For a book lover in a crochet slump, sometimes there is no better way out than to rely on the simplicity of crochet pattern books. To not have to worry about the endless possibilities of the internet, and feel productive as you turn the physical pages of a creative book can take a lot of the overwhelming nature of creating, out of the picture.
The internet is a wonderful place, especially for a crafter of any kind. There’s an endless supply of blogs, diy tutorials, digital patterns, and YouTube videos for almost anything you’d like to make. When I first began my crochet journey, that wasn’t so much the case. In fact, I began my designing business because at the time, there were so very few crochet toy patterns available out there. Things I had ideas for and wanted to make just didn’t exist, so I began to create them myself.
I have nothing against the platform with which I have built my business, but sometimes it’s so nice to put the devices aside and go old school. I LOVE books. I utilize our library for reading, as we don’t have a ton of shelf space. I have even used the library for some crochet books from time to time, to check them out. Whenever I have found myself in a crochet rut, opening and turning physical pages, which do not come with the unlimited and overwhelming resources of the internet, can often bring me back to my hook and inspire me. Here I have compiled a list of books from crochet designers I have come to know and respect through…you guessed it…the internet. 🙂
Crochet Cute Critters by Sarah Zimmerman
Sarah reached out to me via Instagram when this book was in its preorder stages, and asked if I would like to test it out. She was one of the very first bloggers I followed in my early days of crochet, and the earliest days of crochet blogging. She is arguably the pioneer of crochet blogging! Of course I was happy to help! These patterns are simple and adorable. My oldest daughter, who was only 10 around the time, was able to follow these patterns, and make a few of them for gifts for her siblings and cousins. This is a great book for beginners to amigurumi and Sarah is very detailed in her pattern writing!
Whimsical Stitches by Lauren Espy
Whimsical Stitches is a book that came out in 2018, but is still so fun and relevant today! I found a copy in my local library, and tested it out years ago. My daughter and I both made the peach from this book, and I later went on to buy a copy of my own! I also had the chance to meet Lauren at The Maker’s Retreat in Tennessee (2019), and she’s such a sweetheart! Her patterns are always thoroughly tested and very well written!
Crochet Cafe by Lauren Espy
Crochet Cafe is another great crochet pattern book by Lauren Espy, and one that I personally tested patterns for! I have made nearly half of these amazing food amigurumis for my toy food loving kids, and they’ve all been so loved! This book cleverly puts the patterns into a recipe format, which makes is so much more fun!
Crochet Secrets from The Knotty Boss by Anna Leyzina
This book is currently on preorder, and is absolutely worth the hype! While it is not a collection of patterns, like the other books, it provides so many useful tips for crocheting. If you have ever seen any of Anna’s Just a Tip Tuesday posts on Instagram, you know all the creative tips she has to offer! So many of them have completely blown my mind, from different techniques I have never seen before, to simplifying an old technique into something anyone can do. This is not a book I have read, YET, but I have met Anna, and followed her long enough to be completely confident in this recommendation! She brings so much value to the online crochet community. Crochet Secrets has the potential to inspire lots of ideas!
These are four books I would recommend to anyone, beyond a shadow of a doubt! There are many good ones out there that I haven’t tried yet, or maybe don’t even know about yet! What books would you love to see reviewed? Let me know!