A good crochet magazine does more than deliver patterns. It introduces you to new techniques, connects you with the broader crafting community, and gives you a steady stream of seasonal project inspiration throughout the year. The best titles mix beginner-friendly patterns with intermediate challenges, include detailed stitch guides, and feature work from designers who push the craft forward. Here are the five best crochet magazines available as print subscriptions and back issues on Amazon in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Magazine | Level Focus | Patterns Per Issue | Format | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crochet World Magazine | Beginner-intermediate | 15-20 | ★★★★★ | |
| Annie’s Crochet Magazine | Beginner-intermediate | 12-16 | Print + digital | ★★★★★ |
| Simply Crochet Magazine | All levels | 15-20 | Print + digital | ★★★★☆ |
| Interweave Crochet Magazine | Intermediate-advanced | 15-18 | Print + digital | ★★★★☆ |
| Crochet! Magazine by Annie’s | Beginner-intermediate | 10-14 | ★★★★☆ |
1. Crochet World Magazine
Crochet World is published by Annie’s and has been the go-to American crochet magazine for decades. Each bimonthly issue packs in 15-20 original patterns, ranging from household accessories like kitchen sets and pillow covers to wearables like cardigans, shawls, and baby items. The patterns use clear US notation with full written instructions and stitch diagrams where appropriate. What keeps Crochet World at the top of this list is its commitment to accessibility: the majority of patterns per issue are rated beginner or easy, making it genuinely useful for crafters at most stages. Back issues on Amazon are often available at a discount and are worth collecting for the pattern density alone.
2. Annie’s Crochet Magazine
Annie’s Crochet (formerly just “Crochet!” under the Annie’s umbrella) has a strong editorial vision centered on wearable crochet. Each issue tends to lean toward garments - tunics, vests, cardigans, wraps - with a seasonal color palette that keeps the designs feeling current. The instructions are among the most meticulously proofread in the industry, which matters enormously when you’re two hours into a project and need to trust the stitch count. Annie’s also produces several special-topic issues per year focused on specific themes such as baby crochet, holiday gifts, and granny squares, which are worth tracking down as standalone purchases even if you don’t hold a full subscription.
3. Simply Crochet Magazine
Simply Crochet is a UK-based magazine that reads with a fresh, modern aesthetic compared to its American counterparts. The photography is editorial-quality, the color palettes trend contemporary, and the pattern variety per issue is impressive - accessories, homewares, garments, and toys all share space in a single issue. Simply Crochet also publishes skill-building features such as technique tutorials and designer interviews that give context to the patterns. The patterns use UK crochet notation, which differs from US notation in stitch naming, so US-based beginners will need a quick reference chart until the conversion becomes second nature.
4. Interweave Crochet Magazine
Interweave Crochet is the magazine of choice for crocheters who want to push their skills into intermediate and advanced territory. Each quarterly issue features complex construction techniques, sophisticated colorwork, and garments designed with the kind of drape and tailoring usually associated with knitting. The pattern instructions assume a solid foundation in crochet, so the editorial team skips beginner scaffolding and dives straight into technical detail. The yarn selections tend toward natural fibers - wool, alpaca, linen - which suits the elevated design aesthetic. Back issues of Interweave Crochet are particularly worth collecting because the designs remain wearable and relevant well beyond their publication date.
5. Crochet! Magazine by Annie’s
Crochet! is Annie’s quarterly companion title, published four times per year with a theme-forward approach that makes each issue feel like a cohesive collection. Common themes include home decor, seasonal gifts, and baby/children’s items. The pattern count is slightly lower than Crochet World, but the curation is tighter - every pattern in an issue feels intentionally chosen rather than assembled to fill page count. The beginner difficulty level is a genuine strength: Crochet! reliably includes at least three or four patterns per issue that require only chain, single crochet, and double crochet, making it one of the best periodical resources for newer crocheters building their pattern library.
What to Look For
Pattern difficulty labeling - Always check whether a magazine clearly labels each pattern’s difficulty. Titles that use consistent ratings (beginner, easy, intermediate, experienced) let you filter quickly and avoid frustration.
US vs. UK notation - If you are accustomed to US crochet notation, UK magazines like Simply Crochet require a quick notation conversion. “Double crochet” in UK notation equals “single crochet” in US notation - a difference that will completely change your stitch count if unnoticed.
Issue frequency - Bimonthly titles like Crochet World deliver more total patterns per year than quarterly publications. Consider how quickly you work through patterns when choosing between a high-frequency and a lower-frequency subscription.
Special issues - Many magazines release annual or seasonal special issues (holiday, baby, blankets) that are worth purchasing even without a subscription. Check Amazon for these separately.
Back issue depth - If you’re new to crochet, buying two or three back issues before subscribing lets you test whether a magazine’s style and difficulty level match your taste.
Final Thoughts
Crochet World is the top all-around choice for consistent pattern volume and beginner-friendly content. Annie’s Crochet is the best pick for wearable designs. Simply Crochet is the most visually inspiring. Interweave Crochet is the right choice once your skills advance. Any of these five titles, combined with the free pattern libraries on Ravelry, will keep your project queue full for years.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a crochet magazine subscription and buying back issues?+
A subscription delivers each new issue automatically as it publishes, usually at a lower per-issue cost than individual purchases. Back issues let you target specific volumes that contain a pattern or technique you want right now without committing to future issues. For serious crocheters, a subscription to one title plus occasional back issues from others is often the best approach.
Are crochet magazine patterns suitable for beginners?+
Most crochet magazines publish patterns across a range of difficulty levels and label each one clearly. Crochet World and Annie's Crochet tend to include more beginner-friendly patterns per issue than Interweave Crochet, which leans toward intermediate and advanced designs. Check the issue's table of contents before subscribing if you are still building foundational skills.
Do crochet magazines include patterns for different yarn weights?+
Yes. Most titles publish patterns spanning multiple yarn weights in each issue - from bulky blankets to fingering-weight shawls. Simply Crochet in particular features a wide variety of weights per issue. If you prefer a specific weight, scan back issues before subscribing to confirm the magazine regularly features it.