Bandana with Tassels Accessory Knitting Pattern

Bandana with Tassels in Plymouth Yarn Revel

What Is Being Made

This project creates a decorative knitted bandana measuring approximately 32 x 34 inches, finished with handmade tassels attached to the corners. The bandana is constructed using Plymouth Yarn's Revel yarn and is designed as an intermediate-level knitting accessory suitable for adding texture and visual interest to any wardrobe or home décor setting.

Techniques Used

The bandana employs strategic shaping techniques to create its distinctive triangular form. The pattern begins with a small cast-on of 5 stitches and uses yarn over increases worked every row to expand the fabric to its widest point of 219 stitches, creating the upper half of the bandana. The construction then reverses direction using knit two together decreases paired with yarn overs to gradually reduce the stitch count back down to 5 stitches for binding off. This increase-and-decrease method produces a symmetrical, triangle-shaped accessory.

Tassel creation involves traditional hand-wrapping techniques using heavy cardboard as a winding board. The process includes wrapping yarn around the board to create loops, securing the tassel head with a tight knot, cutting through the loops to form the skirt, and wrapping the tassel neck with a separate yarn strand to define and finish the tassel shape.

Stitches Used

• Waffle Ridge Stitch: The primary pattern stitch used throughout the bandana, created by alternating rows of knit and purl stitches in a specific 8-row repeat. Rows 1 through 4 are knit on both sides, Row 5 is knit on the right side, Row 6 is purled on the wrong side, Row 7 is knit, and Row 8 is purled. This repeating pattern creates a textured, waffle-like appearance with subtle ridges.
• Yarn Over (YO): Used in the increase rows to create decorative eyelet holes while simultaneously adding stitches to expand the fabric width.
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): Used in the decrease rows to reduce stitch count and shape the lower half of the bandana.
• Cast On and Bind Off: Standard techniques used to begin with 5 stitches and finish the project with a loose bind-off for flexibility.

Materials and Tools

This project requires 4 balls of Plymouth Yarn Revel, shown in color 17, which provides the main yarn for both the bandana body and the tassels. A 24-inch US size 6 knitting needle is used to achieve the required gauge of 22 stitches over 4 inches. Additional tools include a crochet hook for attaching the finished tassels to the bandana corners, heavy cardboard for creating the tassel winding board, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and securing elements during finishing.