Knitting and Crochet: Happy Siblings
Knitting or crochet? Why not knitting and crochet?
I love both of these techniques. I know there are a lot of people claiming that one technique is superior to the other, that one is excruciatingly difficult and the other really simple, or that one is best for garments and the other best for potholders. I don’t buy any of that.
Knitting and crochet are both wonderful techniques – why not use them together? It has already been done, in the wonderful traditional sweaters from Korsnäs, in Finland.
Let’s do it again, with a contemporary take on this combination. Contrasting textures, different functionalities - a new world of possibilities opens up! When I made the swatches for this article, every new combination was an eye-opener and a happy surprise. All I wanted to do was to go on and on. In fact, that’s probably what I’m going to do…
Knitted ribbing and crochet
In my opinion, the reasons to combine knit and crochet are mostly aesthetic, but there can be functional reasons to combine the techniques as well.
Knitted ribbing makes a very elastic fabric that clings to the body. If you want some parts of a design to fit closely, you can certainly achieve this effect with crochet – but it will be easier in knitting.
So why not a close-fitted bodice in knitting, combined with crocheted lace? Or a high knitted ribbing to really define the waist, and the rest of the garment in crochet?
In the swatch pictured, a knitting K2 P2 ribbing is combined with a double crochet V-stitch.
Knitted cables and crochet
You can find a lot of pretty cables in crochet, but personally, I’m in love with the knitted ones. There is a floating quality to the knitted stitches which appeals tremendously to me in the form of cables.
But the fabric surrounding the cables – why not do it in crochet? Crochet will provide a more interesting texture than the ordinary knitted fabric, even with a very simple stitch.
The cable in this swatch is taken from a garment in the Phildar catalogue ”Enfants automne-hiver 06/07”. I started by knitting the cable, and then worked out from it sideways in crochet, using simple double crochet in the front loop only. This combination of textures makes my heart beat faster. Really.
Knitted lace and crocheted solid fabric
If there is one thing on which many people seem to agree, it’s the assumption that knitting is for solid fabric and crochet is for lace.
Why?
There are so many wonderful knitted lace patterns, and so many interesting solid crochet fabrics.
In this swatch, half double crochets in the front loop only are combined with a ”stripe” of knitted lace. The swatch is worked in one piece, without breaking the yarn. When switching from crochet to knitting, just pick up your knitted stitches through your crocheted ones. And when switching back to crochet, just work the crocheted stitches through the knitted ones, right from the knitting needle.
This swatch is the one my nine-year-old daughter prefers.
Edging your crochet with knitting
How many times have you heard: ”It can be nice to combine knit and crochet – crochet makes great edgings to knitted garments”?
Well, let me tell you, I think knitting can make great edgings to crocheted garments.
The edging in this swatch is taken from Nicky Epstein’s book ”Knitting on the Edge”. The crocheted fabric is a simple off-set net in half double crochet: *1 hdc, 1 ch*. Repeat from * to *. The next row is the same, only with the hdc worked in the chain spaces.
Couldn’t you just see the fabric in this swatch worked up as an A-line tunic, with the edging at the hems on body and sleeves?
OK, I have to go. I have some swatching to do, in crochet – and knitting.
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This article is awesome--I love seeing these new combinations of knitting and crochet--can't wait to get swatching!! (by the way, annette--I loved your pieces in the new Interweave!)
I love the ideas in this article. I like knitted garments but don't have the patience to knit a whole one--even one with crochet edging. So the idea of crocheting most of a garment with some knitted emblishments is exciting to me. Thanks!
Brilliant article! I've never thought of these before. I wish I had more of an original brain to put these to use. I should get to work on them.
Thank you.
Annette, all of your examples are eye-opening for me, especially the crochet with knitted cables! Love it!
Great job as usual.
I love it! I knit for a long time and just learn crochet few months ago, I've already thought about combine both of them. This is a really good idea! Thanks for sharing!
wow!! These are great, and so motivating! I think I have just enough patience for a little knitted cable here and there, and then on to some crochet! Great ideas, and beautiful swatches!
Instead of make tricot ribbings for my crochet, I prefer to crochet ribbing for my tricot.
I begin making my ribbing: a strip of back post sc - I go making rows until the strip have the desired size. Then I pick knit stitches at the SIDE of the strip.
Crochet ribbings are stronger and stand better to ill-treatment - children and young men come to mind.
Great idea!
I'm so pleased that I'm not alone in useing knit and crochet together! I just thought it made bettter sense to me to use whichever is best suited to the task! I highly recommend everyone gives it a try. You'll be hooked!
Lita in U.K.
This is one of my favorite all time articles on knitting and crochet. Thank you for posting this.
Some of us crochet and ONLY crochet, for various reasons. I was really disappointed with the new Interweave crochet, two items required that I know how to knit. Okay, I admit, I am knitting impaired, but also, I don't enjoy knitting, I just want to crochet. I respect all of you that can and want to do both, but not me!
Well Kunni, there was something I didn't put into this article, but which was on my mind when I wrote it: I think of combined knit and crochet pieces as perfect "projects-for-two". Two friends or two family members, one a knitter and the other a crocheter, could make such a project together - and have lots of fun in the process.
But you do have the right to crochet only - please, continue!
Annette, i really enjoyed reading ur article. i have been reading a bunch lately about how many people do either one or the other (crochet or knit). i know some knitters view crochet as a lower status if u want to call it. but i believe just like you that each can work together and as you have shown they work lovely. i do not see the need for one to think they are better for doing one or the other, but to appreciate each work of art for what it is and learn to coexist. thank you so much for the wonderful work you have shown everyone and keep doing what you do best.
Thank you for writing this lovely article. You confirm my thoughts that knitting and crochet do belong in my yarn basket at the same time. The samples are beautiful!
Thanks!
Annette, that comment on "project for two" is a wonderful idea! my mom ONLY knits and I ONLY crochet; we tend to bicker quite a bit on whose stiches rank superior--- maybe your right in thinking that they can exist together!
I am so happy that you touched on this subject in your article. I have been crocheting since age 8 and just started to knit a few months ago. I enjoy both and I find that I always have to mix the two crafts when I am making scarves, accessories or whatever. I find that they complement one another very well and I cant seem to understand why there is such rivalry between knitters and crocheters. Cant we all just get along! LOL
LOVE this format... I do so much "searching"... takes up time... just wanted to input... I am "older" and have finally gotten to do "what I want, when I want.... I have always had the feeling that "combining" things is what a true artist does.... whether yarn, paint, fabric, you name it. The knit, with the crochet has always been part of my life. All those sweaters with "flimsy" buttonholes????? Crochet fronts... Nice to hear people making up their own rules... after all there are no rules in crafting.. Thanks for listening. BJ
I WOULD LIKE AS BEEN TRYING TO ET THESE DIRCTIOSN FOR A VERY LONG TIME BUT I DONT KNIT I NEED SOEMONE TO SEND ME THE DIRCTIOSN FOR THIS PARTICULAR DISHCLOTH BUT IN CROCHETED TERMS AS THIS IS THE ONE THT YOU ALWAYS SEE AT CRAFT FARIS HERE IS THE WEB ADDRESS
http://www.diynet.com/diy/shows_cds?article/0,2045,DIY_15079_2354752,00.htn
the last worm on this page for web address might be htm instead of htn
thenm it will coem up knitted dishcloth and blanket
you cna click on the dioscloth also and it will get bigger
please soemone help as this is the dishcloth io wnt to make but i need in crocheted terms email me at swmorsel@aol.com sincerely, patricia
Annette, I once went to a higher end yarn store and was shown the door because I was a crochetter. I am sorry if this offends anyone, but knitting is the tool of the devil. I've been crochetting since I was 8 and the mere concept of knitting, boggles my mind. Two needles, neither of them with a hook, you can't get any crazier than that.
Love the idea and have been wanting to do it for some time. But how? The article doesn´t explain. Maybe I´m just dumb but I don´t understand how to switch back and forth. Could someone help me? My email address is rsemiatin@gmail.com
I have been knitting for years and started crocheting very recently by taking a class
thought it might be useful for edging my knitting by now i see i can easily go either way
pretty cool
Would love to hear about and see some examples of a crochet buttonband (like you discussed with Brenda Dayne on Cast-On). Awesome ideas!