5 Tips For Crocheters Who Want To Knit | Helpful Hints

Are you a crocheter who wans to learn to knit, but don’t know exactly where to start? I have 5 tips for crocheters who want to knit and just need some helpful hints. I can’t wait to share them with you!

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my crochet/knitting journey

I can’t remember exactly what age I was when I started crocheting, but it was pretty young. My mom was always creating whether it be with music, sewing, knitting or crocheting. I wanted to learn all the things, too. But my patience and attention span didn’t allow for much of it. She taught me to sew first. But I would get so frustrated if I messed up and it would hinder me from finishing many of my projects. I can still sew a little, but yarn crafts have my heart. 🙂

scarves, headbands and beanies…

Later I learned to crochet – and I did enjoy it – but, once again finishing things was a huge obstacle for me. I made many scarves in the beginning – some quite crooked ;). But, I didn’t really start venturing past scarves, headbands and beanies until much later on. I tried to learn to knit many times throughout my early crochet years. But it just wouldn’t stick. Correct tension was a huge frustration for me. I would put my knitting project down for such long periods of time that when I picked it back up again, I had forgotten everything I had learned. *Sigh*

Does this resonate at all? If so, I would love to give some helpful hints that will hopefully encourage you to learn to knit! 🙂 It is so much fun to be able to go back and forth with each of these crafts. And I feel that the more techniques you learn, the more tools you have to create fun and exciting designs! Yay!! Let’s dive in!

tip #1

Try Continental Style

Since I learned to crochet first, I hold my working yarn in my left hand. Continental style knitters also hold their yarn in their left hand. This makes for an easier transition when learning to knit. Now, if you are left-handed this probably won’t apply. American style knitting (or “throwing”) may be easier for you. My mom first learned American style and later learned continental. Since she also crocheted, continental style was much easier and faster for her. She taught me continental. I have also heard that continental style is much faster.

tip #2

practice repetition of stitches

Now, this may sound super obvious. But when knitting finally stuck for me it was because I had made 8,976,543, 212 knit stitches and at least half as many purls. 😉 I was determined to learn this time around. And I knew that would require constant practice.

Repeating stitches this way will also help you recognize when stitches are twisted and how to fix dropped stitches. I used to be terrified of dropped stitches. I thought if I dropped a stitch I might as well start the whole project over. LOL! But as time went on I became much more confident in identifying them and being able to fix them. Also, practice casting on over and over and over… The more you do all of these things the more your tension will become fluid and your muscle memory will kick in. I can even look back at my stitches from a couple years ago and see that they are much more uniform now.

tip #3

don’t be afraid of garments

If you have no desire to knit a garment, then this tip might not apply. But, I feel like it really speaks to anything you have the desire to knit – hats, socks, blankets…. I wanted to learn to knit a sweater SOOO badly! I might even venture to say that was my main reason for learning to knit. 😉 As mentioned before, when I learned to crochet it took me forever (like YEARS) to ever venture past the basic accessories. Once I did though, I was hooked. And I did not want to make the same mistake with knitting.

Y’all, I took the garment plunge only 3 months, yes, just 3 MONTHS after learning to knit! You can read all about that project [here]. This was the absolute. Best. Decision. Because it launched me out of my comfort zone and gave me the confidence to realize – “wow, I really can do this”! I know you can, too! 🙂

tip #4

try lots of different patterns

This tip goes right along with the repetition of stitches tip….with a couple of added bonuses. 😉 Every pattern writer is different. You may find one pattern extremely easy to read and another that requires much more thinking. Trying lots of different patterns helps you find designers who’s pattern writing style is enjoyable for you. And it also helps you approach knitting through a slightly different lens with each pattern. This variation of perspectives will enhance your knitting knowledge and also give you more confidence!

all the patterns..

I have several free beginner friendly knitting patterns [here] if you would like to check them out. I definitely recommend We Are Knitters for easy and beginner friendly kits. The great part about a kit as well is that you have everything you need in one place to finish a project – yarn, knitting needles, pattern…etc. Here are a couple more easy level knitting patterns from different designers that I think are great:

tip #5

don’t give up!

Honestly y’all, this is the most important tip of all. It sounds so simple yet also much easier said than done…amiright?? This is why I was finally able to learn to knit after YEARS of seeing gorgeous knit creations and thinking I would never be in a position to make them.

One specific mental shift for me was instead of viewing my mistakes as a setback, I tried to just view them as practice. And we all know practice makes perfect…or it at least makes much much better! 😉 I now see frogging as an opportunity to create something new and better rather than a mark of shame for something not working out. I need to write a post about my slight obsession with frogging in the future. LOL!

5 tips for crocheters who want to learn to knit

If community helps you stay motivated to keep going consider joining a knit along (KAL). I have had the opportunity to be a part of 2 Knit Collage KAL’s and they have been great! I’ve learned new skills each time and they have helped me stay focused on finishing my projects. I definitely recommend checking out the Spring 2021 Knit Collage knit along! I will be joining in! You can find my Spring 2020 KAL projects [here] and my Fall 2020 KAL projects [here].

here is a video with my 5 Tips For Crocheters Who Want To Knit + some of my knitting journey. 🙂 press play!

let’s review my 5 tips for crocheters who want to knit

in conclusion

yokieB blog tips for crocheters who want to knit

If you have a passion for creating and learning to knit is something that just nags at you constantly…Go for it! You have been given these gifts and passions for a reason. And even though it may be difficult in the beginning while you are learning, it will absolutely be worth it in the end. I promise!! 🙂 God has grown me so much in trusting that He created me to create and I want to embrace that wholeheartedly!! Thanks so much for reading my 5 tips for crocheters who want to knit! Sign up for the yokieB newsletter [here] and find out when new blog posts and patterns are released. Till next time!

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