Adapting Knitting Patterns for Crochet

Step-by-Step Guide to Adapting Knitting Pattern for Crochet

1. Choose the Right Crochet Stitches

Since crochet stitches are taller and thicker than knitted stitches, you’ll need to find comparable crochet stitches to mimic the look of the knit pattern. Here are some common knitting stitches and their crochet equivalents:

• Stockinette Stitch → Half Double Crochet (HDC) or Extended Single Crochet (ESC) – Both provide a smoother, flatter surface similar to knit stockinette.
• Garter Stitch → Single Crochet (SC) or Slip Stitch Crochet – These create a firm, textured fabric similar to garter stitch.
• Ribbing → Front Post/Back Post Double Crochet (FPDC/BPDC) – This technique mimics the stretch and look of knit ribbing.
• Lace Knitting → Chain Spaces and Openwork Stitches – Crochet lace can be achieved with chain spaces, treble crochet, and picot stitches.

2. Adjust the Stitch Count and Gauge

Because crochet stitches are generally taller and wider than knit stitches, you’ll need to adjust the stitch count:

• Make a gauge swatch using your chosen crochet stitch and compare it to the knitting pattern’s gauge.
• Increase or decrease the number of stitches to match the pattern’s dimensions.
• Use a lighter weight yarn or a smaller hook if your crochet fabric turns out too dense or bulky.

3. Modify the Pattern Instructions

Knitting patterns are written row by row, often using abbreviations unique to knitting. To convert the pattern:

• Rewrite the instructions using crochet terms (e.g., replace “knit” with “single crochet” if using SC as an alternative).
• Pay attention to shaping techniques like increases and decreases—knit decreases (K2tog, SSK) can be replaced with single crochet decreases (sc2tog) in crochet.
• Convert stitch counts and row numbers to account for the difference in stitch height.

4. Adjust for Drape and Stretch

Knitted fabric tends to have more natural stretch than crochet. To mimic the drape of a knitted item:

• Use lighter yarns such as sport or fingering weight.
• Incorporate chain spaces or lace elements to prevent stiffness.
• Opt for extended stitches like extended single crochet (ESC) for a looser feel.

5. Consider the Type of Project when Adapting Knitting Patterns for Crochet

Some knitting patterns are easier to adapt than others. Here are some project-specific tips:

• Scarves & Shawls: These are usually the easiest to convert since they don’t require precise shaping.
• Hats: Adjust stitch count and consider working in rounds instead of rows.
• Sweaters & Garments: Pay special attention to sizing, as crochet is less stretchy than knit.
• Blankets: Most blanket stitch patterns can be adapted fairly easily by using equivalent crochet stitches.

Helpful Tools for Adapting Knitting Patterns

• Knitting to Crochet Conversion Charts – These help match knitting stitches to their crochet counterparts.
• Gauge Calculator Apps – Use a gauge converter to calculate how many crochet stitches you need per inch.
• Pattern Drafting Software or Graph Paper – If adapting a complex pattern, sketching it out visually can be helpful.

Choosing the Right Yarn Weight

Since crochet naturally produces thicker stitches than knitting, opting for a lighter-weight yarn can help mimic the finer, smoother texture of knitted fabric. Sport or fingering weight yarn is often a good alternative to worsted weight when adapting a pattern, as it helps reduce bulkiness and allows for a better drape. If a knitted pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, switching to DK weight in crochet may help achieve a similar finished look without excess thickness.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Crochet fabric feels too stiff – Crochet stitches are naturally denser than knitting, which can lead to a stiffer fabric. To fix this, try:
  • Using a larger hook size to create a looser fabric.
  • Switching to a lighter-weight yarn for better drape.
  • Incorporating extended stitches or chain spaces to add flexibility.
• Size or drape doesn’t match the knitted version – Since crochet stitches are taller and wider than knit stitches, your project may turn out larger or smaller than expected. To adjust:
  • Compare your gauge swatch to the original pattern and adjust as needed.
  • Increase or decrease the number of stitches or rows to match the intended dimensions.
  • Use blocking techniques to help shape and relax the fabric.
• The crochet version feels too bulky or thick – Crochet naturally creates a thicker fabric, but if it feels too heavy for the design:
  • Opt for a thinner yarn to reduce bulk.
  • Choose a more open stitch pattern, such as lace or mesh designs.
  • Block the finished piece to soften the texture and improve drape.

Modifying the Fit of Crochet Garments: Tips and Techniques

When working with crochet garments, achieving the perfect fit can sometimes be tricky. Unlike knitwear, which has a natural stretch, crochet tends to be less forgiving when it comes to shaping. Here are some key techniques to help you modify the fit of your crochet projects.

Understanding Negative vs. Positive Ease

In crochet, it’s important to consider ease—how a garment fits in relation to your body measurements. Positive ease means the garment is intentionally designed to be larger than your body, while negative ease refers to a garment that fits tightly or stretches to fit. Since crochet doesn’t have the inherent stretch of knitwear, you may need to adjust your pattern to incorporate more positive ease for comfort and movement or reduce negative ease if you want a closer, form-fitting design.

Shaping Techniques for Contouring

Crochet can sometimes lack the natural contouring of knitwear, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a custom fit. Shaping techniques like increases, decreases, and short rows are excellent tools for modifying the structure of a garment. By strategically adding or subtracting stitches, you can shape the fabric to better follow the curves of your body. For example, increases can be used to add width, while decreases can create a more tailored look. Short rows can help create more intricate shapes or add depth to areas like the bust or waist.

Seamless vs. Seamed Construction

While knitting often favors seamless construction, crochet can benefit from the added structure that seams provide. Seams can add stability to your crochet garment, helping it maintain its shape and preventing it from stretching out. Strategic seaming can also enhance the fit by allowing you to make adjustments in key areas, such as the sides, armholes, and necklines. That said, seamless crochet constructions, like top-down or in-the-round designs, can still offer a clean, smooth finish if the pattern is designed to minimize stretching and provide the right fit.

Stranded Colorwork vs. Tapestry Crochet

Knitters often use stranded colorwork techniques like Fair Isle or intarsia to create intricate, multicolored designs. While crochet doesn’t naturally lend itself to these techniques, you can achieve similar results through tapestry crochet and mosaic crochet. Tapestry crochet works by carrying multiple strands of yarn across the project, allowing you to create colorful patterns within the fabric. Similarly, mosaic crochet involves working with only one color per row, but through strategic use of slip stitches and chain stitches, you can create the illusion of intricate colorwork designs, much like intarsia in knitting.

Cables and Raised Textures

Knitting’s iconic cables and raised textures create a beautiful, dimensional effect in garments. While crochet doesn’t have the same ability to twist stitches in the same way, front post and back post crochet stitches can help create similar raised patterns. Front post crochet stitches are worked around the post of a stitch in the row below, while back post stitches work around the posts of stitches behind the current row. By strategically combining these techniques, when adapting knitting patterns for crochet you can form crochet cables that resemble knitted ones, creating textured designs for sweaters, scarves, and more.

Slip Stitch Crochet for Knit-Like Fabrics

Slip stitch crochet offers a fantastic way to mimic the smooth, even fabric commonly associated with knitting. By working in the back loop only or through both loops, you can create a fabric that closely resembles knitted stockinette. This technique is particularly useful when you want a sleek, flat finish without the bulkiness that sometimes accompanies traditional crochet. The resulting fabric has a similar drape and smooth texture to knitting, making it ideal for projects like shawls, blankets, and garments where you want a soft, flowing feel.