A ribbed crochet Christmas bow adds a broad red accent to an evergreen branch without long ribbon tails. Two gathered panels create the four-part shape: a larger pair of upper wings and a smaller pair of lower lobes.
This original interpretation is inspired by the reference bow, rather than a claim to reproduce its exact stitches. Both panels begin as simple rectangles. Single crochet worked in the back loop gives the fabric its ridges, and the final shape comes from gathering, positioning and sewing the pieces.
Make the panels with the same yarn and hook so their textures agree. If you prefer narrow tied loops and long tails, the long-tail Christmas crochet bows use a different construction. This version focuses on wide folded fabric and a small center band.
Jump to the free written pattern
Materials for a ribbed crochet Christmas bow
- Smooth medium-weight yarn in deep red, or another color suited to your decorations.
- A hook appropriate for the yarn. A 4 mm hook is a starting choice, adjusted until the fabric bends into soft folds.
- A blunt yarn needle, scissors and removable stitch markers.
- Matching yarn for gathering and sewing, plus a separate strong cord for an optional hanger.
No stuffing or wire is used. The crochet is suitable for a beginner comfortable with straight rows; assembly involves gathering and sewing. Finished dimensions, gauge and yarn consumption have not been established from a physical sample. The pattern has not been physically tested. The stitch arithmetic describes the written design; photos illustrate the intended styling rather than a tested stitch-for-stitch sample.
US terms and the ribbed fabric
ch = chain; sc = single crochet; BLO = back loop only; st/sts = stitch/stitches. The Craft Yarn Council crochet abbreviation guide provides the standard US names.
For sc, insert the hook into the indicated chain or stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops. Beginning with Row 2 of each main panel, insert under the back loop only: after turning, this is the strand of the stitch-top V farther from you. Leave the nearer strand free to form the ridge.
The turning ch 1 never counts as a stitch. Work into the first real sc after turning and stop after the last real sc. There are no increases, decreases or joined rounds. Marking both row ends helps keep the rectangles even.
Ribbed crochet Christmas bow: free two-panel pattern
Upper panel: 22 stitches across, 10 rows
Foundation: Ch 23. Keep the chain relaxed enough that the foundation edge does not pull the panel inward.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook and in every remaining chain. 22 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. Sc BLO in each of the 22 sc across. 22 sc.
Rows 3–10: Repeat Row 2, keeping 22 sc in every row. After Row 10, fasten off and secure the ends on the back. Count ten complete rows, including the first foundation row.
The panel contains 22 × 10 = 220 sc. This total is a counting check, not an instruction to count the ridges as rows. Depending on which side faces you, a prominent ridge may represent the relationship between neighboring rows rather than a separate extra row.
Lower panel: 16 stitches across, 6 rows
Foundation: Ch 17.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook and each remaining chain. 16 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. Sc BLO in each stitch across. 16 sc.
Rows 3–6: Repeat Row 2. Keep 16 sc in each row, then fasten off and secure the ends. This panel contains 16 × 6 = 96 sc.
Do not add an edging around either rectangle. The unworked front loops already define the fabric, and an extra border can make the corners and gathered center bulkier.
Center band: 4 stitches wide
Foundation: Ch 5.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook and in the remaining three chains. 4 sc.
Rows 2–10: Ch 1 and turn, then sc through both loops of each stitch. 4 sc each row. Leave the working loop secured on a marker instead of fastening off yet.
Ten rows are a starting length for the band. Fit it around the gathered panels during assembly. Add rows if its short ends do not meet without crushing the folds; undo rows if it wraps too loosely. The width stays at four sc, so a band with B rows contains 4B sc.
