The Best Handmade Gifts for Book Lovers
If there’s a reader in your life, you already know that buying them a gift requires a certain amount of thought. Books are the obvious answer, but there’s always the risk of doubling up on something they’ve already read, or worse, something they’ve already been given. What you actually want is something that says “I thought about this specifically for you” without requiring you to know the exact contents of their to-be-read pile. That’s where handmade gifts come in.
Why handmade gifts are different
There’s a reason that when someone unwraps a handmade gift, their reaction is different to unwrapping something from a high street shop. It’s not just the object itself, it’s the knowledge that someone made it. That a real person sat down with materials and time and care and produced this specific thing. That’s not something you can replicate with a factory and a next-day delivery option, no matter how convenient those things are.
For book lovers in particular, handmade gifts resonate in a way that feels almost instinctive. Readers tend to be people who value things that are crafted with care — stories written with attention, details that reward a closer look. A handmade gift speaks that same language. It’s noticed, and it’s kept.
Crochet bookmarks: the gift that gets used every single day
A bookmark might seem like a small thing, but think about how often a reader reaches for one. Every day, sometimes multiple times a day. The right bookmark becomes a ritual — something you look forward to placing and picking up again. The wrong one (a torn receipt, a folded corner) is just a reminder that you haven’t found the right one yet.
My handmade crochet bookmarks come in two styles — heart designs and flower designs — in a range of colour combinations, each one named individually. They’re crocheted by hand using 100% acrylic vegan yarn, designed to fit a standard paperback properly, and they come ready to give. At £8 to £10, they’re one of the most thoughtful small gifts going.
Browse all handmade crochet bookmarks →
Crochet book covers for the reader who loves their books as much as their reading
If you want to go a step further, a crocheted book cover is the kind of gift that genuinely surprises people. Not everyone has seen one before, and when they do — when they slide it onto a favourite paperback and see how it looks — the reaction is wonderful. Protective, beautiful, and completely one of a kind.
The Blue Belle Charms book cover collection includes heart patterns, floral designs, and my most ambitious piece, Luna, with a stars and moon pattern that takes considerably longer to make than the others. They fit a standard paperback, slip on and off easily, and they’re the kind of gift someone keeps and uses for years. Priced from £17.50 to £20.
Browse all handmade crochet book covers →
Little extras to consider
Beyond bookmarks and book covers, a few other pieces from the collection work brilliantly as reader-adjacent gifts. A set of handmade crochet coasters is a lovely pairing with a book cover for the reader who always has a cup of tea on the go. A crochet pouch makes a sweet little gift on its own or as part of a set, perfect for keeping a bookmark safe when travelling.
If you’d like to put a gift set together in coordinating colours, I’m also available for commissions. Just get in touch, and we can work something out.
Gift wrapping and presentation
Everything from Blue Belle Charms comes ready to give. If you’re buying for a specific occasion and want to mention it when you order, feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to help make something feel extra special.
A note on vegan gifts
All of my pieces are made using 100% acrylic Women’s Institute yarn, which means they’re completely vegan-friendly. If you’re buying for someone who is vegan or who prefers to avoid animal products, Blue Belle Charms pieces are a gift you can feel completely confident about.
Not sure which piece is right? Browse the full collection or get in touch. I’m always happy to help you find the perfect thing for the reader in your life.