What Is a Crochet Book Thong Bookmark — and How Do You Make One?
Crocheting from someone else's pattern? Check its stitch counts free before you start.
How do you crochet a book thong bookmark?
What Is a Book Thong Bookmark?
A book thong is a bookmark made from a length of cord, ribbon, or yarn that drapes over the top of a book's spine and hangs down both sides of the open pages, holding your place without dog-earing or slipping out. Unlike a flat bookmark, the book thong stays put because both dangling ends act as counterweights against each other. The name is, of course, the whole joke — and that's precisely what makes it such a perfect funny gift for the reader in your life. Crocheted versions are especially popular because yarn gives the thong a handmade, artisan feel while still being incredibly lightweight. When finished with a decorative bead, tassel, or small charm on each end, a crochet book thong becomes a genuinely useful keepsake gift.
Materials You Need to Crochet a Book Thong
To crochet a basic book thong bookmark, you only need a small amount of fingering-weight or crochet thread (size 10 cotton thread works beautifully for a delicate, durable finish), a steel crochet hook in size 7 or 8 (1.65–1.5 mm), a yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and two decorative beads or charms with holes large enough to thread your yarn through. The entire project uses less than 15 yards of yarn, which makes it a perfect stash-buster and a great way to use up leftover thread from larger projects. If you want a chunkier, more rustic look, worsted-weight yarn with a 5 mm hook works just as well — the thong just comes out thicker and sits over the spine a bit more loosely. Optional embellishments like seed beads, mini tassels, polymer clay charms, or even a tiny crocheted motif at each end elevate the finished piece from simple to truly gift-worthy.
Step-by-Step: How to Crochet a Basic Book Thong
Start with a slip knot and chain until your foundation chain measures approximately 18–22 inches — this total length determines how far the thong hangs below the book's spine, so adjust based on whether the recipient reads paperbacks (shorter) or large hardcovers (longer). For a polished finish, work one row of single crochet back along the entire chain, which gives the cord a neat, round, rope-like appearance instead of the flat, ladder-like look of a bare chain. Once you reach the end of your single crochet row, fasten off and leave a 6-inch tail on each end for attaching beads or charms. Thread a bead onto each tail, tie a secure overhand knot below it to prevent the bead from sliding off, and weave in any remaining yarn end so the knot is nearly invisible. The finished thong should feel supple and smooth — run it gently over the spine of a closed book and let the two bead ends hang; if both ends fall to roughly the same level, your chain was perfectly centered.
Fun Variations and Gift Packaging Ideas
The basic book thong pattern is endlessly customizable, which is a big part of its appeal as a handmade gift. You can work the cord in a simple twisted stitch (alternating front-loop and back-loop single crochets) for a subtle spiral texture, or add a tiny crocheted heart, star, or book motif as the end charm for a more elaborate finish. Color-blocking two contrasting yarn colors in the same cord — changing yarn at the center point — creates a visually striking effect that photographs beautifully and doubles as a personal touch for a recipient who has favorite colors. For gift-giving, slide the finished thong into a small glassine bag, tuck in a punny card that reads something like 'Happy reading — here's a thong for your book,' and the packaging itself becomes part of the humor. Crocheted book thongs also sell extremely well at craft fairs as a low-price impulse buy, making a downloadable pattern a smart addition to any crafter's repertoire.
Why This Makes the Perfect Funny Gift for Book Lovers
The crochet book thong hits a sweet spot that very few handmade gifts achieve: it is simultaneously genuinely useful, visually beautiful, and laugh-out-loud funny the moment the recipient reads the name on the tag. Book lovers are notoriously difficult to shop for because they often buy their own books the instant they want them, but a handmade accessory — especially one this clever — feels personal in a way a gift card never could. The humor lands across generations; whether you're giving it to a 22-year-old who's obsessed with BookTok or a 65-year-old who works through a mystery novel a week, the name gets a genuine laugh every single time. Because the project takes under two hours to complete even for an intermediate crocheter, it's also a practical last-minute gift that never looks last-minute. A downloadable crochet book thong pattern, like the one available from Craftuary, gives crafters the freedom to make multiples in bulk for holiday gift lists, bachelorette parties, teacher appreciation weeks, or craft fair inventory.
Key Takeaways
- A book thong is a two-ended yarn or cord bookmark that drapes over a book's spine, holding your place on both sides of the page.
- The crochet version uses less than 15 yards of thread or yarn and takes under two hours, making it a fast, low-cost project.
- Fingering-weight cotton thread on a size 7–8 steel hook produces the most polished, durable finish for a crochet book thong.
- The funny name is the gift — pairing a beautifully crocheted bookmark with a punny gift tag makes it an instant crowd-pleaser.
- A downloadable pattern from Craftuary lets crafters make multiples quickly for gift-giving, craft fairs, or holiday batches.
- Customize end charms, colors, and cord texture to personalize each book thong for the specific reader receiving it.