7 rounds · filed under dense · 5 of them
Crochet Accessories · added 15 Oct 2026
How to crochet a simple folded ribbon bow
Half double crochet forms a dense, foldable fabric pinched into a two-loop bow shape, finished with a single crochet edge.
- Skill
- Beginner
- Time
- 2-3 hours
- Hook
- 3.5 mm
- Yarn
- DK
- Rounds
- 5
About this pattern
Half double crochet, worked row after row with no increases, builds a fabric that feels dense and a little firm compared to single crochet alone, yet it still bends when asked to. The taller loops of each hdc stitch stack into a close, slightly ridged surface that holds a fold without springing back flat the moment you let go. A row of single crochet around the edges tightens the border, keeping the cut edge from curling and giving your fingers a firmer line to pinch when it comes time to gather the piece into loops.
The main rectangle measures about 5.5 by 2.75 inches once all eighteen rows are worked, flat and rectangular until your hands fold it. Bring the short ends toward the center and pinch the middle into a gathered waist, then wrap the smaller seven-stitch strip around that pinch point to lock the two loops in place. From there the bow attaches to a clip, pin backing, or ribbon base, or sits on its own as a topper for a small gift or ornament.
The swatch in numbers
- Rounds
- 5
- Parts
- 3
- Level
- Beginner
- Time
- 2-3 hours
- Hook
- 3.5 mm
- Yarn
- DK
The yarn and the hook
- DK weight cotton yarn, approximately 45 yards (41 meters)
- 3.5 mm crochet hook (US E-4)
- Yarn needle
- Small scissors
- Stitch marker or removable marker
Optional
- hair clip, pin backing, or ribbon attachment base
Stitches, spelled out
ch chain; sc single crochetDense; hdc half double crochetDense; sl st slip stitch; st stitch; yo yarn over; RS right side; WS wrong side; UK equivalents sc is double crochet (dc), and hdc is half treble crochet (htr)..
Tension and hand-feel
After the first few rows of the main rectangle, lay the work flat and check that it is running close to 2.75 inches across the row width, since that number carries through to the finished 5.5 by 2.75 inch piece.
Main Pattern
The completed rectangle should measure approximately 5.5 inches x 2.75 inches (14 x 7 cm).
Main Pattern
Special Stitch Explanation
Half Double Crochet: Yarn over, insert hook into the indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over again and pull through all three loops on the hook.
How the texture is built
- The main rectangle is worked in straight rows with no increases or decreases from Row 1 through Row 18, which keeps it a true rectangle instead of a shaped curve, and that flat geometry is what lets it fold evenly into two loops.
- The second rectangle holds to seven hdc across for all eight rows, a narrow strip kept apart from the main body so it can wrap snugly around the pinched center without adding bulk to the loops on either side.
- Both pieces end with a fasten off, but the main rectangle is woven in flush while the small strip is left with a long tail specifically for sewing, since that piece's only job is to join the two loops rather than stand on its own.
Putting the pieces together
If you swap the yarn
| Sport weight cotton | Produces a smaller, lighter bow with a thinner loop profile; drop to a 3.0 mm hook to keep the hdc fabric from going loose. |
|---|---|
| Worsted weight cotton blend | Scales the bow up with a firmer, more padded loop that holds its shape with less blocking; move up to a 4.0 mm hook to keep the fabric from stiffening too much. |
| DK bamboo or rayon blend | Adds drape and sheen so the loops relax into a softer curve rather than standing crisp; go down half a hook size to tighten the fabric and compensate for the slippery fiber. |
Colorways
- Two-tone wrap Work the main rectangle in a light neutral and the small center strip in a contrasting deep shade, so the wrap reads as a distinct accent band against the softer loops.
- Tonal fade Work the main rectangle in a mid-tone shade and the center strip in a darker value from the same color family, so the wrap sits as a shadow line rather than a sharp contrast.
Washing and blocking
Hand wash the finished bow in cool water with a mild soap, since cotton holds shape better when it is not agitated or wrung.
Lay the piece flat to dry and reshape the loops and the pinched center while the fabric is still damp, before the hdc stitches set.
Store the bow flat or lightly stuffed with tissue inside the loops so the dense fabric does not develop a crease where it is folded.
When it does not look right
- The loops flop instead of holding their rounded shape.
- The hdc fabric was worked too loosely for cotton to hold its own weight; redo the rectangle a half hook size down or block it with steam and let it dry fully before wrapping the center strip.
- The center wrap keeps loosening and the loops start to spread apart.
- The sewing tail was not pulled tight enough when the small strip was wrapped around the pinch point; unwrap, cinch the strip firmly around the gathered center, and stitch through all layers before weaving in the tail.
- The bow sits lopsided with one loop larger than the other.
- The rectangle was pinched off-center before wrapping; use a stitch marker to mark the exact midpoint of the long rectangle before folding so both loops end up the same length.
Questions people ask
Can the bow be made bigger or smaller without changing the stitch pattern?
Yes, the size scales by adjusting the starting chain while keeping the same row structure. A mini version starts at chain 18 with fewer rows, and a larger statement version starts at chain 40 with extra rows added.
Why is the main rectangle worked flat instead of in the round?
The piece needs to fold and pinch into loops, and a flat rectangle gives two straight short ends that meet cleanly at the center. Working in rows also keeps the hdc fabric even across its width, which matters once it is gathered.
What yarn weight gives the cleanest fold for this bow?
A lightweight DK cotton or cotton blend gives enough body to hold the pinch without adding bulk. Cotton's low stretch also keeps the loops from sagging once the center strip is wrapped and sewn.
How is the bow attached to a clip or pin backing?
Once the center strip is wrapped and sewn around the pinched middle, the back of that wrap is sewn or glued directly onto the hair clip, pin backing, or ribbon base. The flat back of the center wrap gives a stable surface for that attachment.
New patterns, as they are filed
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