Zinnia Bandanna – Crochet Pattern (from my book: Summer Crochet)

Hi friends!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Zinnia Bandanna, an easy-to-wear hair accessory featuring bold, overlapping shells!

This pattern is available as an independent PDF (Ravelry, Etsy, and other links included below) and is an original design from my new book Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes, released in spring 2025. This book includes 19 size-inclusive, warm-weather garment and accessory patterns using a variety of techniques and construction methods to ensure there is something of value for every skill level. Each garment pattern is written with an inclusive size range from XS to 5XL and each size has been thoroughly tested, thoroughly tech edited, and fully charted! We had hundreds of crochet pattern testers for this book to make sure that each size fits its intended wearer in a way that makes them feel beautiful.

You can buy this book with confidence, knowing that each pattern was written for you and your unique body measurements.

Some Quick Links Before You Begin:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry, Etsy, and my website.
Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here!
Use the pattern hashtag #ZinniaBandanna on Instagram to show off your makes! Be sure to check out the book hashtag, #SummerCrochetBook, too!
Shop Lion Brand LB Collection Cotton Bamboo Linen yarn here!
- Be sure to scroll down to see other great yarn substitutes and yarns used during testing!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Where Can I Find the Physical Book?

(Both physical and e-book versions are available!)

Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (US) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Barnes And Noble here.
Shop Summer Crochet at Chapters (CA) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (CA) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (UK) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Indie Bound here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Blackwell’s here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Books-A-Million here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Books Inc. here.
Shop even more platforms here.

Order my first book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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About

Looking for a project you can complete in one sitting? The Zinnia Bandanna features bold overlapping shells with an eye-catching stitch pattern, reminiscent of zinnia flower petals. Instantly freshen up any outfit with this playful, easy-to-wear accessory. Like with most bandannas, use a bobby pin on each side for extra security!

This pattern is both written + charted.

Materials

Yarn: Sport—Lion Brand LB Collection® Cotton Bamboo Linen Yarn in colorway “Shale”

40% Cotton, 35% Bamboo, 25% Linen
164 yds (150 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) skein
Find this yarn on lionbrand .com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region.

Yardage Required: 1 ball or approximately 100 yds (91 m)

Yarn Substitution: Scroll down for an extensive list of yarn substitutes and yarns used during pattern testing.

Hook: Size U.S. E/4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, 1 locking stitch marker

Yarn Substitution

Lion Brand LB Collection® Cotton Bamboo Linen Yarn has the following properties:

40% Cotton, 35% Bamboo, 25% Linen
164 yds (150 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) skein

Substitute Lion Brand LB Collection Cotton Bamboo Linen Yarn with any similar fine sport-weight (category #2) yarn that matches gauge. Most fibers should work fine in this project. Yarns with bamboo content will produce particularly slinky bandannas with great drape. Avoid yarns that feel like stiff kitchen cottons and choose something with nice drape. Note that sport weight is sometimes referred to as “4-ply” in the U.K. or “5-ply” in Australia. Testers used fingering and sport weights, so feel free to expand past this list of yarn subs and pick your favorite fingering/sport weight yarn! I don’t recommend using anything thicker than sport weight; testers who used DK weight yarns reported back that the fabric was too stiff! Try sticking with sport or fingering for best fabric drape.

Appropriate Yarn Substitutes:

This list below includes some yarns I added myself in addition to the yarns used and recommended by testers.

As a reminder, you will need approximately 100 yds (91 m) of your chosen sport weight yarn.

The following sport weight yarns should work well in your project!

Berroco Modern Cotton DK (60% Cotton, 40% Rayon)
Hjertegarn New Arezzo (47% Bamboo Rayon, 33% Linen, 20% Cotton)
Hobbii Seashell (40% Cotton, 35% Viscose, 25% Linen)
Katia Le Bambou (50% Cotton, 50% Viscose)
Lana Grossa Glamcot (60% Tencel/Lyocell, 40% Cotton)
Lion Brand Coboo (51% Cotton, 49% Rayon from Bamboo)
Lion Brand Truboo (100% Bamboo)
Malabrigo Arroyo (100% Merino Wool)
Patons Kroy Socks (75% Washable Wool, 25% Nylon)
Quince and Co Willet (100% Organic Cotton)
Rico Design Baby Organic Cotton (100% Cotton)
Schachenmayr Original Cotton Bambulino (60% Cotton, 30% Viscose)
WeCrochet Shine Sport (60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal)
WeCrochet Simply Cotton Organic Sport (100% Cotton)
WeCrochet Visions (50% Cotton, 50% Viscose)
In addition to this list of sport weight yarns, any fingering weight yarns will work, too!

Gauge

Each Shell rep measures 1.75 inches (4 cm) across and 0.75 inch (2 cm) tall.

For Swatch

Work the following rows from the pattern below.

Ch 26.

Work Row 1. [7 ch-sps]

Work Row 2. [3 Shells]

Work Row 3. [3 ch3-sps, 2 ch5-sps]

Work Row 4. [2 Shells]

Work Corner Shell Row 1. [1 ch5-sp, 1 ch2-sp, 1 ch3-sps]

Work Corner Shell Row 2. [1 Shell]

Fasten off.

Block your swatch the same way you would your finished piece. Your blocked swatch should measure approximately 5 inches (13 cm) in width and 2.5 inches (6 cm) in height in order to achieve the finished measurements.

Finished Measurements

The finished bandanna measures approximately 17 inches (43 cm) wide, excluding ties (Measurement A), and 7.25 inches (18 cm) tall (Measurement B). Each tie measures approximately 11.5 inches (29 cm) long, blocked.

Terms + Abbreviations Used

Written in U.S. Crochet Terms

ch(s): chain(s)
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
hdcFLO: half double crochet through the front loop only (htrFLO in U.K. terms)
PM: place marker
rep: repeat
RS: right side
sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
tch: turning chain
WS: wrong side

Special Stitches

Shell: work 11 double crochets into designated stitch or space (in U.K. terms, this means work 11 treble crochets into designated stitch or space)

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row.

Right Side/Wrong Side: There is a right side (RS) and wrong side (WS) to this fabric. The RS faces you as you crochet all even-numbered rows (the Shell rows).

Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch.

Pattern Multiple: The beginning chain is any multiple of 8 + 2. Adjust the size of your bandanna by working any chain length, as long as it is a multiple of eight, then add two extra stitches for the turning chain.

Construction: This bandanna is worked from the top down, from the widest edge of the triangle to the center point. Starting with the longest edge first means that by the time you finish Row 3, you’re already at the halfway point! You will start with a beginning chain that equals your desired bandanna width, then continue the stitch pattern, decreasing one Shell every couple rows until you have only one Shell remaining. Lastly, two rows are worked to create a clean border around the raw edges while simultaneously integrating the two bandanna ties.

Tester Photos: Scroll down for tester photos.

Pattern Testers

Below is a collection of photos that my pattern testers graciously allowed me to share with you! Below each photo I have linked each person’s social media account as well as listed their particular yarn choice and any notes they left regarding how well they thought it worked in the pattern. Thank you so much to all these lovely testers who helped make this pattern as clear and easy-to-follow as possible!