Knitting and crochet are two beloved needlecraft techniques that have captivated enthusiasts for generations. Both crafts involve creating fabric from yarn to create various items, such as garments, accessories, and home decor, using different types of knitting needles or crochet hooks. Still, they have distinct differences in technique, tools, and the finished products they produce.

When a beginner wants to take up a new hobby, deciding between knitting and crocheting can take time and effort. In this blog, we will compare the two crafts and discuss which might be easier for beginners to learn.

Which Craft is Best for You, Knitting or Crocheting?

Whether you lean more towards knitting or crocheting depends on your preferences and the specific project you envision. Knitting offers more variety in stitch types and is more yarn-efficient, while crocheting is easier and faster for beginners to learn. Both crafts can create a wide range of items, and the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Both crafts are worth learning, as they offer unique challenges and rewards. As a beginner, it's essential to consider your learning style, skill, and the type of project you want to create when choosing between knitting and crochet.

Source by- https://www.atoallinks.com/2023/knitting-vs-crochet-which-is-easier-for-beginners/

Embarking on a knitting journey is an exciting endeavor, and at the beginning lies the fundamental skill of tying a slip knot. Just as knitting needles are the tools that bring yarn to life, the slip knot is the gateway to a myriad of stitches and patterns. In this beginner's guide, we'll unravel the mystery behind the slip knot and set the stage for your knitting adventures.

The Slip Knot: A Foundation for Creativity

Understanding the Purpose

A slip knot is the starting point for many knitting projects, providing a secure loop on your needle from which you can build a foundation of stitches. This simple yet crucial knot is where the magic begins, allowing you to seamlessly cast on stitches and set the stage for your knitting masterpiece.

The Essential Tools: Knitting Needles

Before delving into the intricacies of tying a slip knot, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the tools of the trade – knitting needles. These slender instruments come in various materials and sizes, each serving a specific purpose. Whether you opt for single-pointed knitting needles for knitting flat pieces, circular knitting needles for seamless knitting in the round, or double-pointed knitting needles for small circumference projects, they hold and manipulate the yarn as you weave it into intricate patterns.

Step-by-Step Guide: Tying the Perfect Slip Knot

Materials Needed:

• Yarn: Choose a yarn of your preference, considering factors such as weight, texture, and color.


• Knitting needle sizes: They come in various sizes, so carefully choose needles that are appropriate for your yarn.

Step 1: Creating the Loop

Hold the yarn in your dominant hand, leaving a tail of a few inches. Begin by creating a simple loop by crossing the yarn over itself. This loop will form the basis of your slip knot.

Step 2: Tucking and Pulling

Tuck the end of the yarn through the loop from underneath, creating a loose knot. The key here is not to pull too tight at this stage, ensuring you have room to adjust the knot later. The loop should be large enough to slide onto the knitting needle easily.

Step 3: Tightening the Knot

Gently pull the ends of the yarn to tighten the knot. Aim for a snug fit – tight enough to hold its shape but loose enough to adjust if necessary. The goal is to achieve a knot that sits comfortably on the needle without being too tight or loose.

Step 4: Sliding onto the Needle

Hold the slip knot between your thumb and forefinger, then slide it onto one of your knitting needles. Ensure the knot is close to the tip but not so tight that it's difficult to move along the needle.

Step 5: Make Adjustments if Necessary

If the slip knot is too loose or tight, don't hesitate to untie it and start again. Achieving the proper tension at this stage ensures a smooth and even foundation for your subsequent stitches.

Embrace Variations

While the basic slip knot is the foundation, don't shy away from exploring variations. Some knitters develop their unique methods based on personal preferences or specific projects. Embrace the creativity that comes with making the process your own.

Navigating Challenges: Troubleshooting Slip Knot Issues

• Preventing Tight Knots: If you find your slip knots consistently too tight, pay attention to how firmly you pull the ends. A gentle tug should be sufficient to secure the knot without compromising flexibility.


• Adjusting for Slippery Yarns: Slippery or silky yarns can pose a challenge when tying slip knots. Consider slightly tightening the initial loop before pulling the yarn through to counteract any slipping.


• Ensuring Consistent Loop Sizes: Maintaining consistent loop sizes is crucial for an even and professional appearance. Regularly check your slip knots against your knitting needle, adjusting the tension as needed.

Advanced Applications of Slip Knots: Beyond Casting On

• Joining Yarn Mid-Row: Slip knots aren't reserved solely for casting on. In advanced knitting, you might encounter patterns that require joining a new yarn mid-row. Tying a slip knot with the new yarn allows for a secure and seamless transition.


• Creating Decorative Elements: Innovative knitters often use slip knots to introduce decorative elements within their projects. Whether incorporating contrasting colors or creating intricate patterns, the slip knot becomes a versatile tool for expressing your unique style.

The slip knot, a seemingly simple loop, connects you to a rich tradition of creativity and craftsmanship. If you want more information on this topic, read this other blog.

Source by- https://medium.com/@lanternmoonhandcrafted/how-to-tie-a-slip-knot-beginners-guide-9f5ba0575ccf

Stripes are the easiest method to add colors to any knitting project. Knitting in the round is a favorite technique for many because it allows working on seamless projects like hats, socks, and sweaters. Adding stripes to these projects in the round can introduce vibrant patterns and character, but it does come with its challenges. However, with the right knitting needles and some useful tips, you can master the art of working with stripes in the round.

Why Stripes in the Round?

Before diving into the 'how-to', it's worth noting the aesthetic and functional appeal of knitting stripes in the round. Stripes offer a break from monotony, allowing for creative expression and a chance to use up leftover yarn from previous projects. Additionally, stripes can visually alter the shape and look of garments – vertical stripes can elongate, while horizontal stripes can widen.

The Basics of Knitting in the Round

When you knit in the round, you are working on a continuous spiral of stitches. This means that there is no beginning or end to the round, and you can keep knitting until you reach the desired length of your project. To identify the start of the round, stitch markers are your guide. You can work with them to help you identify the round change as well as where you need to introduce a new color.

To knit in the round, you will need circular needles in the right length or a set of double pointed needles. Choosing the needles depends on the project. If you knitting on a sweater, circulars are suitable while of you are knitting socks, DPNs work the best. Circular needles are longer than straight needles, and they have a cord that connects the two ends. The ergonomic design has the weight of the project of the cords rather than the needles which you carry in your hands. It allows you to work the stitches without having to turn your work at the end of each row.

Getting Started with Stripes in the Round

1. Choosing Your Knitting Needles:

The first step to successfully work with stripes in the round is selecting the appropriate knitting needles. For most round projects, circular knitting needles are the go-to choice. They come in various lengths, and the size you pick will depend on your project's circumference. If you’re working on smaller projects like socks or sleeves, opt for shorter circular knitting needles or even double-pointed needles.

Those who frequently switch between projects might find interchangeable knitting needle sets particularly useful. With these, you can easily change the needle size or cord length based on the project's requirements.

1. Selecting Your Yarn Colors:

When it comes to stripes, the world is your oyster. You can go for contrasting bold colors, different shades of a single color, or even play with textures by choosing different yarn types. Whether you use on color or two, knitting stripes is easy. You just need to plan your color changes for the desired effect.

1. Planning Your Stripes:

Before you start knitting, plan out your stripes. Decide on the width of each stripe and the order of the colors. This will give you a roadmap to follow and reduce chances of errors.

1. Begin Your First Stripe:

Start knitting with your first color. Continue knitting in this color for as many rounds as you want the stripe to be. If your stripe is only one round high, switch to your next color after completing one round.

1. Switching Colors:

After you’ve completed the rounds for your first stripe, it’s time to switch colors. Simply drop the yarn of the first color and pick up the next one. To avoid loose stitches at the color change point, make sure to pull the new color yarn a bit tighter for the first stitch.

1. Carrying Yarn Up The Inside:

If your stripes are narrow, and you’ll be switching back to a color soon, you can carry the yarn up the inside of your work instead of cutting it. This reduces the number of ends you’ll need to weave in later.

1. Jogless Stripes:

One common issue when knitting stripes in the round is the "jog" where the colors switch. It creates a slight step between the last stitch of one round and the first stitch of the next. To minimize this:

When you’ve knit the first round of your new color, slip the first stitch of the new color from the left needle to the right (as if to purl), then continue knitting as normal. This pulls up the stitch from the row below, creating a more seamless transition.

In conclusion, knitting stripes in the round can seem challenging initially, but with the right knitting needles and techniques, it becomes a breeze. Whether you're using single-pointed needles, circular knitting needles, or even double-pointed ones, the key is in the details. Remember to use your stitch marker to keep track of rounds and experiment with colors and stripe widths to create unique and beautiful knitted pieces. Happy knitting!

Source by- https://www.zupyak.com/p/3810010/t/how-to-do-stripes-when-knitting-in-the-round

Knitting is a hobby that brings joy but beginners to the craft are often overwhelmed by common mistakes. This can happen while choosing knitting needles, yarn, or not understanding a pattern, or some knitting mistakes. Mistakes show that you are learning or at least trying. In this blog, we'll take you through the four most common mistakes that new knitters experience, how to catch them early, and, most importantly, how to fix them yourself.

As Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, author of the bestseller Knitting Rules said, “It's only knitting and it's one of the few times in your life when there are no bad consequences to a mistake.”

So, keeping this in mind, let’s begin.

Dropped Stitch

The common mistake happens to beginners and even advanced artists. This can happen when you set your project (WIP) down, or even while knitting anytime you aren't paying close attention.

To fix this mistake, you can make regular checks on the knitted fabric. Try and inspect any unusual stitches or gaping row of stitches (that look like ladders). Correcting this mistake is easy, you can pick the stitch back on the knitting needle. You can try and think (unknit stitches till you get to the dropped stitch) or use a repair hook or even a crochet hook.

Extra Stitches

Many beginners have this problem on hand. Whether you use interchangeable needles or single pointed needles. They knit extra stitches that occur because of accidental yarn overs and knitting between stitches. An accidental yarn over occurs when you bring the working yarn to the front of the project as opposed to keeping it in the back. Then, when you knit, you accidentally knit the stitch with the working yarn creating an extra loop.

The best way to fix an extra stitch depends on where it is located. If it is within the last one to two rows, pull the extra stitches off your needle or think back to the stitch that went wrong.

Twisted Stitches

New knitters face this issue a lot. This occurs when you pick up a stitch and it gets put on the knitting needle the wrong way (left leg in front) or if you knit through the back of a stitch. The best fix is to avoid this mistake by looking at your knitting (WIP) often. Every row or two after you finish the row, look at the fabric and see how the stitches are falling.

To fix a twisted stitch you have to think back to where the stitch went wrong.

Tension Is Too Tight

New knitters tend to hold their yarn really tight. This makes them yank on the yarn. Also they knit at the tips of their needles which basically means making new stitches smaller than the size of the needles. To avoid this problem you can use a bigger size knitting needle with smooth silk finish.

Also, when you're knitting, if the stitches are super snug on the needle, move them to the cords of the interchangeable circular needles. If you have a hard time moving them back and forth, this indicates you are knitting too tightly. To fix it, relax! You're learning a new skill, and it takes time. With practice, knitting will come with ease.

To enjoy a smooth crafting experience, always invest in a high-quality handcrafted range of materials like the Lantern Moon Collection.

Source by- https://mamby.com/p/four-common-knitting-mistakes-every-beginner-makes-bddf3d2c

There are many options when it comes to crochet hooks deciding on one can be a challenge. While there are many choices of materials, wood is a popular choice among many crocheters for a variety of reasons. 

Wood has many properties that make it a reliable choice for knitters. Whether it's single-ended crochet hooks and Tunisian Crochet hooks there are suitable for every project. Easy on the hands and warm to the touch, they are ideal for newbies in crochet. 

Even for knitting whether you are new or experienced, the single-point needles are ideal for all back and forth knitting -   especially when you are new to knitting. Wood provides a nice grip on most yarns.  You can count on the double points to hold your knit-in-the-round projects comfortably – even when knitting with 3 or 4 needles at a time.  Fixed circular needles come in a variety of sizes and lengths and are suitable for knitting a full range of projects – from socks to blankets. 

To help you make the right decision, let’s take a look at what makes wood a great choice for crocheting or knitting. In this post, we’re going to dive into everything you need to know about working with wooden tools for your craft so that you can decide for yourself if they’re better than the rest.

Pros & Cons of Wood knitting needles and crochet hooks

Here’s a rundown of some of the noteworthy qualities of wood hooks & needles:

• A great choice for beginning knitters. It’s easy to see your work and the knitted material does not slip off the needle easily. Experienced crafters also love them as the smooth surface allows them to knit or crochet quickly.


• Easy on the hands. It is lightweight and causes less hand fatigue. Because wood is warm to the touch, it is easy on hands that suffer from arthritis or chronic pain and fatigue in the wrists and hands.


• When using a slippery yarn, like silk or viscose, wood hooks and needles keep your stitches from easily sliding off. This makes them better for slippery yarns that tend to fall off your hook, but worse for coarse yarns that are tricky to move.


• The wooden hooks for projects that are larger. Given wooden crochet hooks and knitting needles are stickier, it can be tricky to push them through smaller stitches.


• To keep wooden tools in good shape, it’s a good idea to wax or polish them every 6-12 months. This will keep them in beautiful, tip-top shape. You can also check our blog for tips to care for your knitting needles.


• The small size of knitting needles and crochet hooks need to be carefully away from damage or accidents.

If you haven’t tried knitting with premium ebony wood needles, we suggest you give them a try. The liquid silk finish of the surface is a joy to work with. Lantern Moon has its distinct craftsmanship passed on to its collection of handcrafted ebony wood knitting needles and crochet hooks.

The premium wood has a warm feel, liquid-silk finish, tight grain, and is extremely resilient, providing the knitter with a smooth surface and a pleasurable crafting experience. As knitters yourselves, you know that the right tools affect your creativity and result in a beautiful outcome.

Source by- https://www.klusster.com/portfolios/lanternmoon/contents/329915?code=6aeb8ea9-47d0-4d18-ab57-bbbb4c09b47e