7+ Easy Crochet Lace Hair Bow Patterns You’ll Actually Want to Make

There is something undeniably charming about a handmade hair bow. Whether you are dressing up a little girl’s pigtails, adding a feminine touch to your own ponytail, or creating a thoughtful handmade gift, crochet lace hair bows deliver a level of delicacy and elegance that store-bought accessories simply cannot match. The intricate openwork of lace crochet transforms a humble skein of thread into something that looks almost too pretty to wear — but wear it you absolutely should.

If you have been searching for beginner-friendly crochet lace hair bow patterns, you have come to the right place. This collection covers more than seven distinct patterns and styles, ranging from the simplest single-loop bows that work up in under an hour to more elaborate vintage-inspired lace designs with shells, fans, and picot edges. Whether you are picking up a crochet hook for the first time or you already have a few finished projects under your belt, you will find something here that feels approachable, fun, and genuinely beautiful.

Let us get into it.

What You Need Before You Start

Before diving into patterns, it helps to gather your supplies. Crochet lace hair bows are wonderfully economical projects because they use very little material. Here is what you will generally need across all of the patterns in this guide.

Thread or yarn: Most lace hair bows call for size 10 crochet cotton thread, which gives that fine, crisp lace appearance. Brands like Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread or DMC Cebelia are widely available and come in dozens of colors. If you prefer a slightly chunkier look, fingering weight or sport weight yarn also works beautifully and produces bows with a softer drape. White, cream, and black are the most versatile color choices, but pastel shades like blush pink, lavender, mint, and soft yellow are perennial favorites for children’s accessories.

Hooks: For size 10 crochet thread, you will typically use a steel crochet hook in size 7 (1.65 mm) or size 5 (1.90 mm). If you are working with fingering or sport weight yarn, a hook in the 2.25 mm to 3.5 mm range will feel more comfortable.

Finishing supplies: You will need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, small scissors, and a hair elastic, barrette clip, or alligator clip to attach your finished bow. Fabric stiffener or a light spray starch is optional but highly recommended for thread bows — it helps them hold their shape and keeps the lace looking crisp and intentional rather than floppy.

Abbreviations used throughout this guide: ch (chain), sl st (slip stitch), sc (single crochet), dc (double crochet), hdc (half double crochet), tr (treble crochet), sp (space), sk (skip), rep (repeat), yo (yarn over).

Pattern 1: The Classic Simple Lace Bow

This is the foundational pattern that every beginner should try first. It produces a tidy, symmetrical bow with a gentle shell texture that reads as lace without requiring any advanced techniques.

Materials: Size 10 crochet cotton thread in white or your preferred color, size 7 steel hook, yarn needle, hair clip.

Finished size: Approximately 3 inches wide by 1.5 inches tall.

Instructions:

Chain 25.

Row 1: Sc in the second chain from hook and in each chain across. (24 sc) Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st across to last st, dc in last st. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc across, ending with sc in top of turning chain. Turn.

Row 4: Repeat Row 2.

Row 5: Repeat Row 3.

Row 6: Ch 1, sc across. Fasten off.

To shape: Pinch the rectangle you have created at its center. Use a length of thread to wrap tightly around the pinch point several times, then secure with a knot. This creates the characteristic bow shape. Attach to a hair clip or elastic by stitching through the back.

Pattern 2: Picot-Edge Lace Bow

Picot edging adds tiny decorative loops along the outer edges of your bow, giving it that vintage handmade quality that makes people stop and ask where you got it. This pattern builds on the basic structure above but incorporates picots throughout.

Materials: Size 10 crochet cotton thread, size 7 steel hook, yarn needle, hair clip.

Finished size: Approximately 3.5 inches wide.

Instructions:

Chain 31.

Row 1: Dc in the fourth chain from hook, ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next ch across. You will have a series of ch-2 spaces. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc across. Turn.

Rows 3–4: Repeat Row 2.

Row 5 (Picot edging): Ch 1, work sc evenly around the entire rectangle. At each corner work 3 sc. After every third sc along the long sides, work a picot: ch 3, sl st in the first ch of the ch-3 just made. Continue until you have gone all the way around. Sl st to join. Fasten off.

Shape and finish the same way as Pattern 1, wrapping at the center to create the bow form.

Pattern 3: Shell Stitch Fan Bow

Shell stitches are one of crochet’s most beloved textures, and they translate into hair bow designs with gorgeous, layered depth. This pattern creates a bow that looks more complex than it actually is.

Materials: Size 10 thread or fingering weight yarn, appropriate hook, yarn needle, hair clip.

Finished size: Approximately 4 inches wide by 2 inches tall.

Instructions:

Chain 28 (a multiple of 6, plus 4).

Row 1: Dc in the fourth chain from hook, sk 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch (shell made), sk 2 ch, dc in next ch, sk 2 ch rep across, end with 2 dc in last ch. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, sc in center dc of next shell, 5 dc in next dc (shell) rep across, end with 2 dc in top of turning ch. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, 5 dc in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell rep across. Turn.

Rows 4–5: Repeat Rows 2 and 3.

Row 6: Ch 3, dc in each st across. Fasten off.

Add a border of sl sts all the way around for a polished finish before shaping into a bow.

Pattern 4: Granny Square–Inspired Bow

If you love the look of a traditional granny square, this bow design applies that same philosophy to a rectangular format. The open corner spaces and cluster stitches give it a distinctly cottage-core, heirloom quality.

Materials: Size 10 thread or sport weight yarn, appropriate hook, yarn needle, clip.

Instructions:

Make two rectangles as follows:

Chain 5. Join with sl st to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, 3 dc in ring, ch 2 three times. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3.

Round 2: Sl st to next ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp (corner made), ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1 around. Sl st to join.

Round 3: Sl st to corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1 around. Sl st to join. Fasten off.

Place two finished rectangles together, wrong sides facing. Join with a round of sc, leaving a small opening to stuff lightly with fiberfill for dimension if desired. Close and shape into a bow.

Pattern 5: Vintage Filet Lace Bow

Filet crochet uses a simple grid of filled and open squares to create designs that can be as simple or as intricate as you like. For a hair bow, a small motif like a heart, star, or simple geometric pattern in the center of the bow panel makes a stunning statement.

Materials: Size 10 thread, size 7 steel hook.

In filet crochet, a filled square is made by working dc, dc (two double crochets) across a square, while an open square is made with dc, ch 2, dc. To make a simple heart center bow:

Work a base rectangle of open mesh squares (about 15 squares wide and 8 squares tall). In the center rows, fill in the appropriate squares following a simple heart chart. You can find free filet crochet heart charts widely available online, or create your own on graph paper where each filled box equals a solid square and each empty box equals an open mesh.

After completing your panel, add a picot border and shape into a bow. The contrast between the open mesh background and the filled heart center creates a breathtaking piece of wearable art.

Pattern 6: Double Loop Bow with Lace Trim

Some bows are more impactful with two loops instead of one. This double-loop design creates a fuller, more dramatic bow that works especially well as a headband accent or on a thick hair elastic.

Instructions:

Make two separate bow panels using Pattern 1 or Pattern 3, each measuring approximately 3 inches wide by 2 inches tall.

Place them side by side (or slightly overlapping at the center) and pinch both together at the middle. Wrap tightly with a length of thread and secure. For the center band, chain 12, work a row of sc back along the chain, fold this piece over the pinch point, and sew the ends together at the back. This creates a neat fabric center band that conceals all your thread wrapping. Attach to your chosen hair accessory.

Pattern 7: Micro Lace Bow for Baby Headbands

Tiny bows for baby headbands are among the sweetest things you can crochet. They make heartfelt baby shower gifts and photograph beautifully. This miniature pattern uses the same fundamental technique as the classic bow but is scaled down for a daintier look.

Materials: Size 10 thread in a soft color, size 7 steel hook.

Finished size: Approximately 1.5 inches wide.

Chain 16.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and across. (15 sc) Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, sk 1, dc, ch 1, sk 1 across, dc in last st. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc across. Fasten off.

Pinch at center and wrap. Sew to a thin elastic headband or to a small crochet headband made with a single row of sc worked to the appropriate head circumference.

Pattern 8: Butterfly-Style Lace Bow

This slightly more advanced pattern creates a bow whose loops have a scalloped inner edge, giving it the appearance of butterfly wings. It is one of the most photographed styles in the crochet accessories community for good reason.

Instructions:

Chain 35.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and across.

Row 2: Ch 4, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc, ch 4 across, ending with sc in last sc.

Row 3: Sl st into first ch-4 sp, ch 3, 4 dc in same sp, sc in next sc, 5 dc in next ch-4 sp across.

Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in center dc of shell, ch 5 across. Turn.

Row 5: Sl st into first ch-5 sp, ch 3, 6 dc in same sp, sc between shells, 7 dc in next ch-5 sp across.

Fasten off. The resulting piece will have beautiful curved fan shapes along one long edge. Fold this piece so that the scalloped edges face outward and pinch at center. The scalloped edge naturally forms the winged appearance of the finished bow.

Tips for Making Your Lace Bows Look Professional

Once you have your pattern down, a few finishing techniques will elevate your work from homemade to handcrafted in the best possible sense.

Blocking and stiffening make an enormous difference with thread crochet. To block a bow, wet it thoroughly, gently squeeze out excess water, pin it to a foam mat in the exact shape you want, and allow it to dry completely. For extra crispness, mix one part white school glue with one part water and lightly brush this solution over the blocked bow. Let it dry fully before removing the pins. The result holds its shape perfectly even in humid weather.

Consistent tension is the most important skill in lace crochet. If your tension is loose in some rows and tight in others, the openwork pattern will look uneven. Practicing on a small swatch before beginning your bow panel is always worthwhile.

Color choices matter. White and ecru are the most traditional and versatile. However, color-blocked bows — where one loop is in a contrasting shade to the other, or the center band is a pop color — are extremely popular right now and add a modern, graphic quality to an otherwise traditional technique.

Mixing thread weights can create interesting texture. Try making the center band in a slightly chunkier thread than the bow panels for subtle dimensional contrast.

Creative Ways to Use Your Finished Bows

Crochet lace hair bows are more versatile than their name suggests. Beyond the obvious hair accessory application, consider sewing them onto headbands, pinning them to the collar of a blouse, attaching them to gift wrapping for a reusable decorative element, gluing them to hair clips for a gift set, or stitching them onto the toes of baby shoes. A collection of bows in coordinating colors makes a beautiful and practical baby shower gift basket.

You can also attach a pin back instead of a hair clip and wear your bow as a brooch on a lapel, cardigan, or tote bag. At this size, they make charming embellishments on bookmarks, greeting cards, or scrapbook pages as well.

Selling Your Crochet Lace Hair Bows

If you find yourself making these bows in batches — which tends to happen once you get the rhythm going — you may want to consider selling your finished pieces. Handmade lace hair bows are consistently popular on platforms like Etsy and at local craft fairs. Customers are particularly drawn to bows made with premium thread, offered in coordinating sets of two or three, and presented in simple packaging like a small organza bag or a folded card with a safety pin.

Pricing your work fairly means accounting for the cost of materials, the time it took you to make each piece, and the unique value of something handmade. A well-executed crochet lace bow typically sells for between eight and twenty-five dollars depending on size, complexity, and the platform you choose.

Final Thoughts

Crochet lace hair bows are one of those projects where the effort to reward ratio is deeply satisfying. They are small enough to finish in an afternoon, meaningful enough to give as gifts, and beautiful enough to display proudly. Whether you gravitate toward the simplicity of the classic shell bow or the elaborate detail of a filet lace design, every stitch you put into these tiny accessories reflects the craft and care that makes handmade items so special.

Start with the classic simple lace bow if this is your first time working with crochet thread. Get comfortable with the tension and the fine hook, then work your way up through the picot and shell variations. Before long you will have a collection of bows in every color of the rainbow and a very long list of people you want to give them to. Happy crocheting.