This is our official list of the best Crochet books for beginners on the market today. Scroll further down for full details on each product and an overview of books on Crochet.
Quick Look:
- A to Z of Crochet
- Crochet for Beginners (2nd Edition):
- Crochet One-Skein Wonders®
- Crochet Patterns For Dummies
- Crochet: 365 Days of Crochet
We know time is of the essence, so the above is a cheat sheet of what’s ahead, just in case you’re in a hurry. Otherwise, keep scrolling down for more detailed and constructive info on each item.
5 Highest Reviewed Beginner’s Crochet Books to Read
For someone just learning to crochet, the craft may seem intimidating. How can a single hook and some skeins of yarn, thread, or strands of material be turned into something beautiful? It will take time, dedication, and maybe even an informational crochet book to help a beginner become comfortable with the craft.
Crochet hooks can be made from material such as bone, bamboo, aluminum, plastic, or steel. The hook is used to reach a particular gauge, which is specified within a pattern. Crafters may prefer one type of hook over another type for reasons like yarn glide, visual appeal, or comfort of the hook within the hand.
Additionally, there are different types of yarn that can be used. Soft acrylic yarn is a good choice for beginners because it is inexpensive. Items that will be washed a great deal could benefit from being made with 100% cotton yarn. The most expensive type of yarn is novelty yarn, usually made of soft, fine wool. Keep the finished project in mind when choosing a type of yarn.
Beginners and experts alike benefit from learning something new when reading publications that share patterns, stitches, or projects. There are many books on the market today, but here is a top-five list of crochet books for beginners.
1.) A to Z of Crochet: The Ultimate Guide for the Beginner to Advanced Crocheter
For those who are learning how to crochet or need a reminder of how to create a specific stitch, then this book might be a good resource. A to Z of Crochet: The Ultimate Guide for the Beginner to Advanced Crocheter provides plenty of stitch guides and colored photographs to show what a finished sample should look like.
Be aware that the book has a smaller font, but the more than 1,000 close-up photographs of real people holding the yarn and projects could be helpful for visual learners. Not to mention, the book provides tricks and techniques for crafters just learning to crochet or those who are expanding their repertoire.
PROS
- Shows you how to do a lot of stitches.
- Explains the beginning steps of how to crochet.
- Thorough illustrations.
CONS
- Not a pattern book.
2.) Crochet for Beginners (2nd Edition): Learn To Crochet Quickly & Easily
As the name implies, this book will inspire the beginner crocheter to start learning the art of crochet. It teaches you the stitches, different types of hooks and yarn and provides detailed directions for a variety of small projects.
This book can be used as a guide and is a straightforward read without a lot of technical jargon. The information in the book is helpful for those who are looking for directions that are easy to understand with images to demonstrate the different types of stitches.
PROS
- Explains different types of hooks, yarns, and types of stitches.
- Easy to understand.
- Clear pictures.
CONS
- Website links inside of the book give you a form for an e-mail subscription before you are shown the pictures.
3.) Crochet One-Skein Wonders®: 101 Projects from Crocheters around the World
Amazingly, the 101 projects included in this book only use one skein of yarn and include items like jewelry, scarves, bags, hats, dresses, and home décor items. The book is organized by yarn type and weight, which makes it easy to pick up a skein of yarn, start a project, and finish it. There are clear instructions, symbol diagrams, and color photographs.
For those who have yarn leftover from larger projects, this book will help you find ways to utilize your yarn collection. Another nice feature of this book is that the side of the book’s pages is color-coded so you can find each yarn section quickly. This book is geared towards those who already know how to crochet, and not necessarily someone who is trying to learn the craft.
PROS
- Clear patterns and easy to read font.
- A nice variety of projects.
- Colored photos of each project.
CONS
- Nothing to note the difficulty level of each project.
4.) Crochet Patterns For Dummies
A person just learning to crochet will appreciate the step-by-step instructions in this hands-on workbook. Crochet skills like making a gauge swatch, increasing or decreasing stitches, and crochet vocabulary are explained within the Crochet Patterns for Dummies book. The full-color photos of every project will help the crafter visualize what the final product should look like.
Fortunately, this book provides direction on how to choose the right hooks and yarn, which is another helpful feature for the beginning crocheter. It also teaches crocheting basics and how to join pieces together and there are even some patterns that are great for kids to make.
PROS
- Photos of finished projects.
- A lot of info helpful to a beginning crocheter.
- Easy to read.
CONS
- Not a lot of crochet patterns.
5.) Crochet: 365 Days of Crochet
This book provides a large number of projects and patterns at varying degrees of difficulty. It includes 365 crochet crafts for the home, wearable items, gifts, and more. Intermediate to expert crocheters will not have any problem following the written instructions, and even a beginner can find patterns that are easy to follow.
Be aware that there are not any photos or charts to see what the finished product should look like within the print version of the book. Alternatively, the digital version does have links to pictures.
One helpful feature for the projects in this book is that all the patterns can be made within a few hours, although some of the larger projects might take 5-6 hours. Starting and finishing a project within a day could be very satisfying for those who enjoy the immediate gratification of a completed project.
PROS
- Projects vary in difficulty.
- Enough projects for literally every day of the year.
- A variety of patterns.
CONS
- No photos or charts.
The Final Stitch
Afghans, scarves, pot holders, and shawls are just a few of the amazing finished crochet projects that can be created with a crochet hook and skeins of yarn. The varied selection of aforementioned helpful crochet books would be a wonderful addition to a collection of crochet books for beginners.