Crochet Bookmark Pattern (Easy Tassel Bookmark, Free)

A crochet bookmark is a small project with a big payoff. It takes less than an hour, uses only a scrap of yarn, and turns an ordinary paperback into something that feels personal every time you open it. This free crochet bookmark pattern shows you how to stitch a slim, sturdy bookmark with a neat tassel, worked in simple rows that are perfect for a first project or a relaxing evening make.

This is an original Little Loop Finds design, written in US terms and completely free. The bookmark is worked flat in rows of single crochet with pretty double crochet stripes, then finished with a simple border and a handmade tassel. There is no shaping to worry about, no sewing, and no tricky stitches. If you can chain and single crochet, you can make this bookmark, and once you make one, you will want to make a whole stack of them.

A quick note on scope: this post is about a plain slim crochet bookmark with a tassel, not a cross shaped bookmark. If you love the cross design, our crochet cross bookmark pattern free is a separate pattern with its own shaping. The bookmark in this post is a simple rectangle, which makes it a better first project and a faster gift.

Key Takeaways

• Free original pattern: this crochet bookmark pattern is a Little Loop Finds original design, written in US terms, and completely free.
• Fast one hour project: a slim bookmark you can finish in about an hour, from first chain to finished tassel.
• Beginner friendly rows: single crochet and double crochet only, with a clear stitch count at the end of every row.
• Stash busting: uses less than 30 yards of yarn, so it is perfect for leftover balls and odd skeins.
• Wonderfully giftable: lovely tucked into a book for birthdays, holidays, teachers, and fellow readers.

Table of Contents

• Why You Will Love This Bookmark
• Finished Size, Skill Level, and Time
• Materials You Need
• Abbreviations (US Terms)
• Gauge and Sizing Notes
• Part 1: The Bookmark Body
• Part 2: The Border and the Tassel
• Variations: Colors, Stripes, and Gifts
• Troubleshooting Bookmarks That Curl or Stretch
• Care Instructions
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why You Will Love This Bookmark

A bookmark is the kind of project that reminds you why you fell in love with crochet in the first place. It is small enough to finish in one sitting, useful enough to reach for every day, and satisfying enough to make you smile each time you spot it peeking out of a book. There is no large blanket to lug around and no garment fitting to fuss over, just a neat rectangle of stitches that grows quickly in your hands.

Bookmarks are also the best way to use up leftover yarn. Almost every crocheter has a basket of half used balls that are too small for a hat or a scarf but too pretty to throw away. One bookmark uses less than 30 yards, so a single leftover ball can become a whole set of gifts. Make them in a rainbow of colors, tie them with a ribbon, and you have a thoughtful handmade present that costs almost nothing.

Readers love a handmade bookmark because it feels personal in a way a shop bought one never does. It marks the page, it holds its place, and it says that someone took the time to make something just for them. Teachers, book club friends, and children learning to read all adore them, and they make lovely stocking stuffers, party favors, and little thank you gifts all year round.

Finished Size, Skill Level, and Time

• Finished size: about 7 inches long and 1.5 inches wide, not counting the tassel. The tassel adds about 3 inches to the length.
• Skill level: Easy. You need a foundation chain, single crochet, double crochet, and slip stitch, plus a simple border and a tassel that the pattern explains step by step.
• Time: about 1 hour total: roughly 30 minutes for the bookmark body, 10 minutes for the border, and 20 minutes for the tassel and finishing.

Materials You Need

Cotton yarn is the best choice for a bookmark because it is smooth, holds its shape, and slides easily between pages without snagging. Acrylic yarn also works, and it comes in a huge range of bright colors, but choose a smooth acrylic rather than a fuzzy one, because fuzzy yarn can catch on paper. A firm fabric matters more than anything else here: a floppy bookmark will fold and crease inside a book, while a firm one stays flat and keeps its shape for years.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rep = repeat
• sk = skip
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

Gauge and Sizing Notes

Gauge for a bookmark is relaxed, because a bookmark does not need to fit a body. What matters is that the fabric is firm and flat. Work the first 8 rows and measure the piece. It should be about 1.5 inches wide. If it is wider than 2 inches, go down a hook size. If it is narrower than 1 inch, go up a hook size. The length is easy to adjust: work more rows for a longer bookmark, or fewer rows for a shorter one. A bookmark for a tall hardcover can be 8 inches long, while one for a small paperback can be 6 inches long.

The pattern is written for 40 rows, which gives a bookmark about 7 inches long in DK weight yarn. Every row ends with a stitch count so you can check your work as you go. If your tension is loose, the bookmark may grow longer than planned, so count your rows rather than measuring as you go, and stop when you reach row 40.

Part 1: The Bookmark Body

The bookmark body is worked flat in rows, turning at the end of each row. The pattern uses blocks of single crochet separated by single rows of double crochet in a contrast color, which gives the bookmark its pretty striped look. Change colors where the pattern tells you to, and carry the unused yarn up the side if you like, because the border in Part 2 will cover the carried strands.

Bookmark Body

With the main color, ch 12.

• Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. Turn. (11 sc)
• Rows 2 to 8: ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (11 sc)
• Row 9: Change to the stripe color. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across. Turn. (11 dc)
• Rows 10 to 17: Change to the main color. Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (11 sc)
• Row 18: Change to the stripe color. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across. Turn. (11 dc)
• Rows 19 to 26: Change to the main color. Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (11 sc)
• Row 27: Change to the stripe color. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across. Turn. (11 dc)
• Rows 28 to 35: Change to the main color. Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (11 sc)
• Row 36: Change to the stripe color. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across. Turn. (11 dc)
• Rows 37 to 40: Change to the main color. Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (11 sc)
• Fasten off the main color, leaving a tail about 6 inches long for weaving in.

Your bookmark should now be a neat striped rectangle about 7 inches long. Lay it flat and smooth it with your hands. If the edges wave a little, do not worry, because the border in the next part will straighten them out. Take a moment to check that your stripes are evenly spaced, because even stripes are what give this simple bookmark its tidy, handmade look.

Part 2: The Border and the Tassel

The border is a single round of single crochet worked all the way around the rectangle, with three stitches in each corner so the corners lie flat. It tidies up the edges, hides the color change tails, and gives the bookmark a finished, professional look. The tassel is made from short strands of yarn, folded and tied at one end of the bookmark, and it is the detail that makes the bookmark feel complete.

Border

With the main color, join with a sl st in any corner stitch on the right side of the bookmark.

• Work sc evenly around the whole rectangle, placing 3 sc in each corner stitch, and about 1 sc in the side of each row along the long edges. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

The corners should lie flat, not pointy and not rounded. If a corner puckers, you have too many stitches in it, so work 2 sc in the corner next time instead of 3. If a corner pulls inward, you have too few, so work 4 sc there. The long edges should be straight and even, with no rippling and no pulling. A quick press with a warm iron, through a cloth, will make the border sit beautifully flat.

Tassel

1. Cut 12 strands of yarn, each about 8 inches long. Use the main color, the stripe color, or a mix of both.
2. Fold the strands in half to make a loop at the top. Push the loop through the center stitch of the short end of the bookmark, from the front to the back.
3. Pull the loose ends of the strands through the loop and tug gently to secure the tassel to the bookmark.
4. Wrap a separate short piece of yarn tightly around the folded strands, about half an inch below the bookmark edge, and knot it firmly. This wrap is what gives the tassel its neat head.
5. Trim the ends of the tassel evenly with sharp scissors, so the tassel is about 3 inches long and the ends are level.

Your bookmark is finished. Slip it into your current book and admire how the tassel peeks out of the top of the pages. The tassel also makes the bookmark easy to find on a shelf, because the little tail of yarn is visible even when the book is closed.

Variations: Colors, Stripes, and Gifts

• Rainbow stripes: change the stripe color every time instead of using one contrast color, for a cheerful rainbow bookmark that uses up every scrap in your stash.
• Monochrome bookmark: work the whole bookmark in one soft color, like cream or dusty blue, for a calm, elegant look. Our crochet doily patterns free collection has more monochrome lace ideas.
• Flower bookmark: stitch a small flower to the top of the bookmark, above the tassel, for a pretty gift. Our crochet flower pattern free has a flower that is just the right size.
• Heart bookmark: add a small heart applique to the center of the bookmark for a sweet Valentine gift. Our free crochet heart pattern makes a heart in minutes.
• Matching book set: pair the bookmark with a matching book cover for a complete reader gift. Our book sleeve crochet pattern is a wonderful companion project.
• Coaster and bookmark gift set: make the bookmark in the same colors as a coaster for a cozy reading gift set. Our crochet coaster pattern is a quick match.

Troubleshooting Bookmarks That Curl or Stretch

• My bookmark curls at the edges. The fabric is too loose, or the border is too tight. Go down a hook size for the body, and work the border loosely. A quick press with a warm iron will also help it lie flat.
• My bookmark stretches out of shape. The yarn is too soft, or the stitches are too loose. Use cotton yarn and a smaller hook so the fabric is firm. A bookmark should feel like a stiff little mat, not like a floppy cloth.
• My stripes are uneven. Count your rows carefully, because it is easy to work one row too many in a block. Place a stitch marker at the start of each stripe row so you can see at a glance where you are.
• My tassel falls apart. The wrap around the tassel head was not tight enough. Wrap the yarn around at least six times and knot it firmly twice. A drop of clear craft glue on the knot will hold it for good.
• My bookmark is too wide for my book. Work fewer starting chains. Chain 10 instead of 12 for a narrower bookmark, and keep the same row pattern. The stitch counts will be 9 instead of 11.
• My border ripples along the long edges. You worked too many stitches along the edge. Work one single crochet in the side of every other row instead of every row, and the edge will lie flat.

Care Instructions

A cotton bookmark is easy to care for. If it gets grubby, hand wash it gently in cool water with a tiny amount of mild soap, squeeze gently without wringing, and lay it flat to dry. Do not put it in the dryer, because the heat can shrink cotton and tangle the tassel. If the tassel gets messy, comb it gently with your fingers and trim the ends level again. Keep the bookmark out of damp places so the yarn stays fresh and the colors stay bright.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this crochet bookmark pattern good for beginners?

Yes, it is one of the best first crochet projects. You need to know how to chain, single crochet, and double crochet, and the pattern explains the border and the tassel step by step. Every row ends with a stitch count, so you can check your work as you go.

How long does it take to crochet a bookmark?

About an hour from start to finish, including the border and the tassel. The body takes about 30 minutes, the border about 10 minutes, and the tassel about 20 minutes. Once you have made one, the next one will be even faster.

What yarn is best for a crochet bookmark?

DK weight cotton is the best choice, because it is smooth, holds its shape, and slides easily between pages. Acrylic works too, but choose a smooth yarn rather than a fuzzy one, because fuzzy yarn can catch on paper and pull.

How big is the finished bookmark?

About 7 inches long and 1.5 inches wide, not counting the tassel. The tassel adds about 3 inches. You can make it longer or shorter by working more or fewer rows, and narrower by starting with fewer chains.

Why does my bookmark curl?

Curling usually means the stitches are too loose or the border is too tight. Try a smaller hook for a firmer fabric, work the border loosely, and press the finished bookmark with a warm iron through a cloth. Cotton yarn curls less than acrylic, so it is worth using cotton for this project.

Can I sell bookmarks made from this pattern?

Yes, you may sell finished bookmarks made from this free pattern, with credit to Little Loop Finds. Please do not sell or republish the pattern text itself.

Will the tassel damage my book pages?

No, a soft yarn tassel is gentle on pages. Keep the tassel short, about 3 inches, and trim the ends evenly so no stray strands poke out. If you use a bead on the tassel, choose a smooth wooden bead rather than a metal one, so it cannot scratch a cover.

Happy stitching, and may your reading always be marked with something handmade and lovely.