25 Easy Halloween Amigurumi Patterns Free Tutorial

18. Zombie Hand Bookmark

Slide this delightfully eerie pale green zombie hand between your favorite pages to keep your place all year round. With tattered long fingers and dark stitched details at the wrist, this flat bookmark is a quick, fun make that brings a playful touch of the macabre to your reading routine. It finishes at 6 inches / 15 cm long and takes about 45 minutes to crochet.

Materials You Will Need

• DK weight 100% cotton yarn: 15 grams pale green, 5 grams dark charcoal
• 3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Stitch marker

Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this bookmark, but work with a snug tension to keep the stitches neat and prevent the bookmark from curling. The palm base measures 2 inches / 5 cm across after Round 3.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• inc: increase (work 2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec: decrease (insert hook in front loops of next 2 stitches, yarn over, draw through both loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• Rnd/Row: round or row

UK terms: sc = dc, hdc = htr, dc = tr.

Pattern Notes

• The hand is worked in continuous spiral rounds for the palm, followed by individual fingers worked in rows.
• The bookmark strap is worked in flat rows attached to the base.
• Stitch counts are given in brackets at the end of every round or row.
• Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of rounds.

Instructions

Palm – Pale Green, make 1

Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: sc in each st around (24)
Fasten off, leave a 20 cm tail.

Fingers – Pale Green, make 4

Row 1: Ch 7, starting in 2nd ch from hook, 6 sc across (6)
Row 2: Turn, dec, 2 sc, dec (4)
Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm tail for sewing.

Thumb – Pale Green, make 1

Row 1: Ch 5, starting in 2nd ch from hook, 4 sc across (4)
Row 2: Turn, dec x 2 (2)
Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm tail for sewing.

Bookmark Strap – Pale Green, make 1

Row 1: Ch 7, starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across (6)
Rows 2-35: Turn, ch 1, sc across (6)
Fasten off, leave a 30 cm tail for sewing.

Assembly

Sew the four fingers across the top edge of the palm base, spacing them evenly. Attach the thumb to the left side of the palm between Rnds 2 and 4, pointing slightly inward. Sew the top edge of the bookmark strap securely to the lower center back of the palm base.

Finishing

Using dark charcoal yarn and a tapestry needle, embroider jagged tattered lines at the fingertips to simulate undead wear and tear. Add horizontal running stitches and small crosses across the lower wrist area above the strap attachment to look like stitches or scars. Weave in all remaining loose ends securely.

Tips and Common Mistakes

• Do not over-stuff the hand; this bookmark should remain flat enough to slide smoothly between book pages.
• Count your stitches at the end of every row on the strap to keep the sides straight and even.
• Secure all embroidered dark stitching tightly so it will not loosen with frequent use.
• Keep your tension firm and consistent throughout the fingers for a sharp, defined shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use acrylic yarn instead of cotton?
Yes, acrylic yarn works fine, though cotton yields a crisper stitch definition and a flatter bookmark that won’t warp pages.

How do I clean the bookmark if it gets dirty?
Spot clean gently with mild soap and cold water, then lay flat to air dry completely.

Can I make the strap longer for larger books?
Simply add more rows to the bookmark strap in increments of 5 rows until you reach your desired length.