By: Crochet With Cookie
Hey crochet friends! Are you someone who loves to freehand a pattern? Or are you starting to design your own patterns, but don’t how to find/choose the best stitch for your creation?
Well, you’re in for a treat because I’ve got the inside scoop on the absolute BEST crochet books tailored just for pattern designers! Every single time I sit down to design a new pattern – crochet stitch books are my first resource that I turn to. So therefore, I searched near and far when designing my own crochet patterns for the most useful stitch dictionaries and I am so excited to share my findings with you!
Whether you’re a crochet veteran or just dipping your toes into the yarny sea, these books are SURE to have stitches that you have never seen – and can help you learn more and more about the craft that we all love – in no time!
So, grab your hooks, snuggle up with some yarn, and let’s dive into the exciting world of crochet books that will turn your design dreams into reality!
1. The New Crochet Stitch Dictionary
By: Nele Braas, Eveline Hetty-Burkart
Now, this book has a REASON for being in my number one spot!
Reasons why I looooveeee this book:
This crochet book is my absolute favorite primarily because I think it has an excellent selection of MODERN crochet stitches. Many of these modern design and stitches I haven’t seen or found in other books. Which is what I love so much about this one – the stitches are unique, and they’re keeping up with the times.
I like that crochet has evolved over time from the doilies and sweaters my grandmother used to make when I was growing up – to now really cool, modern and unique garments! Therefore, this is the perfect book to assist you creating your own cool, modern and unique pieces of ART!!
I also love the textured stitches section! I find that in a lot of my patterns I do like to go for interesting textures, and this is another reason why I reach for this book first – every time I start designing something new! Besides this, the book has a total of 10 chapters – one for Textures, Shells, Bobbles, Lace, Cables, Chevrons, Edgings, Granny Squares, and More!
The sheer NUMBER of stitches is also impressive – its got 440 different ones (sooo tons to pick from)!
2. 500 Crochet Stitches: The Ultimate Crochet Stitch Bible
by: Pavilion Books
This awesome book is in the #2 spot because….
Now, this one is also really really great – and I use it every single time I design a brand new pattern! I love it because it is all encompassing! In other words – its got EVERYTHING!
Within this expansive pattern library, there are 500 crochet stitches, ranging from fundamental single and double crochet stitches to intricate trebles and innovative techniques for any project! Explore lace and openwork stitches as a foundation for creating shawls and afghans, or mix and match motifs to create a truly unique piece! And, since there is such a great variety – you are sure to find some interesting new stitches that you haven’t seen before!
Its a comprehensive guide – perfect for anyone! It can be used by the absolute beginner, to figure out which yarn to use for what, and how to select a hook size, etc – but then includes stitches that even advanced crocheters haven’t seen/used yet!
3. Melissa Leapman’s Indispensable Stitch Collection for Crocheters: 200 Stitch Patterns in Words and Symbols
by: Melissa Leapman
Once again, this is an absolutely excellent resource!
I looooveee this one too because…
Just like #2 up there, this book is a comprehensive crochet guide!
It’s easy and completely beginner friendly, but at the same time has interesting stitches that any crocheter is guaranteed to be intrigued by! This book does not lie in the title – calling itself the “Indispensable Stitch Collection”, the variety in this book is truly impressive. It covers everything from simple variations, to complex and interesting stitches – which I always LOVE browsing while pattern designing!
There is a selection of 200 stitches, as well as suggestions for how to create your own design of basic projects, such as afghans, pillows, hats, and more. The stitches offered are everything from from lace to cables to colorwork and much more – they’re surely to inspire you in your designs of any project or garment!
I also love this one because I found the layout, explanation and overall organization of everything really appealing, and easy to follow! Each stitch has excellent photographs, a chart and a written explanation with notes.
Stitches are covered at length at the start of the book, and therefore charts are really easy to use and understand!
A must-have in the collection of ANY crocheter!
4. 1000 Japanese Knitting & Crochet Stitches: The Ultimate Bible for Needlecraft Enthusiasts
by: Nihon Vogue (Author), Gayle Roehm (Translator)
This book is actually quite different from the previous 3 picks – but has an extensive collection of unique crochet and knitting stitches to offer!
Again, an absolutely amazing crochet AND knitting resource! This is a Japanese Reference book and it has an extensive collection of 1000 different stitches – about 700 being knitting and the other 300 being crochet stitches!
It is a different format than the other books – in the sense that its crochet stitches are simply explained through charts and graphs – no verbal explanation is included. Everything from lacy, cable, Fair Isle and Nordic patterns are included; as well as geometric, botanical and animal motifs; and many more!
Therefore, if you are a competent crochet chart reader – or at least willing to learn – you will LOVE this book! The sheer number of stitches, and their variety is impressive!
I hope you enjoyed reading about all of my favorite crochet resource books – and that you’re inspired to learn some new stitches from these amazing resources yourself!
If you have any questions about any of the books, please reach out and I would be happy to help 🙂
