How to crochet a decorative bow. Free pattern & picture tutorial -Dora Does

I don’t know about you, but I love to add those handmade touches to gifts. I always think that kind of attention to detail shows the recipient that extra bit of love.

With that in mind, I have put together a crochet bow pattern which I designed as an adornment to add to gift wrap for a Christmas or birthday present.

It could also be used to add to a seasonal or festive wreath or a stocking. Those multiple uses are probably reflected in the somewhat catch all title of this post!!

This design is not intended to be used as a toy.

The Bow is made of 3 parts, the ‘bow’ the ‘tail’ and the ‘cover tie’. Below you’ll find the written and step by step picture tutorial which takes you through the process.

A yellow crochet bow lays on a grey wood effect background

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Skill Level

This is a pretty simple pattern which uses US single crochet (UK double crochet) and chain stitches, with simple increases.

You’ll need to know how to work in rows and in the round and there is a small amount of sewing involved. Though I show you how to avoid sewing in most of the ends!

The construction is probably the most challenging part, but this is just a little fiddly – once you have the 3 pieces together you can adjust the bow so it sits how you want it.

Materials

In this tutorial, I used about 15g / 40m of double knit yarn and a 4mm crochet hook. I’ve used Paintbox Simply DK in Mustard Yellow (shade 123).

This pattern will work with pretty much any yarn and a suitable hook, though using a different yarn weight will alter the finished size and amount of yarn required.

I advise using a hook as recommended on the ball band, or on the smaller end of what is suited to your yarn weight. Keeping your stitches tight will help give the bow some structure.

A yellow crochet bow is attached to a pink crochet rectangle surrounded by tinsel, with branches of a christmas tree encroaching

Size

The bow you see pictured measures about 12cm across and the bow and tail sections are each about about 4cm deep.

You can alter the size by amending the stitch and row counts in the starting chains and working different numbers of rows or rounds. I will add guidance throughout the tutorial on how you could experiment with this.

Pattern Notes

This pattern uses US crochet terms (UK terms in brackets in the abbreviations list)
Turning chains do not count as stitches
Stitch counts are given at the end of the row at the start of the section or where there is a change
Stitch counts include chain spaces
When making increases, using the invisible increase will help give your ‘tail’ a neater look. You can learn about invisible increases in this article which contains tips for amigurumi
The pattern is constructed from 3 parts; the ‘bow’ the ‘tail’ and the ‘cover tie’ which are made separately and joined together to finish
Note that the pictures you see are from a left handed crocheter (i.e. me!), so if you’re right handed you will see a mirror image
There is no formal right or wrong side. You can choose which one you prefer when constructing your bow
Gauge is not essential for this pattern

Stitches and Abbreviations (US terms)

UK terms are given in brackets

ch = chain
ch-sp = chain space
sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
sk = skip (UK miss)
sp = space
ss = slip stitch

Dora’s Crochet Gift Bow Pattern

You can make the 3 separate parts in any order, but I will start with the bow, then work the tail and finally the tie

The Bow

Round 1: Ch52, ss to first st to make a loop (don’t twist!), turn. 52 sts

A tutorial step to make a crochet bow shows a ring of chain stitches made in yellow yarn with a purple crochet hook

Round 2: Ch3 (counts as turning ch and 2 sts), sk 2 sts, 1sc in each st 2 sts from end, ch2, sk 2 sts, ss to first ch of ch3, turn

A tutorial step to make a crochet bow shows Two rounds or crochet in yellow stitches with a purple crochet hook still looped in the last stitch

Rounds 3 – 9: As Round 2

Fasten off leaving about a 10cm tail.

A tutorial step to make a crochet bow shows three rounds or crochet in yellow stitches with a purple crochet hook still looped in the last stitch

A tutorial step to make a crochet bow shows several rounds or crochet in yellow stitches

Thread a yarn needle onto the tail.

Fold the loop in half at the join.

Pinch together the centre of the bow (where the chain spaces are) and wrap the tails (You can wrap up the starting tail here too) tightly around the centre (covering the chains) to create a basic bow shape.

Use the yarn needle to secure in pace.

A yellow crochet bow with a yarn needle threading the end through the centre

Note that you don’t want this wrap to bee too bulky or too tight, as you’re going to cover it up with the tie at the end.

Set aside.

Adjustments to the bow

You can adjust the size of the bow width by adjusting the number of stitches in the starting chain. I advise keeping the chains either side of the join (you can add more for a bigger bow) as this reduces the bulk when you pinch the centre together to form the bow shape.

To change the depth of the bow you can add or remove rounds. With more rounds you are going to get a more structured bow. If you work too few then you may find you get some curling happening.

The depth and width are proportionate so it’s worth bearing in mind that if you change one, you will want to think about changing the other.

A yellow crochet bow lays on a grey wood grain surface with a yarn needle placed next to the yarn tail

The tails

You will work the tail in rows, increasing at the beginning and end of each row and creating chain spaces in the centre.

Ch18

Row 1: 2sc in second ch from hook, 1sc in next 7 ch, ch1, sk 1 st, 1sc in next 7 ch, 2sc in last ch, turn. 19 sts

A short row of yellow crochet stitches with a purple hook still inserted into the loop of the last stitch

Row 2: Ch1, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 8 sts, ch1, sk ch1-sp, 1sc in next 8 sts, 2sc in last st, turn. 21 sts

During Row 2, I suggest carrying the original yarn tail under your stitches and dropping it at the centre so you can hide it when you wrap the tails round the centre (as you did with the bow).

Two rows of crochet stitches in yellow yarn showing the tutorial step for creating a crochet bowl The tip of a pair of scissors holds one Ned of the crochet down whilst a purple handled crochet hook is inserted in the last stitch on the other end

You may notice that in the image above I’ve popped the tip of the scissors on one end. This is because for the first few rows you will notice a curl. It should drop out as you work but if it persists you may want to give the tie a gentle blocking (be very careful with this if you’re using acrylic so you don’t melt it).

Alternatively, you could go with the curly look if you prefer!

Row 3: Ch1, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 9 sts, ch2, sk ch1-sp, 1sc in next 9 sts, 2sc in last st, turn. 24 sts

3 rows of crochet stitches demonstrating how to crochet a bow. The fabric is made with yellow yarn with a purple handled crochet hook inserted into the last stitch

Row 4: Ch1, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 10 sts, ch2, sk ch2-sp, 1sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in last st, turn. 26 sts

Row 5: Ch1, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 11 sts, ch3, sk ch2-sp, 1sc in next 11 sts, 2sc in last st, turn. 29 sts

Several rows of crochet stitches demonstrating how to crochet a bow. The fabric is made with yellow yarn with a purple handled crochet hook inserted into the last stitch

Row 6: Ch1, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 12 sts, ch3, sk ch3-sp, 1sc in next 12 sts, 2sc in last st, turn. 31 sts

Row 7: Ch1, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 13 sts, ch4, sk ch3-sp, 1sc in next 13 sts, 2sc in last st, turn. 34 sts

Row 8: Ch1, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 14 sts, ch4, sk ch4-sp, 1sc in next 14 sts, 2sc in last st, turn. 36 sts

Row 9: Ch1, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 15 sts, ch5, sk ch4-sp, 1sc in next 15 sts, 2sc in last st, turn. 39 sts

Fasten off leaving a tail of around 10cm

A small angled piece of crochet fabric which demonstrating how to crochet a bow. The fabric is made with yellow yarn with a Yarn needle attached to the tail.

As with the bow, thread a yarn needle onto the yarn end, pinch the centre of the tail and wrap the ends around the centre, securing it with your needle by threading it through the centre.

A close up to the process of creating the ribbon section of a crochet bow showing a yarn needle threading through the centre to secure the ends

Adjustment to the tail

You can change the size of the tails in the same way as the bow, by increasing or decreasing the stitch and row count to suit. To achieve a similar proportion to the one you see here, the longest length (row) of the tail should be about 3/4 of the number of stitches used in the bow.

You can make a longer tail to give the effect of ribbons dangling. This could look great on a wreath for example.

If you wanted asymmetric lengths, you could move where you make the chains as this is the area where you pinch the piece together to join to the bow.

The ribbon section of a crochet bow lays on a grey wood effect surface with a yarn needle to the side

The Centre Tie

Finally you’ll create the centre tie which will be used to wrap over the middle of the two other pieces to secure them together. You can adjust the tie to achieve the look you want. I’ve kept mine quite narrow here, but you could definitely go wider.

The tie is worked in rows but is wrapped so the stitch direction is at right angles to the bow and tail.

Ch11

Row 1: 1sc in second ch from hook and each ch to end, turn. 10 sts

Row 2: Ch1, 1sc in each st to end, turn

Row 3: As Row 2

A small crochet rectangle to be used to fasten together pieces of a crochet bow

Fasten off leaving 10 cm tail

Construction

Now you have you’re 3 pieces, you’re ready to put it all together!

The 3 separate parts required to construct a crochet bow lie on a grey wood effect background with a needle attached to the tie section

Align the centres of the bow and the tail so that the bow is on top.

Thread a yarn needle onto the tie and, wrap it at a 90 degree angle (so the rows are vertical) over the centre of the tie and the bow, ensuring they pull both tightly together.

Use your yarn needle to sew together the row ends of the tie at the back of your bow. (This is the fiddly bit!). Make sure you tuck in any ends left on the bow or tail.

A tutorial step showing the making of a crochet bow, sewing the tie together and joining the pieces

Fasten of and weave in any last ends

Note that you may want to leave the last end long so that you can use it to attach to your gift / wreath etc.

And there you have your finished bow!

You may want to adjust and plump the bows until it sits the way you want it to.

I hope you find this tutorial useful and that your gift recipients appreciate your efforts.

Don’t forget to share your finished makes with me on instagram using #hookmehappy or tagging me.

Happy Hooking!

P.Here’s a peek of how the bow looks attached to my upcoming addition to my Christmas Hat collection. You’re the first to get a sneak peek!

A pink crochet square is adorned with a yellow crochet ribbon and bow and is laying on sheep pelt rug surrounded by tinesel and green bells with the branches of a Christmas tree creeping in to the side of the image

If you liked this, you can find more crafty tutorials here.

(C) DoraDoes 2020. You may sell what you make from my patterns and tutorials, but please credit me as the designer. The pattern is for personal use only and may not be shared without written consent. My photos may be shared with credit.