Knitting is more popular than crocheting in the craft world. Both knitting and crocheting are two popular crafts, but knitting is more popular and more widely cultivated and practiced all around the world. That’s not all. Most of the textile and fabric manufacturing is still knitted. In this article, we are going to look at some reasons why knitting is more popular. Also, we are going to look at some countries where knitting is more popular and the history of both knitting and crocheting.
Many people have so many enjoyable and favorite pastimes with knitting but have you ever marveled at what brought about knitting and where the root of this ancient craft lie? Or the tools and techniques used in the past? Knitting has a rich past just like any other craft hobbies but valid and accurate information is quite difficult to discover. Here, we have all the detailed information we’ve discovered about the history and popularity of the two most popular crafts.
| Differences | Origins | Popularity | Craft Populated Countries |
| Knitting | Originated from Egypt between 500 AD to 1200 AD | Most popular | Germany UK, Canada, the United States of America, Iceland, and every other part of the world. |
| Crocheting | Originated from the far East in the 18th century | Popular | Mostly Wales, the U.S., and the UK. |
Let’s start with Crocheting.
Crocheting Origin-How It Became Popular!
Crochet was known to be a craft in the nineties and it moved rapidly into this century. Over the last few decades, crochet has found its way to high profile fashion spreading across Europe. The craft has been surfacing in accessory design and marketable handbags and even the popular Vogue magazine has starred crochet dresses in their publications. Furthermore, it was noted that an Australian garment designer known as Lisa Maree, uses crochet to make her wears collections while some other famous fashion designers also use crochet in various forms to embellish their wear collections.
In terms of history, the craft is somewhat of a mystery. The origins of crocheting are extensively unknown with a technique somewhere between knitting and lace making. Most of the plausible theory around this craft suggested that it was originated from the far east in the form of embroidery popularly known as the Chinese Needlework. Back then, the Chinese Needlework made an elegant design of great knotted stitches which involves pulling threads through background material. In the 18th century, this technique was known as Tambouring in Europe. Not quite long, the use of background material was seen in decline, and another form called the crochet as we all know it today was created.
Now, during the popular Irish Potato famine between 1845 to 1850, crochet was praised for being a source of income to the indigent Irish farmers and their families. They and their families made crochet work that was sold overseas. Most of their crochet work includes the cuffs and finely detailed collars are worn by most English Gentry. It was unknown to them the kind of terrible poverty of the people crocheting their clothing.
As soon as the famine was over, the Irish were organized into societies. They set up crochet school and more complicated patterns were developed. Thousands of Irish migrated overseas in the 1900s, spreading their crochet skills and techniques wherever that found themselves.
Today, we are provided with so much more options. Unlike knitting, crochet can be worked in three-dimensional shapes. It is a popular craft used for utility pieces such as caps and bowls and as an art form.
Crochet has a simple delicate patterns and it is widespread in yarn bombing and can be adapted to almost any practical items. Even if you don’t know how to crochet, there are numerous ways in which you can learn. There are many leaflets and books and online lessons for interested crochet learners. The tools needed are simple and affordable for everyone. The crochet yarns are also inexpensive, simple, and easy to use. So much reason why crochet is popular.
Knitting, on the other hand, is regarded as the most popular craft hobbies in the world today. But I don’t know why. In my experience and opinion, crocheting is easier to teach, easier to learn, easier to understand, and much more adaptable than knitting. You can teach your little ones how to crochet. You can learn to change direction, colors, and stitch pattern mid-row without to overstress yourself. But I don’t think you can say the same about knitting. I loved that crocheting in a spiral way is as easy as crocheting rows, and you don’t need to have extra or different tools
Knitting Origin-How It Became Popular!
The origins of this craft are a bit difficult to place since it happened in different locations of the world at different times. Up till now, no one understands exactly who developed or invented knitting.
Most studies and researches said knitting originated from the Middle East, which then moves to other countries by trade routes. Some other countries joined to patronize the grand Arabic-influenced knitting styles. We can track the origins of the craft back in Arabic areas where fishermen would use the knitting technique to create fishing nets.
Egypt housed the oldest knitted piece and object, which is socks dated back to the 11th century CE. These ancient socks are quite intricate, using detailed colorwork and purl stitch.
For documentation, we can say that knitting originated in Egypt somewhere between 500 AD & 1200 AD. Some other fragments were present in the same tomb where the first knitted socks were found.
It was noted that the technique used to knit the socks was called Nalbinding. It is a technique that looks similar to knitting, but they’re not the same. Why? Nalbinding uses only one knitting needle to loop and then knot to split the fabric, just like sewing, while knitting uses two long knitting needles to make loops. However, knitting and Nalbinding create virtually identical fabric! Nalbinding technique fizzled out just after knitting was introduced to Europe. Purl stitches were first created before using the knot stitches technique.
Now, knitting is more popular and more widely cultivated and practiced all around the world. That’s not all. Most of the textile and fabric manufacturing is still knitted.
Why Is Knitting So Popular?
Knitting is more popular than crocheting for some reason. Let’s check it out!
1. Knitting Offers A Better Drape
Most people that crochet will always be jealous of a fine-knit scarf or shawl. And why is that? Even if you used a lighter yarn to crochet, it will be bulkier than when knitted. If you want to crochet something with a nice drape, you have to make it lacy. That’s the only option!
2. Nice Colorwork
Knitting gives you the opportunity to easily achieve colorwork like Fair Isle. If you want to make sweaters and cozy hats with colorful Fair Isle designs, then you should choose knitting. Something that’s hard to achieve in crocheting. Colors can not be added to crocheting.
Some Other Outstanding Benefits That Make Knitting So Popular;
1. It reduces stress and anxiety. The rhythmic and repetitive motions that are done during knitting could be the key to relaxation and comfort.
2. Knitting can help those little ones read better
3. Knitting motivates community
4. It helps to keep Alzheimer’s at bay
5. It helps to slow cognitive decline
6. Knitters testify that knitting helps to teach important life skills
7. Knitting helps to promote motor function
8. Knitting helps to overcome a serious addiction
9. It helps to fight against tendinitis and arthritis
Countries Where Knitting Is Very Popular
The British love knitting, and it has been an addictive hobby for some of them. However, they have all the reason to knit, aside from it being a gratifying and relaxing pastime, the classic cold-weather makes them addicted knitters. Also, places, where knitting is extremely popular, includes Australia. But it’s quite baffling to have many knitters with their boiling hot weather. After extensive research, we figured out that Germany has the highest number of official knitting groups. It’s not a surprise that Germany tops the list of the counties with the most knitters. Germany has a rich history of crafts and textiles. They are known for producing premium quality yarn and knitting tools. Also, they have top brands that make great colors of yarns with different textures.
Furthermore, Canada is well-known for knitting, which is quite reasonable for a nation that withstands violent winters. Canada houses big magazines like Canadian Living and the famous Guild of Knitters. Also, the USA has a knitting history dating as far as the American Revolution in the 1700s. Certainly, the United States of America is one of the top knitting countries in the world. Whether it’s women saving money on buying clothes in war times or knitting for their military husbands, the Americans love knitting just like the British.
I’m not surprised though, to see Iceland on the list of top knitting countries in the world. This beautiful country has a popular, lightweight, and waterproof spun wool known as Lopi. The citizens of Iceland wear sweaters called Lopapeysa that have complicated patterns on the top third of it.
Closing Thoughts
We’ve reached the final session of this article. We hope you find something new about the popularity of knitting and crocheting. Having known that knitting is more popular and widely used in textile manufacturing companies across the world.
