Bow Knitting Pattern PDF | Easy Hair Bow Knit PDF | Knitting Bow Digital Pattern With Video Guide | Retro Knit Bow DIY Accessory Pattern

There is something deeply satisfying about making something small, beautiful, and completely your own. Knitted bows sit at that perfect intersection of nostalgia and modern style — they are quick enough to finish in an afternoon, versatile enough to use on almost anything, and charming enough to make even the simplest outfit feel intentional. Whether you are new to knitting or you have been working with needles for years, a knitted bow pattern is one of those projects you will return to again and again.

This post walks you through everything you need to know about knitting your own bow from scratch, including pattern instructions, material recommendations, styling ideas, and tips for getting the most polished result possible. A downloadable PDF version and a video guide are both available to accompany this written tutorial, so you can learn whichever way suits you best.

Why Knit a Bow?

Before we dive into the pattern itself, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate why the knitted bow has had such a lasting appeal. Bows have appeared in fashion across centuries, from the silk ribbons of eighteenth-century portraiture to the oversized grosgrain bows of the 1980s and the quiet, minimalist hair accessories of today. The retro knit bow taps into all of that history while adding the warmth and texture that only handmade knitwear can offer.

A knitted bow is also one of the most practical small projects you can take on. It uses minimal yarn, which means it is perfect for using up leftovers from larger projects. It knits up quickly, which makes it ideal for gifts, craft fairs, or last-minute additions to an outfit. And because the pattern is simple and repetitive, it is a wonderful project for beginners who want to build confidence with basic knitting techniques before moving on to more complex work.

The retro aesthetic is particularly compelling right now. There has been a widespread return to handmade, tactile crafts, and knitting sits comfortably at the heart of that movement. A bow knitted in a warm blush, a deep burgundy, or a classic cream feels simultaneously vintage and completely current. Add it to a bun, pin it to a sweater, or stitch it onto a knitted headband, and you have an accessory that is entirely one of a kind.

Materials You Will Need

One of the best things about this knitting bow pattern is how little you need to get started. Here is a complete list of materials:

Yarn: A light worsted weight or DK weight yarn works beautifully for this pattern. You will only need a small amount — roughly 20 to 30 yards depending on how large you want your finished bow. Smooth yarns show stitch definition most clearly, which is especially nice if you want a more polished, structured bow. A wool or wool-blend yarn will hold its shape well. Cotton and cotton blends are great if you are making a bow for warmer weather or for a baby accessory.

Needles: US size 5 (3.75mm) to US size 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular knitting needles, depending on your chosen yarn. Always check your gauge swatch if you want a specific finished size.

Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends and assembling the bow.

Scissors: A small pair kept with your project is always handy.

Hair tie, clip, or brooch pin: Depending on how you plan to use your finished bow. A basic elastic hair tie or a snap clip can be attached easily to the back of the bow once it is assembled.

Optional: Stitch markers, a small amount of fiberfill stuffing if you want a slightly puffed bow, and sewing thread in a matching color if you are attaching the bow to fabric.

Understanding the Pattern: Key Stitches and Abbreviations

This pattern uses only basic knitting stitches, making it accessible to beginners while still producing a result that looks polished and professional. Here are the abbreviations you will encounter:

CO — Cast on. This is how you create your initial row of stitches on the needle.

K — Knit. The most fundamental knitting stitch.

P — Purl. The complementary stitch to knit; together, knit and purl form the basis of most patterns.

K2tog — Knit two stitches together. A basic decrease used to shape the bow.

M1 — Make one. A simple increase used to add stitches where needed.

BO — Bind off (also called cast off). How you finish and secure your final row of stitches.

RS — Right side. The public-facing side of your work.

WS — Wrong side. The back of your work.

Rep — Repeat.

St(s) — Stitch or stitches.

If any of these terms are unfamiliar to you, the accompanying video guide walks through each one with a slow, clear demonstration before the pattern begins. You do not need to have any prior experience to follow along.

The Bow Knitting Pattern

This pattern creates one finished bow that measures approximately 4 inches wide and 2.5 inches tall when assembled. To make a larger bow, simply increase your cast-on number by 4 stitches and add 2 additional rows to the body section.

Part One: The Bow Body (Make Two Pieces)

Cast on 20 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across.
Row 3: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, K2tog. (18 sts)
Row 4: Purl across.
Row 5: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, K2tog. (16 sts)
Row 6: Purl across.
Row 7: Knit across.
Row 8: Purl across.
Row 9: M1, knit to last st, M1, K1. (18 sts)
Row 10: Purl across.
Row 11: M1, knit to last st, M1, K1. (20 sts)
Row 12: Purl across.

Bind off all stitches.

Make two of these pieces. They will form the two lobes of the finished bow.

Part Two: The Center Knot

Cast on 8 stitches.

Row 1: Knit across.
Row 2: Purl across.
Row 3: Knit across.
Row 4: Purl across.
Row 5: Knit across.
Row 6: Purl across.

Bind off all stitches.

This small rectangle will be wrapped around the center of the bow to create the gathered knot effect.

Part Three: The Tail Pieces (Optional but Recommended)

For a bow with tails, which gives it a more classic and dramatic look, cast on 10 stitches and work in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) for 10 rows. Bind off. Make two of these. Cut the bound-off end at a slight diagonal using scissors to create the classic ribbon-tail shape.

Assembly Instructions

Once all your pieces are knitted and ends are woven in, it is time to put the bow together. This is the most rewarding part of the process, because the individual pieces transform almost instantly into the finished accessory.

Step 1: Place your two bow-body pieces with right sides together and use your tapestry needle and a length of matching yarn to seam along three sides using a whip stitch or mattress stitch, leaving one short end open. Turn right side out through the open end. If you would like a slightly fuller bow, stuff a small amount of fiberfill into each lobe before closing. Seam the final edge closed.

Step 2: Repeat this process with the second bow-body piece.

Step 3: Hold both finished lobes together, flat sides facing each other, and pinch them together at the center. Using your yarn and tapestry needle, wrap the yarn several times around the pinch point to gather both pieces into the characteristic bow shape. Knot securely but do not cut the yarn yet.

Step 4: Take your center knot rectangle and wrap it tightly around the gathered center of the bow. Use the remaining yarn or a few stitches to tack the back of the rectangle closed. This will hide the wrapped yarn and give the bow a clean, finished look.

Step 5: If you are adding tails, tuck them behind the bow and stitch them in place at the center back before attaching the knot piece. Position them slightly apart so they fan out naturally below the bow.

Step 6: Attach your chosen hardware — an elastic hair tie, a clip, or a brooch pin — to the back of the bow using a length of yarn or sewing thread. For a hair tie, simply loop it behind the bow and wrap the center knot around both the bow and the tie before finishing.

Sizing Variations

The pattern as written produces a medium-sized bow that works well as a hair accessory for adults. Here are a few simple ways to adjust the size:

For a mini bow — perfect for children’s hair accessories or to embellish a knitted garment — cast on 12 stitches instead of 20, and reduce the row count in the body section by half. The center knot can be cast on with just 6 stitches.

For a large statement bow — gorgeous on a headband or as a bag charm — cast on 28 stitches and add 4 more rows to the body section. The center knot should be cast on with 10 stitches.

For a flat bow with no stuffing — great for a more graphic, graphic-design-inspired look — simply skip the stuffing step and seam the two lobes together while keeping the fabric flat. This works especially well with a cotton yarn.

Yarn Suggestions and Color Ideas

Because this project uses so little yarn, it is an excellent opportunity to experiment with colors and textures you might not otherwise commit to for a larger project.

Classic cream or ivory gives the bow a timeless, vintage feel that pairs beautifully with almost any outfit. Think old movies, lace blouses, and afternoon tea.

Deep burgundy or forest green leans into the retro aesthetic in a different direction — think autumn, velvet ribbons, and mid-century fashion.

Soft blush or dusty rose is eternally popular for hair accessories and works especially well if you are making bows as gifts.

Black in a smooth merino creates a surprisingly sophisticated bow that works for everything from casual wear to dressing up an evening look.

Variegated or self-striping yarn can produce a wonderfully unexpected result — each bow comes out slightly different, making every piece genuinely unique.

If you are making a set of bows as gifts or for a craft fair, consider working in a consistent palette. Three bows in coordinating shades — say, cream, blush, and dusty mauve — make a beautiful packaged set.

Ways to Use Your Finished Bow

The versatility of a knitted bow is part of what makes this pattern so worth having in your collection. Here are some ideas for how to use the finished piece:

Hair bow: The most classic use. Attach to a clip, hair tie, or comb. Works beautifully on a bun, a half-up style, or a low ponytail.

Headband embellishment: Knit or purchase a plain headband and stitch the bow to the top. This is especially popular for babies and young children.

Sweater or cardigan pin: Attach a brooch pin to the back and use the bow to dress up a plain knit top, a collar, or a jacket lapel.

Bag charm: Loop a small length of ribbon or cord through the back of the bow and attach it to your handbag.

Gift topper: Rather than using store-bought ribbon, knit a bow and attach it to a wrapped gift. It becomes part of the present itself.

Knitted garment embellishment: Stitch a bow directly onto a knitted hat, a baby onesie, or a pair of mittens for a charming handmade detail.

Wreath or holiday decor: Larger versions of this bow look wonderful on a wreath or garland. Use a deep red or forest green yarn for a classic Christmas look, or go for metallics if you are feeling festive.

Tips for a Polished Finish

A few small habits make a significant difference in the quality of your finished bow.

Block your pieces before assembly. Even a light wet blocking — dampening the knitted pieces and pinning them to shape while they dry — will even out your stitches and give the bow a much more professional look.

Weave in ends securely. Because the bow is small and handled frequently, especially if worn in hair, it is worth taking extra time to weave in your ends in multiple directions so they do not work loose over time.

Use a smooth, high-twist yarn if you want clean stitch definition. Fluffy or heavily textured yarns are fun, but they obscure the stitch pattern and the shaped edges of the bow lobes.

Press gently with a damp cloth if needed. For cotton or linen yarns, a gentle press with a damp cloth and a warm iron can smooth out any remaining unevenness.

Experiment with the center knot tension. The tighter you gather the center, the more defined and sculptural the bow will look. A looser gather creates a softer, more relaxed shape. Neither is wrong — it simply depends on the look you are going for.

The Video Guide

A full video guide accompanies this pattern and is available as part of the digital download. The video walks through every step in real time, from casting on your first stitches all the way through the final assembly. Each technique is demonstrated slowly and clearly, with close-up camera angles so you can see exactly how the needles and yarn should move. If you get stuck at any point in the written pattern, the video is there to help you visualize what the instructions are describing.

The video also includes a section on troubleshooting common issues — uneven tension, gaps at seams, a center knot that will not stay in place — and offers simple fixes for each one.

Downloading the PDF

The PDF version of this pattern is formatted for easy printing and includes all pattern instructions, a materials list, a full abbreviations guide, stitch counts for each size variation, and helpful diagrams of the assembly steps. It is designed to be used at home, in a café, in a knitting group — anywhere you like to work. Once purchased, the PDF is yours to keep and return to as many times as you like.

The pattern is written in standard American knitting terminology and includes both US and metric needle size references throughout.

Final Thoughts

There is a particular joy in a project that comes together quickly and results in something genuinely beautiful. The retro knit bow manages to be both beginner-friendly and endlessly satisfying for experienced knitters who want a fast, portable, and rewarding make. It uses almost no yarn, requires no complex techniques, and produces a finished piece that looks far more intricate than it actually is.

Whether you are making one for yourself, knitting a small collection as gifts, or building up stock for a craft fair table, this pattern will serve you well. Pick up your needles, choose a yarn that makes you happy, and give yourself an afternoon to make something lovely.