This is a guest post by Kathryn Vercillo, blogger at Crochet Concupiscence and author of several books including Crochet Saved My Life and Mandalas for Marinke.

If you would like to write a post for ACCROchet, send me an email with your idea!

Guide to the Types of Crochet Books

It has been wonderful to see the publication of so many different crochet books in recent years. As yarn crafting has grown in popularity, publishers have noticed the trend and been willing to work with authors and designers to offer a great range of titles. In fact, there are so many crochet books out there now that it might be hard to decide which ones are worth your time and money. It can help a lot to narrow down what type of crochet book you’re seeking. Here are the most common types of crochet books on the market.

1. Books to learn how to crochet.

If you are first learning how to crochet then you might want a basic book to supplement what online tutorials. Usually these books teach you about yarn and other materials, how to read a crochet pattern, and how to work the basic crochet stitches. Sometimes they also include simple crochet patterns for practice.

2. Advanced techniques in crochet.

These are also “how to” crochet books but instead of teaching you basic stitches they are intended to teach you how to work advanced techniques in the craft. People who wish to learn tapestry crochet, amigurumi, hairpin lace and other popular forms of crochet that build upon the basics will find these to be useful.

3. Crochet stitch dictionaries.

These crochet books are collections of different stitches, usually grouped by category (basic stitches, shell stitches, textured stitches, etc.) Although they may have some instruction, they aren’t specifically intended to teach you how to crochet. Instead, stitch dictionaries are meant to show you how to work all of the different, unique stitches out there. Crochet designers often keep these around as a helpful resource and also just for inspiration.

4. Books of crochet motifs.

These are similar to stitch dictionaries except that instead of showcasing stitches, they show you how to crochet specific motifs. For example, there are many books that are collections of different granny square patterns. People who are interested in really delving into the details of one motif – making as many crochet mandalas as possible, for example – will enjoy working with these kinds of books. These are also good for making swatches that are turned into sampler blankets.

5. Themed crochet pattern books.

The majority of the crochet books on the market today are actually collections of patterns. Usually the book has a theme, which might be a type of garment (a collection of crochet sweater patterns), a season (summertime lace projects), yarn type (jumbo crochet projects), intended recipient (crochet for babies), etc. Themed crochet books are usually collections of patterns all by the same designer but are sometimes edited collections of work by multiple designers.

6. Books about people who crochet.

Some people have enough information about how to crochet and can access plenty of patterns, so they would rather just read about the craft in general. Although not as common, there is a growing body of crochet books about people who crochet. The Fine Art of Crochet is a collection of profiles of crochet artists by Gwen Blakley Kinsler. My book, Crochet Saved My Life, includes stories from 23 women who were healed or helped by the craft.

7. Craft fiction books.

There are also a handful of books out there that are fiction stories built around characters who crochet. The mystery series created by Betty Hechtman is a popular example.

8. Multi-craft books that include crochet.

When looking for information about crochet, it is important to remember that there are also books that feature crochet even if they aren’t entirely about it. Christmas project “how to” books, for example, may include crochet projects alongside knitting, embroidery and paper crafts.

There is certainly some overlap in the categories of crochet books. For example, a collection of corner-to-corner crochet patterns could be considered an advanced “how to” book or it could be considered a themed crochet pattern book. That said, if you have a general idea of the category of crochet book you’re seeking, it will make it a lot easier to narrow down your options and find the right books to add to your personal craft library.

This is a guest post by Kathryn Vercillo, blogger at Crochet Concupiscence and author of several books including Crochet Saved My Life and Mandalas for Marinke.

If you would like to write a post for ACCROchet, send me an email with your idea!