knitting vs crocheting

ok, so we already established that I am not crafty and have no clue about any of this.. but what is the best thing to learn to make dresses, sweaters, scarves, etc? what's the big difference between knitting and crocheting? 

They are made using different techniques of wraping the yarn. Knitting often has a nicer drape and looks a little more like fabric IMO. Crochet makes thicker fabric (using the same weight yarn as knitting) and uses more yarn than knitting. I hear it is easier to make stuffed animals by crocheting, although you definitely can do knitted ones too. Some people find crochet faster than knitting, but that is relative to the person. Knitting uses 2 needles and crochet uses 1 hook.

I also find the language for crocheting a bit easier than knitting. There is a lot less to learn with crocheting. Basically just single crochet (SC), double crochet (DC), half double (HDC) triple crochet (TC), increase and decrease. There are "fancier" stitches like Popcorn but basically that is just a grouping of single crochets. to make a circle (for a water bottle holder) the basic is just single (or double) crochets and you slowly add to the round to make the circle larger and larger.

With knitting it really has been like learning a new language with different styles of stitching. I am sure once I focus I will catch on, but finding the time to focus has been less than easy

Going from crochet to knitting, I felt the same way as Sarah. Even though there are several stitches, they are all variations of wrap, hook, pull through.  Simple.  Yes, knitting is just knit and purl and everything else is basically a variation of that, but there are so many variations.  I mean in crochet, to get started you basically have the chain stitch.  For knitting, there are at least a dozen different ways you can cast on, and you can use different ones depending on what kind of project you're making.  In crochet, there's basically one way to decrease, maybe two if you count skipping stitches.  In knit, there's at least a dozen different ways to decrease, and it depends on whether you want a hole or not, whether it needs to slant right or left, etc.  Same thing with increases. 

That said, now that I've been knitting for a while it's not nearly as intimidating for me as it was at first to look at a knitting glossary.  Like others have said, I think that crochet is a little faster, but I much prefer to knit.  I like the versatility of it, I like the texture/style of the fabric better, and I actually like that it has so many different variations because that adds to the challenge and interest level.

NG I so want to sew too.. I saw a small singer sewing machine on sale for 100, down from 150 and kinda wanted to get it yesterday! but I know I can't take on all of this at once lol. 

I've only ever crocheted and have made nice blankets and cute stuffed animals for friend's babies...my mother has made gorgeous tablecloths crocheting with thread. It would probably take me years to make those!

Knitting always seemed more versatile though - if you want to do dresses and sweaters I think knitting is the way to go.