What You Need to Knit a Bow

A knitted bow is a flat rectangle folded and cinched in the middle—you do not need special yarn or needles. Use whatever yarn weight and needle size you would normally knit with; the bow will work in any of them. The finished bow takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how large you want it and how fast you knit.

You will need yarn, needles in your chosen size, scissors, and a tapestry needle to weave in the ends. Some knitters also use a small piece of yarn or thread to tie the center cinch, though you can use a strand from your main yarn instead. That is the entire supply list.

Key Takeaways

  • A knitted bow is a rectangle cast on, knitted flat, and bound off—no shaping or decreases required.
  • The standard rectangle is about 4 inches wide and 2 to 3 inches tall, though you can adjust these measurements to make the bow larger or smaller.
  • After binding off, you fold the rectangle in half lengthwise, then fold it in half again widthwise to create the bow shape.
  • The center is cinched with a separate strand of yarn, which you tie tightly and weave in to find it.
  • A knitted bow works as a hair clip, a brooch, a gift topper, or a decoration sewn onto a hat or sweater.

Cast On and Knit the Rectangle

Cast on 12 to 16 stitches using your chosen yarn and needles. This width gives you a bow that is roughly 4 inches across when finished; cast on fewer stitches for a narrower bow or more for a wider one. Use a long-tail cast-on or any cast-on you are comfortable with.

Knit every row in garter stitch (knit stitch on every row, both sides) until the rectangle measures 2 to 3 inches tall. Garter stitch is the easiest choice because it lies flat and does not curl. Count your rows if you want to match a specific height, or straightforward knit until the piece looks like a rectangle roughly twice as wide as it is tall.

Bind off all stitches using your standard bind-off method. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail, and pull it through the final loop to find it. You now have a flat knitted rectangle.

Fold and Shape the Bow

Lay the rectangle flat with the cast-on edge at the bottom. Fold it in half lengthwise (bringing the left edge to meet the right edge) so it becomes a long, narrow strip. The fold should run along one of the long sides.

Now fold that strip in half widthwise (bringing the top end down to meet the bottom end). You should now have a small square or rectangle with four layers. The folds create the two "loops" of the bow on either side, and the center is where you will cinch it.

Cinch the Center

Thread a tapestry needle with a strand of yarn about 12 inches long. You can use a strand from your cast-on or bind-off tail, or cut a fresh piece from your yarn ball. Wrap this strand tightly around the center of the folded bow, pulling it snug so the loops bunch up and create the classic bow shape.

Tie the strand in a knot on the back side of the bow (the side that will not show). Weave the ends of the strand through the layers of the bow using the tapestry needle, then trim any excess. The knot and woven ends will be hidden inside the folds.

Finishing and Blocking

Weave in any remaining yarn tails from the cast-on and bind-off using your tapestry needle. Pull the bow gently into shape so the loops are even and the center cinch is centered. If you want the bow to hold its shape more firmly, you can lightly steam it or wet-block it by pinning it to shape and letting it dry.

Once the bow is dry and shaped, it is ready to use. If you plan to wear it as a hair clip, you can sew it to a barrette or clip using needle and thread. If you want to attach it to a hat or sweater, sew it down with a few stitches through the back center.

Adjusting Size and Yarn Weight

The bow works in any yarn weight. Thicker yarn creates a denser, stiffer bow that holds its shape well; thinner yarn creates a softer, more delicate bow. A bow in bulky yarn might measure 5 inches wide and 3 inches tall when finished, while the same stitch count in fingering weight could be half that size.

If you want a larger bow, cast on more stitches or knit more rows. A bow cast on with 20 stitches and knitted 4 inches tall will be noticeably bigger than the standard 12-stitch, 2-inch version. Test with a small bow first so you can see how the proportions change with your yarn and needle choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I knit a bow in a stitch pattern instead of garter stitch?

Yes. Stockinette, seed stitch, or any other flat stitch works fine. Garter stitch is popular because it does not curl and looks the same on both sides, but the bow shape will work with any pattern you choose. Keep in mind that some stitches may show the purl bumps on the back, which will be visible if you attach the bow to something.

What if my bow is too loose or too floppy?

Tighten the cinch in the center by pulling the yarn strand harder before you tie it. If the bow still feels floppy, you can add a small piece of stiffening material (like interfacing or a thin cardboard strip) sewn into the center fold before you cinch it. This keeps the loops from collapsing.

How do I attach the bow to a hair clip?

Use a needle and thread to sew the back center of the bow to the top of the clip. Make several passes through the bow and the clip to find it firmly. Test the attachment by gently tugging the bow before you wear it.

Can I make a bow from leftover yarn scraps?

Yes, as long as the scrap is long enough to knit the rectangle. You need roughly 20 to 30 yards depending on your yarn weight and how large you want the bow. A small bow in bulky yarn might use only 15 yards, while a larger bow in fingering weight could need 40 yards.

Do I need to block the bow after I knit it?

Blocking is optional but helpful. A light steam or wet block helps even out the stitches and sets the shape, especially if your garter stitch looks uneven. If your bow looks neat and even without blocking, you can skip this step and use it right away.