Reading has always been a big part of my life, even though it gets really busy sometimes and I completely forget books even exist (especially when there are little ones in the house and crocheting to be done). But this year, I really want to get back into the habit of reading.

A personal goal I have for 2023 is to read one book per month. So, I thought, why not combine my love of reading with my love for crochet and come out with a fabulous series of crochet bookmarks for each book I read this year.

It’s called Bookmark Bonanza!

It’s my 2023 year-long crochet bookmark crochet-a-long.

There’ll be 12 books so that means 12 unique crochet bookmarks in total. I am releasing them one at a time, one per month for free on the blog. (or you can purchase all 12 bundled together in my Bookmark Bonanza CAL Pattern Bundle.

Then we can crochet them along together in my Facebook group. (I have also created a CAL group on Ravelry, check it out.)

I have already released the first bookmark of the series, and today I have a BONUS bookmark pattern. Today I’m unveiling the Simple C2C Bookmark which I made while reading a second book this month (That’s right! I’m already ahead of my reading goal. Woohoo!) My book #2 is This Tender Land. It’s an absolutely soul-touching book and the blurb is enough to pull you in,

“The unforgettable story of four orphans who travel the Mississippi River on a life-changing odyssey during the Great Depression.”

“In the summer of 1932, on the banks of Minnesota’s Gilead River, Odie O’Banion is an orphan confined to the Lincoln Indian Training School, a pitiless place where his lively nature earns him the superintendent’s wrath. Forced to flee after committing a terrible crime, he and his brother, Albert, their best friend, Mose, and a brokenhearted little girl named Emmy steal away in a canoe, heading for the mighty Mississippi and a place to call their own.”

Go ahead a grab yourself a copy HERE on Amazon

This is a wonderful book to curl up with when you want some alone time and I think it really helps build your perspective of the world. If you’re on the go more often and don’t think you’ll have the time to sit down with this book, you can always listen to it on Scribd instead.

I’ll keep sharing my thoughts on the book with you all but let’s get to the free crochet bookmark pattern!

(This pattern is also available in an ad-free printable PDF file for only $2.00.

It can be downloaded instantly from Etsy or Ravelry.)

Simple C2C Bookmark – Free Pattern

This Simple C2C Bookmark pattern has been provided to you for free on this website. However, it may be easier and more enjoyable to purchase a beautifully designed, ad-free pattern. You may print it or save it in your digital files for later use.

Skill Level: Beginner

Materials:

• Yarn: High Desert Yarn in “Rainbow” Super Wash Merino Wool) or 20 yards of any DK weight yarn
• Hook: E/4 – 3.5mm
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Gauge: 

Not necessary for this bookmark.

Finished Size: 

Approximately 8” x 2.5”

Stitch Abbreviations (US Terminology):

ch – Chain

sc – Single Crochet

sk – Skip

sl st – Slip Stitch

sq – Square

Pattern Notes:

• This pattern is made using C2C (corner to corner) crochet. Each C2C square consists of 3 double crochets and a ch-3. See this C2C Playlist on my YouTube for more tips!
• Watch the video tutorial below for step-by-step instructions.
• Construction starts at the bottom right corner and works diagonally up the bookmark.
• Stitches between *asterisks* are repeated.
• Square counts are found at the end of each row.
• For Rows 3-10, the odd rows begin with an increase, and the even rows begin with a decrease. Each row has 3 squares.
• Rows 11-12 begin with a decrease.

Video Tutorial:

I made a video tutorial of this bookmark pattern for you so you can really get a feel for the stitches involved in this pattern.

Please watch the video, like it, and comment a book recommendation for me to read this year. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my channel as well. Thank you!

Instructions:

Body

Increase

Row 1 (WS): Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook and next 2—1 sq.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 2, flip, sl st in ch-3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-3 sp—2 sqs.

Row 3: Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 2, flip, *sl st in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-3 sp; repeat from * across—3 sqs.

Decrease 1 Side

Row 4: Sl st across top of 1st square to next ch-3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same, *sl st in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-3 sp; repeat from * across, flip— 3 sqs.

Rows 5: Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 2, flip, *sl st in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same; repeat from * across to last ch-3 sp, sl st in last ch-3 sp, flip—3 sqs.

Row 6-10: Repeat Rows 4-5.

Decrease 2 sides

Row 11: Sl st across top of 1st square to ch-3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same, *sl st in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-3 sp; repeat from * across to last square, sl st in next ch-3 sp, flip—2 sqs.

Row 12: Repeat Row 11 —1 sq.

Border

Sc evenly round bookmark, working 2-3 sc in each sq around. Work 3 sc in each corner. Sl st to first st to join. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Fringe (5 in total)

1. Cut 15 strands of yarn approximately 3-4 inches in length.
2. Group 3 strands together.
3. Fold in half.
4. Feed fold through 1st sc at bottom of work, front to back.
5. Tuck ends through fold and pull tight.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 across, adding fringe to every other sc.
7. Trim fringe if necessary.

This bonus pattern is part of my bookmark Bonanza Crochet-a-long!

Find out more about this fun crochet-a-long HERE!

You may also like:

c2C CORNER BOOKMARK

NORDIC WINTER C2C AFGHAN

MONSTERA LEAF C2C AFGHAN

4TH OF JULY PILLOW CAL

AUTUMN LEAF C2C PILLOW

The Fine Print

This pattern and its images are the property of Juniper and Oakes ©2023. The pattern is for your personal use only. Please do not copy/paste, distribute, or alter and claim as your own. You may sell products made by this pattern, but please credit @juniperandoakes and remember to link back to juniperandoakes.com or credit Juniper & Oakes on the craft fair tag.

You may post pictures on social media and tag @juniperandoakes and use the hashtags #juniperandoakes and #jaobookmark. If you make this pattern, please email a picture to [email protected] and I will include it in a gallery on my website. You can also post pictures on my Facebook Page, or in the Juniper + Oakes Crochet Community Facebook Group.

This post may contain affiliate links. View our disclosure policy here.

Let me know if you run into a problem. I respond quickly and will help in any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.