The main difference between crocheting and knitting is the equipment used for it, as knitting uses a pair of long needles to form the loops, while crochet uses a single hook to form the loop. Apart from this, there is no other difference, including the yarn.
Knitting yarn can be used for crocheting, as you can use all types of yarn for crocheting and knitting because they do not have any difference. However, some yarns are best for each needlework. (Knitting and Crocheting).
Let’s dive into the yarn world to know which is best for your crochet and knitting craftwork and how to crochet with all types of yarn.
How Do I Crochet With A Knitting Yarn?
Knitting yarn can be used for crochet projects except for fluffy, novelty, and boucle yarn.
Materials Needed.
- A Yarn. (Anyone, preferably the one you love to knit with )
- A Crotchet Hook.
- Yarn needle.
- Scissors.
- Stitch Markers.
Step One.
Choose Your Yarn.
Yarns are selected based on the pattern you want to work on, and the best to work with based on your level of expertise, either a beginner, intermediate or professional in the crochet world is the medium-weight yarn (wool, acrylic, or cotton).
For beginners, it will be best to go for a light-colored and smooth-textured yarn to give a perfect job.
Step Two.
Select Your Crochet Hook.
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To make a crochet design, you might need more than a hook depending on your pattern, as a small crochet hook works best with thin yarn and a large crochet hook works best with thick yarn.
Besides, the yarn label will tell you the specific hook size to use with the yarn.
Step Three.
Learn To Hold Your Crotchet Hook.
There are two ways to grip your crochet hook: the pencil and the knife grip. It needs to be held comfortably to make the work easy and enjoyable, as crocheting might be stressful if the crochet hook is held incorrectly or uncomfortable.
In using the pencil grip, you must keep the crochet hook between your thumb and index finger and support it with your third finger, just the exact way you hold your pencil.
You can decide to grip your crochet hook the way you maintain your knife over a slicing board in the kitchen, and that is by placing the crochet hook between your thumb and index finger and allowing your other three fingers to hold it from the side.
Therefore, the crochet hook should be held by your dominant hand, and the yarn should be held by your other hand, meaning a left-handed individual should have her hook with her left hand and the yarn with her right hand and vice versa for a right-handed individual.
Step Four.
Proper Holding Of The Yarn.
Your yarn has to be held between the fingers of your other hand to put tension on the yarn, and that can be done by coiling the yarn around your pinkie finger, then passing it under the ring and middle before bringing it over the index finger.
Step Five.
Tie A Slip Knot And Make A Chain
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The yarn must be attached to the knitting yarn, which is best done with a slip knot, and after you have inserted your hook into the slip knot, you will have to start the chain by simply twisting the yarn around the crochet hook before pulling it through the loop to make a chain.
Form another chain by yarning over the crochet hook to make another loop.
Step Six
Make The First Row.
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Pass your crochet hook into the second chain and stitch from the front to the back, or based on your pattern’s instruction, make sure it goes through the V centre.
Step Seven
Make Your Crochet.
Insert your crochet hook into the second chain and bring your yarn over it from the back to the front, pulling it inside the chain to form another loop which you will yarn over again, drawing it through both loops to create a crochet.
Repeat this until you reach the end of the row, and make more crochet by chaining one stitch at the end of your row and turning it over to start another row.
Continue crocheting more rows based on your pattern.
Step Eight.
Finish The Crochet.
After you are done with your pattern, you need to seal the end just as you started with a slip knot, and you will do this by cutting the yarn and pulling it through the last loop to tie.
Which Yarn is Best For Crochet?
The best yarn so far is any brand of yarn made with wool which many people love as it is easy to correct errors made during your project, followed by acrylic yarn which is for beginners as they can use it for different kinds of projects.
Some prefer cotton yarn. However, the type of yarn best for crocheting is dependent on your skill of expertise in crocheting.
Example of the best brands of yarn good for your crochet project includes
- Celine Lin Mohair and Cashmere yarn.
- Mira Acrylic Yarn.
- James C.Brett Yarn.
- Caron Simply Soft Yarn.
- Lion Brand Wool-Ease Yarn.
How Do I Select The Best Yarn For Crocheting?
In selecting the best type of yarn for your crochet needlework, a few factors have to be considered, such as;
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Your Budget.
The type of yarn you will be selecting must be based on your budget, as some yarns are pretty expensive, so you need to do your market survey before purchasing the yarn. However, please do not go for low-quality yarn because of your budget, especially when doing it for commercial purposes.
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The Yarn Ply.
The beauty of your pattern depends on the number of yarn ply you are working with. However, only some crocheters can work with all yarn plies as beginners find it easy to see each stitch of the 10-ply worsted weight yarn.
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The Weight Of The Yarn.
In selecting the weight, you have to be entirely decisive on the type of project you want to work on, as the weight of your yarn will determine the final look of your project work.
Therefore, you can make a blanket with heavy yarn to serve its purpose, as it will not serve its purpose if made with light, thin yarn.
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The Yarn’s Accessibility.
Your choice of yarn must be easily accessible anytime and any day, and it will be best to start and finish your project work with that same brand of yarn, as yarn varies in softness depending on the brand.
Besides, it will not be best if your yarn finishes in the middle of the project, and you can not get more to continue based on its unavailability.
Conclusion.
Knitting yarn and crocheting yarn received that name based on marketing strategy as you can use all yarn for crocheting and knitting purposes except crochet thread which is not used for knitting. However, professionals still find their way around using crochet threads to knit.
Therefore, the selection is based on your project’s design, the yarn’s availability, your budget, the ply, and the weight of the yarn.