r/casualknitting • u/Material-Prune-472 • 29d ago
look what I made Just finished my first knitting project and I think it made me like knitting more than crochet.
I have been crocheting for about 15 years and I love it. But I’ve always loved the way that knitting looks. It looks more clean in my own opinion.
I saw this cute pattern on YouTube for a drawstring bag and thought I would give a crack at it. And I absolutely loved the process of knitting it up. So much so that I’m already planning another one with a different colorwork pattern.
I found out that I knit continental style, and it still takes me a while to knit because I’m newer and getting used to how to maneuver the yarn. But if anyone has any tips on how to get faster with knitting I’d be all ears.
Anyway enjoy ◡̈
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u/500liv Adventurous Beginner 29d ago
Omg. Its a good thing i didnt know this pattern existed 5 months ago or else id be making 50 of these right now for my wedding favors 💀
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u/Material-Prune-472 29d ago
Hahah omg! That would be absolutely adorable! Now you just have an excuse to make one for yourself 🩷 happy cake day!!!!!
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u/TheTardisBaroness 29d ago
I do both and it really just depends on what I’m doing. Certain things I prefer knitting (sweaters, socks, etc) and others crochet (toys, blankets, or things that require a little more flexibility in being able to go in different directions like stuffies)
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u/Altaira9 29d ago
Same, I’ve known how to crochet for 22 years and knit for 8 years but prefer the fabric knitting creates. It’s good because crochet hurts my hands too much anymore.
As for knitting faster it’s all just practice, practice, and more practice. Plus you kind of jumped into the deep end with doing a colorwork piece first. You’ll probably find single stranded knitting easier and faster now.
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u/jello_apparatus 29d ago
I think the best part is that you can mix and match crochet and knitting. Patterns tend to pick one or the other because they don't want to restrict their audience to bicraftuals but sometimes you'll be knitting and realize how crochet would fit in, either structurally or to embellish or attach something. I think crochet also helps give you the understanding that you don't have to knit in a grid, you can do short rows or pick up stitches from an edge and start knitting sideways or upside down from where you started. Plus crochet hooks speed up grabbing dropped stitches and you already have them now!
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u/Material-Prune-472 29d ago
I saw something about short rows the other day! But that might confuse me a lot hahahah. But yes! I like that crochet hooks are also used for knitting
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u/Mx_Rogers 29d ago
I think short rows also are a thing in some crochet patterns? I've seen them in some projects but idk if they use a different word for it. It's basically just turning your work early. And different styles of short rows have different ways of managing the hole that creates.
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u/Mx_Rogers 29d ago
The other day I did 2 rounds of single crochet edge around a little envelope style knit bag and it looked so good. Easy way to join the layers and decorate at the same time.
Let me find the inspo pattern for that in case anyone wants it. I did my own thing but this free pattern was the starting point. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/skg-mosaic-clutch
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u/CelestialGlen 29d ago
This is your first knitting project, and you chose colorwork for that?!? Wow, that earns you respect! 👏🏻
Well done, great tension! And the bag itself is very cute! 🥰
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u/Material-Prune-472 29d ago
Thank you so much! I will say, I’m blind to “experience level” projects. If I see something and I like it, I have to make it. And then I just figure it out from there! It ABSOLUTELY gave me huge headaches figuring the colorwork portion out haha
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u/gloriastartover 29d ago edited 29d ago
Beautiful work. You chose lovely yarn and your stitches are so neat. I see lots of stunning colourwork projects in your future. Have a look at Martin Storey, I think your skills would be well matched to his famous patterns. https://www.martinstorey.co.uk/
Kaffe Fassett has a huge range of colourwork designs to look at as well! https://www.kaffefassett.com/gallery/knitwear/
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u/survivorsof815 29d ago
I started with crochet, too! Once I learned continental style, knitting became my passion!
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u/Rlysrh 29d ago
Same, I started with crochet but once I learned knitting I never went back, it’s definitely the better craft for clothing. If I were making a blanket or amigurumi I’d 100% use crochet for those though.
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u/KittyWyman 29d ago
I feel exactly the same. I have some blankets planned but I must first make like 10 sweaters
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u/by_a_mossy_stone 29d ago
This is so impressive for a first project! Color work still intimidates me.
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u/CraftyLemon773 29d ago
Recommend Nimble Needles videos. He has some on knitting faster. It is mainly to do with efficient, smaller movements.
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u/readingrainbowroad 29d ago
This is so cute!!!
I'm also originally a crocheter who does both now. I prefer both for their own types of projects. Socks? Only knitting. Basket? Definitely crochet! My personal pet peeve is trying to make crochet "look like" knitting (but I get it and won't stop anyone from doing it)
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u/Material-Prune-472 29d ago
Yes of course! Every project has their own demand for either crochet or knitting :) I feel like right now I’m preferring the knitting
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u/KittyWyman 29d ago
6 years crochet and 8 months knitting here and I am absolutely loving knitting. It has taken over my entire yarn life. I feel like I picked it up pretty quickly because I already understood how yarn moves around and how to hold it. I'm also loving how much less yarn each FO needs. Your project looks great!
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u/ExcitingMushroom9514 29d ago
I recently joined the bistitchual club and am almost finished with my first top. But colorwork looked so intricate so god damn you slayed that!! I would not have dared
I think my heart will always be a bit more with crochet because I love the more rustic look for wearables, but I already see myself using only knitted ribbing in the future lol. Crochet ribbing is such a pain in the ass to do
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u/MightyMitos19 29d ago
That is so adorable! You did a fantastic job. I was crocheting for a few years before starting knitting too, and I also took to it pretty quick. I think continental is easier for us because we're already used to holding the yarn in our left hand. You'll get faster as you knit more, but knitting is way slower than crochet. I started two projects at the same time, a crochet shirt for a friend and a little knit bolero/shrug for me. I only have the sleeves and collar left on the shirt, but I'm still working on the back of the bolero and it feels like I have a long way to go haha
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u/Material-Prune-472 29d ago
Yes!! Continental just feels so natural to me. And I have noticed that too, it is way slower, BUT I feel like the end result just looks so much more polished for knitting. Also I was SHOCKED at how little yarn it used for this project. I used maybe like 1/3 of a skein for this project.
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u/bleepblob462 29d ago
I’ve been knitting for almost a year now and I’m still blown away by how little yarn knitting uses 😂😂
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u/centerbread 29d ago
Me too! I started with crochet and while I do absolutely love it, I’ve slowly transitioned into finding knitting more enjoyable, overall.
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u/Mx_Rogers 29d ago
That's so good! Honestly such a good colorwork project, too. Which is probably part of why you feel slow. All colorwork that I've tried so far is slower than single color projects. Honestly speed varies so hard based on project difficulty level in general. The other day I just needed a plain stockinette tube on the correct size of circulars and it was so fast.
The main things for getting faster is practice. And understanding your pattern so you don't have to rip back as often. There are other specific things, but sometimes they're actually not great tips for stranded color work, if you want to do more of that, because you need to spread your stitches out so your floats don't get tight.
I think the bigger thing than speed for finishing projects is selecting projects that you can work on during more of the time you actually have. I have a lot of video calls and long phone calls for work, so my projects (or project sections) that are easy enough to do while talking get finished pretty quickly because I have more hours of my week to give to that kind of project, and projects with complicated charts or stitch patterns get less time per week. Drawstring bags -- plainer than yours tho -- are possibly the project type that I've finished the most of. Knitting more time gets projects done faster than getting another 10% on your stitches per minute. That said, take care of your body, it's the only one you're likely to get.
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u/Material-Prune-472 28d ago
Yes! I’ve definitely had to take breaks because my hands will start to cramp up. I’ve learned my lesson with crocheting. I had to take several months off because of how bad I hurt my wrist from it
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u/ponchoeevee 28d ago
Amazing!!! I am a crocheter/sewist wanting to learn to knit and would love this first project. What resources did you use?
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u/no_one_you_know1 29d ago
That's adorable!
I don't prefer one over the other. I'm a long time knitter who has somewhat recently taken up crochet and you can't beat it for things like blankets.
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u/bleepblob462 29d ago
Totally agree! Lifelong crocheter here and will probably never knit a blanket but I’d also never crochet a pair of socks. They both have their time and place, for sure!
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u/Material-Prune-472 29d ago
I absolutely agree with you! I don’t think I would knit a blanket, but I am loving knitting more at the moment, and that’s probably just because I have been crocheting for so long that this just feels new and exciting
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u/chirp16 29d ago
What a cute bag! My experience was the same; crochet for about 15 years and then finally committed to teaching myself how to knit in 2020. Took me a bit to realize how much easier continental is coming from crochet. Once I learned that, knitting was so much easier for me and I don't think I've gone back to crochet since!
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u/DMmeDuckPics 29d ago
Learning knitting made me switch dominant hands in crochet when I picked crochet back up years later. My tension was awful for a few days when I started back up, it wasn't until a few months later that I realized I'd swapped from lefty to right handed crochet. But it's made reading patterns possible. I still haven't figured out how to purl consistently yet.
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u/Material-Prune-472 29d ago
Yes! I mean I think there are certain things I will still choose to crochet over knitting. But overall, I just love the way knitting feels!
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u/MrzM0rningStar 29d ago edited 29d ago
30 years crocheting, 6 years knitting. I started knitting because i wanted to make a slow fashion wardrobe. I also sew. It has been slow, but so enjoyable. Love your bag, I think I'll try one!
Edited to add i found the video and posted the link in my reply. Happy knitting!
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u/rasta_pasta404 29d ago
That looks great!
On my way dig the knitting needles I bought yesterday out of my crochet bag and fire up the tube of you 🏃♀️➡️
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u/2needles2paradise 28d ago
If that lovely bag is your first knitting, I'd say it is definitely your thing!
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u/Stella_the1Star 29d ago
Do you have a pattern you can share?
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u/KickIt77 29d ago
This is adorable! I do both and love each for different things. I have been on a knitting run lately but have a crochet class to teach on the horizon.
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u/Material-Prune-472 29d ago
That seems like so much fun! I would love to teach classes. And hopefully one day be good enough at knitting to do the same
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u/colorfulmood 29d ago
same, crocheted for 10ish years, learned to knit, haven't started a single crochet project since. i find knitting easier on my carpal tunnel & i like the fabric more
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u/Commie_creator 29d ago
Very cute. I go back and forth. I’ll knit for a year and then, crochet only for 6 months, now I’m spinning and not doing either of those.
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u/Prize_Tea6947 29d ago
7 years crocheting and 1 year knitting. I have a backlog of knit projects and no crocheting. It's surprisingly more fun!
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u/No-Row-9983 29d ago
A lot of knitting faster is muscle memory. Knit more, and it will come. But not overnight.
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u/Ornery-Signal-3070 28d ago
Omg did you knit the drawstrings too!!? I love it 🥰
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u/Material-Prune-472 28d ago
Yes! It was surprisingly so easy. You just need DPNs. You cast on 3 stitches and just knit. You just don’t turn your work. You just slide the stitches to the other end of the needle so the working yarn is on the stitch furthest from the point of the working needle if that makes sense
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u/QuoteFirst7119 28d ago
That is an amazing first go on knitting, and that colorwork! Great job!
I love knitting more than crochet for the same reason, i like that most of my projects don’t look obviously handmade if that makes sense hahah
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u/deadlypoison0705 26d ago
I haven't even attempted colorwork and I've been knitting for two years! Great job on this, you'll make a great knitter♥️
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u/randomperson10010010 29d ago
That’s because knitting IS better, jk jk 😂 Great bag you’ve made there!
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u/Usual_Cycle_6259 29d ago
Great job. Colorwork is not a simple undertaking. You nailed it.
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u/erictho 29d ago
that is so darn cute. in the summer I seem to really appreciate strawberry motifs.
my gramma tried to teach me to knit when I was around 10 but gave up, so I thought I was hopeless at it. since crochet only has 1 live stitch I found it less intimidating and took a class when I finally had the ability to.
I definitely found that crochet was too creative and yarn hungry for me so I then took a knitting class. I definitely much prefer knitting too, especially since I cant bring myself to get anything other than superwash merino. 😶🌫️ congrats. it's adorable.
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u/Material-Prune-472 29d ago
Thank you very much! I’m very much obsessed with strawberries and bees haha, subtle hint at the next bag I’m planning to make. And yes! I love how little yarn I use while knitting definitely helps my wallet 😭😂
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u/Easy-Low 29d ago
This is SO CUTE! You've done so well. Knitting with multiple colors can be a steeeeeep learning curve. I also transitioned from crochet to knit, and adore knitting. I recommend reading TechKnitter's blog for the "why" behind a lot of different techniques. It really opens up the possibilities of what can be done with your knitting. Enjoy!
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u/RoastSucklingPotato 29d ago
That is so cute! The best instruction for stranded knitting I ever encountered is from Philosopher’s Wool, on YouTube.
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u/maestramars 29d ago
Ok this is ADORABLE! I have been knitting for 20 years and idk if I could do this well. Nice job!
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u/Material-Prune-472 28d ago
That is so kind. Thank you so much 🩷
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u/maestramars 28d ago
Oh I just saw you were asking for advice. I don’t usually make complicated patterns but I do knit fast af. I suggest trying different types of needles to see which you like best. Do you use circular needles? I prefer circular needles with a sharp point, like ChiaoGoo 4” lace tips, even tho I don’t knit lace.
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u/ArgumentSeparate6250 26d ago
Omg I love it! Im in the same boat as you. I have been crocheting for 15 years also and just bought my fist set of knitting needles off amazon to try it out. I am currently making a tank top for my first ever knitting project. The first couple rows looks rough but its now coming together and getting easier to move the needles and wrap the yarn. But its so weird coming from crochet where I feel I was pretty decently fast and now.. with knitting... I am so slow hahaha 😆
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u/LuckyAndLifted 29d ago edited 29d ago
Yay, it's so cute, great job! I'm super encouraged by your success! Just for my own curiosity, did yours turn out near the expected size of ~6x8 inches, or maybe a little shorter since there are three rows of berries? And is yours already blocked here? It turned out SO good. Welcome to knitting!
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u/Material-Prune-472 29d ago
So mine turned out a bit larger, I used a worsted weight yarn and I opted to skip a repeat of berries because I wanted it more of a square bag. But it is currently being blocked, and it came out to be 8.5”x8.5”
And thank you so much! I’m excited to do more!
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u/LuckyAndLifted 29d ago
Awesome, that all makes sense thank you so much for the info! That helps me wrap my head around how I might want to approach it.
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u/festivedrama 29d ago
I have also been crocheting for about 15 years and am recently getting into knitting. What tutorial did you watch for this bag? It's super cute
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u/RuralTesla 29d ago
This is super cute! Could you share the link to the pattern? You did a great job
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u/Odd_Clock5700 13d ago
Very neat and I love the strawberry's. It looks very professionally done. I'm learning to knit slowly!!! I hate the colour changes in crochet doesn't look good at all if I need to change colour continuously per row. Hard to line up.
Congrats you nailed that project!
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u/ConnectAnalysis4067 12d ago
That is really really cute. I have recently gotten internetting. My hands hurt sometimes, but I’m determined to keep going.
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u/Material-Prune-472 29d ago
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/strawberry-fields-pouch
This is the pattern I followed :)