Here's a free crochet pattern for a slim and stylish bookmark featuring one of my favourite stitches.
I designed this with a straight and firm edging so that in addition to marking your page when you’re not reading, it can also be held under the line you’re reading to help with tracking. I found a bookmark handy for that reason when I used to read on my rather bouncy London bus commute to work and my children both found it helpful when learning.
I made the pink version during one of my livestreams on Twitch. The easy pattern meant I could chat with those watching without making mistakes, so I think it could be a great project to take to craft group or anywhere else that you'll want to craft and chat at the same time. I was also able to create a video from the livestream's recording so you'll have that to help you too.
If you don't want to read the crochet bookmark pattern for free on my blog, you can get an ad-free, printable pdf version on Etsy or Ravelry soon. Just let me know if you'd like to be notified when it's available.
Requirements
Yarn: 15m Scheepjes Sweet Treat or similar US #10 cotton crochet thread Hook: 1.25mm-1.5mm (US Steel Hook size 8-10) Sewing needle and scissors Piece of card or other sturdy flattish item 8cm wide to form tassel (I used my phone) Stitch marker or scrap of waste yarn/thread to hold tassel
Item description
Sizes
Even threads that look fairly alike to the eye can vary a lot in how they work up, and that's before taking individual crocheters' tension difference into account, so I've included a range of likely sizes here based on using Scheepjes Sweet Treat (green)and a 1.25mm hook and a US #10 thread (pink) with a 1.5mm hook. If yours is working up bigger or smaller than you want at the tension you like best, I've explained how to adjust the length in the "Make it your own" section at the end of the pattern.
Bookmark length (exc. tassel): 17.5-21cm/7-8.5”
Bookmark width: 2.5-3cm/1”
Tassel length: 7.5cm/3”
Tension/Gauge: 33 sts = 10cm/4”
Working method
A rectangular panel is worked back and forth and then a pointed end is worked on one short end of the rectangle. A slip stitch edging is worked and a tassel can be added to the end.
Pattern notes
Starting chains count as a stitch unless stated. This pattern include a both UK terminology and US terminology. Please be sure to follow in your preferred terminology. I recommend that you read through the pattern before starting.
Abbreviations
r/rs row(s)/round(s) WS/RS wrong/right side st/s stitch/es rep repeat yo yarn over hook loh loop/s on hook p2tl pull through 2 loops ch chain chsp chain space slst slip stitch dc double crochet (US only)
tr treble (UK 1 wrap; US 2 wraps)
dtr double treble (UK 2 wraps; US 3 wrap)
ttr triple treble (UK 3 wraps; US 4 wraps)
qtr quadruple treble (UK 4 wraps; US not used)
Special Stitches
X-st yo 3 times, insert hook into specified st, yo and draw through stitch (5 loh), [yo, p2tl] twice (3 loh), yo, miss 1, insert hook in the top of next st, yo and pull through stitch (5 loh), [yo, p2tl] 4 times (1 loh), 1 ch, yo, insert hook in direction of work through two prominent loops at midline of X-st, yo and p2tl (3 loh), [yo, p2tl] twice.
Watch me work the X stitch here:
UK terms Instructions - US terms version below
Bookmark
Chain 51.
Row 1 (RS):1 tr in 4th ch from hook, 2 tr, *1 ch, miss 1, 3 tr, rep from * to last ch, 1 tr, turn.
Row 2 (WS): 5 ch, (counts as ttr), X-st starting in next tr, *1 ch, miss 1ch-sp, X-st starting in next tr, rep from * to last st, 1 ttr, turn.
Row 3: 3 ch (counts as tr), *3 tr, 1 ch, miss 1, rep from * to last 4 st, 4 tr, do not turn.
Pointed end: 6 ch, (counts as qtr), 1 ttr in 1st ch of 5 ch pulling through 2 loops (pt2l) 3 times (2 loh), 1 dtr in 3rd ch of 5 ch-sp pt2l 2 times (3 loh), 1 ttr in 5th ch of 5 ch-sp pt2l 3 times (4 loh), 1 qtr in 1st ch of foundation ch pt2l 4 times (5 loh), pull through all 5 loh *5 ch, slst back in last st.
Edging: 6 slst along qtr to start of foundation ch, slst in 1st ch of foundation ch, 1 ch, slst in each ch of foundation ch to end, 1 ch, 3 slst in 1st tr of Row 1, 5 slst in ttr at end of Row 2, 3 slst in 1st tr of Row 3, 1 ch, slst in each st head and ch of Row 3 to end, 1 ch, 6 slst along 6 ch to point of bookmark.
Fasten off.
US terms Instructions - UK terms version above
Bookmark
Chain 51.
Row 1 (RS):1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 2 dc, *1 ch, skip 1, 3 dc, rep from * to last ch, 1 dc, turn.
Row 2 (WS): 5 ch, (counts as dtr), X-st starting in next dc, *1 ch, miss 1ch-sp, X-st starting in next dc, rep from * to last st, 1 dtr, turn.
Row 3: 3 ch (counts as dc), *3 dc, 1 ch, skip 1, rep from * to last 4 st, 4 dc, do not turn.
Pointed end: 6 ch, (counts as ttr), 1 dtr in 1st ch of 5 ch pulling through 2 loops (pt2l) 3 times (2 loh), 1 tr in 3rd ch of 5 ch-sp pt2l 2 times (3 loh), 1 dtr in 5th ch of 5 ch-sp pt2l 3 times (4 loh), 1 ttr in 1st ch of foundation ch pt2l 5 times (5 loh), pull through all 5 loh *5 ch, slst back in last st.
Edging: 6 slst along ttr to start of foundation ch, slst in 1st ch of foundation ch, 1 ch, slst in each ch of foundation ch to end, 1 ch, 3 slst in 1st dc of Row 1, 5 slst in dtr at end of Row 2, 3 slst in 1st dc of Row 3, 1 ch, slst in each st head and ch of Row 3 to end, 1 ch, 6 slst along 6 ch to point of bookmark.
Fasten off.
Tassel
Wrap thread 20 times around a piece of card 8cm in length and cut thread. Placing top of loop on waste yarn or stitch marker, remove loop from card. Cut a piece of thread about 25cm/10” and thread end on a sewing needle. Leaving a tail extending beyond the end of the tassel, wrap six times around both sides of loop about 1.5 cm/½” from top to create the neck, pull tight and stitch a few times through/around this wrap to secure. Remove waste yarn/stitch marker, Extend thread to top of tassel’s top loop and stitch top loop to 5 ch loop on pointed end of bookmark. Draw remainder of thread through tassel’s wrapped neck and remove needle. Pull bottom loop of tassel slightly if needed to tighten and smooth top loop. Cut bottom loop and trim tassel.
Finishing
Weave in ends and block to size. Blocking makes a big difference to the size, shape and texture in lace crochet. You can use any method of lightly starching the bookmark if you want a more crisp finish. You might like to watch me block mine here:
Make it your own
You could try this in different textures of yarn, e.g. in silk, wool or a blended fibre laceweight or cobweb yarn. Embroidery thread like stranded or perlé cotton could work really well too and is available in smaller amounts if you need to buy something but don't want a whole spool of crochet thread.
Try using different colours of thread for row 2’s X st pattern (solid or variegated) for a bolder look, starting after working the turning 5 ch and ending before the last st (UK ttr/US dtr).
Add or reduce the sts in the foundation chain by multiples of 4 for a longer or shorter bookmark.
Omit the tassel for a simpler bookmark, e.g. if you think it might get tangled due to carrying daily in a bag with other belongings.
Don’t forget that you may need more or less thread for some adaptations!
How did it go?
I love to hear from anyone who uses one of my patterns to create a project. Any feedback you give about the pattern will help me develop future patterns that are easy to follow and it’s always exciting to see in-progress or finished projects created using my patterns. Use #ExactBookmark on your social media and feel free to tag me in your post or caption!
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