• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • About
  • Free Crochet Patterns
    • Premium Crochet Patterns
  • Youtube
    • Tutorials
  • Recipes
  • Chemo Caps
  • Yarn Reviews

Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet

Crochet Patterns And Craft Tutorials

You are here: Home / Tutorials / Pull Tie Bow And The Perfect Pinch

Pull Tie Bow And The Perfect Pinch

I have been making pull tie bows and tuxedo bows for years and years, and I want to share this tutorial with you. I think I could twist ribbon into bows with my eyes closed. I love to add them to my crocheted items, and I have been asked over and over how do I make pull tie bows so quickly. Let me show you how. With some practice you will be able to “quickly” make a pull tie bow!

Pull tie bow

My Mountain Lodge Oval Basket is the latest design that I have embellished with a pull tie and tuxedo bow. You can pick up the free pattern here!

Pull Tie Bow

Hey…sign up for my newsletter, so you that you don’t miss what’s happening “On My Side Of The Mountain”. It’s that pink little bar right at the top of the page.

 

                                                    Hey…give this photo a pin!

How to

Twisting ribbon to make a pull tie bow is very easy and quick! If you have a good “Pinch” you can make a cute bow of any size! No need for glue, wire or needle and thread.

Step 1: I am using a wired 4” wide ribbon for this tutorial. You will need approximately 1 yard, and less yardage is required if using smaller ribbon. I don’t recommend a glittery ribbon for your first try. Grosgrain or satin ribbon is a good choice to use, while learning this method.

Step 2: Fold over approx. 11” to 12” of ribbon, and begin “The Pinch” at approx. the 5” mark to make the “1st Loop”. (Note: If using smaller ribbon, make the “1st Loop” smaller than 5”) This does not have to be exact.

5 " Loop
Fold the loop of ribbon in half and make a crease. Arrow indicates the crease.

Crease

Step 3: Fold the right edge down to meet the crease. Notice how it has been folded down to meet the fold or crease.

Fold right edge over

Step 4: Fold the left edge down, just as you did the right edge, and pinch the area tight. The “1st Loop” has been made. Continue to hold this area in a tight “Pinch” through the next few steps. I will indicate when you can release “The Pinch”.

Pinch tightly

Step 5: While holding “The Pinch”, pull the long unused portion to the right, and the “Tie End” to the left.

Left Tie End

Step 6: Fold the unused portion in half. The right or printed side should be showing when you fold it in half. (Note: If using a smaller ribbon, you won’t need to fold the ribbon).

Fold ribbon in half

Step 7: “The Pinch” will be the “Center” of the bow. Continue to “Pinch” your ribbon tight, and start wrapping the folded portion around the “Center” of the bow, crossing the ribbon over your fingers.

wrap

This picture is demonstrating how the folded ribbon will wrap around your fingers that are creating “The Pinch”

wrap

Step 8: Continue “Pinching” and bring the folded piece of ribbon strait down behind and under the “Center” of the bow.  Hold the folded ribbon in the back with the extra fingers that are not “Pinching” the “1st Loop”. (Note: if using a narrow ribbon that “does not” need to be folded, and has a print on one side, give the ribbon one twist when it is “behind” the “Center” of the bow, so that the print is showing when you feed the ribbon into the “Knot”). You now have “Half of a Bow”, and you have just made the “Knot” to your bow! Stop and fluff the first half of the bow. Check to see if the “Pinch” area is neat and fancy. Fuss with the “Left Tie End” twisting it back into place, as it will sometimes turn toward the back.

Knot

Step 9: Continue “Pinching” and holding the folded ribbon to keep the “Knot” nice and neat. Start feeding the folded ribbon through the “Knot”.

feed ribbon into knot

Step 10: Shove the folded ribbon into the “Knot” opening, and slowly release “The Pinch”.  Grab the ribbon and pull it through the “Knot”, in a slow manner.

bow

Step 11: You can do this! Don’t be in a hurry as you don’t want things to get all twisted and for the “Knot” to get smashed and wrinkled in an ugly way.

2nd loop

Step 12: Start opening up the “2nd Loop” of the bow.

2nd loop

Step 13: Straiten the “Tie End”. You may have to twist it to the front. This is a good time to adjust that “2nd Loop” to the size you are happy with. Make the “Loop” smaller by pulling on the “Tie End”. Make the “Loop” larger by pulling the top side of the “Loop”.

open loop

Step 14: Now it looks like the “Left Tie End” has become a little short, take time to pull it to make it longer, and adjust and re-fluff  the “First Loop”.

bow

Step 15: Continue to pull and adjust your bow, by fluffing the “Loops”, while twisting and straitening the “Tie Ends”.  Don’t bully the bow…gently twist and pull on the “Loops and Tie Ends”. The following steps is what makes your bow pretty. If using glitter ribbon it can be a little hard, but with a little work it can be done. You can do this!

1. If the “Loops” are too big, just pull the “Tie Ends” to make them smaller.
2. If the “Tie Ends” are too short, pull on the top layer of the “Loops” and re-fluff them.

When the bow looks the size you want, grab both “Loops” and give it a pull to tighten the “Knot”, just like when you are tying your shoes. The first time you tighten the bow, it may not look as pretty as you want. Just keep repeating Steps 1 & 2 that are just above this paragraph, and keep tightening, until the bow looks pretty!

bow

Step 16: Keep working with your bow pulling and twisting the “Loops” and “Ties”, and tightening the “Knot”. You can also pinch the “Knot” to make it smaller if you need. Now this a NICE looking bow…except for the upside down BEARS!!! No worries, I will untie this bow and start over! Word of Caution…if there is a print on the ribbon make sure it is positioned correctly when making the “1st Loop”.

bow

Step 17: Let’s trim the “Tie Ends”! Bring the right “Tie End” over to the left “Tie End” and use it as a guide to cut off the extra amount of ribbon. PERFECT! Attach the bow to a crocheted handbag, hat, basket or wherever you think a bow would look nice! Sign up to my website, as I will be showing you how to add a clip to make this into a hair bow at a later date! EASY PEASY! The sign up box is on the right side bar, just below my picture.

bow

If the bow you made is too big for your project, as pictured below, you can always turn this into a “Tuxedo Bow”.

Tuxedo Bow Instructions

Step 1: Keep pulling on the “Tie Ends” to make the “Loops” smaller, making sure to fuss with it so the loops are pretty. Twist and push the “Tie Ends” so that they are directly under the “Loops”.

bow

Step 2: Trim the Tie Ends to the length you want.

bow

Step 3: There you have it! A cute little Tuxedo Bow! I highly recommend gluing or sewing the “Tie Ends” to the “Loops” of the bow.

bow

Step 4: Attach to your project…PERFECT!

bow

Maybe you don’t like big bows. Use a smaller ribbon to make a pull tie bow.

bow
Come on over to my side of the mountain and join my crochet and crafting group at Facebook. Feel free to share pictures of the bows that you make. Click on the link below and ask to join.

Krissy’s Over The Mountain Crochet and Crafts

You can find me on ETSY right here! 

I also have a RAVELRY Shop

All patterns and content are protected by copyright Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet©2018. Do not sell, alter or redistribute any of my patterns or blog content in any way or form. You have my permission to sell your finished product but no mass production.

You may not use my photos as your own or to promote your own business.

9 Comments

SHARE: [wpfai_social]

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. LInda says

    September 22, 2018 at 1:23 am

    I see some crochet pumpkins on your site, but I don’t see the patterns. How do I get to the patterns? they are adorable

    Reply
    • Kris says

      September 22, 2018 at 1:31 am

      Hi Linda,

      Here is the link to my stackable and colorful pumpkins. I have new pumpkin designs on the way…so don’t hesitate to sign up to follow my blog. 🙂

      https://krissysoverthemountaincrochet.com/2014/08/crocheted-pumpkins-i-love-pumpkins-free-pattern/

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy To Crochet Oval Basket With Plaid Edging - Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet says:
    December 9, 2024 at 12:27 pm

    […] love the tuxedo bow! You can find a Tutorial right here that shows you how to make […]

    Reply
  2. How To Crochet An Apple Hat: Free Pattern - Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet says:
    January 8, 2025 at 2:33 pm

    […] ribbon that looks like burlap. I know you will love making a burlap pull tie bow. I have a great tutorial on how to make […]

    Reply
  3. Glamorous Crochet Layette Set For Baby: Free Pattern - Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet says:
    January 14, 2025 at 6:46 pm

    […] Booties: Also available in 0-3 months and 6-9 months. They have the cutest pull tie bow. […]

    Reply
  4. Free Crochet Pattern for a Heart Cloche Hat - Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet says:
    January 22, 2025 at 2:26 pm

    […] also experiment with contrasting or coordinating colors for the bows. I have a video tutorial and a photo tutorial on how to make those pull tie […]

    Reply
  5. Baby Fox Sweater Pattern - Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet says:
    May 15, 2025 at 7:33 am

    […] was so happy to make a matching skirt and hair bows. If you would like to buy an ad free pdf it is available on Etsy and Ravelry. Pin the photo of the […]

    Reply
  6. Free Mesh Sailor Hat Crochet Pattern – Baby to Adult Sizes - Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet says:
    May 19, 2025 at 8:23 am

    […] pull tie bows or tuxedo […]

    Reply
  7. The Shabby Rose Cloche Crochet Pattern for Baby - Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet says:
    May 30, 2025 at 7:46 am

    […] Check out the photo tutorial here on the blog […]

    Reply

I would love to hear from you! Tell me what you think?Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Hello! I am so glad you are here!

You will find easy crochet patterns for functional and beautiful crocheted items. I love sharing crafting tutorials as well as a few recipes. I live just “Over The Mountain” on a lovely, narrow country road in the Appalachian Mountains. Stay awhile, and we can talk about crochet , crafts and other things that are happening on "My Side of the Mountain".

Featured Posts

the peekaboo ridge chemo caps are pictured here, with a floral Cancer ribbon in the lower right corner. Top right is a navy chemo cap and bottom center is a light pink chemo cap. The caps are crocheted using the peekaboo ridge stitch and Lion Brand Coboo yarn.

How To Crochet The Peekaboo Ridge Stitch

A Crochet cloche in cream colored yarn. The lemon peel stitch adds a bit of texture and a purchased shabby rose trim has been tacked on, above the brim, with an adorable satin/sheer pink pull tie bow added.

The Shabby Rose Cloche Crochet Pattern for Baby

A red black and white 3D ladybug granny square.

3D Ladybug Crochet Granny Square – Free Pattern

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 617 other subscribers

Latest posts

Footer

Privacy Policy

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Home
  • Free Crochet Patterns
  • Youtube
  • Recipes
  • Chemo Caps
  • Yarn Reviews

Copyright © 2025 · Blog Design By Rhonda Jai Designs

Copyright © 2025 · Olivia Genesis Child WordPress Theme. on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy