How to Crochet a Bow Keychain — Old Library

There is something quietly satisfying about making a small thing beautifully. A bow keychain sits in that sweet spot where craft meets everyday life — it is tiny enough to finish in an afternoon, charming enough to give as a gift, and practical enough that you will actually use it. The Old Library style of crochet bow leans into a vintage, cottagecore aesthetic that has been making a major comeback, with earthy tones, dense stitches, and that slightly nostalgic feeling of something your grandmother might have tucked into a drawer between pressed flowers and recipe cards.

This tutorial will walk you through everything you need to know to crochet your own bow keychain from scratch. Whether you are a beginner picking up a hook for the first time or an experienced crocheter looking for a quick, satisfying project, you will find all the guidance you need right here. By the end, you will have a finished bow keychain ready to hang on your keys, bag, or backpack — or to wrap up as a thoughtful handmade gift.

What Is the Old Library Aesthetic in Crochet?

Before we dive into materials and stitches, it is worth spending a moment on the style itself. The Old Library aesthetic in crochet is inspired by the warm, slightly worn feeling of a well-loved bookshop or a university library that has been quietly accumulating books since the 1800s. Think deep burgundy, forest green, camel tan, cream, and dusty rose. Think the texture of old leather and the softness of aged paper. Think small, intentional details that reward a close look.

Applied to crochet, this translates to using cotton or linen-blend yarns rather than synthetic ones, choosing muted or saturated jewel tones over neons or pastels, and working stitches tightly so the final piece feels dense and structured rather than airy. A bow is a perfect Old Library crochet motif because it is classic and timeless, a shape that has decorated books, hair ribbons, and clothing for centuries.

Materials You Will Need

Getting the right materials before you start saves a lot of frustration. Here is what you need for this project.

Yarn: Choose a fingering weight or sport weight cotton yarn. Cotton gives the bow a crisp, structured shape that holds its form well. For the Old Library aesthetic, reach for colors like deep burgundy, hunter green, terracotta, ivory, or a warm tan. You will not need much — a single 50g skein is more than enough to make several keychains.

Crochet Hook: A 2.0mm to 2.75mm hook works well with fingering or sport weight cotton. Using a slightly smaller hook than recommended on the yarn label will create a tighter, denser fabric, which is exactly what you want for a small accessory that needs to hold its shape.

Keychain Ring: A standard split ring keychain, usually 25mm in diameter, works perfectly. You can find these at craft stores, hardware stores, or online. If you want a more refined Old Library look, consider a brass or antique bronze ring rather than a silver one.

Yarn Needle: You will need this to weave in ends and to assemble the bow.

Scissors: Any small sharp scissors will do.

Stitch Marker: Optional but helpful for keeping track of rounds, especially in the center section of the bow.

Stuffing (Optional): Some crocheters like to add a tiny bit of polyfill stuffing to give the bow wings a slightly puffy, three-dimensional quality. This is completely optional and the bow looks lovely either way.

Understanding the Basic Stitches

If you are new to crochet, here is a quick reference for the stitches used in this pattern. If you are already familiar with these, feel free to skip ahead to the pattern itself.

Chain (ch): The foundation stitch. You create a chain by making a slip knot on your hook, then pulling the yarn through the loop on your hook repeatedly.

Slip Stitch (sl st): The shortest crochet stitch, used mainly to join rounds or move across stitches without adding height.

Single Crochet (sc): Insert your hook into the stitch, pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops. This is the main stitch used throughout this pattern.

Half Double Crochet (hdc): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all three loops.

Double Crochet (dc): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops.

Magic Ring: A way to start crocheting in the round that creates a tight, closeable center. If you prefer, you can substitute a chain-2 foundation and work into the second chain from the hook.

Pattern Notes and Abbreviations

Throughout the pattern, the following abbreviations are used.

ch = chain, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, sl st = slip stitch, st = stitch, rep = repeat, MR = magic ring, RS = right side, WS = wrong side.

The pattern is worked in American crochet terminology. If you are used to UK terms, remember that UK single crochet is called double crochet in US terms, and UK double crochet is US treble crochet.

Gauge is not critical for this project, but if you want your bow to match the approximate size shown, aim for about 24 sc x 26 rows = 4 inches in single crochet with your chosen yarn and hook.

The finished bow keychain measures approximately 3 to 3.5 inches wide and 1.5 to 2 inches tall, which is a comfortable, classic bow size.

How to Crochet a Bow Keychain — Step by Step

The bow is made in three separate pieces: two identical wing pieces and one center wrap piece. Each piece is crocheted flat (back and forth in rows), and then the pieces are assembled and attached to the keychain ring.

Part One: The Bow Wings (Make Two)

Each wing is a small rounded rectangle that will be gathered in the center to create the classic bow shape.

Foundation: Chain 16.

Row 1 (RS): Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc across. (15 sc) Turn.

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sc) Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sc) Turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sc) Turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sc) Turn.

Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sc) Turn.

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sc) Turn.

Row 8: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sc) Turn.

Row 9: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sc) Turn.

Row 10: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sc) Turn.

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

You will now have a small rectangular panel that is 15 stitches wide and 10 rows tall. Make a second identical piece.

Optional Rounded Edges: If you want slightly softer, more curved edges on your bow wings, you can work a single round of slip stitches around the entire perimeter of each piece before assembling. This also gives a neat, finished look.

Part Two: The Center Wrap Piece

The center wrap is a small strip that will be wrapped tightly around the middle of the assembled bow to cinch it and give it that classic bow silhouette.

Foundation: Chain 6.

Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc across. (5 sc) Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (5 sc) Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (5 sc) Turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (5 sc) Turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (5 sc) Turn.

Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (5 sc) Turn.

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (5 sc) Turn.

Row 8: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (5 sc) Turn.

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

This strip should be about 5 stitches wide and 8 rows tall. It needs to be long enough to wrap around the center of the stacked bow wings at least twice, so adjust the number of rows if needed depending on your tension.

Assembling the Bow

This is where the magic happens, and it is much easier than it might look.

Step One — Layer the Wings: Place your two bow wing pieces together with wrong sides facing each other (right sides facing out). Using your yarn needle and a length of yarn, whipstitch around three sides to join them, leaving one short end open if you want to add stuffing. If you are not adding stuffing, you can simply hold the two pieces together and treat them as a single unit, or sew all four sides closed.

Step Two — Add Stuffing (Optional): If you want a plump, dimensional bow, gently push a small pinch of polyfill stuffing into the joined wing piece through the open end, then sew that end closed. You want just enough to give a gentle fullness, not so much that the edges pull or distort.

Step Three — Gather the Center: Pinch the center of the stacked wing piece together firmly, gathering it like an accordion fold so the front face of the bow forms two rounded lobes. Hold this gather firmly with your fingers or use a stitch marker to temporarily secure it.

Step Four — Wrap the Center Strip: Take your center wrap piece and fold it in half lengthwise so it forms a narrow strip. Wrap this strip tightly around the gathered center of the bow two or three times, keeping the wraps snug and even. Use your yarn needle to sew the ends of the strip together at the back of the bow, pulling tight to secure the gather. This wrap is what defines the bow shape, so take your time and make sure it sits centered and neat.

Step Five — Attach the Keychain Ring: Before sewing the center wrap completely closed at the back, slide your keychain ring onto the wrap so it is sandwiched between the wrap and the back of the bow. Then finish sewing the wrap ends together, securing the ring in place at the same time. Alternatively, you can use a small jump ring or a separate loop of chain stitches to attach the keychain ring to the center wrap after assembly.

Step Six — Weave In All Ends: Use your yarn needle to weave in any remaining yarn tails securely. Because this is an accessory that will experience some movement and handling, it is worth weaving each tail in at least two directions to make sure nothing comes loose over time.

Tips for a Polished Finish

A few small details make a big difference in how professional your finished bow keychain looks.

Block Your Pieces Before Assembly: Lightly dampening your crocheted pieces and pinning them flat to dry (or pressing gently with a damp cloth and a warm iron for cotton yarn) gives them a smooth, even surface and helps the edges lie flat. This is especially helpful if your tension varies slightly between rows.

Choose Your Yarn Color Thoughtfully: For the Old Library aesthetic specifically, consider using two slightly different tones together — a deep burgundy bow with an ivory center wrap, or a forest green bow with a camel tan center wrap. This subtle contrast adds visual interest without looking too busy.

Add a Tassel or Charm: For extra Old Library flair, add a small tassel to the keychain ring alongside the bow. A tassel in a complementary color, perhaps made from the same cotton yarn, ties the look together beautifully. You could also add a small brass book charm or a tiny vintage-style key charm for an extra literary touch.

Experiment With Size: The pattern as written creates a bow that is approximately 3 inches wide. If you want a smaller, more delicate bow, reduce your foundation chain to 12 stitches and work only 8 rows for the wings. For a larger, more dramatic bow, increase to 20 stitches and 14 rows.

Caring for Your Bow Keychain

Because this is made from cotton yarn, your bow keychain is actually quite easy to care for. If it gets dirty from handling, you can hand wash it gently in cool water with a drop of mild dish soap, reshape it while damp, and allow it to air dry flat. Avoid putting it in the dryer, as the heat can shrink the cotton fibers and distort the shape. With proper care, a well-made crochet bow keychain can last for years.

Making It a Gift

One of the loveliest things about this project is how naturally it becomes a gift. Because each bow takes only an hour or two to complete and uses minimal materials, you can make several in an evening and have a collection of handmade gifts ready for friends, teachers, coworkers, or anyone you want to show you care about. Package your finished bow keychain in a small kraft paper envelope tied with twine, or tuck it inside a used book for a truly Old Library gift experience. A handwritten note explaining that it was handmade adds an extra layer of warmth.

Variations to Try

Once you have mastered the basic bow, there are endless ways to build on the design.

Striped Bow: Work alternating rows of two colors for a striped wing panel. Burgundy and cream stripes are particularly lovely.

Textured Bow: Replace the single crochet stitches with half double crochet through the back loop only for a subtle ribbed texture that catches the light beautifully.

Embellished Bow: Once your bow is assembled, use a fine embroidery thread to add tiny French knots or a small line of backstitch along the edges of the wings for an embroidered detail.

Miniature Bow: Work with sewing thread and a 0.75mm steel hook for an ultra-tiny bow that is almost impossibly charming. This version requires patience and good lighting, but the result is stunning.

There is something deeply satisfying about a finished object you can hold in your hand and say, “I made that.” A crocheted bow keychain gives you that feeling in an afternoon, and the Old Library aesthetic wraps it in a sense of quiet, bookish beauty that feels meaningful in a way that fast fashion simply cannot replicate. Whether this is your first crochet project or your hundredth, this bow is worth making — again and again, in every color your heart desires.