Ice Blue Picot Bunting Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This ice blue picot bunting is the perfect first garland project: each pennant is a simple flat triangle worked top-down in single crochet, so you only ever need to know one basic stitch. The sport-weight linen-cotton blend gives the flags a soft, slightly crisp hand and a gentle sheen that catches the light, while the tiny picot loops along the two slanted lower edges add a delicate, almost lace-like finish. Strung on a silver cord, the seven pennants look airy and whimsical, whether they're draped across a nursery wall, a party table, or a sunny window. Make one garland in an afternoon, then come back for more in every color you love.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Sport weight (CYC 2) linen blend, approx. 50% linen / 50% cotton, in ice blue. Approx. 15 yd (14 m) per pennant; 105 yd (96 m) total for 7 pennants (one skein of most 100 g sport-weight linen blends is plenty).
• Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4), or the size needed to match gauge.
• Cord: Silver cord, approx. 60 in (152 cm) long (a smooth twisted cord or thin satin cord works well).
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a ruler or tape measure, and rust-proof pins plus a blocking mat for light blocking.
• Finished size: Each pennant approx. 4 in (10 cm) wide at the top edge x 4.5 in (11.5 cm) tall. Garland approx. 60 in (152 cm) long with 7 pennants spaced approx. 3 in (7.5 cm) apart.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• st / sts — stitch / stitches.
• rep — repeat.

Gauge

20 sc x 24 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet after light blocking. To check it, crochet a small flat swatch in sc, block it lightly, and measure a 4 in (10 cm) section in both directions; adjust your hook size if you have more or fewer stitches than 20 across 4 in.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep the first stitch honest. Each row begins with ch 1 (which does not count as a stitch) and the first sc goes into the very first stitch. Missing that stitch is the most common reason a pennant stops growing.
• Work the increases at alternating ends. The pattern adds one stitch at the beginning of one row and at the end of the next, which keeps the triangle symmetrical. Follow the row numbers rather than guessing.
• Keep your tension even. Linen-cotton has little stretch, so consistent, relaxed sc stitches keep the pennants flat instead of cupping.
• Make all 7 pennants before blocking. Blocking them together lets you pin them to the same measurements so the garland hangs evenly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pennant (make 7, ice blue)

R1: Ch 2, 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook (2 sts).

R2: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in last st (3 sts).

R3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st, 2 sc in last st (4 sts).

R4: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to end (5 sts).

R5: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st, 2 sc in last st (6 sts).

R6: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to end (7 sts).

R7: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st, 2 sc in last st (8 sts).

R8: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to end (9 sts).

R9: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st, 2 sc in last st (10 sts).

R10: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to end (11 sts).

R11: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st, 2 sc in last st (12 sts).

R12: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to end (13 sts).

R13: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st, 2 sc in last st (14 sts).

R14: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to end (15 sts).

R15: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st, 2 sc in last st (16 sts).

R16: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to end (17 sts).

R17: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st, 2 sc in last st (18 sts).

R18: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to end (19 sts).

R19: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st, 2 sc in last st (20 sts).

R20: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to end (21 sts). Do not fasten off.

Picot Edging (worked on each pennant)

Work along the two lower slanted sides only — not the top edge.

Step 1: Sc evenly along the first slanted side down to the point.

Step 2: [Sc in next st, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook] rep along the slanted side to the point.

Step 3: Sc in the point stitch.

Step 4: Rep the picot sequence up the second slanted side.

Step 5: Sl st to the first sc of the edging. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Assembly and Finishing

Block each pennant lightly to shape: pin it to approx. 4 in (10 cm) wide at the top and 4.5 in (11.5 cm) tall, straighten the picot loops, and let it dry fully. Weave in all remaining ends. Cut the silver cord to 60 in (152 cm), fold it in half, and tie a small knot at the fold to mark the center. Lay the pennants flat, right side up, and space them approx. 3 in (7.5 cm) apart, centering the middle pennant on the cord knot. Thread the cord through the top edge of each pennant: insert the cord from front to back at one top corner, across the back, and out the front at the other top corner, so the cord is visible across the front top edge. Tie a small overhand knot in the cord at each outer side of every pennant to secure it. Trim the cord ends and knot them to prevent fraying.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Color story: Alternate ice blue with white or pale silver pennants for a soft ombre garland, or work each flag in a different pastel for a nursery.
• Longer garland: Add more pennants and lengthen the cord by about 7 in (18 cm) per extra flag to keep the 3 in (7.5 cm) spacing.
• Hang it your way: Swap the silver cord for ribbon or twine, or add a small loop at each end of the cord for easy hanging on hooks or nails.