…but they’re not helpful.
It seems that entities are always trying to divide folks – Red vs. Blue, Stay-at-home-Moms vs. Work-out-of-the-home-Moms, Mac vs PC, Pepsi vs Coke, Farmer vs. Cowman – the list is endless.
I believe the reason is division sells newspapers. It’s sexy.
False division compels folks to fight with each other, and when people take sides, they become engaged and they’ll buy papers or watch TV shows that support their position.
I’m sick of it.
In the crafting world we’ve seen one of these divisions – the idiotic, trumped up gap between Knitting and Crochet – slowly, beautifully bridged as more and more designers are working in both.
These two ways of creating fabric with yarn work so beautifully together, it only makes sense that folks who consider themselves well rounded would learn at least the rudiments of either craft.
To my mind, knit and crochet are very similar. I explain to my knit students that crochet is just like knitting except each stitch is bound off as it’s worked. In knitting the stitches are left ‘live’ on the needle.Â
In Tunisian Crochet, which is essentially a of blend of the two, the stitches are alternatively live for a row, then bound off in every other row.
Yes, that’s a rather simplistic way of explaining it, but it gets the idea across. Sometimes a simple explanation is best – too many words get in the way when trying to convince someone to just jump in and use their hands!
This is my long-winded way of getting to a new collection of patterns by Kristin Omdahl that spans knit AND crochet, and they’re beautiful!
The patterns are all accessories, small and portable and ranging in difficulty levels. It’s an exciting and beautiful collection, but the thing I love the MOST about it is that it may be instrumental in convincing a knit-only person to attempt some crochet, and vice-versa!
I’m giving a copy of this e-book/collection away!
If you’d like to receive this great collection, simply leave a comment below and I’ll select someone at random (using my highly scientific method) and email you the book!
And if you DON’T win the book, but would still like to have a copy, it’s available for $9.95 here!
Oh me! me! me! lol. This is my only addiction.
Thank you for that post… well said! And that looks and sounds like a great book, I love it when both knit and crochet are included in a book. Its even better when their in the same pattern 🙂
I learned the rudiments of crochet when I was 8. Unfortunately, that’s all my mom knew. Fast forward about twenty years and I was teaching myself to knit. I found it perfectly natural to knit continental and hold the yarn in my left hand, just like crochet. I’m still pretty terrible at crochet, but I’m slowly learning and I’m learning basic Tunisian crochet as well. It’s all fun with yarn.
regular reader–infrequent commentor–but I love the premise of this book–and I hate false dichotomies… (knit English (right handed yarn) or Continental (left hand yarn hold)–and omit choices like combo or portugues (knit with thumb holding yarn!)
Knitting, crochet, tunisian crochet–even tatting (netting)–and related fabric made with sewing (nailbinding) are all related –there are ways to knit with crochet hook, and ways to make crochet like stitches with knitting needles. they are all related fiber arts. (and i can’t wait to learn more!)
Kristin Omdahl’s work is sexy no matter what craft it is in. I’m good at all three (Tunisian, crochet, and knitting) and do any depending on my mood.
Interestingly, its we Americans who tend to trump up this silly debate – go abroad and its very minimal, if at all. Heck, some languages have the same base term for knitting and crocheting.
Kick it, Annie! We can use all the allies we can get to get these stupid rivalry? fight? annoying temper tantrums? over and done with.
I’ve never understood the whole me vs them, knit vs crochet debate. I have learned crochet and knitting – each has their benefits and downsides. I have even done a bit of Tunisian. I don’t think I’d ever want to stick with just one of them.
I’m a very bad crocheter… Perhaps this might encourage me to get better…
I was looking at this book online the day. It looks like it has a nice mixture of patterns.
Thank you for the giveaway. These patterns are beautiful. I took a knitting class and learned to knit and to crochet in 1962 and have been at it every since.
I learned Knitting first – Right hand throwing. Then I learned crocheting. I usually Knit more than crochet, but do enjoy when combined.
When I finally (last year) decided to learn Continental I found it very easy and like Laurie realized it was easy because of having crochet skills.
Imagine that!
And what about Knooking? I bought the needles but haven’t given it a try yet.
I am all about putting the two crafts together. Slowly but surely we are learning and I am learning.
Ruby
Rav: mzcruse
Well said!! Two of my favourite sweaters are ones that have lacy crocheted borders around the edges.
everyone I know lately is crocheting — I know how to do it but have never found patterns I love. Until this book.
I agree that the division is overblown! I knit, crochet and needle tat. I am weaving in the ends tonight on a cardigan I just finished–crocheted body and knitted sleeves. I might have added a tatted border if I had felt that’s what it needed. I have socks I’ve knit and socks I’ve crocheted! Tunisian crochet is good for some things–that’s the thing–use whatever works for the effect and structure you’re after! It’s all yarn and it’s all good 🙂
The book looks like it has some beautiful things in it. I like to knit and crochet depending on the project.
I’m a failed crocheter. Grandmothers, women on subways, other knitters have tried to teach me and no one in – ahem – 40 years mentioned live versus dropped stitches. Makes sense.
I think of them as “live” vs “bound off” sts – but you get the idea!
This looks like a really great collection. Inspiration to hone my crochet skills AND knitting skills. I would love to own this book.
I both knit and crochet. A collection of patterns using both is very exciting.
OK, I’ll admit that I’m a little divisive on this issue. But crochet hurts the arthritis in my hands (whine!). A little decorative crochet,however, goes a long way in a decorative edging for many things!
Sara I know what you mean. My hands go to sleep and I have to keep shaking them out whenever I crochet.
Would love to learn how to combine the two crafts. I am not very good at crochet but love Kristin work. This would motivate me to increase my knowledge base. : )
I always wondered why someone didn’t combine knitting and crochet into a new type of end product using both.
I both knit and crochet and enjoy the process of both. Interestingly I find that I often use the crocheted items more than I do the knit ones (with the exception of knitted skirts – is ther anything sexier?) . There’s something about the hand of crochet that feels good when I am wearing it.
Chris
Ps how is your dog feeling?
Unity starts at home–through crafts (hehe.) I love to do both! My great-gran taught me as a young ‘un, and it always makes me feel closer to her whenever I make a project.
I’d love to win this collection .. thank you Annie!
Count me in
I would love to share this book with my dear sister-in-law. For years, she crocheted while I knitted. A couple of years ago, she started knitting, too. We share ideas, skills, & yarn all the time. I would like to develop my simple crochet skills more. This book is just the ticket!
I learned the basics of crochet many years ago but then gave it up in favor of knitting. Now, I can do the basic stitches only and have seen how beautifully the two can be used together. This book could inspire me to re-learn an art I enjoyed a long time ago!
I’d love a copy! I’ve picked up enough crochet to add edgings to a blanket, or whatnot, but I’d love to improve those skills.
I’d love to learn more about Tunisian Crochet 🙂
I love the idea of combining knitting and crochet, so count me in!
I’d love to start using more crochet. Crochet was the first handwork I learned from my grandmother at 5 or 6 but I’ve gravitated to knitting. I hope I win, it will give me motivation to incorporate crochet!
I love both knitting and crocheting, though knitting has always seemed more suited to clothing than crochet, which (in my hands, anyway) serves better for home dec projects. Anyway, I’d love to take a look at this book!
Thanks for the chance to win! It looks like a great book!
I knit and crochet and don’t see what the fuss is about. They’re two sides of the one coin, as far as I’m concerned. (Actually, there is one thing I’d fuss about. There’s a lot more ugly crochet patterns out there than knitting ones.)
Please enter me into the drawing. My crochet skills have gotten a bit rusty. Give me a good reason to ramp them up again!
Please enter me! Thanks for having this giveaway. I took a beginning crochet class in December but would really like to know more.
I would love to win this book. It looks great!
Thanks for another great giveaway! I learned to crochet around 10 years old from the babysitter (granny squares), and to knit around 14 (popcorn afghan), but just learned Tunisian last Saturday! I love watching Kristin on Knitting Daily TV, both for crochet and knit ideas.
I knit and crochet- this book looks fab- hope I win. I asked the library to buy a copy.
I have seen this book and am thrilled you are offering it as a give away! I can do both – crochet and knit! The patterns look very nice! Great blog post too! Thank you!
Like many previous posters, I am a knitter who has enough crochet skills to do a border but not an entire garment. As crafters, we already get strange looks from many people, why divide ourselves even further? I’ve been on both sides of many hotbed issues: SAHM vs working mom, single parent vs married, Mac vs PC. In the end we’re all just human beings looking to give and receive some love.
This book would be nice to use for quick holiday gifts. Would love to win it.
I agree with you about the knit/crochet divide. They are both awesome and each have their strengths! One is not better than the other!
YAY! for the integration of knitting and crocheting! I love them both!
I love to knit but need help with crocheting. Maybe this book would help. I would love to win it.