This little bow is a classic holiday ornament with a lace twist. The two loops are open fans with chain-space spokes, a solid band, and a scalloped edge. Below them hang two pointed, textured tails. A ribbed band wraps the center, three round berries sit on the front, and a slip-stitch cord makes the hanging loop.
The whole bow uses one shade of red. That keeps it clean and traditional, and the lace stands out against green branches and gold lights. Fine mercerized cotton gives crisp stitches, clear scallops, and a soft sheen.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished bow is about 3.25 in (8.3 cm) wide and 3 in (7.6 cm) tall, plus a 3 in (7.6 cm) hanging loop.
The bow is made from seven small pieces: two fans, two tails, one center wrap, and three berries. A hanging cord is made separately. You crochet each piece on its own, add the edging, then sew everything together and block it.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 3.25 in (8.3 cm) wide x 3 in (7.6 cm) tall, plus a 3 in (7.6 cm) hanging loop
- Skill level: Easy intermediate (small pieces, fine thread, simple sewing)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Size 3 crochet thread or light fingering mercerized cotton
- Hook: 2.0 mm
- Number of pieces: 7 crocheted pieces plus 1 cord (2 fans, 2 tails, 1 wrap, 3 berries)
- Layout: Fans left and right, tails angled down in a V, wrap around the center, berries on the front of the wrap, loop at the back
- Fan size: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) from point to scallop tips, 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across
- Fan size before border: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) from point to top of Row 4, 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm)
Materials
Pick a mercerized cotton with a firm twist. It holds the lace open and keeps the tail points sharp. Fuzzy yarn will blur the spokes and ribbing.
- Red: 6 g, about 20 m per bow
These amounts include a margin of about 20 percent for your gauge test, sewing tails, and differences in tension.
Tools:
- 2.0 mm crochet hook
- Small tapestry needle
- Small scissors
- 1 stitch marker
- A pinch of fiberfill or red thread scraps for the berries
- Rust-proof pins and a foam blocking mat
- Spray starch or fabric stiffener (optional)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- BLO – back loop only
- sp(s) – space(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sk – skip
- rep – repeat
Special stitch – Shell: 5 dc in the same stitch.
Special technique – Back-bump slip stitch: Insert the hook into the bump on the back of the chain, yarn over, and pull through the chain and the loop on the hook.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc and 16 rows = 2 in (5.1 cm). One dc row is about 0.35 in (0.9 cm) tall.
Use one fan as your gauge test. Work Rows 1–4 and measure before you add the border.
- After Row 1: about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) from the ring to the top of the stitches.
- After Row 4: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) from point to top edge, 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across.
- After the border: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) from point to scallop tips, 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across.
- Tail: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) long, 0.75 in (1.9 cm) wide.
- Wrap: 0.75 in (1.9 cm) wide, 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long.
If the fan is more than 0.25 in (0.6 cm) too big, switch to a 1.75 mm hook. If it is too small, switch to a 2.25 mm hook. Keep the chain spokes the length written. Changing them changes the shape of the fan, not only its size.
Fan (Make 2)
Each fan is worked in turned rows from a magic ring, so it opens into a half-circle with a narrow point.
Row 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 6 dc in ring. Pull the ring tight so it forms a point. Turn. (7 dc)
Row 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), dc in next dc, ch 2; rep from * 4 more times, dc in top of beginning ch-3. Turn. (7 dc, 6 ch-2 sps)
Row 3: Ch 6 (counts as dc + ch 3), dc in next dc, ch 3; rep from * 4 more times, dc in 3rd ch of beginning ch-5. Turn. (7 dc, 6 ch-3 sps)
The dc posts in Rows 2 and 3 line up to form 7 spokes. The longer ch-3 spaces open up the outer web and create the lace look.
Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc; rep from * 5 more times, working the last dc in the 3rd ch of the beginning ch-6. Turn. (25 dc)
Count check: 1 starting dc + 6 repeats of 4 dc = 25 dc. Every 4th stitch sits on a spoke. Don’t fasten off. Go straight to the Border section, then come back.
Tail (Make 2)
Each tail is a pointed diamond worked around both sides of a foundation chain. The stitches get taller toward the middle and shorter toward the ends.
Ch 13.
Round 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 4 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, sc in next ch, (sc, ch 2, sc) in last ch. Turn the piece and work along the other side of the foundation chain: sc in next ch, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 4 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, sc in next ch, sl st in last ch. (24 sts + 1 ch-2 sp)
Count check: 11 sts on each side + 2 tip sc = 24.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each of next 12 sts (through the first tip sc), (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, sc in each of next 12 sts. Sl st to first sc. (26 sc + 1 ch-2 sp)
This round firms up the edge and sharpens the bottom point. The narrow starting end goes under the wrap. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
Center Wrap (Make 1)
The wrap is a small ribbed rectangle. Working in the back loop makes ridges across the short width. Once the wrap is around the bow, the ridges run vertically.
Ch 7.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (6 sc)
Rows 2–12: Ch 1, sc BLO in each st across. Turn. (6 sc)
The wrap should measure 0.75 in (1.9 cm) x 1.5 in (3.8 cm). Fasten off, leaving an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail.
Berries (Make 3)
Round 1: Make a magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6 sc) Place a marker in the last st and move it up each round.
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc)
Round 3: Sc in each st around. (12 sc)
Round 4: Sc2tog 6 times. (6 sc)
Stuff lightly. Fasten off, thread the tail through the front loops of the last 6 sts, and pull it tight. Leave a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail. Each berry is about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) across.
Hanging Cord (Make 1)
Ch 51. Back-bump sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (50 sl st)
The cord is about 6 in (15.2 cm) long. Fold it in half to make a 3 in (7.6 cm) loop. Leave both ends long.
Make All Pieces
Every piece uses the same red thread. For one bow you need:
| Piece | Quantity | Approx. thread used |
|---|---|---|
| Fan (with border) | 2 | 1.5 g each |
| Tail | 2 | 0.5 g each |
| Center wrap | 1 | 0.3 g |
| Berry | 3 | 0.1 g each |
| Hanging cord | 1 | 0.4 g |
That adds up to about 5 g, and the 6 g listed in Materials includes the margin. Add the border to both fans before you join anything.
Layout, front view:
[ loop ]
[ FAN L ][ WRAP ][ FAN R ]
[berry]
[berry][berry]
[TAIL L] [TAIL R]
Joining
Sew every join with the long tails and the tapestry needle.
Step 1 – Fans: Place both fans face down with the points touching. Overlap the points by 0.25 in (0.6 cm). Sew through both rings with 4–5 small stitches. This join connects the two points only. The fan edges stay free.
Step 2 – Tails: Place the tails face down over the center with the narrow ends up. Overlap the ends by 0.25 in (0.6 cm). Sew them to the back of the fan join.
Step 3 – Gather: Wrap a tail once around the middle of all four layers and pull it snug to pinch the fans into a bow shape. Knot it at the back.
Step 4 – Wrap: Turn the wrap so the ridges run vertically, then put it around the gathered center. At the back, sew Row 1 to Row 12, matching all 6 stitches one to one.
Step 5 – Cord: Sew both ends of the folded cord to the back of the wrap, with the loop pointing up.
Step 6 – Berries: Sew one berry to the upper center of the wrap and two just below it so they touch.
Tension: Make the joining stitches firm but not tight. If they’re too tight, the fan points pucker.
Size checkpoint: The bow should measure 3.25 in (8.3 cm) wide and 3 in (7.6 cm) tall. If it is wider, overlap the fan points more. If it is narrower, loosen the gather.
Border
The border is the scalloped edge on each fan, plus an sc edge along the two straight sides. It adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) of depth. Each scallop uses 4 stitches of Row 4, about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of edge.
Row 5 (scallop edge, curved side): Ch 1, sc in first dc, sk 1 dc, shell in next dc, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc; rep from * 5 more times, working the last sc in the top of the beginning ch-3. (6 shells, 7 sc; 37 sts)
Count check: 6 shells x 5 dc = 30 dc, + 7 sc = 37 sts.
Straight-side edging: Don’t turn. Ch 1, rotate, and work down the first straight side with 2 sc in each row-end of Rows 4, 3, 2, and 1 (8 sc). Work 1 sc in the ring at the point (1 sc). Work up the second side with 2 sc in each row-end of Rows 1, 2, 3, and 4 (8 sc). Sl st to the first sc of Row 5. (17 sc on the straight sides)
Why the math works: Row 4 has 25 stitches: 1 starting spoke plus 6 groups of 4 (3 dc + 1 spoke). Each scallop uses exactly one group of 4. So the 6 scallops fit with no stitches left over. Every sc lands on a spoke, and every shell sits on the middle dc of a 3-dc group. On the straight sides, 2 sc for each dc row-end matches the 0.35 in (0.9 cm) row height, which keeps the edges flat.
Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail on one fan for joining.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all remaining ends on the back.
- Mist the bow with water or spray starch until it is damp, not wet.
- Lay it face up on the blocking mat.
- Pin out each scallop tip until each fan measures 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across.
- Use a pin tip to open each spoke space evenly.
- Pin the tails so they angle down and out evenly.
- Check the full size: 3.25 in (8.3 cm) wide and 3 in (7.6 cm) tall.
- Let it dry for at least 4 hours, then remove the pins.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Each fan has 7 spokes and 6 even scallops.
- The scallops lie flat.
- Both tails are the same length and have sharp points.
- The wrap ridges run vertically, and the seam is on the back.
- The three berries are firm, round, and touching.
- The loop is centered, and the bow hangs straight.
- No ends show on the front.
- The bow measures 3.25 in (8.3 cm) x 3 in (7.6 cm).
Troubleshooting
The fan cups or ruffles. Make sure Row 4 has 25 stitches. If it does, block the fan firmly.
The scallops miss the spokes. You probably skipped a “sk 1” next to a shell. Count 4 stitches for each scallop.
There’s a hole at the fan point. Pull the ring tighter, or sew it closed.
The tails look lopsided. Count 11 stitches on each side in Round 1.
The wrap is too short. Add 1–2 more BLO rows.
The berries are lumpy. Use less stuffing.
The bow tilts. Move the cord ends to the exact center of the back.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Roll it in a towel to press out the water, then reshape it and dry it flat. Store it flat or hanging so it doesn’t get crushed.
Final Notes
Here is how the measurements build on each other. A gauge of 16 sc = 2 in (5.1 cm) gives a fan of 1.5 in (3.8 cm) before the border. The 0.25 in (0.6 cm) border brings it to 1.75 in (4.4 cm) long and 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across. Overlapping two fans by 0.25 in (0.6 cm) gives a width of 3.25 in (8.3 cm). The fans sit centered on the wrap, and the tails reach about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) below the center, which makes the bow about 3 in (7.6 cm) tall. The cord adds a 3 in (7.6 cm) hanging loop.
Measure at each checkpoint, and every bow will match.
Happy crocheting!