Dog Bandana Bonanza: Canine Kerchief Patterns

Not all dogs love wearing sweaters, but most pups will rock a bandana without any issues. These triangular neckties are a quick and easy way to show your doggo’s holiday or team spirit.

And because dog bandnnas are probably the easiest four-legged fashion pieces to make at home, we thought we’d share a few nifty patterns! 

Let’s frolic through our favorite DIY dog bandana patterns and see what your pup can add to his wolfish wardrobe.

Dog Bandana Safety 101

Before we get to the fun stuff, there are a few safety tips to keep in mind about bandana fashion, including: 

• Don’t leave your dog unattended while wearing a bandana. As cute as bandanas are, they can snag, potentially choking your pup or causing discomfort. Even if they’re a breakaway design such as a snap, you don’t want your pup to ingest any pieces.
• Measure to ensure a comfortable fit. Like collars, harnesses and other accessories, you should be able to slip at least two fingers comfortably between the bandana and your dog’s neck.
• Do not use with chomp-happy pups. If your pooch is prone to destructive chewing, bandanas likely aren’t the fashion choice for him. Not only can he hurt himself by yanking at it, but he could potentially ingest fabric scraps. A fancy DIY dog collar is probably a better option.

Dashing Dog Bandana Patterns

Making your own doggy bandanna is a breeze, especially if you’re following a set design. Check out these pawsome patterns to see what style fits your bestest buddy:

1. Easy Pet Bandana by Spoonflower

Spoonflower’s Easy Pet Bandana pattern is a sturdy accessory that slips right over your pup’s collar, eliminating the need for tying and keeping it secure. While it’s polished in appearance, you do need some stitching skills to pull it off, so keep your sewing machine handy.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• 1 fat quarter of your favorite fabric
• Thread
• Printout of Spoonflower’s Pet Bandana template (optional)
• Your dog’s collar for size reference

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Fabric scissors
• Pins

2. The Crafts Channel Bandana

The Crafts Channel’s Bandana design is reversible and relatively easy to make, only requiring beginner sewing skills to accomplish. This pattern works best with lightweight fabrics such as cotton, as thicker fabrics will be hard to maneuver. The bandana is fastened by tying, just be sure you don’t cinch it up too tightly when dressing your doggo.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Fabric of your choice (cotton and other lightweight varieties work best) 
• Thread

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Fabric scissors
• Clothes iron

3. Dog Scarf by Art Gallery Fabrics

Art Gallery Fabrics’ Dog Scarf is a button-closure design with clean lines, holding firm while in use, yet still remaining easy to remove. You do need to know your way around a sewing machine to make it, but it isn’t too difficult, especially if you use a light fabric that’s easy to handle.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Fabric
• Thread
• Buttonhole foot
• Button

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Needle (to hand stitch the button)
• Rotary cutter / fabric scissors

4. Sew Caroline Dog Bandana 

This dog bandanna pattern by Sew Caroline secures with a snap, allowing for safe wearing and easy removal. There are three size options listed that should cover most dog breeds, and its relatively simple design only needs beginner sewing skills.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Fabric
• Snap kit
• Thread
• Sew Caroline template cut out (optional)

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Fabric scissors

5. My Golden Thimble Dog Bandanna 

My Golden Thimble’s Dog Bandanna comes in five size patterns, ranging from extra small to extra large, allowing most breeds to wear it with ease. You’ll tie it up to secure it, so make sure only use it in places it won’t snag to keep your pupper safe. It does require a lot of sewing, but it isn’t overly complicated to master.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Fabric
• Thread
• My Golden Thimble’s Dog Bandana template (optional)

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Clothes iron
• Pins
• Fabric scissors

6. Reversible, Slip-Over Dog Bandana by Sparkles of Sunshine

Sparkles of Sunshine’s Dog Bandana is a safe way to show off your pup’s style, as it easily slips over his collar, avoiding the threat of a tight squeeze from tying or ingesting buttons and snaps. It’s reversible, too, letting you change up your pup’s look of the day easily.

Beginner sewing skills are all you need to make it happen.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Fabric
• Thread
• Your doggo’s collar for sizing reference

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Clothes iron
• Fabric scissors

7. Lia Griffith Dog Bandana

This dog bandana pattern by Lia Griffith can be stitched by hand, though a sewing machine will make the process a lot faster (and easier.) Beginner crafters can tackle this design with ease, and its slip-over styling makes fastening it to your pup’s collar effortless.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• 2 contrasting fabrics
• Thread
• Printout of Lia Griffith’s dog bandana template
• Your pup’s collar for reference

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Fabric scissors

8. Dog Bandana Pattern from Treasurie

Treasurie’s Dog Bandana Pattern is a simple way to fancy up your pup’s style. You do need some sewing skills to craft it, but the stitching isn’t too complicated, making it ideal for beginners.

As a slip-over design, it’s more secure than snap styles, and four pattern sizes are offered, working well for most doggos.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Fabric (using two patterns makes it reversible)
• Dog-friendly decorative elements like ric-rac (optional)
• Thread
• Your dog’s collar for size reference

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Fabric scissors
• Pins

9. Super Easy DIY Dog Bandanna from SkipToMyLou

SkiptoMyLou’s Easy DIY Dog Bandanna design is perfect for newbie crafters since it doesn’t require a ton of stitching to complete. With simple folding, cutting, and stitching techniques, you’ll have an easy-to-use bandanna that slips over your pooch’s collar for safe and secure doggy fashion.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Fabric
• Thread (one that complements the fabric will look best)
• Your pup’s collar for sizing
• Piece of paper

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Erasable marking pen or pencil
• Fabric scissors
• Ruler

10. Love to Sew Studio Dog Bandanna Pattern

Despite its name, Love to Sew Studio’s Dog Bandanna Pattern doesn’t require a great deal of sewing skills. It’s adaptable to your pooch’s needs, too, as you can pick either a tying design or Velcro closure, both of which have their own pros and cons. 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Fabric of your choice (lightweight is best)
• Velcro (optional)
• Thread

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Fabric scissors

11. Made for Mermaids Dog Bandana

Your doggo will look spiffy in Made for Mermaids’ Dog Bandana, an easy-to-make DIY design with a simple snap closure. You will need to sew the edges, but it only requires you to sew in straight lines — an easy task with a sewing machine.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Fabric
• Color-coordinated thread
• Snap kit
• Made for Mermaids’ dog bandana template

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Fabric scissors
• Clothes iron

12. Crochet Dog Bandana by Golden Lucy Crafts

Golden Lucy Craft’s Crochet Dog Bandana is a highly personalizable pick for your pup with the option for special appliques. As a labor-intensive crocheted piece, it does require a good amount of time and skills to create. A potential drawback is snagging since crocheted designs are more fragile than others and typically don’t stand up to outdoor wear.

Difficulty Level: Hard

Materials Needed:

• Yarn of your choice (2 skeins in one color, 1 skein in another)
• Golden Lucy Crafts’ dog bandana crochet pattern
• Decorative appliques (optional)

Tools Needed:

• 3.5 mm crochet hook E

13. Pitter and Glink Dog Bandanna

This dog bandanna by Pitter and Glink is a double threat as it slips over your pup’s collar, and it’s reversible, allowing you to adjust your pooch’s style on the go. Because of this versatility, you do need moderate sewing skills compared to simpler designs. Its double-sided design should lead to more durability, however.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Materials Needed:

• Fabric
• Thread
• Your dog’s collar for sizing reference

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Rotary cutting set
• Clothes iron
• Sewing gauge (optional)

14. Gertie’s Blog for Better Sewing Dog Bandana 

Gertie’s Better Sewing Dog Bandana is a polished pick with precise stitching that makes its design pop. Some sewing skills are needed, but it isn’t as complicated as other designs. You can customize it with inkjet transfer paper, too, if you select a light-colored fabric.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Materials Needed:

• Cotton fabric
• Color-coordinated thread
• Gertie’s dog bandana template
• Inkjet transfer paper for fabric (optional) 

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine
• Ruler
• Fabric chalk
• Pins
• Inkjet printer (optional)
• Fabric scissors

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Have you tried any of these DIY doggy bandana patterns with your pooch? Have you tried any others we didn’t cover? Let us know in the comments!