Crochet Cross Bookmark Pattern (Free)

Use my Crochet Cross Bookmark FREE pattern to make a quick and easy crochet project for your book-loving friends. My lovely mum makes a huge pile of crosses at Easter every year, and I love seeing all the bright colours she uses.

This Crochet Cross Bookmark Pattern uses a simple granny stitch variation to create a lightweight and decorative cross-shaped bookmark. Perfect for Easter, Christenings, or as a thoughtful handmade gift.

Whether you use it to mark your place in a book or journal, or to gift to someone special, this crochet bookmark is a meaningful make that’s both quick and beautiful.

It’s also ideal for using up your yarn stash, especially those leftover cotton yarn oddments. It works well in any range of colours.

Why you’ll love this Pattern

• Perfect for Easter or Mother's Day – A handmade cross bookmark is a thoughtful way to celebrate faith and love during the spring season.
• Quick & easy make – You only need small amounts of yarn and a spare fifteen minutes to make one.
• Stash-buster project – Uses very little yarn so it’s ideal for oddments in your stash.
• Customisable – Make in traditional shades like White and Gold, or use bright spring colours for a modern twist.
• Gift idea – A lovely handmade gift for Mother's Day, Easter baskets, or religious celebrations such as Baptisms or Confirmations.

When to Make a Crochet Cross Bookmark

A crochet cross bookmark is a wonderfully versatile make that suits all sorts of occasions throughout the year:

• Easter — a handmade cross bookmark is a meaningful and beautiful alternative to chocolate eggs, particularly for book lovers in your family or community.
• Christenings and Baptisms — a handmade crochet cross makes a truly special and lasting gift to mark a religious milestone.
• Confirmations and First Communions — quick to make in multiples, these bookmarks are a thoughtful and personal gift for these occasions.
• Mother's Day — tuck one inside a card or book as a sweet handmade surprise for a book-loving mum or grandmother. She'll treasure it for years to come.
• Christmas gifts — as some of my readers have noted in the comments, these make wonderful Christmas gifts for book-loving friends — make a batch in festive colours for a quick and meaningful gift.
• Stash busting at any time of year — using barely 5g of yarn per bookmark, these are the perfect ten-minute project whenever you have cotton yarn oddments to use up.

How to use your Crochet Cross Bookmark Pattern

Once you've crocheted your bookmark, here are a few ways you can use or gift it:

• Pop it into a book to mark your place or add to a devotional or journal gift.
• Include it in a card as a flat, post-friendly gift.
• Make a set of bookmarks in different colours to give as a bundle.
• Attach to a tag for a handmade touch to gift wrap.

Copyright

Please read the copyright terms, which apply globally, before using or downloading your pattern: The contents of this page, including the pattern instructions and images, are published under copyright to me ©Lynne Rowe 2025 under my brand Knit Crochet Create® and are for your own personal use only. Feel free to sell items made from this pattern for charity fundraising purposes, or to gift to family and friends, but selling small numbers for profit is only allowed with permission. Please email lynne@knitcrochetcreate.com for permission to sell in small numbers. By downloading or using this pattern, you therefore agree to these terms.

How to get your Free Crochet Cross Bookmark Pattern

• Read the free version of the pattern below (scroll down), so you can get started right away.
• Pattern is provided in BOTH US and UK crochet terms.

Or buy the premium pattern to download and keep

• Buy a pdf to download and save on your own device for the future.
• Buy on Ravelry here: Pattern on Ravelry
• Buy on Etsy here: Pattern on Etsy

Materials Needed

• Small oddments of DK yarn (light worsted/8-ply) — approximately 5g or less with a 4mm crochet hook (US G/6) OR Small oddments of 4-ply yarn (sock yarn) — approximately 5g or less with a 3mm crochet hook (US D/3).

• Yarn needle (tapestry needle).
• Scissors.

Finished Size Of Cross Bookmark

• Approximately 12cm (4.75in) tall and 7cm (2.75in) wide after blocking, using double knitting (light worsted) yarn, and 4mm (US G/6) hook.
• Note: Size will be smaller if using 4-ply (sock yarn) and 3mm (US D/3) hook — approximately 10cm (4in) tall and 6.5cm (2.5in) wide after blocking.

Crochet Terms & Pattern Format

The pattern is provided in both UK and US crochet terms, with a list of abbreviations for each.

Abbreviations US Terms

Ch(s) = chain or chain stitches; dc = double crochet; RS = right side; slst = slip stitch.

Crochet Cross Bookmark Pattern — US Crochet Terms

Using chosen yarn and hook size (see Materials), make a magic ring and work Round 1 into the centre of the ring. Alternatively, you can ch4 then slst in first of these 4ch to form a ring.

• 1st Round (RS): Ch3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 2dc into the ring, ch2, [3dc into ring, ch2] 3 times, then slst in top of beginning ch3 to join. (12 dc and 4 corner ch2-spaces)
• 2nd Round: *Slst into each dc until corner ch2-space, then slst into this corner ch2-space. Ch3, 2dc into same space, now make a little picot as follows: ch3 slst in first of these 3 ch (picot complete), 2dc into same space, ch3 then slst into same space*. Repeat from * to * twice more. Three corners of the top cross are now complete. Slst into each dc to next corner ch2-space, then slst into this final corner space ready to start the stem.
• Stem: **Ch3, [2dc, ch2, 3dc] into same space, turn. Slst in each of next 3 dc, then slst into ch2-space**. Repeat from ** to ** 3 times more, and on the last repeat, replace the ch2 with a picot as worked as before (ch3, slst in first of these 3 ch).
• Fasten off and weave in ends. Pin flat and steam block.
• If desired, you could make a small tassel with thin embroidery or crochet thread, and attach it to the base of the cross.

Abbreviations UK Terms

Ch(s) = chain or chain stitches; tr = treble crochet; RS = right side; slst = slip stitch.

Crochet Cross Bookmark Pattern — UK Crochet Terms

Using chosen yarn and hook size (see Materials), make a magic ring and work Round 1 into the centre of the ring. Alternatively, you can ch4 then slst in first of these 4ch to form a ring.

• 1st Round (RS): Ch3 (counts as first tr here and throughout), 2tr into the ring, ch2, [3tr into ring, ch2] 3 times, then slst in top of beginning ch3 to join. (12 tr and 4 corner ch2-spaces)
• 2nd Round: *Slst into each tr to next corner ch2-sp, then slst into this corner ch2-space. Ch3, 2tr into same space, now make a little picot as follows: ch3 slst in first of these 3 ch (picot complete), 2tr into same space, ch3 then slst into same space*. Repeat from * to * twice more. Three corners of the top cross are now complete. Slst into each tr to next corner ch2-space, then slst into this final corner space ready to start the stem.
• Stem: **Ch3, [2tr, ch2, 3tr] into same space, turn. Slst in each of next 3 tr, then slst into ch2-space**. Repeat from ** to ** 3 times more, and on the last repeat, replace the ch2 with a picot as worked as before (ch3, slst in first of these 3 ch).
• Fasten off and weave in ends. Pin flat and steam block.
• If desired, you could make a small tassel with thin embroidery or crochet thread, and attach it to the base of the cross.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this crochet cross bookmark pattern suitable for beginners? 

This pattern is best suited to crocheters who are comfortable with the basic stitches and have tried working in the round before. The granny stitch construction is straightforward, but the shaping of the cross and the picot detail require a little concentration on your first attempt. Once you've made one, subsequent bookmarks come together very quickly — most crocheters find they can complete one in around fifteen minutes.

What yarn do I need to make a crochet cross bookmark? 

The pattern works with two yarn weights — DK (double knitting / 8ply / light worsted) with a 4mm hook, or 4ply (sock yarn) with a 3mm hook. You need barely 5g of yarn per bookmark, making this the ultimate stash-busting project. Cotton yarn works particularly well as it gives a crisp stitch definition and blocks beautifully flat, but any DK or 4ply yarn will work.

How long does it take to crochet a cross bookmark? 

Each bookmark takes approximately fifteen minutes to crochet, plus a little extra time for weaving in ends and blocking. This makes it one of the quickest makes on the blog — perfect for a last-minute handmade gift or for making in multiples to give as a set.

What does blocking mean and do I need to do it? 

Blocking simply means pinning your finished bookmark flat and applying steam from an iron held above it, or lightly dampening it and leaving it to dry flat. It takes only a minute or two and makes a huge difference to the finished result because the cross shape becomes crisp and even, and the picot detail really pops. It's well worth doing, especially if you're giving the bookmark as a gift.

Can I make this bookmark in different colours? 

Absolutely — and it looks beautiful in a wide range of colour combinations. Traditional white and gold gives an elegant and classic look, while bright spring colours are wonderfully cheerful for Easter. Pastel shades work beautifully for Christenings and baby gifts, and rich jewel tones are perfect for Christmas. Because you need so little yarn, this is a great pattern for experimenting with colours from your stash.

Can I sell items made from this pattern? 

Items made from this pattern may be sold in small numbers with prior permission (See Copyright section above). Please email lynne@knitcrochetcreate.com to request permission before selling. Items made for charity fundraising or for gifting to family and friends are always welcome with no permission needed.

What's Next?

If you enjoyed making this crochet cross bookmark, you might also love my free crochet granny stitch bookmark pattern — a rectangular version using the same granny stitch technique, also free on the blog. Or for another quick and meaningful crochet make, take a look at my free crochet bunny motif pattern — perfect for Easter alongside this bookmark.

Share Your Creations!

I’d love to see your finished Granny Stitch Crochet Cross Bookmark! Share your work on social media and tag me [@knitcrochetcreate on Instagram] so I can admire your beautiful creations.

I have a great board on Pinterest for other Yarn Stash ideas here