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Crochet is one of those amazing crafts you can do with very little knowledge and constantly grow with it because there is so much to learn and it always evolves.
One of the best ways to learn and to keep up with crochet for a beginner are crochet stitch books. Yes, there is YouTube and Pinterest, but nothing can replace a good crochet book for beginner to give you ideas and inspiration.
From how-to crochet books for beginners to crochet stitch libraries, crochet books offer excellent tutorials and step by step instructions as well as open your mind to what is possible with just a hook and a ball of yarn.
And of course, the best part? They are books! No WiFi or electricity is required, they can go with you anywhere you go, don’t need to be shut off on the plane and you can pass them on to your friends, kids, and grandkids or gifted to someone who really needs some creativity in their life.
I love books as much as I love to crochet (life-timer for both over here), so naturally, I have more than one book on crochet. I have groups of them all over the house, but the stack that I love and use the most is always on my desk and those are the books I want to share with you.
These 5 crochet pattern books are great for crocheting beginners and useful for seasoned advanced crocheters, no matter how you look at them, they are must-have crocheting stitch books.
Let start from the beginning.
The Crochet Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You’ll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You’ll Ever Ask
When you begin to learn how to crochet, you often have more questions than inspiration. Every little thing is still a mystery and you feel like you’ve been on YouTube 7 times already in the past hour.
For this time in your crochet journey, I highly recommend The Crochet Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You’ll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You’ll Ever Ask by Edie Eckman.
It’s a sweet little book, but don’t let it fool you. It really does have answers to all of your questions! It is really one of the best crochet books for beginners. All you will need to start is a crochet hook, some yarn and this book!
From types of hooks and yarn weights to how yarns are made and what different thread content and count mean, to abbreviation galore to different crochet stitches, swatches, shaping, connecting and so much more, this book is great for any skill level, new crocheters and experienced crocheter alike.
It answers questions common and obscure, but all so helpful, building a great foundation for anyone who wants to learn and understand what the world of crochet is all about.
It doesn’t just teach you how to do things right, but also shows you the solution to those times when things go wrong (and we all know, when we are learning something new, things sometimes do).
It’s an easy and enjoyable read and you will find yourself growing more confident every day because it answers all the things you have ever wondered about crochet. It’s the best book I know to have by your side, especially when you are learning. It’s super portable and full of crochet knowledge.
Modern Crochet: Patterns and Designs for the Minimalist Maker
Once you have received the answers to all of your burning questions, even the ones you didn’t know you didn’t know, and have learned some basic stitches, it’s time to move one to my next favorite book. Modern Crochet: Patterns and Designs for the Minimalist Maker by Debrosse.
This book is useful as it’s gorgeous. And it’s great proof that you can create some jaw-dropping projects with a beginner’s level of knowledge and I love that about this crochet book. It shows you that all you need is your imagination to crochet beautiful things with just a few stitches.
The book is a collection of patterns, from simplest to more complex ones, from home to accessories to blankets, all with amazing step-by-step images, well-written clear instructions and ideas that make you want to crochet non-stop to get them all complete.
It is one of the best how to crochet books for beginners in my humble opinion.
In case if you decide to pick up this book first, it also covers all the crochet basics as well: how to pick the right hook and yarn, how to crochet the basic stitches, how to read a pattern and more.
It’s an amazing book to learn crochet and create beautiful pieces or just have on your coffee table to page through – it’s a hardback and the photos are gorgeous. You get easy patterns that look amazing when they are done.
Modern Crochet: Patterns and Designs for the Minimalist Maker
Crochet Stitch Dictionary: 200 Essential Stitches with Step-by-Step Photos
At this point you have learned all the basics and made some gorgeous projects from Debrosse’s book. That made you want to learn more and discover more stitches with the beginner level of knowledge you have.
Look no further than Crochet Stitch Dictionary: 200 Essential Stitches with Step-by-Step Photos by Sarah Hazell.
This beautifully made collection offers you 200 different stitches to learn and use in your work.
It’s one of those books on crochet for beginners that you totally must-have. There is something here for everyone, from the beginner crocheter practicing their new skills to someone who has done it for a while and wants to learn more.
Each stitch here has a written instruction (my favorite), a charted instruction, and photos to go along with all that. So, no matter what way you prefer to learn, it’s there for you.
Since there are so many stitches in the book, it was smartly divided into sections, all color-coded for things like basic stitches, fans and shell stitches, bobbles and clusters, and so on.
This way, if you wanted to try a certain type of stitch, you don’t have to look all over the book (even though it IS so fun to page through anyway). You can just head straight for the section that has the stitch you want and dive right it.
It has the index pages that give you the preview of every stitch in the book, so you know exactly what you are looking for when you head over to that page.
As a crochet designer, I can appreciate the variety of beautiful stitches this book offers. It is my favorite crochet book to get inspired.
Like all good crochet books, this Crochet Stitch Dictionary offers lessons on crochet basics, showing you how to crochet basic stitches, how to join the new ball of yarn, how to connect the crochet pieces together, gives you a refresher on gauge swatch, and how to read written and charted patterns and even how to take care of your finished pieces.
Crochet Stitch Dictionary: 200 Essential Stitches with Step-by-Step Photos
Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary: 125 Essential Stitches to Crochet in Three Way
Now that you have a few really cool stitches under your belt along with all the basics, you might want to venture out into making things that are not just squares or rectangles.
A cute little top caught your eye or maybe even a cardigan, or a bucket purse, but you know it involves that scary thing called “shaping” and you don’t know if you are ready.
Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary: 125 Essential Stitches to Crochet in Three Way to the rescue!
This unique book takes the stitch library idea to a new level. It doesn’t just show you how to crochet a stitch in a row, but also shows you how to increase and decrease and shape a project using this stitch.
And it does it in three different ways for each of those stitches! Talk about going above and beyond!
It has written and chart instructions for every case and of course beautiful full-color photos for each situation. I have found this book to be an eye-opener since shaping is something that still freaks me out a bit. It’s a complete photo guide for every way to make a stitch.
Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary: 125 Essential Stitches to Crochet in Three Way
500 Crochet Stitches: The Ultimate Crochet Stitch Bible
And, at last, we have arrived at the big kahuna: 500 Crochet Stitches: The Ultimate Crochet Stitch Bible, a collection of every stitch you have ever wanted!
To anyone who would ever tell you that crochet is basic, point them to 500(!) different stitches you can create with just a stick (ok, hook) and a yarn.
Crochet is really like music – once you know your basic set of stitches (like your 7 music notes), you can combine them and modify them into a myriad of other stitches, each building on the previous one, each looking different and unique.
This book has stitches that are lacy and the ones that are solid, stitches for blankets and stitches for shawls, stitches for edgings and trims. It might be even a bit overwhelming to think of that many stitches to try – it can take you literally years to try them all, but then again, crochet is not a race.
Just think of all the possibilities you have for the years to come.
You can grow and develop as a crocheter, going from a beginner to an experienced maker and this book can serve you all the way through the years. From single crochet to easy crochet patterns, to granny squares, you will be able to tackle it all.
After all, they didn’t call it The Ultimate Crochet Stitch Bible for nothing! The great thing about this book is that it doesn’t just focus on stitches, it offers so much more.
It gives you all the information a beginning crocheter needs: how to choose hooks and yarn, how to read patterns, refreshes you on the basic stitches and gauge swatches, how to put the projects together, and other. It is truly the ultimate guide to all things crochet.
500 Crochet Stitches: The Ultimate Crochet Stitch Bible
And there you have it, my favorite beginner crochet books! Each has something different to offer, each taking care to have a section on beginner crochet basics while giving your room and skills to grow in this craft. There is always room to improve your crochet skills, whether you are a crochet beginner or an advanced one. Crochet stitch books are a perfect way to learn new stitches, get fresh ideas, and be inspired.
Even though technology marches on and offers us more and more ways to learn every day, something about a good crochet stitch book stays true to time. I have books in my collection that I have been referring to for years that I still take out and page through for inspiration, ideas or a good reminder.
I hope that the books I have highlighted here will serve you for years to come as well.
