Choosing the perfect crochet book can be a daunting task. From pot holder patterns to vintage holiday decorations to trendy clothes, crochet pattern books could take up your entire library if you let them. To pick the best book from the crowd, ask yourself these questions.
1. What patterns will you actually make?
With hook and yarn in hand, crocheters can craft a variety of projects: amigurumi dolls crocheted in the round, dainty doilies that use a small hook and thin yarn, and clothes and accessories for all ages. You could buy all the crochet books in the world, but you should ask yourself what patterns you can actually see yourself making.
If you are primarily interested in creating clothes for yourself, flip through books focused just on clothes. Do you get excited looking at the skirts, sarongs, and blouses pictured? Then feel free to make the purchase. However, if a book has just one pattern that suits your tastes while the rest are ho-hum, pass the book by. Unless you are picking up a crochet book secondhand, buying an entire book for one pattern is not cost-effective. You can then search for a single pattern online that is similar to the one you passed up.
This can also help you avoid books that provide patterns for a variety of items – such as clothes, dolls and cozies – when you are only interested in one type.
2. Do you work patterns exactly as written or do you often make alterations?
People who work patterns exactly as written can benefit from books that focus on a variation on a theme. Pattern books such as “Creepy, Cute Crochet” provide a series of patterns that are all based on one pattern. Each section of the book adds details and small changes to the base pattern to make different figures.
For crocheters who feel comfortable altering, adjusting and adding details to patterns, the most beneficial books would have distinct instructions for every pattern. This will provide more value to the crafty buyer who will make her own alterations.
3. Who are the crocheted crafts for?
Much of the enjoyment crocheters feel is just in working on an item, but what happens when the project wraps up? If you only make crafts for your own personal use, choose books with patterns that you want to work on and will benefit you the most when completed.
However, many crocheters give their handiwork as gifts. While you may enjoy the look and feel of holiday afghans or burgundy socks, you should consider the wants and needs of your recipient. Amigurumi books show you how to create crocheted toys and dolls, but if your typical recipient isn't the type to play with or enjoy dolls, then the book is likely not a good fit. Books focused on themes that will likely come up more than once in your life can also have staying power on your bookshelf, such as those focused on holiday decorations, baby afghans, and dog toys.
4. How much time do you have to crochet?
“Not enough!” If you have only an hour or less per day to work on a crochet project, a book with large, complex patterns is not likely to be your first choice. For those that are time-crunched, you should find a book with patterns that are either small or are large enough to be broken into chunks.
For example, an amigurumi book for large stuffed animals would likely have several components to each doll – legs, body, tail, head – that can be completed separately and sewn together at the end. Similarly, block-based afghan patterns allow crocheters to create blocks one at a time and then whip stitch them together later.
5. What's your skill level?
Most crochet books are not meant for experts, but some do require a certain level of skill. Flip through the book's patterns to see if there are abbreviations or techniques you are unfamiliar with. While many books explain how to do the most complicated stitches in the patterns, you should only purchase such a book if you think you will be able to adapt to the higher difficulty.
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