Orchard Beach Bandana in Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton - Downloadable PDF

Orchard Beach Bandana Crochet Pattern in Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton — Free Downloadable PDF

The Orchard Beach Bandana (Pattern Number M21260 TC) is a fun, colorful accessory pattern published by Lion Brand Yarn Company. Despite being listed as a crochet project, this pattern is actually worked with knitting needles, making it a wonderful knitted bandana designed to be worn as a head wrap or hair accessory. It is rated Easy skill level, making it an approachable project for beginners who are comfortable with basic knitting techniques and are ready to explore simple shaping and colorwork.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a triangular bandana with ties, designed to be worn around the head in classic bandana style. The finished piece measures approximately 10 inches (25.5 cm) in length from the lower point to the top edge, and approximately 13 inches (33 cm) in width, not including the ties. The triangular shape gives it a flattering, on-trend look that works beautifully for beach days, outdoor activities, or casual everyday wear — perfectly suited to its Orchard Beach name.

Materials Used

This pattern is worked exclusively in Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton® (Art. #761), a worsted weight cotton yarn celebrated for its smooth, mercerized finish and vibrant, fade-resistant colors. The pattern calls for up to six colors, each requiring one ball:

• #157 Lemon (Color A)
• #100 White (Color B)
• #107 Sky (Color C)
• #156 Mint (Color D)
• #158 Goldenrod (Color E)
• #142 Rose (Color F)

The bright, summery palette of lemon yellow, white, sky blue, mint green, goldenrod, and rose makes this bandana a cheerful, eye-catching accessory. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton® is a machine-washable yarn, which is ideal for a wearable accessory that may need frequent laundering. Its cotton composition also makes it breathable and comfortable against the skin — a practical choice for warm-weather wear.

Needles and Tools

• Lion Brand knitting needles, size 8 (5 mm)
• Lion Brand large-eyed blunt needle for weaving in ends

Gauge

The recommended gauge is 17 stitches = approximately 3½ inches (9 cm) and 26 rows = approximately 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is strongly advised to ensure the finished bandana matches the intended dimensions.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The bandana is constructed using fundamental knitting stitches and techniques that are well within reach of an easy-level knitter:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) — The primary fabric stitch, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. Stockinette produces a smooth, flat fabric surface that showcases the colors of the yarn beautifully.
• Yarn Over (yo) — An increase technique that simultaneously adds a stitch and creates a small decorative hole, or eyelet, in the fabric. The yarn over is worked by bringing the yarn to the front between the needles and then taking it to the back over the right needle. In a bandana pattern, yarn overs are commonly used to create decorative lace-like details or to assist in the triangular shaping of the piece.
• Shaping — The triangular form of the bandana is achieved through strategic increases or decreases worked across rows, giving the piece its characteristic pointed lower edge.
• Colorwork — With up to six colors specified, the pattern incorporates striping or color changes to create the multicolor palette. Managing multiple yarn colors is a beginner-friendly introduction to working with more than one color in a project.
• Ties — The bandana includes ties at the top corners, which allow it to be secured around the head. These are likely