Baby Bibs

Cherry and Pink Lion Bandana Bib Free Crochet Pattern

OEMGrid: Original Essentials, Maker Tools & Artisan Crafts • October 29, 2026

Introduction

This little bandana bib is made for babies from 0 to 6 months, when drool, milk and first tastes seem to land everywhere. It is worked in soft DK merino in cherry red and pink, with a simple color-blocked "lion face" triangle at the center and a pink single crochet border and ties. The fabric is flat, smooth and gentle against delicate skin, and the shape sits neatly over the chest without bulk. Best of all, it uses only single crochet and easy color changes, so it is a lovely first colorwork project for a new crocheter.

Materials Needed

Yarn: DK weight (light worsted) merino wool. Approximately 50 yards (46 m) cherry red (Color A) and 10 yards (9 m) pink (Color B).
Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6).
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a stitch marker (optional), and two bobbins or small balls for the colorwork.
Finished size: 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide at the top edge, 7 inches (17.8 cm) deep at the center point, with a neck circumference of approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) including the ties.

Abbreviations

ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
sc – single crochet: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
sl st – slip stitch: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
st(s) – stitch(es).
A – cherry red yarn.
B – pink yarn.

Gauge

16 single crochet stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm). Work a small swatch in single crochet and measure it flat; if you have more stitches than 16 in 4 inches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down a size.

Tips Before You Start

Change color in the last stitch: work the final yarn over of the last stitch of a color section with the new color so the change looks clean.
Keep the colorwork tidy: use separate bobbins for A and B, or carry the unused yarn loosely along the wrong side so the bib stays flat.
Count every row: the stitch count stays at 48 in every row, so a quick count at the end of each row keeps the triangle even.
Check your tension: keep your single crochet relaxed so the bib drapes softly and does not curl at the edges.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bib Body (worked flat, top edge down to the point)

With A, ch 49.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, changing to B in the last st (48 sc).

Row 2: With B, sc in first 20 sts, change to A, sc in next 8 sts, change to B, sc in last 20 sts (48 sc).

Row 3: With B, sc in first 19 sts, change to A, sc in next 10 sts, change to B, sc in last 19 sts (48 sc).

Row 4: With B, sc in first 18 sts, change to A, sc in next 12 sts, change to B, sc in last 18 sts (48 sc).

Row 5: With B, sc in first 17 sts, change to A, sc in next 14 sts, change to B, sc in last 17 sts (48 sc).

Row 6: With B, sc in first 16 sts, change to A, sc in next 16 sts, change to B, sc in last 16 sts (48 sc).

Row 7: With B, sc in first 15 sts, change to A, sc in next 18 sts, change to B, sc in last 15 sts (48 sc).

Row 8: With B, sc in first 14 sts, change to A, sc in next 20 sts, change to B, sc in last 14 sts (48 sc).

Row 9: With B, sc in first 13 sts, change to A, sc in next 22 sts, change to B, sc in last 13 sts (48 sc).

Row 10: With B, sc in first 12 sts, change to A, sc in next 24 sts, change to B, sc in last 12 sts (48 sc).

Row 11: With B, sc in first 11 sts, change to A, sc in next 26 sts, change to B, sc in last 11 sts (48 sc).

Row 12: With B, sc in first 10 sts, change to A, sc in next 28 sts, change to B, sc in last 10 sts (48 sc).

Row 13: With B, sc in first 9 sts, change to A, sc in next 30 sts, change to B, sc in last 9 sts (48 sc).

Row 14: With B, sc in first 8 sts, change to A, sc in next 32 sts, change to B, sc in last 8 sts (48 sc).

Row 15: With B, sc in first 7 sts, change to A, sc in next 34 sts, change to B, sc in last 7 sts (48 sc).

Row 16: With B, sc in first 6 sts, change to A, sc in next 36 sts, change to B, sc in last 6 sts (48 sc).

Row 17: With B, sc in first 5 sts, change to A, sc in next 38 sts, change to B, sc in last 5 sts (48 sc).

Row 18: With B, sc in first 4 sts, change to A, sc in next 40 sts, change to B, sc in last 4 sts (48 sc).

Row 19: With B, sc in first 3 sts, change to A, sc in next 42 sts, change to B, sc in last 3 sts (48 sc).

Row 20: With B, sc in first 2 sts, change to A, sc in next 44 sts, change to B, sc in last 2 sts (48 sc).

Row 21: With B, sc in first st, change to A, sc in next 46 sts, change to B, sc in last st (48 sc).

Row 22: With A, sc in each st across (48 sc). Do not fasten off.

Edging

Edging round: With B, sc evenly around the entire bib, working 1 sc in each st along the sides and 2 sc in each row-end along the diagonal edges, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Ties (make 2)

Right tie: With B, join yarn at top right corner, ch 40, sl st in each ch across, join to corner. Fasten off.

Left tie: With B, join yarn at top left corner, ch 40, sl st in each ch across, join to corner. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side with a tapestry needle, taking care not to pull the colorwork tight. Gently smooth the bib flat and block it lightly by misting with water and pinning it to the finished measurements (12 inches wide at the top, 7 inches deep at the center); let it dry completely before removing the pins. No seaming is needed, as the bib is worked in one piece with the ties attached at the corners.

Pro Tips and Variations

Softer drape: use a cotton-blend DK if the baby has wool sensitivity, keeping the same gauge.
Color swap: try a cream lion on a pink background for a different look, keeping the same widening color-block sequence.
Bigger size: for 6–12 months, add 6 chains to the starting chain and work the same color progression, then check the finished width against the gauge.

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