Knitting vs Crochet vs Needlepoint?

I'm wanting to learn a new craft. T suggested knitting or crocheting and I am interested in needlepoint/cross-stitch.

T thinks that having something to do with my hands will help to alleviate my skin picking and would be a productive way to help ease anxiety.

I like the idea but I just wanted to get others tips/advice or stories about which one might be better for anxiety or if they all will work about the same.

I still don't understand the difference between knitting and crochet other than one uses two needles and the other only one. Is one more difficult to learn than the other? Is one more expensive of a craft than the other.

I am thinking about taking a class, but can't figure out which one I want to take?

Simple crocheting is easy - you can learn the basic stitches in a day. My grandmother taught me how to crochet the summer I turned 14, and I never forgot how. It's a great way to keep your hands busy because they're moving so quickly. I tried knitting when I was little, but I'd always drop a stitch in every row, so would end up with a pennant-shaped scarf

I think it's great that you're taking up a new craft.

crochet is cool, knitting takes alot of concentration at first.

I'd say crochet to begin with, it will help anxiety loads.

When you start to do knitting, anxiety may not be so intense.

Good luck.

I went to an after school program for knitting when I was 10 and I learned there and still remember how to do it. Initially learning it was difficult, especially because I am left handed and the teacher only taught right handed...so I had to do everything opposite. But once I learned it was nice to do, it does take a lot of concentration and patience (in the beginning). So its up to you. My sister has a super short attention span and she like crocheting better (she would just make a giant rope...it was useless but it kept her hands busy). My great aunt loves crocheting, she has made everyone in the family numerous blankets and scarves, she even made a snowman decoration for my family...You could always take a class on each of the things your interested in and choose which you like best after.

Other things you could think about doing is gimp (if you don't know its plasticy string and you can make key chains and stuff with it, I personally and great at the box knot...thats it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoubidou ) or make friendship bracelets. Just some ideas.

I learned how to knit in college and found it really easy to learn. I never learned to crochet (yet) so I can't compare the two. They are both about the same price except as you get better in knitting you may want to buy more than one set of needles. But they both can use the same type of yarn so they can cost the same in that regard. I found the knitting really relaxing. I could tell how anxious/stressed I was by how tight my knitting was. Everyone was always how impressed at how tight I could get my knitting. Little did they know the reason.

Difficulty depends on the person. I picked up on crocheting easier than I did knitting. I think both would be beneficial to help your issue. One isn't more expensive than the other. Yarn can be fairly cheap. It also depends on what you want to make.

My grandma tried to teach me to knit and crochet. I failed at both. Cross-stitch always looked boring to me. But, I love needlepoint! Projects are very time-consuming, but definitely keep your hands busy.

Whatever you choose - I will suggest that you don't try to be a perfectionist. My needlepoint wouldn't win any ribbons at a State Fair, but I enjoy the finished project. And really, I think that is all that truly counts.

I learned to knit years ago & have made some beautiful shawls with the lacey stitches.....haven't done it in awhile, & not sure I really remember how...but know I would pick it right back up with a little coaching from an instruction manual.

Never got the crochet thing...for some reason, it wasn't something that I felt inclined to take to. Didn't really like the crochet look compared to knit I think.

I started a tapestry when I first got married....a huge medieval style picture.....wondering if I will ever get it finished......along with that, I really like latch hooking rugs. It's rather a mindless sort of thing, you just have to get the right color yarn in the right place.

My favorite craft is beading however. I love designing pieces of jewelry & then I love creating paterns to use with the seed beads. Not only to I get the fun of doing the craft, but it gives me the design thrill that I really enjoy.

If you google crafts on the internet, you will probably come up with some other ideas for crafts that haven't even been mentioned here. I have to agree with your T.....I find that doing crafts not only keeps my hands busy, but also my mind focused on something completely neutral.

Hope you come up with something really fun to do & find some fun projects...know it will be a wonderful experience.

just a suggestion due to I have an awfully hard time learning either the traditional crochet or knitting .Go you if you get it . lots of ppl get it but I'm slow..anyhow the knitting board or looms are sooo fun too! And personally got me through last winter & even this summer when needing to do something Omg what fun and production

I posted about crocheting awhile ago in the Paint-Splattered Aprons group, and someone gave me a link for crochet and knitting projects here.

I Love my looms and knitting board. I have never knitted and learned this craft overnight. Fun and exciting. Everything I make is prettier than the last. Best part is you don't HAVE to think or concentrate too hard.

Looms inexpensive at Wal-Mart. Tutorials on YouTube.

Have fun with whatever you decide.

Rose

I think you should crochet. I personally haven't done the other 2, but crocheting is fun and easy. i learned when I was about 10, so, I think you can understand how simple it really is. Goodluck with what you choose!

Well, I bought a couple of Crochet books last night...one being "Crochet for Dummies" and the other being something called "The Crochet Stitch Bible"...or something like that.

I'm excited!! I am going to get a couple needles and some thread today and start learning/practicing the basic techniques and learning a stitch or two. I don't know why, but after looking around at knitting and needlepoint, I kept being drawn back to Crochet. Someday I want to do the Crochet with the very small thread/yarn but I think I'll start of with a small blanket or something for now, when I start my first project.

Thanks for all the tips and links. I can't wait to get learning. It seems so relaxing and fun...and I'm already wanting to make my little niece some booty socks!! LOL!!

My grandmother started crocheting one of those offwhite lace table cloths years ago.....when she died, it went to my mother & she didn't get anything done on it......when my mother died, it went to me..... I have no clue on how to crochet & have so many started projects of my own.....doubt if it will ever get finished & don't know how to end it where it is either...lol.

Much better to start on small projects & finish them & enjoy the finished product.....think you will have fun & & think you will find it very relaxing......going for the craft that you are drawn to is the best way.....have fun & take photos of your projects so we can enjoy them with you.

I'm crocheting an afghan that's about 70x70 inches...one yarn ball only equals about three inches of the blanket! I didn't think this thing would be so expensive, but it looks like it. At $6 a skein, this better turn out well