10 Crocheting Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Discover Crocheting Books endorsed by Anna Leyzina (@theknottyboss), Michael Sellick (The Crochet Crowd), and Drew Hill (amigurumi designer) to sharpen your skills and inspire your projects.

Updated on June 23, 2025
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What if crocheting was more than just a pastime? Imagine it as a bridge connecting intricate math, storytelling, and community. The world of crochet is vast—ranging from tactile mathematical models to enchanting mythical creatures—that challenges the notion of crochet as simple craft.

Experts like Anna Leyzina, whose Instagram following of over 400k attests to her practical tips, or Michael Sellick, founder of the global Crochet Crowd community, show that crocheting blends technique with connection. Drew Hill’s playful amigurumi patterns add a whimsical touch that keeps the craft vibrant.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific skill levels, interests, and goals might consider creating a personalized Crocheting book that builds on these insights.

Best for math and art crochet explorers
Daina Taimina is a mathematician known for her work in hyperbolic geometry and its applications in art and craft. She has received the Euler Book Prize awarded by the Mathematical Association of America for her contributions to making complex mathematical concepts accessible through tactile methods. Her deep expertise and passion for connecting mathematics with hands-on creativity form the foundation of this book, offering you a unique journey into crocheting as a way to explore and visualize complex geometrical forms.
2018·210 pages·Crocheting, Non-Euclidean Geometries, Mathematics, Geometry, Hyperbolic Planes

When Daina Taimina first discovered how to bring hyperbolic geometry into tactile form through crocheting, she opened up a new way for crafters to engage with complex mathematical concepts. This book guides you through creating crocheted models that represent non-Euclidean planes, blending art, craft, and mathematics in a hands-on experience. You'll learn not only the techniques for crocheting these intricate shapes but also the underlying geometry and its surprising connections to fields like architecture and quantum computing. If you're curious about exploring math beyond the usual formulas or want to add a unique dimension to your crochet skills, this book offers a distinct path that bridges creativity and science.

Euler Book Prize Winner
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Best for amigurumi fantasy crafters
Drew Hill is an amigurumi designer and fiber arts enthusiast who turned his passion for crocheting into Drewbie’s Zoo, offering patterns and finished pieces. With a BFA in Theatre Design & Production from the University of Michigan and experience as a costume designer, Drew brings a unique blend of artistry and craftsmanship to his work. His book gathers his expertise and playful creativity, guiding you through magical amigurumi patterns that invite you to explore and enjoy the art of crocheting fantastical creatures.
2022·168 pages·Crocheting, Amigurumi, Craft Techniques, Pattern Design, Fiber Arts

When Drew Hill challenges the usual approach to crocheting by focusing on amigurumi, he opens a gateway to crafting whimsical creatures that spark both creativity and skill. You’ll learn essential techniques like the magic ring and picot stitch, alongside practical advice on selecting yarn and hooks, making this more than a simple pattern book. The twenty designs, ranging from griffins to cat-icorns, offer a playful yet manageable challenge whether you’re new or experienced. This book suits you if you're eager to expand your crochet repertoire with charming, fantastical projects that blend artistry and technique.

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Best for personal skill mastery
This AI-created book on crochet mastery is designed after you share your experience level, the specific techniques you want to focus on, and your personal crafting goals. Since crochet involves diverse skills and styles, a tailored approach makes sense to focus on what truly matters to you, avoiding one-size-fits-all guides. By creating this book based on your inputs, it delivers exactly the techniques and strategies you need to develop your skills efficiently and enjoy your crochet journey more.
2025·50-300 pages·Crocheting, Crochet Fundamentals, Stitch Techniques, Pattern Reading, Project Planning

This personalized book provides a tailored framework for mastering crochet skills by focusing on efficient learning strategies and technique refinement relevant to your unique crafting context. It offers targeted guidance on stitch mastery, pattern interpretation, project planning, and troubleshooting, cutting through generic advice to fit your skill level and creative goals. The book emphasizes practical application by breaking down complex techniques into manageable steps and aligning them with your preferred styles and project types. With a focus on personalized skill progression, it addresses both foundational stitches and advanced customization methods, ensuring you develop a cohesive mastery aligned precisely with your crocheting ambitions.

Tailored Framework
Skill Progression
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for modern blanket designers
Esme Crick, the creative force behind Red Sparrow Crochet and a contributor to Inside Crochet and Simply Crochet magazines, brings her extensive design experience to this book. Her background as a Scheepjes designer and editor for YARN The After Party informs the carefully curated 100 strip patterns. Crick's approach offers crocheters a modern, modular way to design blankets that reflects individual style and practical crafting, moving beyond traditional granny squares with accessible patterns and thoughtful guidance.
2023·144 pages·Crocheting, Textile Design, Pattern Making, Modular Crafting, Blanket Design

When Esme Crick first discovered the potential of modular crochet beyond granny squares, she crafted this collection to explore 100 unique patterned and textured strips ideal for modern blankets. You learn how to create personalized, stylish throws by combining these strips, each crafted to a standard width but adjustable for different sizes, with clear US crochet terms, charts, and chapters covering classic stitches, tapestry, mosaic, cables, and embellishments. This book suits crocheters eager to break from traditional blanket making and embrace portable, creative projects that invite experimentation with color, texture, and design. If you enjoy mixing patterns and want a fresh approach to crocheting blankets, this offers a rich toolbox without overwhelming complexity.

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Best for intricate mythical amigurumi creators
Megan Lapp of Crafty Intentions has been transforming her imaginative drawings into crochet art since 2017. With a Fine Arts degree and a passion for three-dimensional forms, she found crochet as the perfect medium to realize her visions. This background fuels her ability to design intricate mythical creatures, making her patterns both accessible and richly detailed for crafters eager to bring legends to life.
2023·246 pages·Crocheting, Crafting, Design, Pattern Making, Mythical Creatures

When Megan Lapp first discovered crochet, she found a way to bring her vivid artistic visions to life that had previously eluded her in other mediums. Drawing from her Fine Arts background, she has crafted a collection that teaches you how to create intricate, colorful creatures inspired by myth and legend, from petite Pegasus and Phoenix to grand dragons with customizable features. You'll learn detailed techniques for shaping wings, scales, and feathers, making each piece uniquely yours. This book suits crafters who want to move beyond basic stitches and engage with imaginative, three-dimensional projects that blend creativity with skill.

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Best for crochet technique improvers
Anna Leyzina is a crochet and graphic designer renowned for her easy-to-follow crochet tips, boasting over 400k followers on Instagram as @theknottyboss. She channels this expertise into a guide that compiles her popular Tuesday Tips into a handy, photo-rich reference perfect for all crocheters looking to refine their craft.
2024·160 pages·Crocheting, Craft Techniques, Yarn Selection, Stitching Methods, Amigurumi

Anna Leyzina's journey from graphic designer to crochet influencer inspired this compact manual packed with over 100 tips that refresh how you approach crocheting. You learn practical techniques like avoiding visible slip knots, mastering the magic ring, and achieving seamless color changes, all supported with clear photography and instructions in US terms with a UK conversion cheat sheet. Whether you're smoothing edges, perfecting amigurumi details, or finishing with flawless weaving and blocking, this book guides you through common pitfalls and elevates your craft. If you want a reference that fits in your project bag and grows with your skill, this delivers exactly that.

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Best for daily crochet progress
This AI-created book on crochet exercises is crafted based on your skill level and specific interests in daily practice. You share your background, desired focus areas, and goals, and the book provides a personalized 30-day plan with step-by-step progressions. This tailored approach makes sense for crochet since individual skill levels vary widely, and targeted daily exercises can rapidly enhance technique and confidence. It gives you exactly what you need to improve each day without unnecessary information.
2025·50-300 pages·Crocheting, Daily Practice, Skill Assessment, Stitch Techniques, Tension Control

This personalized book on daily crochet exercises provides a tailored framework designed to accelerate skill development through targeted daily practice. It focuses on a progressive sequence of exercises that match your skill level and crocheting interests, cutting through generic advice to deliver relevant, actionable steps. By addressing key stitch techniques, tension control, and pattern reading, it equips you with practical tools to build consistency and confidence. The tailored approach ensures each day's practice aligns with your goals, helping you transform your crochet skills efficiently and effectively within 30 days.

Tailored Framework
Skill Progression
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for themed crochet fans
Lee Sartori is the crochet designer behind CoCo Crochet Lee, a guest host on the PBS/Create show Knit and Crochet Now, and a member of Annie’s Creative Studio. Her passion for modern, wearable garments and amigurumi shines through this officially licensed guide, which allows you to recreate the magic of the Harry Potter films with your crochet hook. Living in Ontario with her family, Lee shares her expertise and enthusiasm for crochet through this richly illustrated book that combines craftsmanship with beloved film artistry.
2021·176 pages·Crocheting, Crafting, Patterns, Costume Making, Amigurumi

When Lee Sartori discovered the appeal of combining pop culture with crafting, she developed a unique collection of crochet patterns inspired by the Harry Potter films. This book teaches you how to crochet costumes, creatures, and iconic artifacts with yarn colors matched to the movies, covering a variety of stitches and techniques suited for different skill levels. You’ll find detailed instructions, full-color photos, and behind-the-scenes facts that enrich the crafting experience and connect you to the Wizarding World. This is ideal if you want to bring your fandom to life through crochet projects that range from wearable pieces to collectibles.

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Best for Pokémon amigurumi enthusiasts
Sabrina Somers is a designer specializing in crochet patterns with a particular love for amigurumi. She combines her long-held passion for Pokémon with years of amigurumi experience to craft this collection of 20 distinctive Pokémon crochet projects. Living in Amsterdam, she brings both personal enthusiasm and professional skill to a guide that helps you master techniques from beginner to intermediate levels, making it accessible and enjoyable for fans and crafters alike.
2021·112 pages·Crocheting, Amigurumi, Pattern Reading, Stitch Techniques, Toy Making

Drawing from her deep passion for Pokémon since childhood and expertise in amigurumi crochet, Sabrina Somers offers a delightful fusion of her interests in this book. You’ll learn not just how to follow patterns but also understand the specific stitches and assembly techniques crucial for crafting 20 distinct Pokémon characters, ranging from beginner-friendly Gengar to intermediate-level Charizard. The book’s clear progression through skill levels ensures you build your crocheting confidence while creating instantly recognizable figures. Whether you’re a Pokémon fan eager to bring the creatures to life or a crochet enthusiast looking to expand your project repertoire, this guide balances fandom with practical craft skills effectively.

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Best for beginner-friendly animal amigurumi
Sarah Zimmerman is a yarn lover, crafter, wife, and mother of three. A self-taught crocheter, Sarah picked up her first hook shortly after her second child was born. Her craft and crochet blog, Repeat Crafter Me, is full of unique patterns that she shares for free. Known for her clear, easy-to-follow patterns, Sarah's designs have gained praise for their fresh, cute aesthetics. Her book 'Crochet Cute Critters' features 26 lovable amigurumi designs that span the entire animal kingdom, making it a valuable addition to any crocheter's library.
2021·140 pages·Crocheting, Amigurumi, Animal Patterns, Crafting Techniques, Yarn Selection

What if everything you knew about amigurumi was wrong? Sarah Zimmerman, a self-taught crocheter and prolific pattern designer, challenges traditional complexity by offering 26 approachable animal patterns that rely on repeating core shapes across projects. You learn how to craft creatures from snails to zebras using a shared head and body base, which simplifies the process and builds your confidence stitch by stitch. The book balances beginner-friendly introductions to essential crochet techniques with charming, whimsical designs, making it ideal whether you want quick projects or to deepen your amigurumi skills. If you prefer clear visuals and consistency over experimental stitches, this book fits your needs perfectly.

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Best for community-driven crochet learners
Michael Sellick is a lifelong crafter and crocheter who thrives on teaching and connecting with a wide community of makers. His passion for crochet blossomed from a personal refuge into The Crochet Crowd, a vibrant global group sharing creativity and support. This book reflects his dedication to helping crocheters learn new techniques and enjoy the process, packed with patterns and colorful inspiration that embody his unique approach to fiber arts.
The Crochet Crowd: Inspire, Create & Celebrate book cover

by Michael Sellick, Daniel Zondervan··You?

2021·148 pages·Fiber Arts, Crocheting, Pattern Design, Community Building, Afghan Making

When Michael Sellick challenges the usual notion that crocheting is a solitary craft, he reveals how it can build vibrant communities and inspire creativity. Drawing from his lifelong experience and the global Crochet Crowd he nurtured online, this book offers both novices and seasoned crocheters 15 exclusive patterns featuring cozy textures and rich colors. You’ll gain insights into crafting afghans, scarves, hats, and cowls, while also appreciating the communal joy behind the stitches. If you’re looking to deepen your crochet skills and connect with a supportive maker community, this book gives you both the practical projects and the heartfelt inspiration to keep creating.

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Best for playful amigurumi plant crafters
Michael Cao is a creative crochet designer who transformed a quarantine pastime into a joyful art form focused on amigurumi. His passion for crafting lovable potted plant toys shines through in this book, inviting you to explore crochet with patience and personal style. Cao’s approachable methods and encouragement to experiment help you develop skills while making charming projects tailored to your taste.
2021·48 pages·Fiber Arts, Crocheting, Amigurumi, Pattern Design, Craft Techniques

Michael Cao's journey from a quarantine hobbyist to a dedicated crochet designer shapes this inviting collection of amigurumi patterns. You’ll learn how to craft 12 charming potted plant figures, from succulents like Echeveria to the whimsical Venus Fly Trap, with clear guidance on basic stitches and creative adaptations. The book encourages you to experiment with colors, hooks, and shapes, making each project uniquely yours. Whether you're a beginner struggling with muscle memory or someone seeking playful artistic expression, this book offers a supportive and enjoyable path into amigurumi crocheting.

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Conclusion

These ten books reveal three clear themes: the fusion of crochet with art and math, the rich world of amigurumi and character creation, and the power of community and technique mastery. If you’re intrigued by mathematical forms, start with Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes. For playful amigurumi projects, combine Crochet Magical Creatures with Crochet Cute Critters to build confidence.

Rapid skill improvements come by pairing practical tips from Crochet Secrets From The Knotty Boss with the inclusive community spirit of The Crochet Crowd. Once you’ve absorbed these expert insights, create a personalized Crocheting book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation.

Dive in, stitch by stitch, and let your crochet journey grow richer and more rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with your main interest: if math intrigues you, pick Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes. For whimsical amigurumi, try Crochet Magical Creatures. Each book targets different styles, so choose one that matches your passion and skill level.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Crocheting?

Not at all. Many books, like Crochet Cute Critters and Crochet Secrets From The Knotty Boss, are beginner-friendly with clear instructions, while others offer advanced challenges for growth. You can pick and pace your learning accordingly.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational technique books such as Crochet Secrets From The Knotty Boss to build skills. Next, explore project-based books like Mix and Match Modern Crochet Blankets or themed amigurumi books to apply those skills creatively.

Can I skip around or do I need to read them cover to cover?

You can definitely skip around. Many of these books are designed as pattern or technique references, so feel free to jump directly to projects or chapters that interest you most.

What makes these books different from others on Crocheting?

These selections combine expert endorsements with diverse focuses—from mathematical crochet to community-building and popular culture themes—offering both technical mastery and creative inspiration that few other collections provide.

How can personalized Crocheting books complement these expert recommendations?

Personalized books tailor the expert insights to your skill level, interests, and goals, making learning efficient and relevant. They complement these foundational works by focusing on what you need most. Explore creating your personalized Crocheting book for targeted guidance.

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