In this pattern
- My yarn basket
- How gingham grows — corner to corner
- Row by row — precise math — from point to top
- How to change colors without tangles
- White flowers — 4 of them
- Ties that don't curl
- Finishing — where I place the flowers
- Finished bandana
My yarn basket
For this one I used worsted cotton — black, white, and light gray. Black is 80 grams, white is 70 grams, gray is 30 grams — just a little for the soft middle tone that makes gingham look gingham.
I used a 5.0mm hook for the bandana so it's drapey and not stiff — it falls nicely on your head. For the flowers I use a 3.5mm hook so they are tight and layered. I work on my white table with eucalyptus around, just like in my photo — that photo is my favorite because the light was so clean.
How gingham grows — corner to corner
This bandana is corner-to-corner — we start at the bottom point with one little block, and each row we add one more block per side. So row 1 has 1 block, row 2 has 2 blocks, row 3 has 3 blocks — it grows by one block each row. That's my formula: blocks in row n = n. I counted it every row while making mine.
Each block is chain 6, 3 double crochet in chain 6 — that's one C2C block — 0.5 inch big. Between blocks I slip stitch to join — so the triangle grows evenly.
For gingham, the color of each block makes the check pattern. I work 2 rows black, 2 rows white, with gray where black and white meet — that gray softens the check like in my photo. It's not tapestry — I just change color when I start a new block — cut and weave later.
After each row, count your blocks — that's your checkpoint. After row 5 you should have 5 blocks, after row 10 you have 10 blocks, after row 45 you have 45 blocks — about 23 inches wide at top — that's the size in your photo.
My gingham growing — corner to corner — black and white blocks — 5.0mm hook — each block 0.5 inch.
Row by row — precise math — from point to top
I start at bottom point with black. Every row I turn and add one more block.
R1: ch 6, 3 dc in 4th ch from hook, 3 dc in next? Actually standard C2C: ch 6, dc in 4th ch, dc in 5th, dc in 6th — 1 block — turn — 1 block
R2: ch 6, dc in 4th, 5th, 6th, sl st to ch-3 space of first block, ch 3, 3 dc in same space — 2 blocks — turn — checkpoint: 2 blocks
R3: ch 6, dc in 4th,5th,6th, [sl st to next ch-3 space, ch 3, 3 dc in same space] 2 times — 3 blocks — turn — checkpoint: 3 blocks
R4: same — [ch 6 block + 3 blocks attached] — 4 blocks — turn — 4 blocks
Continue — each row adds 1 block — R5 5 blocks, R6 6, R7 7, R8 8, R9 9, R10 10 — and so on
Gingham colors — my map from photo:
R1-2: black, black
R3-4: white, white — makes first big check
R5-6: gray where black meets white — in my photo the gray is the soft middle — I place gray blocks in middle of row
Repeat: 2 rows black, 2 rows white, with 1 row gray transition every 4 rows — creates gingham check of about 4 blocks × 4 blocks per square — like in photo
For simplicity: Work in 4-block squares: 4 blocks black, 4 blocks white, alternating — with gray blocks at intersections — you will get the black-white-gray gingham like photo
Work until R45: 45 blocks wide at top — about 23" wide (45 × 0.5") and 13" tall — stop here for size in photo
This is exactly how I made mine in the photo — 45 rows, 45 blocks at the top edge, 13 inches tall to point. My formula is simple: blocks = row number, width = blocks × 0.5 inch. So R45: 45 blocks = 22.5 inches — about 23 inches with border — matches your photo.
If your triangle curls, you forgot to chain 6 at start of row. If it has holes, you forgot to slip stitch to next ch-3 space before making next block.
How to change colors without tangles
For gingham I change color for each block — I don't carry yarn. I cut black, join white in next ch-3 space, make block, cut white, join next color. It sounds like a lot of weaving, but it keeps colors clean — no black showing through white. I weave tails inside same-color blocks so they hide.
I keep three small balls — black, white, gray — and I use one at a time. When I finish a block, I cut leaving 4 inch tail, pull through, start next color with slip knot in next space.
White flowers — 4 of them
These flowers are my favorite part — layered, soft, about 2 inches across. I make four and sew them on the side near my cheek like in the photo.
R1: magic ring, ch 1, 10 sc in ring — 10 sc — join with sl st — (10)
R2: [ch 3, 2 dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in same st, sl st in next st] 5 times — 5 petals first layer — (5 petals)
R3: Working behind petals: sl st to back loop of R1, [ch 4, 3 dc in same back loop, ch 4, sl st in same loop, sl st in next back loop] 5 times — 5 petals second layer, slightly bigger — (5 petals)
R4: Working behind again: sl st to back loop of R2 base, [ch 5, 3 tr in same loop, ch 5, sl st in same loop, sl st in next] 5 times — 5 petals third layer, biggest — (5 petals) — fasten off — leave tail — flower about 2" across, 3 layers
Each flower has 3 layers — 5 petals each — 15 petals total — layered like a little rose. I make four the same. I don't block them — I like them a little cupped so they puff out from bandana.
My white flower — 3 layers, 5 petals each — about 2 inches — soft and layered like in the photo.
Ties that don't curl
Left top corner: attach black, ch 60, sc in 2nd ch and each ch across — 59 sc — sl st to corner — fasten off — about 14" tie
Right top corner: same — ch 60, sc 59 — fasten off
I make ties 14 inches so I can tie around my bun. Single crochet back along chain keeps them from curling — if you just chain, they curl and look messy.
Finishing — where I place the flowers
I weave in all tails inside same-color blocks — black tails inside black, white inside white, gray inside gray — so they hide. It takes about 15 minutes with all the color changes, but it's worth it for clean gingham.
I steam lightly with iron not touching — just steam over — so triangle lays flat. I don't press flowers — I want them puffy.
For flower placement like in my photo: I place 4 flowers clustered on lower right side of triangle — about 3 inches up from point and 4 inches in from right edge — two on top, two below, slightly overlapping like in photo — I sew with white yarn through back of flower center, through bandana block, knot inside. I tack each petal tip with one stitch so they don't flop too much.
I wash mine cold and lay flat — black can fade if hot, and cotton stretches if hung.
Finished bandana
Here she is — my black and white gingham bandana with four white flowers — just like in my photo on my white table with eucalyptus around.
I wear mine with a white sweater and black jeans — it goes with everything. When I wear it to market, people always ask about the flowers — I tell them I made them one by one with tea.
Finished — black and white gingham triangle with four white layered flowers — 23" wide × 13" tall — my favorite classic bandana.
This gingham bandana is my classic favorite. I made it with eucalyptus on my table and soft light, and I wear it whenever I want something simple and pretty. I hope you love making yours too — black, white, and four little flowers. 🤍🖤🌿