Why You Should Learn How to Knit

If you’ve read my post on why you should learn how to crochet (and other tips for beginners), you already know how much I love fiber arts. Cross stitch was my original gateway, but crochet was my first real love when it came to yarn. It’s approachable, cheap to start, and insanely versatile, but eventually I found myself reaching for knitting needles too. And now? I’m usually in the middle of a knit sweater project. So, whether you’re already into fiber arts or just curious about trying something new, here are some reasons why knitting might be the next hobby for you.

1. It’s not as intimidating as it looks

Knitting seems really confusing at first, with so many different styles and different ways to do the same stitch. For a long time, I thought dropping a knit stitch was a disaster that could only be fixed by frogging the whole project. I avoided it for a long time because it just felt unapproachable. But once you understand it’s just loops and loops, it clicks. If you already crochet, you might find continental knitting especially approachable—you hold the yarn in your left hand just like crochet, and I find it to be more of a fluid motion than English style knitting. But even if you’re totally new, starting with one style and just learning the knit stitch and purl stitch (aka stockinette) gets you surprisingly far.

2. Knit fabric hits different

Knitting is great for wearables. Not that you can’t make wearables with crochet—I got into crochet with the primary goal of making a granny square sweater. I loved the look of them, and I still do. But over time, I started gravitating toward the feel and drape of knit fabric. It’s stretchy and drapey, making it ideal for things like sweaters, socks, or hats that need that kind of give.  And depending on the yarn, knit fabric has a smooth, polished, almost store-bought look, which is kind of what I want for a sweater—not because I want to hide that I made it, but because it feels like such a flex when someone can’t tell. 

3. Some yarns are just meant to be knit

Some yarns look cool on the shelf but don’t always play well with everything. Interesting color changes, thick-and-thin textures, wildly expensive skeins—some yarns are just asking to be knit (like Noro Ito, Bamboo Bloom, Lang Cloud). I literally bought one of those big, beautiful balls of Noro Ito just to sit in my room and motivate me to learn how to knit. 

It’s not that they’ll look bad crocheted—people do, and sometimes the texture or chunkiness works in a really fun way. But knitting just lets those yarns shine. The stitches lay everything out more flat, so you really get to see the yarn in full. Crochet is denser and more compact, so color changes and textures can get kind of bunched up or hidden—which leads me to my next point.

4. It uses less yarn

Part of the reason some yarns are better suited for knitting is honestly just for the sake of your wallet. Knitting uses around 20-30% less yarn than crochet, which makes a difference fast—especially when you’re working with pricey yarn. You get to actually enjoy the yarn instead of feeling like you’re chewing through it or watching it disappear into thickness. It goes further, it lays flatter, and you see more of what you paid for. 

For reference, a crocheted sweater might take around 1000-1300 yards of yarn, while a knit version could use closer to 750-1000. Depending on the yarn, that can mean the difference between a $40 project and a $70 one—or more. 

5. You might actually crave the act of knitting

Knitting has become the thing my hands reach for automatically—like a productive fidget. I’ll pick it up while watching TV or on the phone just to have something to do with my hands. Crochet is satisfying with its own meditative rhythm, but a lot of the satisfaction comes from watching it grow and seeing the progress. Knitting feels different—the movements are smaller, tighter, and more repetitive. It gets addicting in a way that has almost nothing to do with the final results—my hands just want to keep going.

6. It’s easier on your hands

Because the movements in knitting are smaller and tighter, it often feels a lot easier on my hands compared to crochet. While crochet works up a lot faster, I find myself needing more breaks. With knitting—especially when I’m not doing much purling—I can keep going for hours without discomfort. For me, it feels smoother and less straining on my wrists and fingers, which makes it easier to work on projects for longer stretches.

7. Figuring it out makes you feel like a genius

There’s something so satisfying about shaping a sweater yoke with short rows and increases all in one piece, and then trying it on mid-project and seeing it actually fit. It really does feel like magic—like you’re engineering your own perfect sweater stitch by stitch. Even if you’re just following a pattern, you end up learning how garments are built just by doing it. That kind of construction isn’t something I ever expected to understand, but knitting made it accessible. 

A lot of the things I loved about learning to crochet still apply here—knitting is portable, satisfying, and weirdly good for your brain. There’s something about small, repetitive movements that really does release serotonin. And just like with crochet, learning how to knit can build your confidence in this quiet, steady way—like proof you can stick with something and make something beautiful out of it. 

But what I’ve tried to show here is that knitting just hits different. The motions, the fabric, the rhythm—it’s its own kind of satisfying, its own kind of smart, its own kind of magic. That said, if anyone asked me where to start, I’d still probably point them towards crochet first. It’s easier to pick up, easier to fix mistakes, and gives you quicker wins. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start here—and it definitely doesn’t mean you should stop there. Knitting and crochet don’t replace each other. Knowing both makes me feel like I can make anything. 

If you’re thinking about picking up knitting, have questions, or just want to talk projects, feel free to message me @funkyfreshfibers on Instagram. I’d love to help or just cheer you on.