Crochet Bow Garland Pattern (Free + Easy Bunting)
A row of little bows strung across a shelf is one of those small touches that makes a whole room feel finished.
This crochet bow garland is exactly that, and it is built from the same puffy bow I already share as a hair tie pattern.
You make a handful of bows, skip the hair tie, and link them along a simple chain instead.
It is beginner-friendly, endlessly repeatable, and looks adorable in a nursery, over a party table, along a mantel, or down the side of a bookshelf.
Want the same bow in other forms? Make it a crochet bow keychain or a crochet bow hair clip.
Quick Info
| Skill level | Beginner |
| Finished size | Each bow about 8-10 cm wide, garland as long as you like |
| Time | About 20-30 minutes per bow |
| Stitches used | ch, dc, hdc, BLO |
If you can chain and double crochet in rows, you can make this. Every bow is the same two simple pieces.
Materials
- Milk cotton yarn (4-ply), one or more colors
- 3 mm crochet hook
- Tapestry needle and scissors
That is the whole list. A garland needs no hair ties and no extra hardware, just yarn for the bows and a length of chain to string them on.
One 50g ball of a color makes several bows, so a single multi-color garland uses very little of each.
Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- BLO = back loop only
- R = row
How Many Bows
Plan the garland around the space you want to fill.
As a rough guide, 5 to 7 bows makes a sweet 3 to 4 foot garland for a shelf or a crib.
For a wider wall or a party backdrop, keep repeating the bow until you have the length you want.
The pattern below makes one bow. Make as many as your garland needs, then string them at the end.
Make the Bow: Piece 1 (Main Bow)
- R1: ch 40, dc in the 3rd ch from hook and across [38], ch 2, turn.
- R2: working in BLO, dc across [38], ch 2, turn.
- R3 to R5: repeat R2.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for assembly.
Tip: BLO means you only go into the back loop of each stitch. That is what gives the bow its puffy, ridged texture. Working both loops leaves it flat.
Tip: leave at least 12 inches of tail. You use this same yarn to wrap the center, so a short tail means joining new yarn and an extra knot to hide.
Piece 2 (Center Wrap)
- R1: ch 20, hdc in the 2nd ch from hook and across [19], ch 1, turn.
- R2: working in BLO, hdc across [19], ch 1, turn.
- R3: repeat R2.
Fasten off and weave in the ends. This little strip becomes the knot in the middle of the bow.
Shape the Bow
- Fold Piece 1 in half lengthwise.
- Sew the two short edges together to form a loop.
- Turn it right side out so the seam sits hidden inside.
Tip: turning the seam inside is just like turning a sock right side out. Once you pinch and wrap the center, the seam disappears completely.
- Pinch the center of the loop until it bundles into a tight bow shape.
- Wrap the long tail tightly around the middle a few times.
- Slip Piece 2 under the center and keep wrapping around both together, then knot at the back and hide the tail.
Tip: the first two or three wraps are what set the shape. Hold the center pinched firmly until those are snug, then the rest is just reinforcement.
This is where the garland bow differs from the hair tie version. You simply skip the elastic and finish the wrap with a plain knot at the back.
Plan Your Colors
A garland is a great way to use up small amounts of several colors.
- All one color for a calm, modern look.
- Alternating two or three colors, like the blue, purple, and mint here, for a playful nursery feel.
- Ombre, working light to dark across the row, for something a little more designed.
Make all your bows first, then lay them out in the order you like before you string them.
String the Garland
Now turn your pile of bows into a garland. You have two easy ways to do it.
Option 1: Crochet chain (all yarn, no extras)
This keeps the whole garland crocheted in one piece.
- Leave a tail at one end for a hanging loop, then start a chain in your garland color.
- ch 15, then hold a bow against the chain and work a few stitches through the back of its center wrap to attach it.
- ch 15 again, attach the next bow, and continue until all your bows are on.
- After the last bow, ch 15 more and make a loop at the end to match the first. Fasten off.
Tip: keep the chain count the same between every bow, 15 is a good even spacing, so the bows hang at a consistent rhythm.
Option 2: Ribbon or twine (no extra crochet)
If you would rather not crochet a long chain, thread the bows onto baker’s twine or thin ribbon instead.
- Slide each bow on through the back of its center wrap.
- Space them evenly and add a tiny knot on each side of a bow if you want them to stay put.
- Tie a loop at each end for hanging.
Both methods hang the same. The crochet chain looks more handmade and seamless, the ribbon is faster and easy to re-space later.
Tips for a Neat Garland
- Match your spacing. Pick one gap, 15 chains or a set ribbon length, and use it the whole way across so the bows look intentional.
- Make one extra bow. It gives you a spare to balance the layout, and a single bow makes a cute gift tag on its own.
- Block lightly if needed. A quick steam hover relaxes any curl in the bows so they sit flat and full.
- Weigh the ends. A small loop at each end lets you pin or tie the garland taut so it does not sag in the middle.
- Keep a color rhythm. Repeating a color order, like blue, purple, mint, blue, purple, mint, reads as deliberate even with mismatched leftovers.
FAQ
How many bows do I need for a garland?
Five to seven bows makes a 3 to 4 foot garland. For a wider space, just keep making bows until you reach the length you want.
How far apart should the bows be?
About 15 chains, or roughly 4 to 5 inches, between each bow gives a nice even spacing. Keep the gap the same the whole way across.
Can I make it without crocheting a long chain?
Yes. Thread the finished bows onto ribbon or baker’s twine instead. It is faster and lets you re-space them whenever you like.
What can I use this garland for?
Nursery and kids room decor, a party or birthday backdrop, a mantel or shelf, a gift-wrap topper, or a sweet trim along a bookshelf. It works anywhere a little softness helps.
Is this beginner-friendly?
Very. Each bow is the same two simple pieces using basic stitches, and stringing them is just chaining or threading. It is a great repeat project for a new crocheter.
How do I keep the bows from sliding around?
On a ribbon, add a small knot on each side of a bow. On a crochet chain, the stitches you work through the bow center hold it firmly in place already.
Make One for Every Room
The best thing about a bow garland is how easy it is to keep going.
Make a short one for a shelf this weekend, and a longer one for the nursery next.
The same bow also finishes as a hair tie, a clip, a keychain and a set of three, all collected in my crochet bow patterns roundup alongside five bows from other designers.
If you make a garland, save this pattern on Pinterest so you can find it again, and try the matching puffy bow hair tie if you want to wear the same bow in your hair.
