
Bluebell Curtain Tieback Crochet Pattern: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
There is something quietly magical about a window dressed with handmade details. A curtain tieback might seem like a small thing, but when it is crocheted with care and shaped like a cascade of delicate bluebells, it transforms an ordinary window into something that looks like it belongs in a cottage garden. This bluebell curtain tieback crochet pattern is beginner-friendly, uses just a small amount of yarn, and produces a result that looks far more intricate than it actually is to make.
Whether you are new to crochet or have been working with a hook for years, this pattern will walk you through every step. By the end, you will have a pair of tiebacks that add a botanical, handcrafted charm to any room in your home.
Why Crochet Your Own Curtain Tiebacks?
Before diving into the pattern itself, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate why handmade tiebacks are such a lovely choice. Store-bought curtain tiebacks tend to be mass-produced, often made from synthetic materials that catch dust and lose their shape. A crocheted tieback, on the other hand, is made exactly to your specifications. You choose the yarn weight, the color, the length, and the level of detail.
Bluebell tiebacks in particular have been growing in popularity among home crochet crafters because the flower motif is elegant without being fussy. Bluebells evoke the feeling of a woodland walk in spring — gentle, whimsical, and timelessly pretty. They suit rustic, cottagecore, and Scandinavian-inspired interiors equally well. When made in natural cream or linen tones, they look sophisticated and neutral. When worked in true bluebell purple or lavender, they become a soft statement piece.
These tiebacks also make wonderful gifts. A skein of yarn and an afternoon is all it takes to create something a friend or family member will use every single day.
Materials You Will Need
Getting your materials together before you begin makes the whole process smoother. Here is everything you need for one pair of bluebell curtain tiebacks.
Yarn: Approximately 100–150 meters of DK weight yarn per tieback. Cotton or a cotton-blend works beautifully for tiebacks because it holds its shape, does not stretch out over time, and has a clean stitch definition that makes the bluebell motifs really pop. Suggested colors are dusty purple, soft lavender, cornflower blue, or cream. You can also use a main color for the cord and a contrasting color for the bluebell flowers if you want to add visual interest.
Crochet Hook: A 3.5mm or 4.0mm hook depending on your tension. If you tend to crochet tightly, go up to 4.0mm. If you are a looser crocheter, the 3.5mm will give you a firmer, more structured fabric.
Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends and attaching flower motifs.
Scissors: A small, sharp pair works best for trimming yarn tails neatly.
Stitch Markers: Optional but helpful for marking the beginning of rounds when working the bluebell flowers.
Curtain Rings or Small Brass Hooks: Two per tieback, for attaching the finished tieback to the wall. These can be found at most home improvement stores or ordered online.
Measuring Tape: To ensure your tiebacks are the right length for your specific curtains.
Understanding the Stitches
This pattern uses a handful of basic crochet stitches along with one simple technique for the bluebell shape. If you are comfortable with chain stitches, slip stitches, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet, you have everything you need. The bluebell shape is created using a cluster technique that bunches stitches together at the top, creating that characteristic drooping bell silhouette.
Here is a quick reference for the abbreviations used throughout this pattern:
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet
sp — space
rep — repeat
st — stitch
yo — yarn over
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this project, but as a general guide, 18 stitches and 22 rows in single crochet with DK weight yarn on a 3.5mm hook should measure approximately 10cm x 10cm. What matters more is the overall length and width of the tieback, which you can adjust by adding or subtracting chain stitches at the foundation.
Sizing
A standard curtain tieback sits roughly 40–60cm from the bottom of the curtain, gathering it back to allow light in while keeping the fabric draped attractively. The tiebacks in this pattern are designed to wrap around a medium to lightweight curtain panel. The cord section of each tieback measures approximately 50cm when finished, and the bluebell cluster is positioned at the center front where it will sit against the curtain when held back.
If your curtains are heavier or you want a longer tieback, simply add extra chains to the foundation before you begin working the cord section.
The Pattern: Bluebell Curtain Tieback
Part One: The Cord
The cord is the long band that wraps around the curtain and attaches to the wall on both ends. It needs to be firm, tidy, and strong enough to hold the weight of a curtain panel without stretching.
Foundation: Chain 120 (or more or fewer depending on your desired length — each 10 chains adds approximately 4cm).
Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc across to the end. Turn. (119 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across. Turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across. Do not turn. Sl st along the short end, then work sc across the opposite side of the foundation chain (this creates a neat border on the back of the cord), sl st along the other short end to close. Fasten off and weave in ends.
This gives you a flat, double-sided cord that is tidy on both sides. If you prefer a slightly thicker cord, you can work two more rows before closing.
Tip: For extra durability, especially if the tieback will be used daily, work the cord in back loop only (BLO) for rows 2 and 3. This creates a subtle ridged texture that also adds a little extra stiffness to the band.
At each short end of the cord, thread a curtain ring using your yarn needle and a length of yarn, stitching it securely so it will not pull loose. Make sure the ring sits flat and centered on the end. These rings are what hook onto small wall-mounted hooks or nails to hold the tieback in place.
Part Two: The Bluebell Flower Motif
Now for the most satisfying part of this pattern — the bluebell flowers. Each bluebell is worked in the round and then arranged into a cluster. You will make five individual bells per tieback and then join them together into a small spray before attaching the spray to the center of the cord.
Making One Bluebell:
Round 1: Magic ring (or ch 4 and join with sl st to form a ring). Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 9 dc into the ring. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (10 dc)
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in same stitch. Ch 3, skip 1 st, sc in next st. Rep from 4 more times, ending with ch 3, join with sl st to first sc. (5 ch-3 spaces)
Round 3: Sl st into first ch-3 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 4 dc into same sp. Work 5 dc into next ch-3 sp. Rep from to end. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (25 dc total, forming 5 groups of 5 dc)
Round 4 (forming the bell shape): Ch 1. Work sc, hdc, tr, tr, hdc, sc into the 5 dc of each group, sl st between groups. Rep from around. Join with sl st. (Each petal group becomes a soft arch, creating the bell outline.)
Finishing the bell tip: Using a yarn needle and a 15cm length of yarn in the same color, thread through the center of the magic ring from back to front and then back again to create a tiny hanging stamen. Knot and trim close, leaving just a small nub peeking from the center. This tiny detail makes the motif look remarkably like a real bluebell.
Fasten off, leaving a 20cm tail for joining.
Make 5 bluebells total for each tieback.
Part Three: The Stem and Leaf Base
Before assembling the bluebell cluster, make a simple stem piece that will hold the flowers together and give the spray a natural, botanical look.
Stem: Chain 25. Starting in second chain from hook, sl st in each chain across. This creates a firm, cord-like stem. Do not fasten off.
Leaf (make 2): From the end of the stem, ch 12. Starting in the second chain from hook: sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, sl st back down the other side of the chain to base. Sl st back to stem. Ch 12 for the second leaf and rep. Fasten off and weave in ends.
The two small leaves should sit at the base of the stem, pointing outward slightly in opposite directions.
Part Four: Assembling the Bluebell Spray
Arrange your 5 bluebell motifs into a small cluster. In a natural bluebell spray, flowers hang at slightly different heights — some pointing downward, some at a slight angle. Mimic this by varying where you attach each bell to the stem.
Attach the first bluebell at the very tip of the stem using the long tail and a yarn needle. Work a few stitches through the base of the bluebell and around the stem, securing it firmly. Attach the next two bells about 2cm lower, one on each side. Attach the final two bells another 2cm lower still, so the finished spray has a roughly triangular silhouette when viewed head-on.
Once all five bells are secured, use a yarn needle to weave through any visible joining yarn so the attachment points look clean from the front.
Part Five: Attaching the Spray to the Cord
Find the center point of the cord (fold it in half to locate this easily and mark it with a stitch marker). Position the base of the bluebell spray so the stem points upward and the flowers hang down over the center front. Using the yarn tail from the stem base, stitch through the stem and through the cord several times, working in a tight figure-eight pattern. Pull firmly with each stitch to make sure the spray will not shift or pull loose during daily use.
Turn the cord over to check that none of your stitching is visible from the back side. If it is, weave those tails in more thoroughly.
Making the Second Tieback
Repeat the entire process to make the second matching tieback. If you are making these as a mirrored pair (which is the traditional approach for window tiebacks), you do not need to change anything — both tiebacks are identical and simply go on opposite sides of the window.
Finishing and Blocking
Blocking a crocheted tieback makes a significant difference to the finished look. Even if you are using cotton yarn that does not require aggressive wet blocking, a light spray block will open up the stitches, flatten the cord, and encourage the bluebell petals to sit in a more natural, open position.
Lay each tieback flat on a blocking board or a folded towel. Pin the cord in a straight line, making sure it is not twisted or curved. Fan the bluebell motifs gently so the petals open outward. Spritz lightly with water from a spray bottle and leave to dry completely — usually overnight.
Once dry, the tiebacks should hold their shape well through normal use. If they lose their freshness after a time, simply re-spritz and re-pin.
Color and Yarn Variations
One of the greatest pleasures of working from a pattern like this is the freedom to make it your own. Here are some lovely variations to consider.
Working the cord in a neutral linen or cream and the bluebell flowers in soft purple creates a classic, cottage-garden aesthetic. Using the same color throughout — a single tone of lavender from cord to flower — gives a more modern, minimal look. For a bold, graphic effect, try a deep navy cord with cream or white flowers. If you want to lean into a wildflower meadow theme, make several sprays in mixed colors — cornflower blue, lilac, and soft white — and stagger them along the cord rather than grouping them in a single cluster.
For a more textural tieback, try working the cord in a seed stitch or moss stitch rather than plain single crochet. This adds visual interest without complicating the construction.
Care Instructions
Hand wash your finished tiebacks in cool water with a small amount of gentle detergent. Rinse thoroughly and press out excess water by rolling them in a clean towel rather than wringing. Reshape while damp and leave flat to dry. Most cotton and cotton-blend DK yarns are colorfast and will not fade with careful washing, but it is always worth checking the yarn label before submerging anything.
Displaying Your Tiebacks
Install two small brass or chrome hooks on your wall at each side of the window at the height you have chosen for the tieback — typically 40–60cm from the floor for a standard window, though this is a matter of personal taste and curtain length. Hook the curtain ring at each end of the tieback onto its wall hook, then gather your curtain gently and tuck it into the curve of the tieback so the bluebell spray sits at the front, facing out into the room.
Step back and enjoy the view. A window dressed this way has a warmth and personality that no shop-bought accessory can replicate.
A Few Final Tips
If you find your cord is twisting slightly, this usually means your tension has shifted between rows. Working in back loop only for the body rows, as mentioned earlier, helps prevent this. If twist is already present after blocking, a gentle steam iron held above (not touching) the cord will usually resolve it.
If you want the bluebell spray to sit more rigidly against the cord, you can lightly stiffen it using a 50/50 solution of water and white craft glue applied by brush. Allow it to dry fully before using. This is particularly helpful if the tiebacks are displayed in a sunny window, as repeated heat and light can cause an unstiffened spray to droop over time.
Finally, do not rush the joining of the bluebell flowers to the cord. This is the structural heart of the whole piece and a few extra stitches here will keep your tiebacks looking neat and tidy for years to come.
Ready to Start?
This bluebell curtain tieback crochet pattern is a genuinely satisfying make — small enough to complete in a single weekend, beautiful enough to become a permanent feature in your home. The combination of a tidy, structured cord and a delicate botanical spray means these tiebacks work in a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, or a hallway with equal ease.
If you make a pair using this pattern, consider sharing your finished project with the crafting community — photos of handmade home accessories inspire others to pick up their hooks and create something just as lovely for their own spaces.
Happy crocheting.