Black-Eyed Susan Bookmark Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Black-Eyed Susan bookmark is a sweet little project for anyone who loves flowers, fairycore vibes, or just a quick, satisfying make. It's beginner-friendly from start to finish, using only single crochet, double crochet, chains, and slip stitches, so you can finish it in an evening. The flat flower has a dark brown center, nine pointed yellow petals, and a crisp white border, all worked in worsted weight cotton so it lies flat and holds its shape. With a slim slip-stitch tail and a butterfly clip at the end, it slips neatly between the pages of your favorite book and looks lovely peeking out.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn in three colors: yellow (A), dark brown (B), and white (C). Small amounts only — about 10 yards of A, 5 yards of B, and 15 yards of C.
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E/4) crochet hook.
- Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and one butterfly clip (or a small alligator clip) for the tail end.
- Finished size: Flower is 2 inches (5 cm) square; tail is 6 inches (15 cm) long; total length is 8 inches (20 cm).
Abbreviations
- ch — chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
- sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
- sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- inc — increase: work 2 single crochet into the same stitch.
- MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop used to start working in the round.
- st / sts — stitch / stitches.
- rep — repeat.
Gauge
20 sc x 22 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. To check it, crochet a small flat swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; if your stitches are larger, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up.
Tips Before You Start
- Cotton yarn gives the crispest, flattest flower — avoid stretchy acrylic if you can, since the bookmark may curl.
- Keep your tension even and slightly firm so the petals stay pointed and the border doesn't ruffle.
- Count your petals as you go: you should have exactly 9, one per stitch pair around the center.
- Don't fasten off too short — leave a 4-inch tail on each color for easy weaving in later.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Flower Center (Color B — dark brown)
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, work 6 sc into the ring, pull the ring closed (6 sts).
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 4: sc in each st around (18 sts). Fasten off.
Petals (Color A — yellow)
Join A to any stitch of Rnd 4.
Petal round: *Ch 3, dc in the same st, ch 3, sl st in the same st, sl st in the next st; rep from * around (9 petals). Fasten off.
Border (Color C — white)
Join C to any petal tip.
Border round: Sc evenly around the entire flower, working 2 sc in each petal tip and 1 sc in each valley between petals. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.
Tail (Color C — white)
Join C to the bottom center of the flower.
Row 1: Ch 30.
Row 2: Turn, sl st in each ch across (30 sl st). Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends on the wrong side of the flower and along the tail, using the tapestry needle and trimming close. Attach the butterfly clip to the end of the tail by slipping the tail through the clip's loop or clipping it directly onto the last few stitches. Block the flower lightly by misting it with water and pinning it flat to dry so the petals and border lie perfectly even.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the yellow petals for orange or pink for a different flower, or use a green border for a leafy look.
- Make the tail longer (ch 40–50) for a taller book, or shorter for a pocket-sized notebook.
- Stiffen the flower slightly with a dab of fabric stiffener or light starch so it stays crisp in a bag.
