelf of crochet books vs. at least 8 knit. But when it comes down to it, I don’t fault them for it. They would be more than willing to order anything. They’ve been super open to me coming up with project classes and ordering books I suggest. And I’ve never heard any of them diss crochet in any way. Other stores though, have had only one or two crochet books at all.
Thanks so much for publishing the survey. But there is something even within your introduction that bothers crocheters that you are likely not even aware of. You say, “I prefer the fluid fabric of my knitting for most item, but I appreciate the rigidity of crochet can benefit the construction of many garments such as hats.” Modern crochet is no longer stiff and rigid (unless one wants it to be). It can drape just as beautifully as knitting and can make equally lovely blouses and garments. This idea is a holdover from old, 1970’s-style crochet. Encountering this idea from other fiber artists is frustrating, but that 1970’s stuff is bullet-proof and never dies and so everyone has seen some and formed an opinion about crochet based on it. It is infuriating, however, to encounter this idea in a yarn shop, where fiberistas should know better.
Thanks for the survey and the chance for input.
I think you have a valid point, but I do mean the fluid fabric of MY knitting. I can create a far more smooth and flowing knitted fabric than I can a crocheted one. I can also make a far more rigid fabric with crochet than I can with my knitting, a it hurts my hands to knit too tight or to perform many of the more dense knit stitches. I think it again comes down to preference and personal opinion perhaps not being the same thing as a craft-wide bias. If many people share a like of smooth simple stockinette to any of the crochet stitches they know, it is perhaps just a shared aesthetic, rather than a bias, or a joint belief that crochet is a lesser craft? I think any bad treatment in LYSs is another matter – I find some of the mentions of that here quite unbelievably stupid on the shop owner’s part, but I don’t look down on crochet… definitely not – in fact I have a blog post in draft about the most wonderful crocheted work I saw on ravelry last week, but then I have seen people discuss me elsewhere that seem to have decided that I am somehow anti-crochet… I wonder if maybe experiences with people like the LYS owners have made some crocheters feel over-sensitive about people ‘judging’ their craft, whereas I think many people just think everyone should enjoy what they enjoy. I don’t see a need for competition over what craft produces the smoothest/hardest/most complex stitch I just enjoy the stitches I enjoy, and feel Ok telling people why I enjoy them
Thanks for the survey although I was a little sad to see it framed as a fight between knitters and crocheters. It seems to me we should all just be able to enjoy our crafts without having to compete with or put down some one else’s.
Regarding the question on whether we find bias against crochet by knitters upsetting. I almost picked the answer that basically said I don’t give a rip what they think, but I changed my mind. I chose the one that said it was upsetting/annoying. I only chose that answer because this bias often comes in the form of people (who aren’t very familiar with crochet) repeating the stereotypes that crochet is stiff and bulky with no drape etc. Perpetuating that myth I’m sure keeps some people from trying crochet. Which means there is less of a market for good crochet patterns, books, magazines which means fewer of them are produced and stores don’t carry them. And on it goes. That’s the bias that bothers me: the bias of the industry. Many yarn companies don’t bother putting a suggested hook size on the ball band, or if they do they just use the same size in mm as the recommended knitting needle. That’s likely to be too small for the hook. There are numerous knitting magazines, but only a handful of crochet magazines. There are shelves of knitting books in bookstores, but a paltry selection of crochet books. LYS’s often don’t carry a decent selection of hooks, stitch markers for crochet, crochet books, patterns, etc. They often don’t display crocheted swatches of their yarns. I really don’t care what an individual knitter might think of crochet, but I wish the industry was a bit more open minded.
Thanks, Greenwoman – I know you have come from the thread on the Crochet Liberation Front and have assumedly read my comments there regarding the cartoon. As regular readers to the blog will be aware, the cartoon is meant only in fun, please do not take it in a way that it was not intended – I am glad to see that others in the CLF group took it in the good humour it was presented. As the blog post says, I don’t (perhaps now ‘didn’t) think that such a divide between crocheteres and knitters actually existed, and the notion that they are locked in some kind of battle to prove which is the ‘better’ craft is a daft one, and that it is why it is framed inside a WWF Wrestling ring – the most PHONEY arena of battle that exists. Also – it’s jut a cartoon… It’s cute, and I make no apology for the humour in which it is intended, because it fits with my blog and personality
Not being a crocheter, I did not know about the hook size thing. I find it very interesting. I have a knitting friend who also crochets and I am tempted to ask her to show me how to do it properly once and for all (I can do a granny square at a push or a bit of chain stitch edging).
I equally love knitting and crocheting and frequently make items using both techniques, But I must admit that I have a special place in my heart for crochet. Maybe it’s because my mom taught it to me right before I moved away to college. While we were apart we both made granny squares. When I returned home for Winter break, my mother stitched together all of our granny squares into an afghan that we gave to my grandmother for Xmas. Working on those granny squares helped me feel connected to my family when we had to be far apart.
Apart from sentimental reasons, I think the thing I really love about crochet is that it feels more spontaneous. I’m only committed to one stitch at a time. I can use the same crochet hook to make 3-dimensional items or 2D, flat items or tubes, rectangles or circles. There’s a lot of freedom in that. Since I don’t need as many tools, it saves a bit of money, too! All of that being said, I also really enjoy knitting. It’s all about the affect I’m wish to create. Sometimes crochet is the answer, sometimes knit.
I’ve been to a few LYS that have the Ravelry sticker n the door proclaiming them to be knit- and crochet-friendly. But once you get in the door, it’s hard to find the evidence. Crochet books are scarce or non-existent. All of the sample items in the store are knitted items – not a single crocheted piece in sight. This is where I see the bias. It may not be intentional, but the lack of crocheted items certainly implies that it is not favored by the fiber elite in the community.
Do you think that this might be because a lack o knowledge in LYSs about what the should carry and what might sell, or might it be because some LYSs have a lot less demand for crochet-related stock than the do knitting needles and books, etc, and only stock that which they think they are most likely to sell? I am not sure on the knitting/crochet ratio in various places (it would be interesting to find out, I think!) so I don’t know where this habit of not carrying crochet supplies comes from
Do yu ever ask the owners if they will consider getting crochet books, etc in?
I honestly don’t know exactly why this is so, but I certainly don’t suspect malicious intent! I’m guessing it’s just a matter of personal preference – perhaps even a touch of ignorance of the world of crochet.
All yarn shops have their own unique quirks that reflect the interests of the shop owner. For example, there’s one shop in my area that I love because the owner is such an amazingly sweet lady. Even if I haven’t stepped foot in her shop for over 6 months, she still remembers me, welcomes me warmly, and asks how my mother is doing (note that my mom lives 1000 miles away and they’ve met just twice). She’s a splendid human being. However, I don’t buy all of my yarn from her because she doesn’t carry many lace-weight yarns. It simply doesn’t interest her. Since she has limited funds and space for her inventory, she has chosen to focus on other items. Because I see her as an endearing, mother-type figure, I don’t have the heart to suggest she change anything because I don’t want it to seem as though I’m criticizing her. It’s her shop so I’ll let her run it how she sees fit. So I will buy lots of nice things from her, but I go elsewhere for lace-making and crochet supplies. I suppose if I were closer friends with the owners of one of my LYSs I might find the courage to suggest they do more to encourage crocheting, but I’m not there yet.
To be totally honest, I understand the bias. Knitting hit such an amazing surge in popularity about a decade ago and some really fantastic patterns have come along with that! Since crochet hasn’t experienced the same boom in popularity, we haven’t experienced the same increase in fabulous patterns … until recently. Slowly but surely, I’m noticing a bit more interest in crochet out there. I think publications like Interweave Crochet have helped enormously! They introduce more modern styles into the world of crochet. A few weeks ago someone even asked me if I could teach them to crochet, which amazed me! I’ve only been asked for knitting lessons before then. So there’s hope out there, but I don’t think crochet will ever surpass knitting in popularity. Knitting’s foothold is just too strong.
If you had an option for “All of the above,” I would have clicked it! (re: why LYS don’t carry more crochet inventory)
Crocheters airing grievances over their bad experiences is often seen as whining, easily dismissed.
It’s very possible that you are not seeing the bias because your community(ies) supports both crafts. Other communities, like across the pond from you, may show this bias more openly. Perception is a very individual thing. Just because one does not perceive something to exist does not mean it does not exist, at least to someone else somewhere else. There is evidence of a bias against crochet in the larger community as others have already cited.
My biggest complaint is that opinions are often stated as fact and are often taken as fact without further investigation, especially if the opinions come from a voice of authority. This is for everything, not just crochet.
I think by nature, most humans are, well, self-centered. It’s not a bad thing. It just means that they live life seeing things through their own filters. I think its quite noble of you to seek opinions from others in order to understand an issue further. I hope you find the answers you are looking for. But this being a not-so-scientific survey, please keep an open mind even after it’s conclusion. Will you be publishing your findings? If so, please keep us informed.
My mother taught me the knit stitch when I was six or seven, but I’d never been very good at it, and had a hard time learning other stitches. Then two years ago, I picked up a crocheting kit geared towards little kids, and it just made sense. I’ve been crocheting ever since, and there’s no pattern I can’t figure out or technique I can’t master.
I have experienced the industry bias that commenters above have described, but luckily I haven’t experienced any personal bias. I am the only crocheter in a large knitting group, and I get nothing but positive comments–mostly along the lines of, THAT is crocheted? People seem to have neon acrylic granny squares stuck in their head as the main example of crochet, and are amazed to see the lovely things that exist today.
I like to knit for some things and crochet for others. For me it isn’t either or but more of what would work better for the item I am making. For example, I live to knit stuffed toys but I tend to crochet a little hat or undies as I like the more delicate look of the garments against the knit animal.
But this survey reminds me of my mom’s attitude years ago. She only knits and has always looked down on my grandmother’s beautiful afghans as ‘just crochet’!
The whole thing is funny, though, isn’t it? I find that creative people use all sorts of different mediums to achieve a truly unique product, so limiting oneself with one or the other craft is a shame.
Good conversation! I will preface my comments with saying I both knit and crochet, but knit more.
It’s interesting that people who only crochet comment about the bias in the industry when it can be esily explained. Crocheting with yarn has only been around since the 70’s when it was popularized by the arylic montrosities made in that era (in both knitting and crochet). Because of that it’s still a young craft that hasn’t reached it maturity yet. Knitting has been around for hundreds of years in it’s current form so it’s more advanced with regards to designs, yarns, supplies, patterns. There are a lot of crocheters out there who don’t realize how young it really is and don’t understand why they have less available.
If you’re still doing the old style cotton crochet with the gorgeous lace and doily patterns you can see the breadth and depth of the availability for patterns. That’s because it’s the part of crochet that has that history to draw from. String crochet has had the time needed to develop and it is gorgeous and varied as a craft.
If crocheters want more patterns, then design some! Contribute to your burgeoning craft and show people that it is valuable. I can see that it is making great leaps and strides and continues to do so, but it needs the community behind it to keep advancing.
The other thing I would like to point out is that it is, by definition, not as flexible as knitting. It’s a knotted fabic and it is more dense and firm (less stretch and give), when using the same yarn, as knitting. That is not a negative comment, it’s just how it functions as a form. I have no idea why offense is taken to people talking about the differences in it and people stating preferences. Just as some people prefer woven fabrics to either knitting or crochet, each will always have their own place as they all function differently by definition. Knitting, crocheting, weaving, they all have their ups and downs. Uniqueness should be embraced and not defended!
I’ve been following this both here and on Ravelry. Thank you for taking the time to examine this issue. I both crochet and knit. I list them in that order because that’s the order I learned them in. It’s also alphabetical.
I also kind of tat (poorly) and I want to learn to weave.
If you look in my finished projects in ravelry, you’ll see that I have more finished knit projects than crochet projects. I should list in some of my older work to balance the scales more, but I do knit more than I crochet.
For me, it comes down to two reasons:
1 – I’m far more critical of my own crochet work. If something I’m doing doesn’t meet my vision, I rip rip rip and no one gets to see it. (No one gets to see my lousy knitting, either).
2 – and this the more significant reason: there’s something in my crochet grip and motion which makes it hard for me to do for long periods of time. I’m able to knit for longer at a stretch, and since I practice a certain degree of project monogamy, I’m simply able to produce more. That said, I’m overdue for starting a crochet project, so I’ll be trying to get something on the hook tonight.
I know crochet fabric can be stiff or fluid alternately, but I like the sculptural qualities of crochet. I like that you can build from any direction, and that you can combine flat and 3-D sections at will. I like that it can’t be reproduced by machine. My favorite work in crochet is Irish crochet, followed by its close cousin, freeform work. You can make crochet that looks like knitting, and you can even produce an actual knit fabric with a modified crochet hook.
People have mentioned the two reasons I see for snobbery: it’s historically been “poor man’s lace” and there’s a dearth of beautiful yarncraft crochet (I’m blaming the 70’s. Avocado and old gold may be someone’s idea of beautiful, but it’s not mine). Thankfully, the second is changing. More people are putting out more and more beautiful patterns for crochet garments.
And if the clerk at my LYS turned up her nose at me and wouldn’t help me order kidsilk lace weight because I was wearing a crochet scarf, well, that’s her profit loss.
I run a knitting group that meets twice a month. Some people come along and crochet which is absolutely fine.
The comments here have made me realise I have been remiss in the promotion of my knitting group. I have given our LYS a notice for their notice board about the group, but nowhere on it have I mentioned that crocheters are also just as welcome.
I shall be doing a new notice this evening, encouraging crocheters to give us a go too, which I shall take to the shop as soon as possible.
I didn’t know such a notion even existed – this crochet versus knitting thing. I find it disheartening when crafters turn against one another. I’ve also realized that I’m a tad more ignorant about crochet than I thought. Thank you for having the conversation.
I can’t wait to find out the results! Thanks for taking the time to do this.
As for the question as to whether or not stores carry crochet materials – one issue may not have anything to do attitudes toward crochet – it’s money.
Some shops may not have the capital to carry another area of craft. Crochet with regular wools are fine – but when you get into the incredible are of crochet lace, there’s a lot of expensive stock you could have there (fine egyptian cottons or silks).
Interesting survey – looking forward to the results.
A very nice survey, and I look forward to the results. Although, I might not e that the next to last question is worded a little confusingly:
“If you crochet, does it bother you that many crocheters think that knitters have a negative opinion of crochet?”
Grammatically, this is asking me if the attitude of crocheters bothers me, but I think the intent (and how I took it in my voting) is to ask if the supposed negative opinion held by knitters bothers me. or am I reading too much into this?
Well, the survey is about whether there IS a perception that some knitters have an anti-crochet bias, so I think it encompasses both ideas. Basically, as a crocheter, does it bother you that the crochet world has a new ‘tradition’, almost, of saying it is being put down by other crafters?
I crochet, and recently learned how to knit. I find more written material pertaining to knitting readily available. It was the numerous magazines out there, that sparked my interest into taking knitting classes. More patterns readily available at my fingertips, was all it took to spark my inspiration to knit. I still love to engage in both equally, and often combine the two, creating crazy and fun patterns, for my own interest.
amusing. i knit now as an adult when i learned both as a child and only crocheted til recently. i used to think knitting was boring, and knitters were people with time to waste. i knit now it’s cos i can do it more meditatively watching a movie or sitting in conversation, as i decompress as a mother but as a fidgety person must still make something. i started to knit because i met a friend that was a great teacher. she gave me addis and wonderful yarn. for me crochet is for more imagination, intensity, and energy, much more inventive and spontaneous, more investment in each jab of the hook. and when i have that bigger energy – well, it is for home improvement or maybe sewing – something larger and less selfish. the funny thing is that i will always be drawn to texture and lace which is definitely crochet related.
one thing crochet patterns don’t really do is tell you to get out the knitting needle and knit an edge when things are almost over. but it is not unusual for a knitting pattern to suggest having a crochet hook and shifting gears to finish an item a knitter wants done already. this in itself could be the source of irritation. finishing with knitting is a sore spot, while with crochet it is no big deal. crochet is something a child can learn before knitting…and takes less tools. now all these new knitters are stymied – and some may not want to admit that crochet is hard for them, and maybe worrying about dropping so many stitches can bring out the fussier parts of our personalities, lol. i think it takes more time to train the body to get even stitches and rhythm with crochet than with knitting – it is more physical, and takes more finesse.
and maybe the real difficulty is that crochet is popular enough, and close enough that it is often compared, when they are actually quite different. i mean there’s no debate with weavers, or those tatting lace or doing hairpin, eh? all are worthy arts, and making is making, and how each manipulates yarn and fiber is quite different. umm, hello? knitting wasn’t that cool for awhile either. it cracks me up that one generation missed out on home economics/industrial arts in the states and now wants to acquire those skills. and i’m grateful for new developments, but this crafting movement and levels of snobbery seems weird and hilarious at times. and definitely related to how visual we have become.
so here’s my glass raised to you crocheters. i envy the zest and attention you have, that i currently lack.
if there are some knitters being acting stupid, just remember we are already willing to fight to the death amongst ourselves about brands of yarns. we all want to feel special, we just can’t help it. as for my lys – well, the owner bought yarn for fun before opening a shop and before learning to knit. so you never know. her biggest patrons are there to do similar things and hang out together like a club. it just happens to not be about crochet.
i’m going to climb back into my cave, my apologies for taking larger than usual space.
For example, a woman pulled out her crochet at the local knit group and was told in no uncertain terms, This is a _knit_ group”. I have had people in yarn shops pull away with something of a terrified look on their face if I mention I crochet or that I will be using the yarn I just bought to crochet. When a woman kept asking me for help in teaching her daughter to knit and the daughter just did not want to, I suggested teaching her crochet. She pulled back from me, like I had just sneezed all over her.
So for me, yes, I have seen first hand, in the flesh bias against crochet.
I agree that crochet is still in its infancy, as far as being a separate art, but I also know this bias has been going on since at least the turn of the *last* century. I will continue to sing the praises of both arts, because I am just like that.
I feel when looking at the craft magazines theres and equal amount of knitting and crochet and proberbly more paper craft mags there to be honest!
When it comes to te books I feel there are equal cool and modern patterns for both and I have yet to witness this so call bias? (Again I feel spinning, and weaving is snubbed more.)
I love both and admire/inspired by those who are better at it than me.
So stop complaining and just create more cool patterns and craft!
Kat x
I only crochet as I’ve found it very difficult to deal with two sticks. I don’t have a problem with it until i see some really awesome laces hawl that is knitted and I can’t do it.. oh well.. I haven’t made myself many crocheted shawls either so.. I have recently taken up knooking which uses a hook and string.. Very interesting technique.. I do not discriminate against any fibre artist.. There is room in the world for all. I love seeing all the different techniques with threads and fabrics..
I have crocheted for years, was taught at a fairly young age and enjoyed it more or less. I started it back up again as an adult but wasn’t particularly moved by the process. It wasn’t until I started cloth diapering that I became aware of the prolification of knitting on the internet and in the craft world (and the highly priced wool that comes with it!).
I learned how to knit because our cash flow restricted me to using only craft supplies I had on hand. I had a “how to knit” kit and thought I might try it. I did and I am addicted. Since learning how to knit, I’ve come to somewhat despise crochet. The process is not as soothing to me, the fabric created is not as interesting or useful. I do still crochet at times though, when the right pattern comes my way. Patterns for crochet are different than for knitting and require a lot more concentration than I seem to have available with young children around. However, crochet graphs are becoming more popular which helps my visual brain grasp the concepts.
I must say also, I taught my bff to crochet and she LOVED it until I taught her to knit. Now she’s kind of meh about it. Maybe she will chime in here, too, since I linked her to the survey.
Something I think that needs pointing out is that the knitting vs crochet bias seems to be a predominantly North American issue, and a fairly recent one at that. As someone mentioned to me recently, in some languages the word for knit and crochet is the same and the only differenciation is whether or not you are crafting with a hook or crafting with needles. Knitting has just happened to be the craft that experienced a boom. Crochet is slowly catching up, and has anyone seen much tatting recently? :0)
The truth of the matter is that both crafts are done for enjoyment and are a luxury (albeit an inexpensive one if you shop carefully) , and one must have leisure time to do it. Bias slips in here in the same way that it does with any item that’s not a necessity. Some folks just want to feel that they have something better/faster/prettier/snazzier than the person next to them does. Thats exactly why people line up for hours in miserable weather for the newest Apple product.
(I hope that made some sort of sense, I’m operating on little sleep and no caffeine at the moment…)
Truthfully, I can go both, but I think that crochet is only suitable for afghans and occasionally doilies, which I have no use for. I don’t like the fabric, and I do get sick of the whining on Ravelry about how yarn stores and knitters are all biased crochet. A lot of us think, but only a few of us have the balls to say, that crochet is mostly ugly and that’s why we don’t do it.
I’ve dabbled in crochet, but don’t enjoy it nearly as much as knitting. In almost 2 years of knitting, I’d say I’ve become quite a good knitter, but I don’t have the patience with crochet to get there. I also find it really hard on my wrists, so can only do it for short bursts and then can’t knit afterwards! All that doesn’t mean I think any less of the craft, but it does mean I only usually pick up a hook to edge (or even fix) my knitting!
And none of that stops me from collecting crochet magazines – I just wait till they’re on sale, instead of snapping them up immediately!
Wow, there are certainly some strong views out there. I’m not terribly active in the online community (just aren’t enough hours in the day) so am not really aware of the knitting vs crochet ‘debate’. In ‘real life’ I’ve luckily not really been exposed to much prejudice.
I taught myself to crochet a couple of years ago and found it really easy to pick up. I decided on crochet as I found a great book with some very inviting looking photography and to be honest I was a little bit scared that knitting would be too difficult. I made some great non ugly (!) looking contemporary items that I am really pleased with. I was however getting frustrated with the overall lack of contemporary looking patterns available. I’m still very much a novice and am not really well placed to be making patterns of my own (a bit like trying to run before I can walk).
As a result at the back end of last year I decided to teach myself to knit. If I don’t say so myself I am getting on quite well! There certainly are a lot more contemporary patterns available BUT as with crochet there are also some monstrosities out there!
Personally I think each craft has its place and what’s wrong with having both skills under your belt?
Yet another pop-over from Ravelry! I do not enjoy knitting myself, but enjoy what others create. I love crochet and what I am able to do with it. I agree that hold-over images from the 70s of crochet continue to influence people’s opinions to the negative, which is sad because both are fiber art forms that utilize a linear filament (mono or ply) and manipulate it with implements to create various fabrics. Both techniques create beautiful, versatile, detailed or not items for many applications and during the American Victorian era, both were extensively used and valued, along with broomstick, Tunisian, tatting, netting, macrame, bobbin work, and others. They behave differently, but different does not equal Better or Worse. The Plain Bellied Sneeches vs the Star Bellied Sneetches (thanks, Dr. Seus!) kind of snobbery is just boorish and unimaginative. People who give me attitude about crochet (and yes, it does happen) just make me tired and I let them know so. My favorite response is to wave one of my long Tunisian hooks and tell them about Egyptian mummification processes!
I’ve really enjoyed reading all the responses. I have experienced a great deal of anti-crochet prejudice, but i physically CAN’T knit, needlepoint, cross stitch or hold a crayon without wrist pain. Because of the way I was originally taught to hold a crochet hook, I CAN use an ergonomic hook, so I crochet. Yes, I hate being thought of as a second class citizen, but I’ll put it up with it in order to enjoy the pleasures of fiber.
BTW, a North American yarn co. survey (I think it was sponsored by the Craft Yarn Council of America) showed crocheters outnumbered knitters 2 to 1.