Cool Crocheters And Nifty Knitters

The face of knitting and crocheting has changed over the years. Both of these handicrafts have their roots in antiquity, but their history reveals a colourful story, one that people of all ages are now excited to be a part of. There has never been such a good time to get hooked!

So, for the uninitiated, what’s the difference between knitted and crocheted goods?

The main difference between the two is that knitted material stretches, so it’s more elastic than traditional woven fabric and much more elastic than crochet. This makes it suitable for anything that is meant to be form-fitting. For centuries, it’s been the main way of making socks, stockings, sweaters, gloves and hats, as it not only stretches well, but it doesn’t have large gaps between the stitches.

Crocheted garments, on the other hand, aren’t very stretchy, tend to be stiff, and often have gaps between the stitches. There are ways of crocheting that minimise these issues, but they tend to use very small stitches, so they wouldn’t be any faster than knitting, potentially slower. The general consensus is that knitting is better for wearables and crochet is better for household goods like blankets, stuffed toys, and pillow cases.

The origins of knitting

Because of its practical uses, knitting used to be a professional work for both men and women. By the seventeenth century, following the invention of the knitting machine, its location had largely moved from the rural areas to the big industrial cities. However, women still knitted at home to provide clothing for their families, and the reassuring picture we may have of an elderly, silver-haired woman sitting serenely in her rocking chair to the gentle accompaniment of the click of needles is undoubtedly one founded in truth. Knitting had a fresh resurgence during the war years, when women were encouraged to knit both for the war effort and to provide for their families. Younger women and girls joined them in force during these times, as, with rationing on clothes, it was a way to provide at least some semblance of fashion and new clothing.

The origins of crochet

Crocheting has taken a slightly different path through history, but has still come to a similar place. During the Irish potato famine, selling crocheted lace was one way near-starving families were able to raise money; those who emigrated then took these crocheting skills over to America. In the U.K., crocheting lace was also a way of raising money for rural families and was enjoyed as a pastime by the wealthier classes. It then went somewhat out of vogue but experienced a vibrant and colourful resurgence in the 1970s to 80s, trending in both clothing fashion and home decor.

Fifty years on from that, and we now see both knitting and crocheting being enjoyed by a new generation, mainly women and girls, but men are most certainly holding their own in this sphere too. This trend has been on the rise for some time, but the lockdowns during COVID also had a part to play. There was a time when fear and anxiety were high, and all the normal ways of dealing with these, eg meeting a friend for a coffee or going to the gym, were barred.

Working on a practical project provided a welcome change, and the completion of a beautiful, handmade product was a much-needed boost and sense of achievement. It was as if picking up these new skills helped to alleviate anxiety over uncontrollable environmental circumstances, because although you couldn’t make the pandemic go away, you could make a cool scarf or blanket instead!

While we are not living under those conditions anymore (fortunately), screen fatigue, isolation and anxiety are still evident in many of our lives. However, the good news is that knitting and crochet can provide an antidote for this problem by providing a means of getting together with others and building community, despite being apparently solitary pastimes! From wool sharing to meet-ups and shared projects, the rich social aspect of these pastimes can transform lives and build lasting connections.

Both knitting and crocheting involve rhythmic, repetitive actions which require a certain amount of concentration, but not so much that our minds cannot drift onto other topics, or we cannot hold a conversation and share life at the same time. Many keen knitters and crocheters report that sharing their projects and being part of a group has made their craft many times more enjoyable.

It’s time to cast on!

So, before you ask, here’s how you can get started!

This is by no means the only way, but Youtube is a reliable place to find free, instructional videos and it allows you to watch at a slower speed with video playback at 0.75× or 0.5×, which hands-on learners are going to find helpful. Why not check out the following YouTube channels?

Knitting

• Very Pink Knits
• Sheep & Stitch
• Knit With Hannah
• Roxanne Richardson & Ysolda

Crochet

• Bella Coco
• TL Yarn Crafts
• Happy Berry Crochet
• Marly Bird
• Hooked by Robin

Starter projects

It’s always a good idea to start with a simple beginner project, such as a scarf (for knitting) or a granny square blanket (for crochet). And, don’t be too hard on yourself – keep going even if you make mistakes. Learning tension, casting off, and stitch consistency takes time—it’s all part of the journey.

One day public liability insurance

If you are already selling your knitwear or crocheted goods and are interested in craft insurance, particularly one day public liability insurance, to sell or demonstrate your craft to others at fairs, just give us a call or drop us a line. Either Sam or Naomi will be here to answer your queries and work with you to ensure you get the best one-day public liability insurance for your needs. We look forward to hearing about your business initiatives!