Crochet is a process of creating textiles by using a
crochet hook to interlock loops of yarn, thread, or strands of other
materials. The name is derived from the French term crochet,
meaning 'hook'. Hooks can be made from a variety of materials, such as
metal, wood, bamboo, or plastic.
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How is it different to knitting?
The key difference between crochet and knitting, beyond the implements
used for their production, is that each stitch in crochet is completed
before the next one is begun, while knitting keeps many stitches open
at a time. Some variant forms of crochet, such as Tunisian crochet and
broomstick lace, do keep multiple crochet stitches open at a time.
Knitting uses a pair of long needles to form the loops, moving a set
of loops from one needle to another; the stitches are held on the
needle. Crochet uses a single hook to hook the loops together directly
on the piece. It is this major difference that makes crochet much
easier to work with than knitting.
The image below shows the visual difference between some basic
knitting and crochet stitches.