A Ribbed Crochet Bookmark Worked in Back Loops

What you need

• Smooth fine cotton yarn or another thin yarn suitable for a bookmark
• A matching hook chosen for a neat, flexible fabric
• Two removable markers, scissors, yarn needle, and ruler

Step by step

1. Foundation: ch 9 with even tension. Leave a tail long enough to weave in securely. Count the nine completed chain links without counting the working loop on the hook.
2. Row 1: sc in the second ch from the hook and each remaining ch across, using a consistent insertion method. You now have 8 sc. Mark the top of the first and last sc.
3. Row 2: ch 1 and turn. Find the two top loops of the first sc. Work one sc through the back loop only, which is the loop farthest from you as the turned row faces you. Continue one BLO sc in every stitch across. Count 8 sc.
4. Rows 3 through 32: repeat row 2, turning before each new row and identifying the back loop from your current viewpoint. Move both markers into the new first and last stitches. Keep 8 sc per row; the ch-1 turning chain is not a stitch.
5. Length check: lay the bookmark flat after row 32 and compare it with the intended book. This is the base stopping point. If you need a different length, add or remove complete rows while keeping 8 sc across, and record your final row count.
6. Finish: pull a generous cut tail through the final loop. Weave both tails along the reverse of the stitches, changing direction without cinching the strip. Follow the yarn label for any washing, then dry flat and check the final dimensions.

Understand the loop choice

The front and back loops are the two strands of the V at the top of a stitch. Back loop does not mean an extra strand on the reverse side of the fabric. After turning, the orientation of the fabric changes, so identify the farther of the two loops again. The unworked front loops help form the surface ridges. Row 1 is a regular sc foundation row; all 31 later rows use BLO sc.

Count rows independently of ridges

The base bookmark contains 32 rows of 8 sc, for 256 sc overall. Row 1 contributes 8 ordinary sc; rows 2 through 32 contribute 248 BLO sc. The raised texture can make pairs of rows look like a single visual band, so do not rely on counting bands alone. Tick each completed row on paper. If you set the project down, leave a marker in the working loop and keep your progress note with it.

Choose a useful thickness

A bulky strip may look attractive but can hold a book open awkwardly. Make a few rows, place the sample between pages, and check how it feels before continuing. A finer yarn generally produces a thinner piece, but hook choice and your own stitch tension also matter. Avoid making the fabric so tight that you must force the hook into a loop. The bookmark should remain flexible rather than stiff like a cord.

Adjust dimensions deliberately

The width is eight stitches divided by your stitches per inch; length is 32 rows divided by your rows per inch. For example, a hypothetical gauge of 6 sc and 8 rows per inch would produce roughly 1.3 by 4 inches. Your fabric may differ substantially. To widen this plain strip, start with one more chain than the desired stitch count. To lengthen it, add full eight-stitch rows; do not add extra chains at the end.

Fix texture and edge mistakes

An occasional stitch worked under both loops creates a local change in texture, even if the count remains correct. If you want a consistent rib, undo to that stitch and remake it in the back loop. A steadily narrower strip usually points to a missed edge stitch. A steadily wider strip often means the turning chain was included. Correct the source of the error rather than adding a compensating stitch several rows later.

Keep the finish simple

This base pattern omits tassels, beads, and glued embellishments. Neatly woven tails make a flatter bookmark and avoid hard parts pressing against the pages. Check that no cut tail is loose enough to pull out during normal handling. Use the same care method every time you make a matching bookmark; washing or shaping can change its length and the way the ridges relax.

Common questions