Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

DIGITAL VS PRINT – WHICH IS BETTER?

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In this Digital Age, there are still many of us who prefer to hold printed matter in our hands rather than reading it online.  Which is better?  For me, the crochet book or magazine is MUCH better than anything I’ve seen online.

https://digital.crochet-world.com/order_form.php

Most crochet magazines offer digital subscriptions which are advertised as having more pages than the print version.  Those extra pages are not available to print subscribers.  While I know that it costs more to print out and mail the magazine to subscribers than it does to post the patterns and articles online, I feel that long time print subscribers are unfairly penalized for their years of loyalty to these periodicals.

Several of my friends and I were talking about this very thing recently.  Soon children will never experience print books.  And, you can’t miss that which you haven’t experienced, right?  I think that will be a sad day.  And, no, Nook and similar devices are not adequate substitutes for print and paper.  While the immediacy of downloads and the portability of devices such as the Nook add a level of facility that we have not previously experienced, especially in the Arts and Crafts, I believe that we’ll be losing far more in the long run if we don’t have printed books and magazines.

Even for my children who were raised with a genuine love of books and daily reading of the newspaper, these things are less important to them than to my husband and me.  None of my children subscribes to a daily newspaper.  My husband and I look forward to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in our hands every morning.  Maybe we are ‘dinosaurs’ but we pay the freight while the kids get their news for free – if you don’t count the cost of the computer/Nook/TV/highspeed internet connection.

Nook and Kindle

Now, here’s the paradox.  You’re reading this blog on the internet on your computer!  I LOVE surfing the ‘net and reading lots of blogs!  I love scouting out new crochet patterns online and gaining inspiration from the online writings of others.  I love having crochet information just a few clicks away.

But when it comes to sheer enjoyment of crochet patterns, it’s a book or magazine for me.  I want the color pattern on the sofa next to me as I crochet.  I want to flip to the page of stitch definitions.  I want to pick up one of my many crochet books and magazines and browse through the pages til I find a pattern that will work with the yarn I have on hand.  Nothing beats that!

Comments

  1. Wow! You hit the nail on the head! I love my Kindle, but there are certain books I want in my hand, and crochet books are definitely one of those.

  2. I love crochet books, though I wish more of them had a spiral binding so they’d STAY OPEN while I’m working a row!
    I suppose I’m in that half-generation in between, where I’m still a bibliophile and love my stack of crochet books, but I’d love to get a Nook so I have access to my Ravelry patterns.
    The other pro of a digital copy of the pattern is that, if there is a problem with it, people will have commented with how to fix it. Online patterns are more about community in my mind.

  3. I’m definitely that younger generation that loves technology and has whole heartedly embraced my nook. I live in a very rural part of the country and have very little access to book stores (craft stores are even rarer) and stay connected to the outside world through technology like the internet and my nook. I love having crochet patterns on my nook since I can have it sitting next to me on the couch and don’t have to worry about it flipping closed. I also love not having to worry about losing my pattern (something that’s happened to me with paper patterns) and not having to store a pattern book when I’m finished with my project.

  4. I also love the printed books. But having said that, I get crochet and knitting magazines through the internet. Why? Because I live in Australia and often cannot get them here at all. Or if we can get them, they are so expensive that I cannot afford to buy them because I am on a Pension. Would love to have oodles of money to buy all those gorgeous pattern books, because I do enjoy looking through the ones that I do have on hand.

  5. I love all craft books. Yes they can be costly, take up space and do tend to get misplaced or worse yet lost..But they are tangible and beautiful to just have waiting for you on your nightstand to gaze at just before you plop your head on your pillow and off to dreamland..With all the vivid pictures of colorful fabric, yarn, buttons and patterns filling every space in your crafty brain it is no wonder you can’t get a wink of sleep..In other words inspiration springs from the pages of many publications and for some of us the computer just doesn’t do it..We need to see, touch and gaze upon printed matter without a screen glossy over our view..and when I leave this world I hope my hundreds of magazines, books and huge collections of craft patterns go to someone who like me appreciates “tangible” “inspirational” magazines and books..

  6. Hi, I get Crochet World on-line and I love it! I don’t have a kindle, but I do take my laptop with me many places, and the next best thing to that is my digital camera. I pull up the instructions line by line and save, then download onto my card. I have each pattern line at a glance and can keep track of where I am easily, hugs, Mary

  7. I love feeling the book in hand. I love being able to go back 10 years and pull out the pattern and revising it for now. (not losing it after 2years!) JD I will be in your part of wood between 8/15-19. A short visit. Maybe get together one evening? Not the 19th-daughter has taken entire day off. Fix it with Ronnie, OK?

  8. I’m with you. Give me paper for patterns. (Not that I haven’t downloaded more than a few . . . but I print them when I’m actually going to work on them.) I’m sure it’s partly an age thing. I’m very comfortable with technology, but for a pattern, or, for that matter, a novel to curl up in bed with, it’s paper all the way.

  9. I love looking at “real” hobby books, crocheting, quilting, and crafts.

    Reading a storybook is so easy on the ereader as I go from appointment to appointment and download from the library for free as I am on SS.

    As I am aging and also disabled, I have really had to downsize. So I made an agreement with myself two years ago, no more hard copies as I do not have the room or the ability to keep up with the cleaning.

    I allow myself one mag sub per year online. I save my pattern choices from each addition to the hard drive and a medica stick for back up. When I am ready to work the pattern, I do print out the pages so I can write on them, or highlight.

    So I am definately on the fence with this one.

  10. It is sad that are grandchildren will not know what books are, but they also won’t be able to write their own names in cursive! Many schools are wanting to drop the art of handwriting in lieu of keyboarding (which most elementary children already know).
    They need the extra time for teaching more important things. Maybe that will move the US up to 16th instead of 17th in the worlds education standings! Sorry if that sounds mean, apparently the heat is frying my brain, but really, isn’t that sad!

  11. I love books!!!! I have shelves and boxes and cupboards full of books. I have a 5 foot long 3 shelf high full of pattern books, knitting, crocheting, plastic canvas needlepoint and other needle crafts. I have been given patterns that are dated in the 40’s. I love them!
    But….I also love digital. I can download so many more patterns and I don’t have to worry about storage.
    When I am working on a project, I now download the pattern to my phone. I always have the pattern with me. But sometimes, I still have to carry the paper pattern or book with me because I don’t have a digital copy.
    So I guess I like both!!!
    Yvonne
    in Las Vegas

  12. I love both, sometimes it depends on the book. It doesn’t have to be either or! Same thing with color vs b/w photography, digital vs film photography, etc. Each one has different qualities that can be appreciated on its own for different reasons by different people.

  13. I love both. My Kindle DX goes on all my trips but when I am reading at night at home, I usually pick up a “real” book. Print will never go away, at least not for a long, long time. Not all publishers are putting their books on E format so some of my favorites are only in paper. Harry Potter, Mary Stewart and several others are book only.

  14. Wait a minute. When I want a printed copy of a magazine, I print it on my printer. However, more often than not, I print one specific pattern from the digital magazine.

    Remember, paper grows on trees, and everyone wants to save the trees.

  15. While I do enjoy looking at all the pretty pictures on Ravelry and a host of yarn brand websites, I have a real preference for a REAL book or magazine.

    I NEED to touch the paper. *chuckle*

    And it really is better for our eyes I guess.

  16. Given full choice? Physical paper in my hands, m eyes are more at ease with that.

    Howeeeeever, I usually wind up with both. I NEED the physical book or magazine. However I also tend to be in and out of hospitals or doctors offices and i cant well carry mmy entire library. So i just make PDF files using my camera which takes very good, HD pics which after transferring to my computer I use acrobat to compile a PDF. and that in turn can be converted to a mobi or azw file if i want it on my kindle. Or since online subscriptions DO offer extras, I just use nice paper, print the whole magazine (the parts with the relevant info not ads) and sort of make my own booklet.

Have you read?

Beginner-Friendly Crochet Scarves and Cowls

If you’re new to crochet and wondering where to start, scarves and cowls are one of the nicest entry points. They feel useful right away, they don’t come with the stress of tricky sizing, and they let you settle into the rhythm of stitching without needing to think too hard about shaping or assembly. That is a big win when you’re still getting comfortable holding the yarn, counting stitches, and figuring out where your row actually ends.

Let’s be honest, a lot of beginners want a project that looks good before they want a project that teaches them patience.

That’s exactly why scarves and cowls work so well. They’re practical, cozy, and giftable, and they often use the same few stitches over and over again. You get to build confidence while making something you can actually wear, wrap up for a friend, or stash away for cooler weather. It feels like real progress, not just practice.

I also love that this category has a nice mix of super simple wins and slightly more textured designs. If you want a one-skein cowl you can finish over a weekend, there are plenty of those. If you want a chunky scarf with a bit more visual interest, you can find that too. It’s a very forgiving place to begin, and for a lot of crocheters it’s the category that turns “I’m trying crochet” into “I think I’m properly into crochet now.”

If you’re building out your beginner pattern stash, you might also want to bookmark our roundup of Easy Butterfly Crochet Patterns for Beginners and this sweet Free Crochet Pattern – Emotional Support Chicken. For readers who want fast finishes, Free Patterns – Quick Crochet Projects is another handy one to keep open in a tab.

Beginner-Friendly Crochet Scarves and Cowls

Free Pattern – Moss Stitch Crochet Cowl

This is exactly the sort of project I love to recommend to newer crocheters. Moss stitch has that neat, slightly textured look that feels polished, but it’s still repetitive enough that you can relax into it once you get going. If you want a cowl that looks a little elevated without becoming fiddly, this is a lovely place to start.

One Skein Cowl

One-skein projects always feel approachable, especially when you’re not ready to commit to something huge. This cowl is a great fit for beginners who want something warm, quick, and satisfying. It also has that nice “I made this in a weekend” energy, which is very motivating when you’re just starting out.

Free Crochet Pattern – Lindsay Cowl

This one feels giftable from the moment you see it. It’s simple, adaptable, and easy to picture in different yarn colors, which makes it a fun pattern if you’re starting to think beyond just “can I make this?” and into “who could I make this for?” I always think those are the projects that keep beginners coming back for more.

Crochet a Colorful Braided Scarf Using Broomstick or Cardboard

This is a fun twist on the usual beginner scarf. It has a more decorative finish without feeling out of reach, and it’s a nice choice if you want something that looks a bit different from a standard straight scarf. It’s also a good reminder that beginner crochet doesn’t have to mean boring crochet.

Chunky Crochet Teal Scarf With Fringe

Chunky yarn and fringe are such a good combination when you want quick payoff. This kind of scarf works up faster, feels cozy almost immediately, and gives beginners that very important feeling of visible progress. And honestly, fringe covers a lot of sins if your edges aren’t perfect yet.

Free Cowl Patterns

This Lion Brand collection is worth bookmarking if you want to browse beyond a single pattern. It’s useful for readers who like having options in one place, especially when they’re still figuring out what shape and style they prefer. A roundup like this always benefits from one broad resource page readers can keep exploring.

Free Scarf Patterns

Same idea here, but for scarves. If someone finishes one beginner project and immediately wants another, this kind of resource page is handy. It gives you room to keep the momentum going without having to hunt around from scratch.

Fast and Easy Cowl

The title alone makes this a good fit for beginners. Fast and easy is exactly what many newer crocheters are looking for, especially when they want to build skill without burning out. A project like this helps you focus on consistency and comfort rather than complicated construction.

Simple Cowl Pattern

Bulky yarn plus a simple shape is a very beginner-friendly combination. This is the sort of project that can make a new crocheter feel successful quickly, and that matters more than people realise. A good first finish can turn someone into a lifelong yarn hoarder. Learned that one the hard way.

Cardiff Cowl

This one feels like a nice next-step option. It still sits in the easy category, but it has a slightly more refined look, which makes it perfect for crocheters who’ve finished a basic beginner piece and are ready for something just a touch more styled. A roundup needs a few of those “you’re ready now” patterns.

Free Ridgeway Cowl Pattern

Mary Maxim always gives you a nice practical read on a pattern, and this one feels like a strong wearable addition to the list. It’s the kind of cowl that looks useful, cozy, and realistic for everyday wear, which is exactly what many beginners want to make first.

Free Autumn Spice Cowl Pattern

This is a really good fit for an easy crochet roundup because chunky yarn and simple structure usually mean a faster finish. It has a cozy, seasonal feel to it too, which makes it ideal if your readers are already thinking ahead to cooler weather projects.

Why scarves and cowls are such good beginner crochet projects

Scarves and cowls let you focus on the part of crochet that matters most at the beginning: getting comfortable with the stitches. You’re not worrying about sleeve shaping, precise fit, or joining twenty awkward pieces together while muttering at your yarn. You’re mostly just crocheting, row by row or round by round, and that repetition is what helps the movements start to feel natural.

They also give you a finished item that feels useful.

That really matters.

A dishcloth is practical, yes, but a cozy scarf or cowl feels more exciting to a lot of people. It looks like a real handmade piece. It can become a gift, part of your winter wardrobe, or the thing that makes you think, “Actually, I can do this.”

If you’re choosing your first project, look for patterns that mention beginner, easy, one skein, chunky yarn, or fast finish. Those usually give you the most encouraging experience. The more success you have early on, the easier it is to keep going.

More easy crochet ideas to explore

If you enjoyed these scarf and cowl ideas, here are a few more beginner-friendly places to head next:

Free Patterns – Quick Crochet Projects
9 Quick & Easy Crochet Patterns
Easy Butterfly Crochet Patterns for Beginners
Beginner-Friendly Crochet Cardigan Idea
Buttoned Plaid Cowl Free Crochet Pattern

This is the kind of crochet category that quietly builds confidence stitch by stitch. Start with one simple cowl, then try a scarf with texture, then maybe a chunky wrap or hooded cowl once you feel brave. Before long, your yarn basket will be full and you’ll be calling it a “collection,” which is a very familiar craft-room trick.