How to Crochet a Bow

Turn a Granny Square into a Cute Hair Bow

By
Kathryn Vercillo
Kathryn Vercillo, contributing writer
Kathryn Vercillo
Kathryn Vercillo is an award-winning crochet expert who has designed patterns and written about the craft of crochet for over a decade. Kathryn has authored three books, "Crochet Saved My Life," "Hook to Heal," and "Mandalas for Marinke," and she is a columnist for the digital crochet site Happily Hooked.
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Updated on 10/22/20
Crochet Hair Bow Tie

The Spruce / Kathryn Vercillo 

There are many ways to crochet a bow. However, the simplest option is often the best one. You can easily make a crochet bow by crocheting any size square or rectangle. Then pinch the middle to create the shape of the bow. You can keep the middle pinched by wrapping yarn around it, stitching it, or—as you'll see in this crochet hair bow tutorial—making use of a rubber band.

Pinch Crochet Square to Make Bow

The Spruce / Kathryn Vercillo 

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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Size J/10 6.00 mm crochet hook

Materials

  • Worsted weight yarn
  • Small rubber band
  • Rubber band-style hair tie

Instructions

  1. Gather Your Materials

    Materials for Crochet Hair Bow

    The Spruce / Kathryn Vercillo 

    You can use any yarn and crochet hook to make a crochet bow, but keep in mind that it will affect the ultimate size of the bow. The example shown here uses three colors of yarn. If you want a solid-colored bow, you could work all three rounds of this project using the same color.

  2. Crochet Round One

    Round One Granny Square

     The Spruce / Kathryn Vercillo

    Starting with the first color, which is mint, crochet the first round of a classic crochet granny square. Here are the steps:

    • Chain three
    • 2 dc in third chain from hook
    • Chain two to create the first corner​
    • 3 dc in same space (that third chain from hook)
    • Chain two for second corner​
    • 3 dc in same space (that third chain from hook)
    • Chain two for third corner
    • 3 dc in same space
    • Chain two for fourth corner
    • Slip stitch to top of first chain three to close the round

    Finish off and weave in ends.​

  3. Crochet Round Two

    2 round crochet granny square

    The Spruce / Kathryn Vercillo 

    Crochet round two using the second color, which is yellow in this example. Join the yellow yarn in any corner.

    • Chain three​ in the corner where you joined the yarn
    • 2 dc​ in same corner space​
    • Work all of the following in next corner space: 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc
    • Repeat previous step two times​ 
    • 3 dc in remaining corner, which is the same corner where you started
    • Chain two
    • Slip stitch to top of first chain three to close the round.

    Finish off and weave in ends.​

  4. Crochet Round Three

    3 round crochet granny square

    The Spruce / Kathryn Vercillo 

    Join the third color, which here is the lilac yarn.

    • Chain three in the corner where you joined the yarn.
    • 2 dc in same corner space
    • 3 dc in next space​​
    • Work all of the following in next corner space: 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc
    • Repeat the previous two steps two times
    • 3 dc in next space
    • 3 dc in next corner, which is the same corner where you started​
    • Chain two
    • Slip stitch to top of first chain three to close the round.

    Finish off and weave in ends.​

  5. Pinch the Center

    How to Crochet a Hair Bow

    The Spruce / Kathryn Vercillo 

    Pinch the center to create a bow then secure it shut with a small rubber band to keep it secure. Slip the rubber band onto the center of the square where you have pinched it shut. You may need to fluff out the edges of the crochet bow to get the shape exactly how you want it. 

  6. Add a Hair Tie

    Crochet Hair Bow

    The Spruce / Kathryn Vercillo 

    Turn the bow over so that the wrong side of the granny square is facing you.

    Slide the rubberband-style hair tie underneath the rubber band that you used to secure the square into a bow. 

    Pull one end of the hair tie through the other end to create a knot. 



Tips

  • You can use this same basic idea ​to turn any crochet square or rectangle into a bow and/or hair bow tie. If you use a crochet square, you'll get a fat bow like this one. If you use a rectangle, you'll get a skinnier crochet bow.
  • Play around with different colors and shapes to create ​different crochet bows. Instead of attaching them to hair ties, try attaching the bow to a ribbon, a pin back, or a headband.