December Bow Knitting Pattern: A Festive Accessory to Make This Holiday Season
There is something undeniably magical about handmade gifts and decorations during the holiday season. When the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, many knitters find themselves reaching for their needles with a renewed sense of purpose. If you are looking for a charming, versatile, and relatively quick project to add to your December knitting queue, a bow knitting pattern is exactly what you need. Whether you want to embellish a winter hat, create a stunning hair accessory, wrap a handmade gift with a knitted bow, or decorate a wreath, this December bow knitting pattern will become one of your most-loved seasonal projects.
In this guide, you will find everything you need to know to knit a beautiful bow from scratch — materials, step-by-step instructions, tips for customizing your bow, and plenty of ideas for how to use and gift your finished pieces. Let’s dive in.
Why Knit a Bow This December?
Knitted bows are one of those small but impactful projects that pack a surprising amount of charm into very little knitting time. They work up quickly, use minimal yarn, and make wonderful last-minute gifts or add-ons to other handmade creations. A knitted bow can transform a plain beanie into a festive holiday hat, elevate a simple gift wrap, or serve as a delicate hair clip for holiday parties.
December in particular is the perfect time to embrace bow knitting patterns. The festive season calls for richly colored yarns — deep reds, forest greens, navy blues, shimmering golds, and crisp whites — all of which shine beautifully in a simple bow shape. The texture of a knitted bow also adds warmth and coziness that a store-bought plastic bow simply cannot replicate. There is a softness and intentionality to a handmade piece that people genuinely feel when they receive it.
Beyond gifting, many knitters find that small projects like bows serve as wonderful palette cleansers between larger, more demanding projects. If you have been slogging through a complicated sweater or a complex Fair Isle colorwork piece, sitting down to knit a few bows in an evening can be deeply satisfying.
Materials You Will Need
One of the best things about this December bow knitting pattern is how accessible it is in terms of materials. You do not need expensive tools or specialty yarn to produce a beautiful result.
Yarn: This pattern works best with a worsted weight yarn, though you can easily adapt it to DK weight for a smaller, more delicate bow or bulky weight for a larger, more dramatic one. For a classic holiday look, try a red or green wool blend with a slight sheen. Merino wool is an excellent choice because it is soft, holds its shape well, and comes in a gorgeous range of colors. You will only need about 20 to 40 yards of yarn for a single bow, so this is an ideal stash-busting project.
Needles: Use US size 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles for worsted weight yarn. Adjust needle size according to your yarn weight and desired bow size.
Notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and optionally a small amount of polyfill stuffing or a piece of cardboard cut to shape if you want your bow to hold a firmer structure.
Optional: Stitch markers, a small piece of ribbon or elastic for attaching the bow as a hair accessory, a brooch pin if you want to wear the bow as a piece of jewelry, or a glue gun for decorative applications.
Understanding the Pattern Structure
Before casting on, it helps to understand how this bow is constructed. The knitted bow is made in three pieces: two rectangular panels that form the loops of the bow, and one small strip that wraps around the center to create the knot. The three pieces are then assembled using a tapestry needle and yarn.
This construction method gives you a great deal of flexibility. You can make the loop panels wider or narrower, shorter or longer, depending on the style of bow you are going for. A wide, flat bow looks elegant on a hat or a gift. A smaller, slimmer bow is perfect for hair clips or as a subtle embellishment on a knitted bag.
The stitch used throughout this pattern is primarily stockinette stitch, which gives the finished bow a clean, smooth surface. If you prefer a bow with more texture, you can substitute seed stitch, which creates a bumpy, nubbly fabric that looks wonderfully cozy and rustic — particularly fitting for holiday décor.
Step-by-Step December Bow Knitting Pattern
Gauge
Approximately 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch with worsted weight yarn on US size 7 needles. Gauge is not critical for this project, but keeping it consistent will ensure your two bow loop panels are symmetrical.
Finished Size
Approximately 5 inches wide and 2.5 inches tall (for the full assembled bow). Adjust as needed.
Bow Loop Panels (Make Two)
Cast On: Using your chosen yarn and needles, cast on 20 stitches using a long-tail cast on or any cast on method you prefer.
Row 1 (Right Side): Knit across all stitches.
Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl across all stitches.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your piece measures approximately 4 inches from the cast on edge, ending on a wrong-side row.
Bind Off: Bind off all stitches loosely in knit on the right side.
You should now have a small rectangle measuring roughly 4 inches long and about 4 inches wide. Set aside and make a second identical panel.
Center Knot Strip
Cast On: Cast on 8 stitches.
Row 1: Knit across.
Row 2: Purl across.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 2.5 inches from the cast on edge.
Bind Off: Bind off all stitches loosely.
This strip will wrap around the center of your bow to create the characteristic knot in the middle.
Assembly
This is where the bow comes to life, and while it takes a few extra minutes, the assembly process is quite simple.
Take your two rectangular bow loop panels and place them together, right sides facing out, with the cast on and bind off edges aligned. Using your tapestry needle and a length of yarn, seam the two short ends together on each side. You should now have a tube-like shape. Flatten this tube so that the seams sit in the center back of the piece rather than at the sides.
Once flattened, pinch the center of your tube together to create the bow loops. You can do this by pinching firmly with your fingers and then wrapping a small length of yarn around the center several times to hold the pinch in place temporarily. This is what creates those beautiful rounded loops on each side.
Next, take your center knot strip and wrap it snugly around the pinched center of the bow, covering the temporary yarn holding the gather in place. Using your tapestry needle, stitch the ends of the knot strip together at the back of the bow. Make sure the join is secure — you want the center to hold its shape over time.
Weave in all ends using your tapestry needle, being careful to bury the ends inside the bow structure where they will not be visible.
Tips for a Perfect Knitted Bow
Getting a polished, professional-looking knitted bow is mostly about the finishing. Here are some tips that make a real difference.
Block your pieces before assembly. Even a quick wet blocking — dampening your knitted panels and pinning them out flat to dry — will make them easier to work with and give you cleaner, more even edges. This is especially helpful if your tension was slightly uneven while knitting.
Stuff lightly if needed. If your bow feels too floppy and limp once assembled, you can tuck a tiny amount of polyfill stuffing into each loop before you close up the seam. A little bit goes a long way — you want the loops to have just enough body to hold their shape without looking overstuffed.
Use a matching or contrasting center knot. The center knot strip is a great opportunity for a pop of contrast color. If you are knitting a red bow, try a green or gold center strip. If you are working with white, a deep burgundy center looks stunning. This small detail adds sophistication to an already lovely piece.
Experiment with yarn textures. A bow knit in a mohair blend has a hazy, romantic quality perfect for winter. A bow in a shiny metallic yarn looks festive and glam for holiday parties. A rustic wool bow works beautifully for natural, woodland-style Christmas décor. Do not be afraid to use what you have in your stash and see what magic results.
Ways to Use Your December Knitted Bow
One of the most delightful aspects of this pattern is how many ways you can use the finished bow. Here are some ideas to inspire you.
Hat Embellishment: Sew your finished bow onto the side or top of a knitted beanie or beret. This is an especially charming touch for children’s hats, but adults love it too. A simple, solid-colored hat instantly becomes a holiday accessory with a small knitted bow attached.
Gift Topper: Instead of reaching for a plastic bow from the craft store, place a handmade knitted bow on top of your wrapped gifts. It becomes part of the gift itself — the recipient can keep it and use it however they like. This is a particularly thoughtful touch for knitters gifting to other knitters.
Hair Accessory: Attach a small alligator clip, barrette frame, or elastic headband to the back of your bow to create a beautiful hair accessory. This makes an especially lovely gift for young girls, but a sophisticated larger bow in a luxurious yarn is a stunning hair accessory for adults as well.
Wreath Decoration: If you make holiday wreaths, consider swapping out the traditional ribbon bow for a knitted one. A large knitted bow in red or plaid-inspired colorwork makes a gorgeous statement on a greenery wreath hanging on your front door.
Brooch: Hot glue or hand-stitch a brooch pin to the back of your bow and wear it on a coat, cardigan, or scarf. A small, elegant bow brooch in a deep jewel tone is a classic holiday accessory.
Stocking Decoration: Sew a bow near the top of a handknitted Christmas stocking for a sweet finishing touch that pulls the look together.
Customizing the Pattern for Different Sizes
The beauty of a simple geometric knitting pattern like this bow is how easy it is to scale up or down. Here are some quick guidelines.
For a miniature bow, suitable for doll accessories, gift tags, or delicate hair clips, cast on 10 stitches and work until each panel measures 2 inches. Use fingering weight yarn and US size 2 or 3 needles.
For a medium bow, the standard version of this pattern works perfectly. It suits most hat embellishments, hair accessories, and gift toppers.
For a large statement bow, suitable for wreaths, oversized gift wrapping, or a bold hat topper, cast on 30 stitches with bulky weight yarn on US size 10 needles and work until each panel measures 6 inches. The center knot strip should be wider and longer to accommodate the larger loops.
Color Inspiration for December Bows
Choosing the right color palette can take your knitted bow from lovely to absolutely stunning. Here are some color combinations that work beautifully for December bows.
Classic Christmas red paired with a forest green center knot is timeless and bold. This combination never goes out of style and instantly reads as festive wherever you use it.
Ivory or cream with a touch of gold or copper creates an elegant, understated holiday bow that works well for more sophisticated décor or adult accessories. This palette pairs beautifully with a cashmere or silk-blend yarn.
Deep burgundy with a dusty rose or blush center knot feels modern and romantic — perfect for a bow you would wear as a hair accessory or brooch to a holiday dinner.
Navy and silver create a wintry, Hanukkah-inspired bow that is both striking and elegant. This color combination also works beautifully for New Year’s Eve accessories.
Candy cane red and white stripes can be achieved by working a few rows in each color across your bow panels. Even if you are new to colorwork, alternating two colors in simple horizontal stripes is very manageable.
Making Multiple Bows as Handmade Gifts
If you find yourself falling in love with this pattern — and many knitters do — consider making a batch of bows as handmade holiday gifts. A set of three or four bows in coordinating colors, packaged in a small box with a ribbon, makes a thoughtful and inexpensive handmade gift that almost anyone would be happy to receive.
Teachers, neighbors, colleagues, and extended family members are all wonderful recipients for small handmade gifts like these. Because each bow uses such a small amount of yarn and knits up so quickly, you can reasonably make six to eight bows in an evening of comfortable knitting. If you set aside a few evenings during the first half of December, you could easily have a dozen or more finished bows ready to give.
For an extra personal touch, pair a knitted bow with a matching skein of yarn and a note that includes this pattern so the recipient can make their own.
Caring for Your Knitted Bow
If you are making bows to wear or give as gifts, it is helpful to know how to care for them. Most wool and wool-blend yarns should be hand washed in cool water with a gentle wool wash, then laid flat to dry. Avoid wringing or twisting the bow, as this can distort the shape. Once dry, a quick steam with a clothes iron (hovering the iron above the bow without pressing down) can help reshape the loops if they have flattened during washing.
Acrylic yarns are much lower maintenance and can typically be machine washed and dried on a gentle cycle, making them ideal for children’s accessories or gift items that will see a lot of use.
A Note on Sharing Your Makes
Once you have finished your December bows, share them! The knitting community is warm, generous, and deeply appreciative of seeing fellow crafters’ work. Post your finished bows on social media with relevant hashtags, share them in knitting groups, or leave a comment with photos wherever you found this pattern. Seeing how other knitters interpret a pattern — different colors, different yarns, different applications — is one of the genuine joys of being part of the crafting world.
If you are on Ravelry, consider adding your bow to your project page with notes about the yarn you used and any modifications you made. Future knitters searching for bow patterns will appreciate the reference.
Final Thoughts
This December bow knitting pattern is proof that beautiful things do not have to be complicated. With a few dozen yards of your favorite holiday yarn and an evening at your needles, you can create something genuinely lovely — a small, handmade piece that carries warmth, care, and intention in every stitch. Whether you keep your bows for yourself, use them to dress up your holiday décor, or give them away as gifts, they are bound to bring a smile to anyone who sees them.
So go ahead and cast on. December is the perfect time to let your needles do something festive, and a knitted bow is exactly the right project to carry you through the most wonderful season of the year.
