The Turtle Trunk Picot Bandana Free Crochet Pattern

Add a delicate, feminine touch to your crochet accessories with the beautiful Picot Bandana from The Turtle Trunk! This lovely pattern uses a simple combination of stitches to create an open, lacy texture that is perfect for warm weather styling. Whether you’re heading to a summer festival, going for a drive with the windows down, or just having a bad hair day, this kerchief provides a stylish and comfortable solution.

What truly sets this bandana apart is the stunning picot edging that borders the entire triangle, giving it a whimsical and polished look. The pattern is worked from the bottom up, meaning it starts with a few stitches and gradually increases until it reaches the perfect width for your head. It’s an excellent project for adventurous beginners looking to learn the picot stitch, and it works up quickly enough that you can make one in every color! Grab your favorite cotton blend yarn and let’s get started on this gorgeous piece!

Sizes

The instructions for the Picot Bandana include 3 sizes: small, medium, and large. See the size chart down below of the measurements of each. Any size can be made for anyone depending on the fit and coverage you’d like! Here is a comparison of each size on a child and adult:

Size comparison of the Picot Bandana crochet pattern by The Turtle Trunk. The photo shows the back of the head of 4 people wearing crochet bandanas.

The size small is best suited for babies and toddlers, which will offer full coverage for both.

It will come down behind the ears and cover the top and back of the head.

A size small can also be worn by older children, teens, and adults for lighter coverage and daintier look! It will not drape as far down to the ears and will only cover the very top of the head.

Medium is best suited for children for a fuller coverage, which will cover the top and back of the head and come down past the ears.

For teens and adults, a medium will offer lighter coverage, covering the top of the head but not coming as far down the back of the head.

A large will offer the most coverage for teens and adults, covering the top and the back of the head and wrapping down past the ears.

If you’re unsure of what size to make, I think medium is a great fit for anyone and offers the best versatility for head sizes. You can also make the ties as long or short as you want to fit any head circumference.

Size	Length (not including ties)	Width	Yardage
Small	14”	7”	60 yards / 55 meters
Medium	17”	9”	85 yards / 78 meters
Large	20”	11”	135 yards / 124 meters

Difficulty

Advanced Beginner

Gauge

At the end of Row 5 your bandana should be 4” in length by 2” wide.
Adjust hook size up or down to meet gauge.

Supplies

Medium (4) weight yarn (I used Lion Brand Yarn Color Theory)
5.00 mm (H) Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors

Notes

Instructions for all sizes start off the same. When each size has a different row count, the smallest size will be listed first followed by the next size up.
The CH 1 at the beginning of each row does NOT count as a stitch. The CH 2 at the top of the triangle DO count as stitches.
The number in parentheses at the end of the row represents the total number of stitches to be worked in that row. Each row will increase by 4 stitches.
Stitches between *asterisk* are to be repeated until stated. Stitches between [brackets] are to be working all into the same stitch.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

ST(s) – Stitch(es)
SL ST – Slip Stitch
SK – Skip
CH – Chain
SC – Single Crochet
PSC – Picot Single Crochet
BLO – Back Loop Only
HDC – Half Double Crochet

Special Stitches

Check out the video tutorial HERE if extra assistance is needed for the special stitches.

SC BLO – Single Crochet Back Loop Only

When looking at the top of a stitch you will see 2 loops. The one closest to you is the front loop and the one furthest away from you is the back loop. For a SC BLO, work a single crochet as normal but only work in the back loop of the stitch.

Photo shows the front loop and back loop when crocheting.

PSC – Picot Single Crochet

Insert your hook into the designated stitch. Pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through the 1st loop on your hook. Yarn over and pull through the 1st loop again. Yarn over and pull through the 1st loop once more. Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. Push the CH 3 you just created behind so that it bumps out on the right side of your work and work the next ST.

How to crochet a Picot Single Crochet stitch.

Twisted Single Crochet (Reverse Crab Stitch)

With the loop on your hook loose, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, keeping the 2^nd loop on your hook loose as well, rotate your crochet hook 360° counterclockwise. Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook.

Picot Bandana Pattern

CH 2

Row 1: [2 SC, CH 2, 2 SC] into 2^nd CH from the hook. CH 1 & turn. (6)

Row 2: 2 HDC in 1^st ST, HDC into next ST, [HDC, CH 2, HDC] in CH 2 space, HDC in next ST, 2 HDC in the last ST. CH 1 & turn. (10)

Row 3: 2 SC BLO in 1^st ST, SC BLO in the next 3 STs. [SC, CH 2, SC] in the CH 2 space, SC BLO in the next 3 STs. 2 SC BLO in the last ST. CH 1 & turn. (14)

Row 4: 2 SC in 1^st ST, PSC in the next ST, *SC, PSC* repeat ** across until the CH 2 space. [SC, CH 2, SC] in the CH 2 space. PSC in the next ST, then *SC, PSC* across until 1 ST remains. 2 SC in the last ST. CH 1 & turn. (18)

Row 5: 2 SC in 1^st ST, SC in each ST across until the CH 2 space, [SC, CH 2, SC] in the CH 2 space. SC in each ST across until 1 ST remains, 2 SC in the last ST. CH 1 & turn. (22)

Row 6: 2 HDC in 1^st ST, HDC into each ST until you reach the CH 2 space. [HDC, CH 2, HDC] in CH 2 space, HDC in each ST across until 1 ST remains, 2 HDC in the last ST. CH 1 & turn. (26)

Row 7: 2 SC BLO in 1^st ST, SC BLO in each ST across until you reach the CH 2 space. [SC, CH 2, SC] in the CH 2 space, SC BLO in each ST across until 1 ST remains. 2 SC BLO in the last ST. CH 1 & turn. (30)

Rows 8-15/19/23: Repeat Rows 4-7 (Small: 2 times, Medium: 3 times, Large: 4 times).

Do not tie off yarn. Move onto border.

Border

Row 16/20/24: 2 SC in 1^st ST, SK next ST, *SC, SK, [2 SC, CH 2, 2 SC], SK* repeat ** until you reach the CH 2 space. [SC, CH 2, SC] in the CH 2 space. SK 1, *[2 SC, CH2, 2 SC], SK, SC, SK* repeat ** until 1 ST remains. 2 SC in the last ST.

Do not tie off yarn. Move onto ties.

Ties

CH 21 (this will make a tie that is approximately 6” long, feel free to make the chain longer or short). Working in the back bump of the chain, loosely SL ST in the 2^nd CH from the hook and in each CH across.

When you reach the main body of the bandana, work 1 Twisted Single Crochet in each row across the top (this stitch will add a fun texture to the top edge of the bandana, feel free to use regular single crochets across for a straight edge).

When you reach the other side of the bandana, CH 21 (or the same number you worked on the other side). Working in the back bump of the chain, loosely SL ST in the 2^nd Ch from the hook and in each CH across.

SL ST into the top corner of the bandana and tie off yarn. Weave in ends.

The Turtle Trunk Picot Bandana Free Crochet Pattern