Coastal Collar Slip-On Bandana: Free Crochet Pattern

Coastal Collar Slip-On Bandana: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This slip-on bandana is the perfect little accessory for the medium dog in your life who deserves a bit of seaside charm. Worked as a simple flat rectangle in shell stitch, it uses just two colors — a rich burgundy field crossed by two gold shell stripes — for a look that feels like a stroll past shingled cottages and salt-washed porches. Once folded and sewn along the sides, it becomes a neat triangular drape that slides right over your dog's collar, so there are no ties to fuss with and nothing to come loose on a walk. The bulky wool works up quickly, feels soft and springy in the hand, and gives the finished bandana a lovely, slightly rustic texture that photographs beautifully.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Bulky weight (weight category 5) wool, approximately 120 yards total — 100 yards burgundy (Color A) and 20 yards gold (Color B).
• Hook: 6.5 mm (K-10.5) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, scissors, and a stitch marker (optional, for marking the first stitch of each row).
• Finished size: Flat rectangle 14 inches wide x 7 inches high; folded triangle 14 inches along the collar and 7 inches to the point. Fits medium dogs.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• sk — skip: miss the stated number of stitches without working into them.
• rep — repeat: work the instruction again as many times as stated.
• RS / WS — right side (the outside, public face) / wrong side (the inside face).

Gauge

4 shells and 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in shell stitch pattern. To check, crochet a small swatch of the shell pattern and measure a 4-inch section — if you have more shells than 4, go up a hook size; if fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Count your shells every row. You should always have 9 shells across. If you drift, the rectangle will slant and the folded triangle won't sit straight on the collar.
• Change colors on the last stitch of the row. Work the final yarn-over of the last dc of the row with the new color so the stripe edge stays clean.
• Keep your turning chains loose. The ch 3 at the start of each row counts as the first dc of the first shell — don't pull it tight or the edge will pucker.
• Measure the collar before you sew. The open top edge becomes the collar sleeve, so check it slides easily over your dog's actual collar width before stitching the sides closed.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Rectangle (Color A)

Row 1: With A, ch 29. 2 dc in 4th ch from hook (first shell), *sk 2 ch, 3 dc in next ch; rep from * across, turn (9 shells).

Row 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in first dc, *sk 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc; rep from * across, turn (9 shells).

Rows 3-4: Rep Row 2 (9 shells).

Change to B.

Rows 5-6: Rep Row 2 (9 shells).

Change to A.

Rows 7-12: Rep Row 2 (9 shells).

Change to B.

Rows 13-14: Rep Row 2 (9 shells).

Change to A.

Rows 15-16: Rep Row 2 (9 shells). Fasten off.

Edging (Color B)

Rnd 1: With RS facing, join B at the top right corner, sc evenly around the entire rectangle, working 3 sc in each corner; join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Fold the rectangle in half with wrong sides together to form a triangle. Thread your tapestry needle with a length of A and sew the two side edges together from the fold down to the point, leaving the top edge open to form the collar sleeve. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, distributing them across a few stitches so they don't pull. Block lightly by misting with water and pinning the triangle flat to dry — this opens up the shell texture and helps the gold border lie flat.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the palette: Try navy with cream stripes, or sage with a soft white for a different coastal mood — the two-stripe layout works with any pair.
• Add a button closure: Instead of sewing the sides fully closed, sew a button at the point and work a small ch loop at the fold for an adjustable, removable version.
• Size it up or down: For a smaller dog, begin with a shorter chain (each shell uses 3 chains) and work fewer rows, keeping the same stripe rhythm.