With so many cross stitch books out there, I’ve read my way through a library just to give you a rundown of the best cross stitch books, categorized by difficulty.

Best Books For Beginners

The Mr X Stitch Guide to Cross Stitch

Difficulty: X to XX

By Jamie Chalmers
Perfect for the beginner, it doesn’t get too technical, and everything it written with an entertaining edge. Its fun, chatty and includes some awesome modern patterns. We have a full review here.
 
 
 
 
 
 

The New Cross Stitcher’s Bible

Difficulty: X to XXXX

By Jane Greenoff
A staple in many cross stitchers collections, the Jane Greenoff Cross Stitch bible has been updated a series of times over the years, and covers everything from the very basics, so complex theories and stitches. It can be a great learning resource, but is a bit hard to get into.
 
 
 

Cross Stitch: A beginner’s step-by-step guide

Difficulty: X to XX

By Charlotte Gerlings
A general beginners book with a slant on smaller projects, this book offers clear and concise advice without going off topic. Small at only 48 pages.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Best Intermediate Books

Mega Mini Cross Stitch

Difficulty: XX to XXX

By Makoto Oozu
A compendium of small cross stitches by Japanese cross stitch master Makoto Oozu, over 900 simple patterns and some basic instructions. The diffuculty comes from the language; the whole book is in Japanese.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cross-Stitch to Calm: Stitch and De-Stress

Difficulty: XX to XXX

By Leah Lintz
These simple patterns, mostly using less than 5 colors are great practice, but offer little in the way of very complicated designs. The 40 patterns included are all well created however, making each pattern a worth while stitch.
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Cross-Stitch Garden

Difficulty: XX to XXX

By Kazuko Aoki
A great selection of delicate patterns and designs make this a book intermediate book, capable of stretching newer and more advanced stitchers alike.
 
 
 
 
 

Best Advanced Books

Storyland Cross Stitch

Difficulty: XX to XXXX

By Sophie Simpson
A great book with a series of interesting patterns ranging from fairly simple to advanced, with each pattern having its own kit items attached; ready for stitching.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Criss Crossing Paris

Difficulty: XXX to XXXX

By Fiona Sinclair & Sally-Anne Hayes
Our personal all time favorite cross stitch book, Criss Crossing Paris takes a fresh look at cross stitch, and how sometimes not sticking to the pattern can produce a fantastic piece. Check out our review.
 
 
 

Subversive Cross Stitch

Difficulty: XXX to XXXX

By Julie Jackson
Rude and lude, but a great set of patterns, made specifically to make you chuckle. Whilst the book does have basic instructions, its patterns are far from simple.
 
 
 

Do-It-Yourself Stitch People

Difficulty: XXX to XXXX

By Elizabeth Dabczynski-Bean
A book with no guide at all seems like a bad idea, however this fantastic resource allows you to create your own cross stitch people by picking hair, faces, bodies, legs and accessories. As a result there is no pattern to follow, meaning you have to work it out yourself.