If you love delicate crochet projects that are both beautiful and practical, this Fan Bookmark is the perfect quick make. Light, lacy, and elegant, it’s ideal for gifting to book lovers, teachers, or adding a handmade touch to your own reading routine.
This bookmark is created by building connected fan motifs with pretty picot edges that give it that classic vintage lace look. Once finished, you can stiffen it lightly with starch so it holds its shape perfectly between the pages of your favorite book. Let’s get started!
Materials Lightweight cotton yarn (lace or fine weight recommended) Crochet hook suitable for your yarn (typically 1.75 mm – 2.5 mm) Scissors Yarn needle Spray starch (optional, for stiffening) Iron (optional)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
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ch – chain
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sl st – slip stitch
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sc – single crochet
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dc – double crochet
Pattern Instructions
Foundation
Leaving a 4-inch thread tail, chain 8 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Fan 1
Row 1
Into the loop work:
(1 sc, 2 ch) – counts as first dc
13 dc
(14 dc total)
Turn.
Row 2
Work (1 sc, 2 ch) into first dc.
1 ch, 1 dc in next dc across.
You will have:
14 dc and 13 ch-1 spaces.
Turn.
Row 3
Working into each ch-1 space:
(1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) 10 times – this forms picots.
Into the next (11th space):
1 sc, 5 ch, skip 3 spaces,
1 sc into 2nd ch of first dc post of Row 2.
Turn.
This completes Fan 1.
Fan 2
Row 4
Into the 5-ch space work:
(1 sc, 2 ch) – counts as first dc
13 dc (14 total)
Skip 1 picot of Row 3.
Work 1 sc into next picot 2-ch space.
Turn.
Row 5
Work (1 sc, 2 ch) into first dc.
1 ch, 1 dc in each dc across.
(14 dc and 13 ch-1 spaces)
Turn.
Row 6
Repeat Row 3:
Into each ch-1 space:
(1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc) 10 times.
Into next space:
1 sc, 5 ch, skip 3 spaces,
1 sc into 2nd ch of first dc post of previous row.
Turn.
This completes Fan 2.
Fan 3
Row 7
Repeat Row 4.
Row 8
Repeat Row 5.
Before turning, work 1 sc into the 7th picot of Row 3 of Fan 1
(This is 7th from the left or 4th from the right.)
Turn.
Row 9
Repeat Row 3 to complete Fan 3.
Continue Pattern
Continue working in this same manner until you have completed 8 fans total.
Final Row
On the last row:
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Make a picot in all 13 spaces.
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Secure with 1 sc into the 7th picot of Row 3 of Fan 6
(7th from the left or 4th from the right).
Cut thread and weave in ends.
Tassel
To create the tassel:
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Cut 5 threads, each 4 inches long.
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Fold in half.
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Loop through the starting ring.
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Include the beginning thread tail with the tassel.
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Trim evenly.
Blocking & Stiffening
To give your bookmark a crisp finish:
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Lightly spray with starch.
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Gently iron (use appropriate heat for your yarn).
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Allow to cool completely before handling.
This step helps the lace details and picots stand out beautifully.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
✔ Quick and beginner-friendly
✔ Elegant lace design
✔ Perfect handmade gift
✔ Uses very little yarn
✔ Great for craft fairs or teacher gifts
This delicate Fan Bookmark is a lovely small project that showcases classic crochet techniques while creating something useful and charming.
If you make one, try experimenting with different thread colors for seasonal gifts — soft pastels for spring, deep reds for fall, or classic white for a timeless look.
