Once Upon a Time Fairytale Crochet Bandana Free Pattern

This is a very simple fairytale bandana crochet pattern in a beginner friendly ‘granny’ stitch. Unleash your inner fairytale heroine, picking berries in the forrest. Or perhaps just use it as a headscarf when slouching about the house to keep your hair off your face. This free pattern was part of the Once Upon a Time Make Along. Check out all the fabulous patterns in the themed pack.

Accessibility

This blog post is formatted for accessibility, and avoids traditional abbreviations for easy access. A premium downloadable PDF will be available for sale after the One Upon a Time MAL is over. This will use standard abbreviations, and come in UK as well as US crochet terms. You can find out more about the accessibility features of my blog posts and free patterns, or jump into using the features by clicking on the icon of the little iron in a blue circle in the bottom right corner.

Safety

This super cute bandana will look good on all ages from age 3 to age 100. I do not recommend it for babies under three, due to the risk of strangulation if it got caught around their neck. Please don’t make it for babies, look for a sweet little hat pattern instead. Have you tried the Vivid Bucket Hat, by another designer from the Once Upon a Time MaleAlong, Joanne Fowler? It comes in all sizes, including tiny baby.

Headscarf Size

When worked to the stated row count and stated gauge, the pattern will make a head scarf of 36 cm/ 14 inches for child size, or 41 cm/16 inches for adult size. It is an easily adjustable pattern for custom fit by changing your row count.

Yarn and materials

To make this headscarf you will need:

75 meters/82 yards of any worsted weight cotton yarn,, such as Drops Paris, Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8, Scheepjes Cahlista, etc.

The samples shown used exactly one ball of Drops Paris each. It’s worth noting that the yarn requirements here are very close – each sample headscarf was made from one ball of yarn. However, it left only 2 meters when the headscarf was finished. If you wish to make a larger size than the sample shown, be aware that you will likely need a second ball. Alternatively try working the edging in a contrast colour.

Yarn substitutions:

Use any yarn from your stash. This pattern can work in any yarn weight but take careful note of the information on gauge below and be aware you will need to measure your work instead of following row counts if you use a different weight yarn.

You will also need:

4.5 mm crochet hook (or size for your chosen yarn) A darning needle for weaving in ends A hair elastic (Optional)

Tension/Gauge.

The samples shown were worked to a tension of 1 shell repeat to 2.5 cm/1 inch width, and 1 shell to 2 cm/ ¾ inch height. Each repeat is measured as shown, across the shell of 3 stitches and the chain 1 space for width. To check, work the pattern to the end of row 3. At this stage you should have 3 inches for the short sides, and 3 ½ inches for the long side, as shown

For this pattern, matching tension is not critical to get a good fit, as you can work as many rows as you like to the get size you want.

However, it is always worth checking tension, to be sure you will be happy with the finished item. A looser tension will give a softer, more comfortable feel, which is quite important for a headscarf you will wear near your face. On the other hand, if it is worked in a tension that is too loose, it won’t hold its shape.
I recommend working up the first 3 rounds as a gauge swatch. Then rub it between your fingers and on your face to check you are getting the fabric you want. For this item, a comfortable feel is more important that meeting the specified dimensions, as you can easily alter row count to get the desired size.

Construction

The headscarf is worked back and forth in rows.

Stitches used

US terms

Chain
Double crochet
Slip stitch
2 double crochet cluster
3 double crochet cluster
Chain 4 pico

Special Stitches

US terms

Shell

Into the chain 1 space, work 3 double crochet and chain one. Note that the chain 1 is always made after the 3 double crochet stitches!

Corner shell

Into the chain 2 corner space, work 3 double crochet, chain 2, work another 3 double crochet and chain 1.

Cluster stitch

This stitch works 3 stitches into one. You will work over the 3 double crochet stitches of each shell for the first edging row, and work them together into one stitch.
🔵 Yarn over
🟢 Insert hook into first stitch (3 loops on hook)
🔴 Yarn over and pull through (3 loops on hook)
🟡 Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook)
🟣 Yarn over and insert hook into next stitch (4 loops on hook)
⚪️ Yarn over and pull through (4 loops on hook)
🟤 Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook)
⚫️ Yarn over and insert hook into next stitch (5 loops on hook)
🔵🔵 Yarn over and pull through (5 loops on hook)
🟢🟢 Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (4 loops on hook)
🔴🔴 Yarn over and pull through all four remaining loops

Chain 4 pico

🔵 Chain 4.
🟢 Insert hook into base of chain 4.
🔴 Yarn over and pull through to secure with slip stitch.

Corner cluster stitch

This stitch makes 2 clusters of 2 stitches, separated by a chain 4 space
🔵 Yarn over.
🟢 Yarn Insert hook into chain 2 corner space.
🔴 Yarn over and pull through (3 loops on hook).
🟡 Yarn over sand pull through 2 (2 loops on hook).
🟣 Yarn over, and insert hook into corner space.
⚪️ Yarn over and pull through ( 4 loops on hook).
🟤 Yarn over and pull through 2 (3 loops on hook).
⚫️ Yarn over and pull through all three (one double cluster made).
🔵 🔵 Chain 4.
Repeat from 🔵 to 🔵🔵 to create a second double cluster with chain 4.

Pattern Starts

Set up: chain 4, join with slip stitch to form a ring.

Row 1: (right side) chain 3 (counts as double crochet) 2 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet. Turn.
Stitch count: 2 shells of 3 double crochet each, one chain 2 corner space in middle.

Row 2: chain 3, 2 double crochet in base of chain 3, chain 1, corner shell in chain 2 space, chain 1, skip 2 double crochet of last shell, 3 dc in last stitch of last shell.
Stitch count: 4 shells of 3 dc each, 2 chain 1 side spaces, 1 chain 2 centre space.

Row 3: chain 3, 2 double crochet in base of chain, chain 1, shell in each chain 1 space to corner, corner shell, shell to end, shell in turning chain.
Stitch count: 6 shells, 3 each side.

Row 4: chain 3, 2 dc in base of chain, chain 1, shell in each chain 1 space to corner, corner shell in chain 2 space, shell to end, shell in turning chain.
Stitch count: 8 shells, 4 on each side

Repeat row 4 another 6 (8) times for a total of 10 (12) rows, or for your desired size. Stitch count will increase by 2 shells, one on each side, each row. The stitch count of shells per side, and the row count will always be the same. For example, n row 10, you will also have 10 shells per side, which makes it easy to remember and check.

The long side should reach from behind the ear, over the head, and back to the second ear. Adjust row count to achieve this size.

Decorative Edging:

2 rows of decorative edging are now worked around the outside

Row 1: chain 3, [cluster shell across top of 3 stitches of shell, chain 4], repeat to chain 2 corner space, work corner cluster stitch, cluster shell to end.

Row 2: chain 1, *[3 sc, pico, 3 sc] in chain 4 space, front post single crochet around cluster stitch, repeat from * to end.

Finishings and fastening:

There are 2 options for securing the headscarf, either stitching in a hair elastic to create a stretchy join, or creating 2 ties with chain stitches. The first option will last longer, and stay in place better, so I strongly recommend using a hair elastic if you have one.

Elastic join:
Single crochet 2 stitches around hair elastic and final stitch of row 2. Now single crochet around the elastic until half covered. Single crochet 2 or 3 stitches around corner stitch of the second side. Single crochet around second side of elastic, join to first side with slip stitch. Fasten off, disconnect, and weave in ends.

Chain Ties

To create ties to tie the headscarf in place, chain for your desired length (about 50 chain stitches). Disconnect and fasten off, leaving a tail of about 20 inches. Thread tail onto darning needle, and weave it through the end stitch 10 times to create a small tassle. Tie a short piece of yarn around the top of the tassel to secure, and trim ends.

Repeat for the other side.

Find more crochet hair accessories here

Do you love crocheting simple, DIY hair accessories? Check out the Aisling Hairband or the stash busting scrunchie. On the other hand, do you like trying different crafts? Then you can find patterns on my site to sew a scrunchie, or knit a scrunchie too!

Copyright

This pattern, including the wording and the pictures, are my work and copyright. Therefore, please do not distribute them in any way except by using the link to this blog post, or the link to the Once Upon a Time MAL. You may not copy in any way, including by making your own videos, if they are directly based on my work.
This blog is not intended for commercial use. You may sell finished items based on this pattern only if you have made them in your own home, with your own hands. However, selling your own makes from this pattern is allowed. If you are selling for charity, this is strongly encouraged. I would love to hear about your event, how it went, and who you raised money for.