Very cute, very easy, very bright — this little bow comes together in under 20 minutes and looks adorable in absolutely any color combo. Make a whole rainbow of them in candy colors for hair clips, headbands, or even matching game-day bows for your furry best friend!
This is one of my favorite “in-between” projects. It’s small enough to finish during a single movie, it barely uses any yarn, and it’s the perfect way to use up little leftover balls of cotton thread from bigger projects. Once you’ve made your first one, you’ll want to make an entire drawer full in every color imaginable — trust me!
Note on Color: For this version, I made mine in classic red and white to match a fun matching set for game day (you can see the color pairing in the photos!), but this bow is the perfect small project to use up scrap thread in ANY colors you love. Want to make a team-color bow, a holiday bow, or match it to an outfit? Go for it — mix and match the main bow color with the middle bar for a fun contrast, just like shown here.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
A few reasons this little bow has become such a go-to project for me and for so many crocheters who’ve made it:
- It’s fast. Most people finish a bow in 15–20 minutes once they get the hang of the rows.
- It’s beginner-friendly. You only need two basic stitches — half double crochet (hdc) and single crochet (sc) — so it’s a great project if you’re still building confidence with garment-level stitches.
- It’s endlessly customizable. Because it uses such a small amount of thread, it’s the perfect place to experiment with bold color combos you might be hesitant to commit to on a bigger project.
- It’s useful for more than just hair. Beyond hair clips and headbands, these bows are popular for gift-wrap toppers, pet collars and harnesses, keychains, and even as embellishments sewn onto the front of other crochet projects like cardigans, bags, or baby items.
Materials
Yarn
100% cotton 4-ply crochet thread, such as DMC Natura Just Cotton — 1 x 1¾oz (50g) ball (approx. 170yd/155m) each in your two chosen colors (shown here in red and white, but use any colors you like!)
Hook
US size D/3 (3mm) crochet hook
Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- hdc: half double crochet
- sc: single crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- WS: wrong side
Gauge
17 sts x 15 rows over 4in. (10cm) square working hdc using US size D/3 (3mm) hook.
Finished Measurement
4½ x 2⅛in. (11.5 x 5.5cm)
Tip
Try using different colors for the bow and middle bar to really make them stand out — just like the two-tone bows in the photos!
A Quick Technique Tip: Keeping Your Rows Even
Since this pattern is worked in straight rows of hdc and sc, the biggest thing that affects how neat your finished bow looks is keeping your turning chain consistent. A turning chain that’s too loose or too tight from row to row is one of the most common reasons a small project like this ends up looking slightly wavy on the edges instead of straight.
Here’s a simple way to check yourself as you go: after every row, lay your piece flat before starting the next row and make sure the edge stitches line up evenly with the row below. If you notice the edges pulling in or flaring out, try loosening or tightening just the very first stitch of the row until it matches the tension of the rest of your work. This same principle applies to garment-making too — even a big sweater panel is really just a lot of small rows like this one, so practicing good tension control here is great preparation if you want to move on to bigger projects, like the granny square sweater and market bag patterns linked at the end of this post.
A Quick Safety Note: If you’re making this bow for a child or a pet, always supervise while it’s being worn and remove it during unsupervised play, naps, or chewing sessions. Crochet thread, small clips, and glued embellishments can present a choking hazard if pulled apart or chewed off, especially for young children and pets who like to chew. This bow is intended as a decorative accessory, not a toy.
Pattern
Main Bow
Make 42ch.
Row 1: 1hdc in 3rd ch from hook, 1hdc in each ch to end. (40 sts)
Rows 2–8: 1ch, 1hdc in each st to end. Fasten off.
Middle Bar
Make 15ch.
Row 1: 1sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch to end. (14 sts)
Rows 2–6: 1ch, 1sc in each st to end. (13 sts) Fasten off.
Finishing
Fold two ends of the main bow into the center, WS together, and sew the ends together while gathering up slightly. Sew in ends.
Wrap your middle bar around the center of the gathered bow to hide the seam, and sew it closed on the back. Attach to a hair clip, headband, or pet collar — however you’d like to wear (or share) your new bow!
How to Attach Your Finished Bow
Once your bow is complete, you have a few easy options for turning it into something wearable:
- Hair clip: Hot glue or hand-sew the back of the middle bar onto an alligator clip or snap clip.
- Headband: Sew or glue the bow onto a plain fabric or plastic headband.
- Pet collar or harness: Thread a short piece of elastic or ribbon through the back of the bow and tie it onto your pet’s existing collar, or sew it directly onto a fabric collar.
- Gift topper: Skip the clip altogether and tie your finished bow directly onto a gift bag or wrapped present with a bit of ribbon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this bow bigger or smaller?
Yes! Simply add or subtract a few chains from your starting chain (in multiples of 2, since you’re working in hdc) and add or remove a row or two to adjust the proportions. Just keep in mind your finished measurements will change along with your gauge.
What if I don’t have crochet thread — can I use regular yarn?
You can, though the finished bow will be noticeably larger and less crisp than the thread version shown here. If you want to keep the same delicate, structured look, stick with a fine cotton crochet thread and a smaller hook like the D/3 (3mm) used in this pattern.
How much yarn does one bow actually use?
Very little! A single 50g ball is enough to make several bows, especially since the main bow and middle bar together use less than half a skein in most cases.
Can I use a different stitch instead of hdc for the main bow?
Yes — some crocheters like to substitute the main bow rows with double crochet (dc) for a slightly looser, drapier bow, or single crochet (sc) for an even denser, sturdier bow. Just note that your row count and finished size will shift slightly if you change stitches, so it’s worth doing a quick test swatch first.
Is this pattern safe to make for pets?
Many crocheters do make these bows for pets, as shown in the photos here! Just keep an eye on your pet while they’re wearing it and remove any bow, clip, or accessory if your pet tends to chew or if it’s not supervised, since small pieces could pose a choking hazard.
Final Thoughts
This little bow is proof that some of the best crochet projects are also the simplest ones. Whether you’re making a single bow to match an outfit, a whole rainbow of them for a craft fair, or a matching set for game day like the ones pictured here, this pattern comes together so quickly that it’s easy to get a little addicted to making “just one more.” I’d love to see what colors you choose.
