Summer’s coming to an end, and the kids are getting ready to head back to school. That means more open books.

I got to thinking about this time of year and how I’d like to create a fun bookmark for kids to keep track of where they left off in a book. Then I got to thinking about what has to have been my favorite bookmark as a kid.

I must admit, I don’t use bookmarks that often. It depends on the book I’m reading; I mostly skip them if it’s a mass-market paperback. But on those occasions where I’ve splurged on a newly released hardcover, or I’ve borrowed a book from a friend, I know I like to have a bookmark handy to keep from dog-earing the pages.

So let’s call this the bookworm bookmark. It’s really super simple; a beginning crocheter can handle it. I knocked out one in less than 30 minutes.

What you need:

Yarn (weight of your choosing; I used worsted weight)

GHook (again for the worsted weight, if you use lighter-weight yarn, use a smaller hook)

Scissors

What you do:

Chain 58

Double crochet 7 times in second chain from hook, skip next chain

DC 7 times in next chain, skip next chain

DC 7 times in next chain, skip next chain

DC 7 times in next chain, skip next chain

DC 7 in next chain.

Slip stitch in each of the remaining 48 chains and finish off.

At this point, you’ll probably have to use your hands to twist the “head” into the shape pictured. The five shells made should come together to form a spiral-like tip to this bookmark.

To avoid weaving in the yarn ends, I created a tassel to put on the “tail” end of this bookworm. Simply wrap yarn around four fingers on your hand several times. Then, use a piece of scrap yarn to gather one end of the wrapped yarn and tie that in a knot.

After that, cut in the center of the opposite end. Slip one end of the yarn you tied to the top of the tassel through the bookmark end, and cut all ends so they’re even.

For a knit version of a bookmark, go to the Crafty Living blog at www.journalgazette.net/craftyliving.