Inspired by Greek/Roman architecture and the sweeping arches of Al-Khazneh, the Petra bookmark is my first attempt at creating and penning a crochet pattern, after a fair amount of research (e.g. here, here, and here). I’ve also drawn up a stitch diagram below the instructions.

Materials used:

• Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread Size 10, in colour “Natural”; 2 strands were held together to create a more rigid, woven effect (completely optional! 1 strand would work fine)

• Crochet hook size 3.5mm / E-4; if only using 1 strand, I would suggest sizing down to a 2.75mm / C-2 hook

  • Gauge is not important for this pattern — any thickness of yarn can work, depending on the weight of the book and paper. Lace, sock/fingering, and sport weight / category 3 yarns would all make thin, durable bookmarks.

• Scissors

• Sewing needle for weaving in ends

Abbreviations: (in US crochet terminology)

Photo tutorials for all stitches are available here by Spruce Crafts

• ch: chain

• sc: single crochet

• dc: double crochet

• sl st: slip stitch

Full Pattern:

Row 1: Ch 7. Sc into the second chain from the hook and across. Ch 1 and turn.

Stitch count = 6 stitches per row throughout the entire pattern!

Row 2: The previous Ch 1 is only for turning, so sc into the same stitch and across to the end. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 3: Sc across all 6 stitches. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 4: Sc across all 6 stitches. Ch 3 and turn.

—❗Beginning of pattern repeat rows❗—

Row 5: With the Ch 3 counting as a dc, dc into the next stitch, Ch 2, skip 2 stitches, and dc into the last 2 stitches. Ch 1 and turn.

This creates a 2 ch space for the first “large arch”

Row 6: Sc the first 2 stitches. 2 sc into the Ch 2 space from the previous round (i.e. do not insert your hook into the loops), then sc into the last 2 stitches. Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + ch 1) and turn.

By sc-ing into the spaces as opposed to the chains,
we create smooth tops for our rounded arches while
also making a straight base for the next row of dc “pillars”

Row 7: Skipping the first two stitches, dc into the third and fourth stitches. Ch 1, and dc into the 3rd chain of the Ch 4 from the previous row. Ch 1 and turn.

The Ch 1 spaces are for the two smaller "mini arches”

Row 8: Sc across the row, placing 1 sc in the Ch 1 spaces. Ch 3 and turn.

—❗End pattern repeat rows❗—

Repeat rows 5-8 until you reach your desired length. In the sample provided, I did 3.5 repeats in total, as I wanted to begin and end on the same arch type. So if you’re hoping to recreate the sample exactly, follow below!

Row 9-18: Repeat rows 5 to 8, ending on Row 6.

Row 19-21: Sc across all 6 stitches. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 22: Sl st through 3 stitches. Ch 10, and sl st into the fourth sc to form the curved hoop/chain at the top of the bookmark. Sl to end. Fasten off and weave in your ends to secure your completed piece.

Tassel/fringe:

Measure out ~20cm strands of thread. The sample has 12 strands, but you can make your fringe bushier/more dense by increasing the number of strands, or decrease the length of the strands to make it shorter.

Holding the strands in a bundle, fold them in half. Draw the middle fold through the space between the third and fourth chain of the first row with a crochet hook. Don’t pull the threads through entirely! Instead, pull the ends through the loop tightly to secure the tassel in place.