The Art of Knitting and Crocheting

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I have always liked fiber and assorted yarn. I am like a child in a candy store whenever I go to the yarn store. The hanks of fiber arranged by color mesmerize me, calling for me to bring them home, to see what I will create with them. I love how the yarn store is organized by color and wool textures. They challenge me, taunting me, begging me to turn the colorful skein into a one of a kind handcrafted creation. Will this colorful skein of yarn become knotted to make an afghan, a sweater, socks or hats?

The combinations are endless but lead to the great debate among yarn enthusiast, do I knit or do I crochet? Knitting is completed in rows and follows block construction, where as crochet can travel in any direction and takes on a shape of its own.

Knitting has a rich history dating back to pre-Columbian times. The art of knitting became popular in America during World War 1. The November 24, 1941 issue of Life magazine featured a cover story on “How to knit” encouraging women to help in the war effort by hand knitting garments for men at war. (Becker)

There is something rhythmical by taking those two needles into your hands and casting on the yarn to create a wonderful piece of fabric. Just think with only two stitches, the knit stitch and the purl stitch you can create a variety of patterns, magically right before your eyes.

Knitting needles are typically made from aluminum, plastic, bamboo, or wood. Sizes range from 2 mm in diameter to 25 mm in diameter. (Craft Yarn Council of America) Depending on the gauge you seek for your fabric will determine the size of the needles you will use. Different types of yarn require different needles. I found when working with wool, the bamboo needles provide for a ...

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When it comes to handcrafting a knitted piece, I am always reminded that knitting can be done by machine. Man has not been able to figure out a machine that can duplicate crochet stitches making crochet a unique craft that can only be done by hand.

Works Cited

America, Craft Yarn Coucil of. "Yarn Standards." Brochure put out by Craft Yarn Council of America. Gaston: Craft Yarn Council of America, September 2008.

Bardum, Better. The Crochet Stitch Bible. London: Quantro, 2004.

Becker, Paula. Knitting for Victory. 19 August 2004. 8 December 2009 .

Manx, Ariel. The Difference between Knitting and Crochet. 23 January 2009. 8 December 2009 .

"PressReleaseSpider - Crochet webiste sheds light on the ..." The History of Crochet" . 8 Dec. 2009 .

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