by Beth Mckinney

Created on: March 15, 2010

Subscribing to a crochet magazine is a fabulous way to gift yourself with inspiration on a regular basis. Finding a collection of techniques, patterns and articles in the mail is exciting, if you find the magazine that is right for you. Most magazines focus on a specific type of pattern, so consider your skills and the type of projects you like to make.

Easy patterns

Quick and Easy Crochet usually carries easy patterns for children’s toys, doilies and seasonal items that can often be completed in a weekend. For example, a recent issue featured patterns for several children’s items as well as seasonal décor and some fashion items using beads. This is a great magazine for beginners or crafters with limited time. With a subscription, the magazine costs about $5/issue for 6 issues per year.

Crochet Today is a great magazine for crafters looking for ways to save money. Most of the patterns are practical and use inexpensive yarns. For example, a recent issue included several patterns for projects made from scrap yarns. Most are easy to make. With a subscription, this magazine costs about $2/issue for six issues per year. 

Crochet patterns with style

Interweave Crochet is one of the most innovative, imaginative and “hip” crochet magazines available and regularly includes patterns including new or newly popular techniques. For example, a recent issue featured a pattern for several intriguing wearables using Tunisian crochet.These may be more challenging to some beginning yarn crafters, but others love experimenting with bold projects and sophisticated styles. With a subscription, the magazine costs about $5/issue for 4 issues per year.

Crochet magazines with other benefits or emphasis

Crochet! is the official magazine of the Crochet Guild of America, so members receive a free subscription, as well as discounts on other crochet magazines and at retailers of interest to yarn crafters. A recent issue featured patterns for a variety of patterns such as jewelry, home décor and several shawls. Membership dues are $35/year. Non-members can subscribe for approximately $22/year for six issues; subscribers may add a digital subscription for approximately $10/year. The digital subscription is available for approximately $15/year.

Crochet World tends to focus on craft projects such as stuffed animals, home décor, and seasonal items. The clothing items tend to be traditional. Many readers love the “Crochet Potpourri” column that allows readers to post requests for specific patterns. With a subscription, this magazine costs about $3/issue for six issues per year. A digital subscription is also available.

Most crochet magazines offer a variety of patterns for crafters of different abilities with different tastes. However, certain magazines will be more appealing to certain crafters because of the projects they emphasize, the cost of a subscription and the various regular features. Buying a single issue of several magazines can be a great way to find the one magazine that will bring regular joy.  

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