So I hear that crocheting is way easier than knitting. You get results quicker and easier.
I only ever learned how to knit. Can one learn to crochet from online instructions, or does someone have to show me? Does anyone have a link or any advice? I know we have some crochet-ers on board.
Thanks.
You’re crocheting now?
Yeah, and I’M the old man. :dubious:
Well, you are doddering. 
I call you old man out of affection. Purely affection. Really. Stop giving me the hairy eyeball.
Actually, that’s my unibrow.
And I have to get this ear-hair trimmed one day soon…
As amusing as you two are, I think perhaps I’ll answer the question.
I had to learn to crochet once, give up in frustration, swear it off forever, then learn again. Once that happened, it’s way easier than knitting, and you get results so much faster. I can make a scarf in two hours, tops. It’s worth learning.
The stuff I’ve seen online looks promising, but God has a cruel sense of humor and I am therefore left-handed, so nothing online will ever help me. I had to watch someone right handed, cry a little at my inability to grasp it, and then I took off like a shot (the second time, of course). It’s not hard, but when you’re used to knitting, you’ll find yourself surprised at how easy and uncomplicated it is (once you’ve got the basics down). And oh, the choices! Single, double, triple, and you’ve got two inches of rows done in five minutes! Woooooo!
Um, yeah. So, good luck.
Careful Mika, you’re liable to wind up becoming a crochety old lady.
Thanks, Drae. Thankfully, I am right-handed, so I will try the stuff online…are the needles different? Or can I use my knitting needles.
No, you need crochet hooks. But you only need one. Needles won’t work. You’ll have to pull the yarn through, which is hard when they’re just straight and pointy. 
(snerk) Can’t you just picture me, desperately trying to figure out some way to pull them through? It reminds me of the time I confused tartar sauce and cream of tartar (I got straightened out before I tried, thankfully).
Why, oh why do you tell us these things?
Oh, because we’re your friends and we love you no matter how silly you are?
Well look. I thought you made tartar sauce from cream of tartar, like that was the base or something.
: looks defensive :
Sheesh. Just be glad I didn’t put it on the stain first! As I recall, bouv was the one who corrected me too, although many other people snickered.
I tried to learn from the Idiot’s Guide to Knitting and Crocheting, but I found it hard. I had my mom show me the basics and now I’ve got it. Tension is really difficult, I’ve found. Knitting is much easier, if slower.
Debbie Stoller (of Stitch and Bitch fame) has a new book out about crochet. Might have some easy to read instructions in there.
I learned to knit from a variety of books without much of a problem. I tried to learn to crochet from an even larger variety of books and I just couldn’t get it. It took three different people showing me how before I finally got the hang of it. I think whatever one (knitting or crocheting) you learn first is the easiest. YMMV
What I would suggest is to ask your LYS if they have an intro crocheting class, or some sort of knitting/crocheting group. Either one would be good for picking up the basics.
Good luck!
I taught myself to crochet using one of those basic “learn how to crochet!” booklets that I got at the craft store. It is extremely easy.
Crocheting is faster than knitting and is best for things like blankets and afghans. But for things like sweaters, hats, socks (most anything wearable, and that requires some “stretchability” to it) I recommend knitting.
Crochet can turn out some pretty nice scarfs and ponchos, though.
I’ve been crochetting for a while and was taught by my grandmother so I can’t say how hard it is to teach yourself, but I did try knitting once and gave up in frustration. In crochet you don’t have that whole “dropped stitch” issue and it’s a lot easier to hide mistakes.
I say go for it.
Tension may be the hardest thing to learn, but if you wrap your yarn around your pinkie and index fingers you’ll have a lot more control (like this) - however when looking for an image to illustrate that I found several images showing the “right” way to hold the needle - they’re all different. So basically I guess that part doesn’t matter as much, just do what feels comfortable.
Same here. Of course back in the day we didn’t have internet, or videos. Once you learn the basic chain, all other stitches are just a variation.
My tip: STAY AWAY FROM THE ABREVIATIONS!!! Until you learn the basic stitch. Then you can learn what the abreviations mean.
Here’s the basics;
Thank you all! I plan to experiment this weekend, as soon as I pick up some hooks.
Also, with crochet, you get to make frilly lacy useless things. Like the tablecloth I’m working on: here