Few crochet projects are as satisfying as a small accessory that combines a simple construction with a strong visual theme. This watermelon bandana does exactly that. The project begins at the tip of the triangle and grows row by row until the red body reaches 45 stitches. Black puff stitches are then positioned across selected right-side rows to create the watermelon-seed effect, followed by a crisp white section and a green finishing band with adjustable ties.
This third tutorial approaches the pattern as a crochet workshop rather than simply presenting the rows in sequence. The goal is to help you understand what each stage is accomplishing, where the important stitch-count checkpoints occur, and which details deserve extra attention. The technical instructions remain faithful to the supplied pattern, including every row number, stitch count, color change, puff-stitch placement, and finishing instruction.
The pattern uses US crochet terminology and Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton with a 4.0 mm hook. Four colors are used: red (A), black (B), white (C), and green (D). The project is worked flat, beginning with a three-chain foundation and gradually expanding into the watermelon triangle.
What Makes This Bandana Different?
The charm of this project comes from the way several familiar crochet techniques work together. The main triangle uses double crochet increases, the decorative seeds are puff stitches, the transition is made with single crochet, and the final green section uses half double crochet before the ties are formed with chains and slip stitches.
Although the finished piece looks detailed, the construction follows a very clear progression. Through Row 15, the stitch count increases by three stitches per row. Once the triangle reaches 45 stitches, the width stays at 45 stitches through the white and green sections.
This makes the stitch count an especially useful tool for checking your work. Rather than relying only on the visual shape, you can use the numerical progression to confirm that the triangle is developing correctly.
Materials and Color Map
- Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
- Hook: 4.0 mm crochet hook
- Color A: Red
- Color B: Black
- Color C: White
- Color D: Green
The supplied source does not specify a total yarn quantity, yardage, meterage, gauge, or fixed finished-size measurement. Those details should not be guessed or substituted with outside estimates. The pattern does specifically state that the tie is chained to the desired length, approximately 14 inches.
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
Two pattern notes are particularly important. The puff stitches are made only on the right side. Also, the ch 2 at the beginning of the triangular rows is not counted as a stitch throughout the pattern.
Before You Crochet: Read the Triangle as a Map
The easiest way to understand the first part of the project is to see it as a sequence of controlled increases. You start with three stitches and then add three stitches with every completed row through Row 15.
- 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
This sequence is worth keeping beside you while crocheting. If a row finishes with a different number, stop and investigate before moving to the next row.
Stage One: Establishing the Red Triangle
Foundation and Row 1
With red (A), chain 3.
ROW 1 (WS): 3 dc in the third chain from the hook (3 sts).
The first row is deliberately small. It creates the starting point at the bottom of the finished triangle. Because there are only three stitches, this is a good place to establish a habit of checking your work after every row.
Row 2
ROW 2 (RS): ch 2 (not counted as a st throughout), turn, 2 dc in each st (6 sts).
The beginning chain does not count as a stitch. Each existing stitch receives two double crochets, taking the total from 3 to 6 stitches.
Row 3
ROW 3 (WS): ch 2, turn, [2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st] three times (9 sts).
This row establishes the repeated increase structure that will continue through the triangle. Work the bracketed sequence three times and finish with nine stitches.
Row 4
ROW 4 (RS): ch 2, turn, [2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts] three times (12 sts).
Row 5
ROW 5 (WS): ch 2, turn, [2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts] three times (15 sts).
At the end of Row 5, the triangle has reached 15 stitches. The shape should already be visibly widening from the original point.
Stage Two: Turning Stitches into Watermelon Seeds
Row 6 begins the decorative portion of the design. This is where black puff stitches are introduced into the red fabric.
The pattern defines ps as a puff stitch made from 5 hdc. These puff stitches are used only on RS rows. Between the black puff stitches, the main fabric continues in red double crochet.
Row 6 โ First Seed Row
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 (18 sts).
There are three black puff stitches in Row 6. The important point is not simply making three puffs, but placing each one exactly where the pattern specifies and switching back to red after each puff.
Row 7 โ Red Increase Row
ROW 7 (WS): ch 2, turn, [2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 5 sts] three times (21 sts).
There are no puff stitches in this wrong-side row. This creates a simple increase row between the decorative rows.
Row 8 โ Second Seed Row
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 (24 sts).
Row 8 is more involved than Row 6 because one of the puff-stitch instructions places the puff in the same stitch as the preceding double crochet. Follow the sequence literally rather than trying to make the seed spacing symmetrical by eye.
Row 9
ROW 9 (WS): ch 2, turn, [2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 7 sts] three times (27 sts).
Row 10 โ Third Seed Row
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 (30 sts).
Row 10 contains five puff stitches. The increase is still happening, so do not allow the decorative stitches to distract from the underlying stitch count.
Row 11
ROW 11 (WS): ch 2, turn, [2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 9 sts] three times (33 sts).
Row 12 โ Final Seed Row
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, 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 4 sts (36 sts).
Once Row 12 is finished, fasten off black (B). No more black yarn is required for the remaining rows.
Stage Three: Finish the Red Triangle
With the seed section complete, the final three rows of the red body return to the regular increase rhythm.
Row 13
ROW 13 (WS): ch 2, turn, [2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 11 sts] three times (39 sts).
Row 14
ROW 14 (RS): ch 2, turn, [2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 12 sts] three times (42 sts).
Row 15
ROW 15 (WS): ch 2, turn, [2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 13 sts] three times (45 sts).
After Row 15, switch to white (C) and fasten off red (A).
This is an important construction checkpoint. The red triangle should now contain 45 stitches. The black seed details are finished, and the project is ready to move from the main watermelon body into the rind-like transition.
Stage Four: The White Transition
The white section consists of three rows of single crochet. Unlike the earlier triangle, there are no increases here.
ROW 16โ18: ch 1 (does not count as st), turn, 1 sc in each st across (45 sts).
Each row contains 45 stitches. The ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
Because the stitch count remains constant, these rows are ideal for checking whether your edges are staying straight. If you finish a white row and do not have 45 stitches, correct the count before proceeding to green.
Stage Five: Creating the Green Band
Switch to green (D) and fasten off white (C).
ROW 19โ20: ch 1 (does not count as st), turn, 1 hdc in each st across (45 sts). DO NOT FASTEN OFF. Chain until you reach your desired length (approximately 14 inches).
The instruction not to fasten off is essential. Green is still the active working color because the same yarn is used for Row 21 and the tie construction.
At this point, the bandana has moved through all four colors in a logical visual order: red for the watermelon flesh, black for the seeds, white for the transition, and green for the final band.
Stage Six: Row 21 and the Tie Construction
Row 21 converts the remaining green work into the wearable tie.
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 previous row).
The first part of the row works back across the chain with slip stitches. The next section crosses the bandana body with single crochet. Then another chain is made to the desired length before turning and working slip stitches back across it.
Finally, the tie is connected to the side of the bandana by slip stitching into the hdc of the previous row.
After completing Row 21, fasten off green (D) and weave in ends.
How to Read the Shape While You Work
A useful way to monitor this project is to compare the fabric to the construction stages rather than expecting the final appearance immediately.
- Rows 1โ5: small red triangle begins to widen.
- Rows 6โ12: black puff stitches appear as watermelon seeds while the triangle continues increasing.
- Rows 13โ15: red triangle reaches its final 45-stitch width.
- Rows 16โ18: white section maintains 45 stitches.
- Rows 19โ20: green hdc section maintains 45 stitches.
- Row 21: green tie construction is completed.
This stage-based approach is particularly useful if you are teaching the pattern or returning to it after taking a break. You can identify the section you are working on without having to reread the entire pattern.
Right Side and Wrong Side Awareness
The RS and WS labels are more than decorative notes in this project. They help you understand where the black puff stitches belong.
Rows 6, 8, 10, and 12 are RS rows, and these are the rows containing puff stitches. Rows 7, 9, and 11 are WS rows between the decorative rows.
Keeping track of which side you are facing also helps prevent accidental changes to the visual placement of the seeds. If you become unsure, stop rather than continuing based on appearance alone.
Color-Change Management
Multiple color changes happen within individual rows, particularly Rows 6, 8, 10, and 12. These changes should be treated as part of the stitch instructions, not as an optional decorative technique.
For each specified puff stitch, switch to black, make the puff stitch, and then switch back to red exactly as written. Avoid carrying assumptions from one seed row into another because the placement instructions are not identical in every row.
After Row 12, black is fastened off. After Row 15, red is fastened off when white is introduced. After the white section, white is fastened off when green begins. Green remains attached through Rows 19โ20 and is finally fastened off after Row 21.
Stitch-Count Workshop Checkpoints
If you prefer to crochet in short sessions, use these checkpoints to divide the work:
Checkpoint One: 15 Stitches
Complete Row 5. Confirm that the red triangle has 15 stitches before beginning the first seed row.
Checkpoint Two: 24 Stitches
Complete Row 8. Confirm 24 stitches and review the black puff-stitch placement before continuing.
Checkpoint Three: 36 Stitches
Complete Row 12. Confirm 36 stitches, then fasten off black.
Checkpoint Four: 45 Stitches
Complete Row 15. Confirm 45 stitches, then change from red to white.
Checkpoint Five: 45 Stitches
After Rows 16โ20, the stitch count remains 45. This stable count is an important transition from shaping to finishing.
Common Problems and What to Check
The Triangle Is Not Growing Evenly
Check the stitch count first. The expected progression is 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, and 45 stitches through Row 15.
The Seed Pattern Looks Wrong
Check whether the puff stitches were placed on the correct RS rows. Then review the exact color-change sequence for the row you are working on. The seed placements vary from row to row.
The White Section Has the Wrong Width
Rows 16โ18 should each finish with 45 stitches. The chain 1 at the beginning does not count as a stitch.
The Green Section Is Too Narrow or Wide
Rows 19โ20 should also contain 45 hdc stitches. Check the stitch count before beginning Row 21.
The Tie Is Difficult to Finish
Remember that green should not be fastened off after Rows 19โ20. The yarn remains attached for Row 21, where the chain and slip stitches create the tie.
Finishing the Bandana Neatly
Once Row 21 is complete, fasten off green (D) and weave in ends. Finishing is a small step, but it has a major effect on the appearance of a wearable accessory.
Work the loose ends into the appropriate fabric areas without pulling the stitches too tightly. The objective is to secure the yarn while allowing the triangle and ties to retain their natural shape.
Before wearing the bandana, inspect the transition between red, white, and green. Also check the black puff stitches to make sure they remain securely integrated into the fabric.
Quick Reference: Color Changes
- Start: Red (A)
- Rows 6, 8, 10, 12: Black (B) is introduced for puff stitches and changed back to red.
- After Row 12: Fasten off black (B).
- After Row 15: Switch to white (C) and fasten off red (A).
- Rows 16โ18: White (C).
- After Row 18: Switch to green (D) and fasten off white (C).
- Rows 19โ21: Green (D).
- After Row 21: Fasten off green (D) and weave in ends.
Quick Reference: Stitch Count
- 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 16โ18: 45 sts
- Rows 19โ20: 45 sts
Final Quality Check Before Wearing
- Confirm the hook is 4.0 mm.
- Confirm Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton is being used.
- Confirm the four colors are red (A), black (B), white (C), and green (D).
- Confirm the beginning ch 2 is not counted as a stitch in the triangular section.
- Confirm puff stitches appear only on RS rows.
- Confirm Rows 6, 8, 10, and 12 contain the specified black puff stitches.
- Confirm black is fastened off after Row 12.
- Confirm Row 15 ends with 45 stitches.
- Confirm red is fastened off when white begins.
- Confirm Rows 16โ18 remain at 45 stitches.
- Confirm white is fastened off before green begins.
- Confirm Rows 19โ20 remain at 45 stitches.
- Confirm green is not fastened off before Row 21.
- Confirm the chain reaches the desired length, approximately 14 inches.
- Complete Row 21 exactly as written.
- Fasten off green and weave in ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this pattern worked flat?
Yes. The bandana is built row by row from the initial point outward.
What is the main stitch used for the triangle?
The main triangular body is built with double crochet increases.
What creates the watermelon seeds?
The seed details are created with black puff stitches, defined in the pattern as 5 hdc.
Which rows contain puff stitches?
Puff stitches are used in Rows 6, 8, 10, and 12.
Why are some rows labeled RS and others WS?
The labels identify the right side and wrong side of the work. They are especially important because puff stitches are made only on the right side.
Does the white section increase?
No. Rows 16โ18 are worked with 1 sc in each stitch across, maintaining 45 stitches.
Does the green section increase?
No. Rows 19โ20 contain 45 hdc stitches each. The additional chain is used for the desired tie length rather than changing the 45-stitch bandana body count.
Should I fasten off green after Row 20?
No. The pattern specifically says DO NOT FASTEN OFF because the green yarn is needed for Row 21.
How long should the tie be?
The pattern says to chain until you reach your desired length, approximately 14 inches.
A Beginner’s Strategy for Success
If you are new to colorwork, do not try to memorize the entire project. Work one row at a time and use the stitch count as your checkpoint.
For the early rows, concentrate on the increase pattern. For Rows 6, 8, 10, and 12, slow down and read every color-change instruction. For Rows 16โ20, focus on maintaining 45 stitches. Finally, keep the green yarn attached until Row 21 is finished.
This approach turns what might initially look like a complicated colorful project into a series of manageable sections.
Final Thoughts
The watermelon bandana is a great example of how a small number of crochet techniques can create a highly recognizable finished design. The triangular body is shaped through consistent increases, the puff stitches provide texture and visual character, and the white and green sections complete the watermelon-inspired color sequence.
The most important skills for this project are careful stitch counting, awareness of RS and WS, accurate color changes, and patience during the puff-stitch rows. Once those details are under control, the rest of the project follows a straightforward progression.
Remember that the supplied pattern is the technical authority for the project. Preserve the exact stitch counts, row numbers, color changes, placement instructions, and finishing sequence rather than modifying them based on assumptions.
The pattern was designed by @creativewasteland.art on Instagram. The supplied source states that the pattern is free to use and encourages donating at least $5 to Operation Olive Branch, Doctors Without Borders, Save The Children, World Central Kitchen, or a local student encampment. The source was last updated 5/13/24.
With the final ends woven in, your watermelon bandana is ready to become a bright handmade accessory. The combination of the red triangle, black puff-stitch seeds, white transition, green band, and adjustable ties gives the project its distinctive finished character while keeping the construction approachable one row at a time.