Yarn for knitting vs. crocheting: Is there a difference?
Okay, there is probably an obvious answer to this question, but I am going to ask it anyway. When dealing with yarn, is there a yarn for knitting and a yarn for crocheting? Or is all yarn used for either craft? The reason I came up with this brilliant question is because when I go to various yarn websites they seem to be catering more to the knitters rather than crocheters or both. So I am a bit confused. I do not want to purchase a beautiful yarn and then find out I cannot use it because it will not work up with crochet.
I hope this makes sense to someone out there. I await all comments.
Peace
CJ
No difference, IMO, though I have the impression some yarns are easier to knit, some easier to crochet.
For instance, some knitters on a knitting forum complain about using cotton, that it's lack of elasticity makes their hands hurt, but I've never read that complaint from a crocheter. I myself don't notice a problem with cotton yarn, knitting or crocheting.
I did notice a problem with eyelash yarn. I was able to knit it on huge needles though it wasn't the easiest yarn to use. I tried to crochet it with a smaller hook and gave up almost instantly because I couldn't see the yarn for all the fluff. I was trying to make the adorable http://crochetme.com/patterns/romeo-bubble-love Maybe I'll try again.
I struggled a bit crocheting three strands together but don't remember a problem knitting three strands together.
Judging by the forums, crocheters are more likely to use the less expensive yarns. If shop owners have the same impression, they'll aim their ads at knitters.
My 2 cents. I'd like to hear what others say.
Here are my two cents about the eyelash yarns. I find it much easier to use them as a carrying yarn, ie, use two strands together, one strand being the eyelash and one being a more regular texture. By all means use a hook that is large enough to make the stitches kind of loose. This allows the "eyelashes" to slip out of the stitches and wave around freely.
mad for crochet!
Pauline's right: yarns might behave differently in one craft versus the other, but all yarns are fair game for crochet.
Factors that influence people's experience of a yarn include how tightly the yarn is spun, whether it's plied, how textured it is, and the fibers that compose it. I am actually quite picky about crocheting (and knitting) with unforgiving cotton yarns, because my hands will hurt in either craft. That said, I find certain cotton yarns are a dream to work with; that dream is different from crafter to crafter.
This is why I like swatching so much. Yarns I stashed years ago because I didn't enjoy knitting them I've revisited with crochet and loved. And vice versa. It's a great excuse to experiment!
Check out Interweave Crochet and the Crochet Me book!
ohm'goodness! Use whatever yarn tickles your fancy! You may need to play a bit with hook size to get the right kind of fabric (often the recommended hook size is too small, and the fabric ends up too dense). Absolutely treat yourself to whatever yarn you want to use! Cashmere! Wool! Alpaca! Silk! (Even acrylic if you need to.) I agree that the "novelty" yarns might be difficult to crochet with... but I find them difficult to knit as well.
Yarn store owners think there are more knitters than crocheters (they're probably right) and so they make their products look appealing to the largest percentage of customers. But yarn is yarn is yarn. You should also email the stores to let them know their knit-focused store was unappealing to you as a crocheter. Encourage the yarn shops to highlight crochet along with knitting...and reward the ones that do highlight crochet by shopping with them!
Very cool replies! Thank you so much for getting back to me guys. Your comments have really helped a lot. Now I can go shopping with ease. 'Where did I put my credit card?' :-)
Peace
CJ