A crochet bookmark is one of the quickest, most satisfying things you can make with a hook and a small amount of cotton yarn. It uses up leftovers, it fits in a handbag while you work, and it makes a lovely little present for anyone who loves reading.
At a glance: Yarn and hook: DK (or 4ply) yarn and a 4mm (UK 8) hook (US G-6). Time: an evening or less per bookmark. Terms: UK, with US conversions.
Pick from three free patterns in UK crochet terms: a simple striped half treble strip with a tassel, a heart-topped bookmark and a flower-topped bookmark. Each crochet bookmark pattern has exact chain counts, row-by-row instructions, stitch counts and a finished size, plus our tips for blocking, tassels, ribbons and gifting.
Why a crochet bookmark is a perfect small project
Most of us have a few part-balls of cotton sitting in a project bag. A crochet bookmark turns those odds and ends into something useful in an evening or less. Because the piece is so small, you see progress after every row, which is very encouraging when you are still learning.
Bookmarks are also brilliant practice pieces. Working a narrow strip helps you count stitches, keep your edges straight and get comfortable with turning chains. If you enjoy quick makes like this, our round-up of small crochet projects has plenty more ideas to try next.
Finally, they are easy to post and easy to give. A flat bookmark slips into a greetings card envelope, so it makes a thoughtful extra for birthdays, teachers and book club friends.
What you need for a crochet bookmark
You only need a few basic supplies. Here is what we recommend for all three patterns in this guide.
- Yarn: 100% cotton in DK weight (as written) or 4ply for a finer, slimmer bookmark. Small amounts of two or three colours are plenty.
- Hook: 4mm (UK 8, US G-6) for DK cotton, or 3mm (UK 11, US C/D) for 4ply cotton.
- Tapestry needle: a blunt needle with a large eye for weaving in ends and sewing pieces together.
- Scissors and a few rust-proof pins for blocking.
- A piece of stiff card about 7cm tall for making tassels.
- Optional: a length of narrow ribbon, around 25cm, if you prefer a ribbon tail to a tassel.
Why cotton yarn works best
Cotton has very little stretch and almost no fuzz, so your stitches look crisp and a finished crochet bookmark stays thin enough to close inside a book. Wool and acrylic will work, but they tend to be springier and a little thicker, which can leave a gap in the pages.
If you are unsure what DK or 4ply means, the Craft Yarn Council has a clear yarn weight system chart that shows how the common weights compare. UK DK is roughly equivalent to US light worsted, and UK 4ply is close to US fingering or sport weight.
Abbreviations used in this crochet bookmark pattern
All three patterns are written in UK crochet terms. If you usually follow American patterns, use the table below to translate. Our guide to UK vs US crochet terms explains the differences in more detail.
| UK term | Abbreviation | US equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Chain | ch | chain (ch) |
| Slip stitch | ss | slip stitch (sl st) |
| Double crochet | dc | single crochet (sc) |
| Half treble crochet | htr | half double crochet (hdc) |
| Treble crochet | tr | double crochet (dc) |
| Stitch / stitches | st / sts | stitch / stitches |
| Repeat | rep | repeat |
Stitch counts are shown in brackets at the end of each row, for example (10 htr). Always check your count before you turn, as a missed or extra stitch at the edge is the most common reason a strip starts to slant.
Pattern 1: Striped half treble crochet bookmark with a tassel
This is the easiest crochet bookmark pattern in the set and a great first project. It is worked flat in rows of half treble crochet, with a colour change every two rows to create neat stripes. If half treble is new to you, our step-by-step guide to half treble crochet in UK terms will get you started.
Finished size: approximately 6cm wide by 18cm long, not including the tassel.
You will need: DK cotton in 2 or 3 colours (A, B and C, or just A and B), a 4mm hook and a tapestry needle.
Striped crochet bookmark instructions
Using colour A, ch 12.
Row 1: htr in 3rd ch from hook (the 2 skipped ch do not count as a stitch), htr in each ch to end. (10 htr)
Row 2: ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), turn, htr in each st across. (10 htr)
Rows 3 to 22: rep Row 2, changing colour every 2 rows. (10 htr in every row)
To change colour neatly, work the last htr of the row until you have 3 loops on the hook, then complete the final yarn over with the new colour. Carry on with the turning chain in the new colour. Fasten off at the end of Row 22 and weave in all the ends along the sides.
If your rows are a little shorter than ours, simply repeat Row 2 a few more times until the strip measures 18cm, finishing after a pair of rows so the last stripe is complete.
Adding the tassel
Make a tassel in one of your stripe colours using the method in our tassel section below. Tie it to the centre stitch of the last row using the tying strand, knot it firmly on the back and weave the ends into the fabric.
Pattern 2: Heart-topped crochet bookmark
This sweet design has a slim strip of double crochet with a small heart at the top that peeps out of the book. It is lovely for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day or simply to say thank you.
Finished size: strip approximately 4cm wide by 16cm long, with the heart adding about 3cm to the top.
You will need: DK cotton in a main colour for the strip and a contrast colour (red or pink works well) for the heart, a 4mm hook and a tapestry needle. You will also need to know how to make a magic ring. Our magic ring tutorial shows you how.
The strip
Using the main colour, ch 8.
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in each ch to end. (7 dc)
Row 2: ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), turn, dc in each st across. (7 dc)
Next rows: rep Row 2 until the strip measures 16cm, which is about 32 rows in total. (7 dc in every row)
Fasten off and weave in the ends. Double crochet makes a firm, dense fabric that lies very flat, so this crochet bookmark suits even thin paperbacks.
The heart (make 1 or 2)
Using the contrast colour, make a magic ring.
Into the ring work: ch 3 (counts as first tr), 3 tr, 3 htr, ch 1, 1 tr, ch 1, 3 htr, 3 tr, ch 3, ss into the ring.
Pull the tail of the magic ring firmly to close it. The centre closes up and pulls the stitches into a heart shape: the single tr between the two ch-1 spaces forms the point, and the dip forms where the ring closes between the two ch-3s. Fasten off, leaving a 20cm tail for sewing. The heart measures about 4cm across.
Putting it together
For a single heart, place it on the front of the strip with the point overlapping the top short edge by about 1.5cm. Sew around the lower part of the heart with small stitches through the strip only, so the stitches do not show on the back.
For a neater double-sided finish, make two hearts. Place the top of the strip between them, line the hearts up, and sew all the way around the edge of the hearts, catching the strip in as you go.
Pattern 3: Flower-topped crochet bookmark pattern
Our third design uses treble crochet for a slightly lacier strip, topped with a pretty five-petal flower. Treble crochet works up quickly, so this is a nice choice when you want a gift finished fast. If you would like a refresher, see our guide to treble crochet in UK terms.
Finished size: strip approximately 5cm wide by 18cm long; the flower is about 5cm across.
You will need: DK cotton in a main colour for the strip, a contrast colour for the flower, a 4mm hook and a tapestry needle.
The strip
Using the main colour, ch 10.
Row 1: tr in 4th ch from hook (the 3 skipped ch count as the first tr), tr in each ch to end. (8 tr)
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as first tr), turn, skip the first st, tr in each st across, working the last tr into the top of the turning chain. (8 tr)
Next rows: rep Row 2 until the strip measures 18cm, which is usually 13 to 14 rows in total. (8 tr in every row)
Fasten off and weave in the ends. The most common slip here is missing the top of the turning chain at the end of the row, so count to 8 each time.
The five-petal flower
Using the contrast colour, make a magic ring.
Round 1: ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), 10 dc into the ring, pull the ring closed, ss into the first dc to join. (10 dc)
Round 2: *ch 2, 3 tr in next dc, ch 2, ss in next dc; rep from * 4 more times. The final ss lands in the same dc you joined into at the end of Round 1. (5 petals)
Fasten off, leaving a 20cm tail for sewing. Each petal uses 2 stitches of Round 1, which is why 10 dc gives exactly 5 petals.
Putting it together
Centre the flower over the top short edge of the strip so that about half of it sits above the strip. Sew it on with small stitches around the centre ring and the base of the lower petals, keeping the stitches on the front only. The petals above the strip stay free and peep out of your book.
How to make a tassel or add a ribbon
A tassel gives a crochet bookmark a classic, finished look, and it is the part you hold to find your page. Here is a simple method that works with any cotton.
- Cut a 15cm length of yarn and set it aside. This is your tying strand.
- Wrap the yarn around a piece of card about 7cm tall, 15 to 20 times. More wraps give a fuller tassel.
- Slide the tying strand under the wraps at the top of the card and tie it tightly in a double knot.
- Cut through all the loops at the bottom edge of the card.
- Cut another 20cm length. Wrap it around the tassel about 1cm below the top several times, knot it and thread the ends down into the centre of the tassel with a needle.
- Trim the bottom of the tassel level with sharp scissors.
Use the long ends of the tying strand to attach the tassel to your crochet bookmark, then weave them in.
Ribbon instead of a tassel
If you prefer something slimmer, thread a 25cm length of narrow ribbon through a stitch at the bottom of the strip, fold it in half and tie a single knot close to the fabric. Seal the cut ends with a little fabric glue or cut them at an angle to slow fraying. A ribbon tail lies flatter than a tassel, which is handy for slim paperbacks.
Blocking your crochet bookmark so it lies flat
Blocking is the step that turns a slightly wavy strip into a neat, professional-looking crochet bookmark. It is quick, and cotton blocks beautifully.
- Soak the bookmark in cool water for a few minutes, then gently squeeze out the water. Do not wring it.
- Roll it in a clean towel and press to remove more moisture.
- Lay it on a blocking mat, folded towel or ironing board and ease it into shape with your fingers, keeping the edges straight and the corners square.
- Pin along both long sides every couple of centimetres with rust-proof pins. Pin the petals or heart flat too.
- Leave it to dry completely before you unpin it, usually overnight.
For a crisper finish on 100% cotton, you can also press it lightly with a warm iron through a damp cloth once it is dry. Do not press acrylic or blends with a hot iron, as heat can flatten and damage the fibres.
Stopping a strip from curling
Some curling is normal, especially with double crochet. If it is strong, check that your stitch count stays the same in every row and that you are not pulling the turning chains tight. Going up half a hook size for the foundation chain also helps, as a tight chain is a common cause of a curved bottom edge.
Crochet bookmark gift ideas
A handmade crochet bookmark is a small gift with a personal touch. Here are a few ways to make it feel special.
- Tuck it into a book. Pair a bookmark with a second-hand or new paperback for a ready-made present.
- Teachers and book clubs. Make a set of striped bookmarks in school colours for end of term, or one for each member of your reading group.
- Seasonal colours. Work the heart version in reds and pinks for Valentine’s Day, or the striped version in red, green and white as a stocking filler.
- Slip it into a card. A blocked bookmark lies flat enough to post in a standard greetings card envelope.
- Make a matching set. Combine one of each design in coordinating colours and tie them together with ribbon.
For more quick presents, browse our collection of easy crochet gifts, which includes plenty of small makes you can finish in a weekend.
Wrapping and presentation
Pin your finished bookmark to a piece of plain card with a handwritten label, then slip it into a paper envelope or a small organza bag. Add a short note with the yarn content and simple care advice so the recipient knows how to look after it.
Tips for a neat crochet bookmark
- Keep your tension even. A bookmark is narrow, so any change in tension shows clearly along the edges.
- Use a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of each row until you are confident about where the edges are.
- Weave ends in along the side edges rather than across the middle, so they do not show on either face.
- Choose a smooth cotton. Textured or fluffy yarns hide stitch definition and add bulk between the pages.
- Try 4ply for a finer finish. All three patterns work in 4ply cotton with a 3mm hook. The finished bookmark will be a little narrower and shorter, so add rows until you reach the length you want.
Choosing the right hook makes a difference too. Our guide to crochet hooks explains sizes and handle styles if you are deciding what to buy.
Caring for a crochet bookmark
Cotton bookmarks are easy to look after. Hand wash in cool water with a small amount of gentle detergent, rinse, and dry flat, pinning the edges if needed so the shape stays straight. A light press with a warm iron through a cloth will freshen up a cotton bookmark after washing.
Keep tassels away from damp, and store spare bookmarks flat in a drawer or between the pages of a book so they do not crease.
Frequently asked questions about crochet bookmark
What is the best yarn for a crochet bookmark?
Smooth 100% cotton in DK or 4ply weight is the best choice. It holds its shape, shows stitches clearly and stays thin enough to sit neatly inside a book without leaving a gap.
How long does it take to make a crochet bookmark?
It depends on your speed and the design, but each of the three patterns here is a small project that most people can finish in an evening or less, plus drying time after blocking.
How do I stop my crochet bookmark from curling?
Keep the same stitch count in every row, avoid a tight foundation chain, and wet block the finished piece by pinning it flat until it is completely dry. Cotton responds very well to blocking.
Can I follow these patterns if I crochet in US terms?
Yes. Just translate the stitches: UK dc is US single crochet, UK htr is US half double crochet and UK tr is US double crochet. The chain counts and stitch counts stay exactly the same.
Can a crochet bookmark damage my books?
A thin, flat cotton bookmark is gentle on pages. Avoid very chunky yarn, large buttons or beads, which can press marks into the paper or strain the spine, and remove the bookmark if a book is stored for a long time.
Start your first crochet bookmark today
Whether you choose the striped strip, the heart or the flower, each crochet bookmark pattern here is a gentle, rewarding project that uses very little yarn. Start with the striped version to practise your half treble stitches, then try the heart and flower designs once you are comfortable with a magic ring.
Make one for yourself, then make a few more to give away. A handmade bookmark is a small thing, but it is one that will be used and enjoyed every time someone opens a book.
