Learn to Crochet

Learning how to crochet can be fun - as long as you have to right instructions. Having another person teach you is probably the easiest way to go about it, but this is not always an option and learning from a book can be just as easy, especially with the books they have available today. Filled with crochet patterns, color photos, free crochet websites, and illustrations, they teach you step by step, but searching through all those books can be a grueling task.

Well, I'm here to help you take the guess work out of it. I've flipped trough pages, searched through websites, book descriptions and customer reviews to bring you the top 6 beginner's crochet books. Just wade through these 6 books and decide which one is right for you!

~ Crocheting For Dummies by Karen Manthey and Susan Brittain. Besides teaching you the basic stitches, this book will teach you how to read crochet patterns, select hooks and yarns, crochet in circles and squares, fix your mistakes, assemble a finished project, and how to clean and care for crocheted items. Also included are several patterns ranging from easy to advanced. Crocheting For Dummies is a great book to check out if you like structure and want a full overview of all aspects of crocheting.

~ Crochet: Learn to Crochet Six Great Projects, edited by Anne Johnson. This book is more than a book; it is an entire kit containing 2 kinds of yarn, a hook, a button (for one of the projects and full instructions. If you have difficulty understanding what loops to insert the hook into then this may be the manual for you. Instructions come with several clear pictures in color. If you are unsure about how you well you will take to crocheting a kit is a good first time choice.

~ Crochet Workshop: The Complete Course for the Beginner to Intermediate Crocheter by Emma Seddon and Sharon Brant. This book has a unique approach to crocheting by separating the learning process into six distinct lessons that they call workshops. This fabulous approach, used by the authors in their hands-on workshops, allows you to set aside the time needed for each lesson. Each workshop teaches you each stitch and technique needed to create the project at the end of the workshop. Another great element of this book is that it is spiral bound, allowing it to lay flat or fold back on itself for easy use. A must have if you like to set a schedule or are well organized.

~ Ready, Set, Crochet: Learn to Crochet with 19 Hot Projects by Susie Johns. Another spiral bound book, hitting shelves in 2004, this book is now out of print, yet can be easily found on used book sites like Amazon and E-bay, as well as easy for your local used book shop to track down for you. Even though the years have passed this book still contains projects you would use today. Set up allows you learn several stitches all at once, or learn as you go by making one of the 19 projects. This book also has the tri-fold feature allowing you to stand it up and work from the pages. Instructions are clear and in simple language allowing anyone from age 13 - 100 to understand. If you learn by doing then this book is the one for you.

~ Learn to Crochet in Just One Day, Left Handed by DRG Publishing. Even lefties want to learn how to crochet! This book, containing only 33 pages, is the best left-handed guide out there. Always receiving great reviews it has everything the left hander needs to know about basic crochet. The instructions are clear and the illustrations are easy to see and understand. If you're left handed it is always a good idea to find instructions that are catered to you - and this book is the best place to start.

~ Teach Yourself Visually Crocheting by Kim P. Werker and Cecily Keim. Considered one of the best books out there according to countless consumer reviews it has clear step-by-step instructions with full color pictures detailing every step. Projects not only start off simple and advance as you learn, but they are in a popular style that will be able to stand the test of time. Most patterns have quickly become favorites among those who have made them. Containing more than 300 pages it will be your crocheting companion as you move on from beginner stitches and projects to intermediate and advanced techniques. Even if you already own a beginner's crocheting book, it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and pick this one up as well. You'll be glad you did!