The first time my mother taught me how to crochet when I was 6 or 7 years old. After about 20 years, it didn't really stay in your head very well, though. Then, when I was visiting my mom for Christmas, I grabbed some yarn and made an afghan. I've never stopped crocheting, and I'm not going to stop now.

Many people find crocheting a lot of help for their stress. A lot of people find it very relaxing when they can create things and then undo them so that they don't even know they were made. As a general rule, there isn't anything to show that you did something wrong except for one long strand of yarn. I'm fine with that. When things go well, I get to enjoy things like my very bookish amigurumi collection or a lot of crochet bookmarks, which are both very cute.

Crocheting is a great hobby for people who want something to keep their hands busy and their minds at ease. If you want to learn how to crochet, here are 25 of the best books to get you started and keep you busy for years.

Best Crochet Books: General Reference

A to Z of Crochet: The Ultimate Guide for the Beginner to Advanced Crocheter by Martingale

This is the book for someone who has just learned about yarn and doesn't know what a crochet hook looks like. Even if you've been crocheting for a long time, this book is a great source of information. It starts at the very beginning and gives you all the information you need to get started. You can't see any patterns in it at all.

The Crochet Answer Book, 2nd Edition: Solutions to Every Problem You’ll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You’ll Ever Ask  by Edie Eckman

The book does exactly what it says it will do: answer every question a crocheter will ever have. Because the illustrations aren't very good, but the explanations are very good. They give you all the information you need to get yourself out of a crochet problem!

Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker  by Debbie Stoller

There is a lot of talk about Stoller being the "leader of a whole movement of hip young knitters," and now she is bringing that same vibe to the world of crocheters as well. She makes crocheting fun and easy for people of all ages.

Crochet Stitch Dictionary: 200 Essential Stitches with Step-by-Step Photos by Sarah Hazell

There is nothing more frustrating than not knowing what half double stitch or blanket stitch is. It looks like there are a lot of stitches, but they're all just variations on each other. They're so close to each other but so different. Hard to keep track of. You should keep this book near your yarn. You'll be less likely to run away from a complicated pattern and more likely to come up with some really great work if you follow these steps.

Learn to Crochet, Love to Crochet: Over 20 Hand-Crocheted Accessories and Garments to Make for You and Your Friends by Anna Wilkinson

This is the book for anyone who thinks crochet is only for little old ladies to do. In this book, they teach you how to crochet, and they show you how to make cool, modern things that you'd be proud to own and wear.

When you're looking for a pattern and can't figure it out, you know where to go. Now let's try the fun stuff!

Best Crochet Books: Amigurumi

Literary Yarns: Crochet Projects Inspired by Classic Books by Cindy Wang

This book should be at the top of any crocheter's "to read" list. It has a lot of well-known characters, like Anne of Green Gables, Sherlock Holmes, Ebenezer Scrooge, Elizabeth Bennet, Huck Finn, and so on. They look great on a bookshelf, and once you've learned all of them, you should be able to make your own crochet versions of your favorite book characters.

Creepy Cute Crochet: Zombies, Ninjas, Robots, and More! by Christen Haden

You know how toddlers dressed up as zombies are both scary and adorable at the same time? That is the best way to describe the amigurumi in this book. They are so cute and creepy that you won't know which one to start with. To help you make that decision, they are ranked by how difficult they are.

AmiguruME: Make Cute Crochet People by Allison Hoffman

This is a book about how to make crochet people. If the sample people look like people you know, there's a good reason (I see you, Frida Kahlo). Make your kids, your best friend, your book club buddies, your favorite book characters, or even the author of the book you're reading. You can use the instructions given to make any person you want. If that's your thing.

Edward’s Menagerie: Over 40 Soft and Snuggly Toy Animal Crochet by Kerry Lord

Kerry Lord has a whole line of amigurumi books that cover a lot of different animals, including books that are just for dogs and birds, like this one. This section is about dolls that look like real people, and this one is about imaginary ones. There's a little bit of everything, and she makes it fun and easy for a wide range of crocheters. Most of her books are also available in French and/or German, too.

Amigurumi Fairy Tales: Crochet Your Own Enchanted Forest by Tessa Van Riet-Ernst

In this book, the author takes two things she loves (crochet and fairy tales) and puts them together in a new way that celebrates both. In this book, there are eight stories and more than 20 characters. There are also detailed, step-by-step instructions.

Dinosaur Amigurumi by Justyna Kacprzak

I don't think a Tyrannosaurus would be able to crochet, because it has small arms. But that doesn't mean you can't make a cute little T-Rex of your own to crochet. If you want, you could also get a Triceratops or Stegosaurus. For each design, there are illustrated instructions and full-color photos of the finished product. Even if you're not an expert, you can make these projects.

Best Crochet Books: Apparel and Jewelry

Get Your Crochet On! Fly Tops and Funky Flavas by Afya Ibomu

If you look online, there are a lot of sweater patterns that you can make. But none of them look as good as the tops and accessories in this book. For people who are just learning how to crochet, there's a good crochet overview. There are also great full-color photos of all the items for men and women. You'll also learn how to choose your yarn and how to care for the items you make after you make them. Ibomu also has a book about hats that you should read.

Geek Chic Crochet: 35 Retro-Inspired Projects That Are Off the Hook by Nicki Trench

This is a book with a lot of cool retro-style designs in it. You can make whole outfits from the items shown, and you can do it in any color pattern you want. This is one of the best things about crochet. Items like tank tops and skirts, crop tops and collars, and even cute throw pillows for your couch are on the list.

Crochet Jewelry: 40 Beautiful and Unique Designs by Waejong Kim

If you have been wondering what you could make with the eyelash yarn at Michaels, this book has the answer for you! Instructions that are easy to follow are all over this book. It also tells you how to use beads and stones in your projects. Best of all, the finished products look great.

Double Stitch: Designs for a Crochet Fashionista by Erika Simmons and Monika Simmons

The "Double Stitch" twins made this book, and it's full of fun crochet clothes that are meant to be worn, whether you're running errands or going out for the night. It's not just one project. There are many different things that people can make, from a choker and purse to a corset with satin ribbons. In this case, we're talking about a lot of different things.

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