Beginner Crochet Bow Pattern – 3 Sizes (Free)

Learn how to crochet beginner bows in three sizes. This simple free crochet pattern uses single crocheted rectangles to create cute bows for bedazzling all your projects. Perfect for crochet newbies!

This easy crochet bow pattern gets you maximum cuteness for minimum effort. The bows are super adorable, super quick, and you can throw them on anything. I’m talking coffee sleeves, cats, hats, headbands, hair ties, presents… you name it! What crochet project doesn’t need a tiny bow on top?

four crocheted bows on a blue wood background, with text "beginner-friendly crocheted bows - free crochet pattern from you should craft"

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If you’re following along in the newbie series, these sweet little bows are Day Five. And if you’re not, you should be! Sign up here ⬇️⬇️

These crocheted bows come in three sizes (ranging from about 2.5 – 5 inches across), and I suggest making at least one of each. It’s a great opportunity to practice your single crocheting and end weaving skills, plus they’re handy to have around for finished projects that might need a little flair.

I got in the groove and accidentally made 11 bows while prepping this crochet pattern. So unnecessary, but so cute. Sorry, not sorry.

The Tools

Those of you in the newbie series know that we’re using two worsted weight yarns (Dishie cotton and Brava acrylic) and two hooks. I used my H 5.0 mm hook and three colors of Brava for my bows (Denim, Tranquil, and Lady Slipper), but you can use Dishie as well.

Honestly, you can use whatever yarn scraps you have! If you’re using worsted weight yarn, you’ll need about 15 yards for the large size and even less for the small and medium. Drop down to a thinner yarn (like DK or sport weight) for baby bows, or use chunky/bulky weight yarn for bigger, badder bows.

Share your Beginner Crochet Bows!

I love seeing what you’ve crocheted! Whether you’re participating in the 30-day Newbie Series or not, use #YSCNewbie to show off your WIPs and finished bows!

Regardless of your social media preferences, be sure to tag me (@youshouldcraft) in your posts so I can drool over your projects and re-share your work in my stories and on my feed!

And if you’re a Facebook person, share your work and connect with other crocheters in The You Should Craft Crochet Community FB group!

three small crochet bows in purple, mint, and blue, with the text "beginner crocheted bows - you should craft"

Supplies / Materials

NOTE: My friends at WeCrochet provided the supplies for the Newbie Series.

Size / Gauge

These bows are smaller than a standard 4 x 4 inch gauge swatch, so don’t worry about gauge for this project.

When flat, the finished bow sizes are as follows:

  • Small – 1.5 inches long x 2.5 inches wide
  • Medium – 2 inches long x 3.75 inches wide
  • Large – 2.5 inches long x 5 inches wide

Abbreviations / Techniques

NOTE: This pattern uses US crochet terminology.

Beginner Bows Video Tutorial

Stitch Chart

The stitch chart below is for the small size bow. You’ll notice that this looks similar to the fringed mug rugs chart, and that’s because both the bows and the mug rugs are made from rectangles of single crochet.

crochet stitch chart for the small size of beginner bow

Beginner Crochet Bows – Written Pattern

For the newbie series, I’ve separated all three of the sizes below. However, you’ll sometimes see all of the sizes for a pattern written together (like in my Window Pane Cardigan). There will usually be a pattern note that says something like:

  • Row counts and starting chains are written as Small (Medium, Large)
  • Stitch counts are written as (Small, Medium, Large)

The three sizes of the bows could be combined into a pattern like:

ch 10 (14, 18)

ROW 1: sc in second ch from hook, sc across (9, 13, 17)

ROWS 2 – 6: ch 1, turn. sc across. (9, 13, 17)

Trim yarn, leaving an ~18 inch tail.

three bright purple crocheted bows on a blue wooden background

Small Crochet Bow Pattern

ch 10

ROW 1: sc in second ch from hook, sc across (9)

ROWS 2 – 6: ch 1, turn. sc across. (9)

Trim yarn, leaving an ~18 inch tail.


Medium Bow Pattern

ch 14

ROW 1: sc in second ch from hook, sc across (13)

ROWS 2 – 8: ch 1, turn. sc across. (13)

Trim yarn, leaving an ~18 inch tail.


Large Bow Pattern

ch 18

ROW 1: sc in second ch from hook, sc across (17)

ROWS 2 – 10: ch 1, turn. sc across. (17)

Trim yarn, leaving an ~18 inch tail.

Beginner Bows – Finishing Off

Now that you have a rectangle with a super long tail, it’s time to turn it into a bow!

step-by-step images demonstrating how to create a small crocheted bow
  • a.) Use your hook to pull the yarn all the way through the final stitch.
  • b.) Join your tapestry needle to the 18 inch tail and weave in until you reach the center of the rectangle. Raise the center of the rectangle and secure the fold.
  • c.) Wrap yarn around the center until there are 2-3 inches left. Weave in the tail to secure it. Depending on what you’re using your bows for, you may or may not want to leave a little extra yarn on the back.
  • d.) Weave in the starting tail.

That’s all, y’all! You’ll need at least one bow for Day 8’s pattern, but these babies can go on anything and everything! You should make several, just in case there’s a future bow emergency. You can never be too careful.  

three crocheted bows on a white wooden background with text "how to crochet cute & easy bows - beginner crochet pattern from: you should craft"