If you love playful crochet accessories with a bright summer personality, this watermelon bandana is a fun project to add to your handmade collection. The design combines a triangular red watermelon slice with a white rind, a green outer edge, and small black puff stitches that resemble watermelon seeds.
Project Overview
This crochet project is worked as a growing triangle. The red body begins at the point with 3 stitches and increases steadily until Row 15 reaches 45 stitches. Black puff stitches are added on the right-side rows to create the watermelon seed effect. White single-crochet rows form the inner rind, followed by green half-double-crochet rows and adjustable green ties.
The original designer used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn and a 4.0 mm hook. The four colors are red (A), black (B), white (C), and green (D). The pattern was designed by @creativewasteland.art on Instagram and was last updated 5/13/24.
Materials and Colors
- Red (A) – main watermelon body
- Black (B) – watermelon seed puff stitches
- White (C) – inner rind
- Green (D) – outer rind and ties
- Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn
- 4.0 mm crochet hook
US Crochet Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- dc – double crochet
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- ps – puff stitch / 5 hdc
- WS – wrong side
- RS – right side
Important Pattern Notes
The puff stitches are only made on the right side (RS). The ch 2 at the beginning of each row is not counted as a stitch throughout the main double-crochet section. Rows 16–18 use ch 1, which also does not count as a stitch.
Step-by-Step Watermelon Bandana Pattern
Row 1 – 3 Stitches
With red (A), chain 3. Row 1 (WS): make 3 dc in the third chain from the hook. You should have 3 stitches.
Row 2 – 6 Stitches
Row 2 (RS): ch 2, turn, and make 2 dc in each stitch. The ch 2 is not counted as a stitch. You should have 6 stitches.
Row 3 – 9 Stitches
Row 3 (WS): ch 2, turn, then repeat three times: 2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st. Finish with 9 stitches.
Row 4 – 12 Stitches
Row 4 (RS): ch 2, turn, then repeat three times: 2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next 2 sts. Finish with 12 stitches.
Row 5 – 15 Stitches
Row 5 (WS): ch 2, turn, then repeat three times: 2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next 3 sts. Finish with 15 stitches.
Row 6 – 18 Stitches and the First Seeds
Row 6 (RS): ch 2, turn, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 3 sts. Finish with 18 stitches.
Row 7 – 21 Stitches
Row 7 (WS): ch 2, turn, repeat three times: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 5 sts. Finish with 21 stitches.
Row 8 – 24 Stitches
Row 8 (RS): ch 2, turn, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 3 sts, 1 dc in next st, switch to black (B), 1 ps in same st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 4 sts, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 4 sts. Finish with 24 stitches.
Row 9 – 27 Stitches
Row 9 (WS): ch 2, turn, repeat three times: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 7 sts. Finish with 27 stitches.
Row 10 – 30 Stitches
Row 10 (RS): ch 2, turn, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 4 sts, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 st, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 4 sts, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 5 sts. Finish with 30 stitches.
Row 11 – 33 Stitches
Row 11 (WS): ch 2, turn, repeat three times: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 9 sts. Finish with 33 stitches.
Row 12 – 36 Stitches
Row 12 (RS): ch 2, turn, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 4 sts, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 4 sts, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 4 sts, switch to black (B), 1 ps in next st, switch to red (A), 1 dc in next 4 sts. Finish with 36 stitches.
Fasten off black (B).
Rows 13–15 – Completing the Red Body
Row 13 (WS): ch 2, turn, repeat three times: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 11 sts. Finish with 39 stitches.
Row 14 (RS): ch 2, turn, repeat three times: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 12 sts. Finish with 42 stitches.
Row 15 (WS): ch 2, turn, repeat three times: 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 13 sts. Finish with 45 stitches.
Switch to white (C) and fasten off red (A).
Creating the White Rind
Rows 16–18 are worked in white. For each row, ch 1, turn, and make 1 sc in each stitch across. The ch 1 does not count as a stitch. Each row contains 45 stitches.
Creating the Green Rind
Switch to green (D) and fasten off white (C).
Rows 19–20: ch 1, turn, and make 1 hdc in each stitch across. Each row contains 45 stitches. Do not fasten off after Row 20.
Making the Green Ties
After Row 20, chain until you reach your desired length, approximately 14 inches.
Row 21: sl st in second ch from hook, sl st across the chain, 1 sc across bandana body, chain to desired length, turn, sl st across chain, sl st into side of bandana into the hdc of the previous row.
Fasten off green (D) and weave in ends.
Stitch Count Checkpoints
- Row 1 – 3 sts
- Row 2 – 6 sts
- Row 3 – 9 sts
- Row 4 – 12 sts
- Row 5 – 15 sts
- Row 6 – 18 sts
- Row 7 – 21 sts
- Row 8 – 24 sts
- Row 9 – 27 sts
- Row 10 – 30 sts
- Row 11 – 33 sts
- Row 12 – 36 sts
- Row 13 – 39 sts
- Row 14 – 42 sts
- Row 15 – 45 sts
- Rows 16–18 – 45 sts
- Rows 19–20 – 45 sts
Beginner Tips
Count the stitches at the end of every row, especially while the triangle is growing. Keep the RS and WS labels visible while working because the puff stitches belong only on RS rows. When changing from black to red, follow the color-change instructions rather than carrying the black yarn through every stitch.
After Row 12, the black yarn is finished. The remaining red rows continue the triangle without additional seed puff stitches. After Row 15, the project changes from double crochet to the white single-crochet rind and then to the green half-double-crochet edge.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not count the beginning ch 2 as a stitch.
- Do not add puff stitches to WS rows.
- Do not alter the stated stitch counts.
- Do not fasten off black before Row 12 is completed.
- Do not fasten off green after Row 20 because the ties are made from the continuing green yarn.
- Do not substitute the stitch used in the rind sections: Rows 16–18 are sc and Rows 19–20 are hdc.
Wearing and Styling the Finished Bandana
The triangular shape and long green ties make this project easy to style as a head accessory. The red center gives the bandana its watermelon appearance, while the white and green sections frame the fruit-inspired design. The black puff stitches stand out against the red background and provide the seed detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hook size is used?
The original pattern uses a 4.0 mm crochet hook.
What yarn is recommended?
The designer used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn.
What colors are used?
Red (A), black (B), white (C), and green (D).
What is the puff stitch?
The pattern defines ps as a puff stitch / 5 hdc.
When are puff stitches worked?
The puff stitches are only made on the right side (RS).
How many stitches are in Row 15?
Row 15 contains 45 stitches.
How long are the ties?
The pattern instructs you to chain to your desired length, approximately 14 inches.
Finishing Checklist
- Confirm the body reaches 45 stitches by Row 15.
- Confirm the white section has three rows of sc.
- Confirm the green section has two rows of hdc.
- Keep green attached after Row 20.
- Complete the adjustable ties through Row 21.
- Fasten off green.
- Weave in all ends neatly.
Final Thoughts
This watermelon crochet bandana is a colorful project built from a clear triangular increase pattern. The construction is easy to follow once the repeating stitch-count progression is understood, and the black puff stitches provide the distinctive watermelon-seed texture.
For the most accurate result, follow the original row numbers, stitch counts, color changes, and construction exactly as written. The project does not require additional shaping or separate sewn components: the red body, white rind, green edge, and ties are created as part of the continuous pattern.
Pattern credit: Designed by @creativewasteland.art on Instagram. Last updated 5/13/24. The designer encourages a donation of at least $5 to Operation Olive Branch, Doctors Without Borders, Save The Children, World Central Kitchen, or a local student encampment.