Crochet Gingham Bows
This gingham crochet bow pattern only uses small amounts of yarn scraps, so it’s perfect for a stash-busting project. Little bows, whether gingham, checked, plain, large or small, they’re a super speedy crochet project. In this blog post, you’ll find patterns for both the large and small sizes.
Both crochet bow patterns are also very easy to adapt. Why not add more rows for a deeper, plusher bow? No one says you have to go gingham, so make them all in one colour, or edge them in contrast colours. What about crocheting a giant bow in super chunky yarn? Play around with these crochet bows and have fun because it’s the sort of crochet pattern where you can’t stop at just one!
You could even crochet some tie sections in gingham (or plain colours), too! I didn’t do this as I’ve only just thought of it (8 years after first designing the crochet bows!), but I think that would look really cute. Instead, I hastily crocheted short chains of about 15-18 chains for the little bows, which can be easily stitched to the back to look like ties. See the next photo to have a visual of the chains. I pulled the knots tight so they don’t come undone, but you may want to sew the ends in to secure.
Below are the written patterns, but I’ve also put together a video tutorial for the gingham crochet bow pattern. I demonstrate how to make both the small and large bows in the gingham pattern, which uses a basic tapestry crochet technique.
It’s a pattern I designed for Inside Crochet magazine back in 2017, but I have a feeling crochet bows are on their way back into fashion, so it’s the perfect time to revisit this easy pattern.
Gingham Crochet Bow Pattern
The instructions here are in US terms, but if you would like to buy an ad-free version of the crochet bow pattern on Ravelry, the PDF download comes in both UK and US terms. I also sell crochet patterns in my Etsy shop 🙂
The approximate sizes are: Large bow 5 x 12cm /1¼ x 2¼ inches. Small bow 3 x 6cm / 2x 4¾ inches. But don’t let that stop you from experimenting and making them in different yarn weights to come up with different-sized crochet bows. I used a super chunky yarn and a 6 or 7 mm hook ( I can’t remember now) to make a giant bow. I have no idea what to do with it, but it was fun to make! [Edit:: just in the last few minutes, one of the kids has taken ownership of it!]
Materials for Crochet Bow Pattern
I use DK cotton in the main pattern because it’s sturdy and creates a nice, firm bow. You don’t need very much yarn at all. Below, I’ve said 20 grams, which is generous. So you probably won’t need that much. We’re talking fewer than 50 metres of each colour. This should make one large and two small crochet bows
- 20 grams Drops Muskat DK (100% cotton, 50g/100m/109yds), in Denim (Yarn A), 15 grams each of Rico Cotton Essentials DK (100% cotton, 50g/130m/142yds) in Navy (Yarn B) & Natural (Yarn C).
- 3mm hook.
- Needle for sewing in ends.
- Headband and 2x 5cm hair clips – Suggested because I added the crochet bows to hair accessories.
- Hot glue gun (or other strong glue) – optional.
You’ll be using US single crochet stitches for this crochet bow pattern. That’s UK double crochets. There’s also the option of finishing off with a slip stitch edging to make them a little bit tidier. That, and chaining, are all the techniques you need to know.
Crochet Bow Pattern Notes
- Colour changes: Yarn is changed during the third stitch of the current colour. Ie, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, drop current yarn and finish stitch by yarning over and pulling through the new yarn to complete.
- The yarn not in use is crocheted over as you go, ready to pick up when you need it.
- Watch the video tutorial here to see the process of using tapestry crochet.
- Buy the pattern here, or keep reading for the free version.
Large Gingham Bow Main Piece
With Yarn A chain 64.
Row 1: 1sc in second ch from hook, 1sc in next 2 sts, *change colour to Yarn B, 1sc in next 3 sts, change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 sts; rep from * to the end, turn. – 63 sts.
2: 1ch, 1sc in next 3 sts, *change colour to Yarn B, 1sc in next 3 sts, change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 sts; rep from * to the end, change colour to Yarn C on the last st, turn.
3: 1ch, 1sc in next 3 sts, *change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 sts, change colour to Yarn C, 1sc in next 3 sts; rep from * to the end, turn.
4: 1ch, 1sc in next 3 sts, *change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 sts, change colour to Yarn C, 1sc in next 3 sts; rep from * to the end, change colour to Yarn A on the last st, turn.
5: 1ch, 1sc in next 3 sts, *change colour to Yarn B, 1sc in next 3 sts, change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 sts; rep from * to the end, turn.
6: As Row 2.
7: As Row 3.
8: As Row 4.
9: As Row 5.
10: As Row 2.
11: 1ch, sc to end. Cut yarn, leaving an end for joining. Sew in the other ends and fold the piece in half (neatest side inside) end to end. Join ends together using sc stitches or sewing. Fasten off and sew in the last end. Turn right side out.
Large Gingham Bow Middle Band
With Yarn A chain 19.
Row 1: 1sc in second ch from hook, 1sc in next 2 sts, *change colour to Yarn B, 1sc in next 3 sts, change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 sts; rep from * twice, change colour to Yarn B, 1sc in next 3 sts, turn. – 18 sts.
2: 1ch, 1sc in next 3 sts, *change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 sts, change colour to Yarn B, 1sc in next 3 sts; rep from * twice, change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 sts, change colour to Yarn C on the last st, turn.
3: 1ch,1sc in next 3 st, *change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 st, change colour to Yarn C, 1sc in next 3 st; rep from * twice, change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 st, turn.
4: 1ch, 1sc in next 3 sts, *change colour to Yarn C, 1sc in next 3 sts, change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 sts; rep from * twice, change colour to Yarn C, 1sc in next 3 sts, change colour to Yarn A on the last st, turn.
5: 1ch, 1sc in next 3 sts, *change colour to Yarn B, 1sc in next 3 sts, change colour to Yarn A, 1sc in next 3 sts; rep from * twice, change colour to Yarn B, 1sc in next 3 sts, turn.
6: Rep Row 2, ending without the last colour change. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing. Sew in all the other ends.
Large Plain Crochet Bow
Chain 59.
Row 1: 1sc in second ch from hook, sc to end, turn. – 58 sts.
2: 1ch, sc to end, turn.
Rows 3 – 14: As Row 2.
15: Join contrast yarn, slip stitch along to end. Fasten off and sew in the ends.
Rep slip stitch edging on the right side of Row 1.
Make a middle band in one colour (as instructed above for stitch count and rows). Add contrast slip-stitch edging to the first and last rows of the middle band.
Assembly For Large Bows
With the joining seam in the centre of the back, pinch the middle of the main piece to make a bow shape. Hold against the headband (if using) and wrap the middle band around all. Sew the ends of the middle band together to secure it all in place. You can also use glue to secure the bow to the hairband or any other surface you wish to attach it to.
Small Gingham Bow
With Yarn A chain 16.
Repeat rows 1-6 of main piece. – 15 sts.
Fasten off and sew in ends.
Assembly For Small Bow
Using 80cm of Yarn B, tightly tie a knot around the centre of the bow, leaving a 10 cm tail. Wrap the yarn tightly 12-14 times around the centre. Tie a knot at the back of the bow and sew in ends, then with a hot glue gun (or equivalent), stick the bow to the hair clip. Alternatively, sew the bow to the clip. Repeat with the other small bow.
And that’s it! Pretty simple, hey? If you liked this crochet bow pattern, then please feel free to check out my free crochet pattern page to find more fun projects. Cheers! x
