My favorite free crochet messy bun hat patterns all rounded up in one place! Whether you are looking for stripes, flowers, cables, or more – it’s here!
Featured Crochet Messy Bun Hat Video Tutorial
I’m sure you’ve seen the messy bun/ponytail hats all over the internet. There are a million patterns out there and it was hard for me to narrow it down to 10 but I have picked out my favorites to share them with you here!
I’m loving this crochet trend where you can wear a cute hat but still have your hair up. I know so many women who don’t like to wear hats because of the way it squishes down their hair but now they are loving these hats.
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Tips for Crocheting Messy Bun Hats
Crocheting a messy bun hat is very similar to crocheting a standard beanie. I like to make mine from the bottom up, working the ribbing first and working up to the top, where you leave a hole for the hair.
Other hats work top down where they start with the hole for the hair (sometimes working around a ponytail holder). Either way, you might like the ponytail holder idea at the top of hat.
Usually you will begin or end with 8-20 stitches at the top for the hair to have enough room to poke through.
What are the Best Yarns for Messy Bun Hats?
Wool is always a favorite when it comes to hats, because it is a super warm option. However, some people find wool to be too itchy and hard to care for.
Acrylic is a popular option because it can be thrown in the washing machine when needed and is affordable. Acrylics are often pretty warm as well.
Other animal fibers work really well, such as alpaca. I love making my hats out of fibers like these because you get the warmth of wool without the scratchy qualities.
Free Crochet Messy Bun Hat Patterns
Mommy and Me Messy Bun Hats from Repeat Crafter Me
These hats are made from a 100% acrylic yarn with a cluster V-stitch pattern. These hats are worked from the top down and are just too cute! I love how there is a version for adults and kids.
Messy Bun Hat from Daisy Cottage Designs
Stripes and a flower give this one a different look. It is created with a ponytail holder at the top and worked from the top down with worsted weight yarn and uses mostly double crochet.
Quick and Easy Messy Bun Hat by Amanda Saladin
Works up quickly with a large hook and Scarfie yarn, which is a bulky wool blend. This hat uses a modified bean stitch for texture, and the yarn does the color changing for you!
Cabled Crochet Bun Beanie from Make and Do Crew
This hat is so clever! It features faux cables and uses only single crochet and chains and is worked in Lion Brand Woolspun.
The buttons allow you to put this on and not mess up your hair!
Messy Bun Plaid Hat from Whistle and Ivy
There are a lot of great plaid patterns on this site – this is one of my favorites. This hat is worked from the bottom up and is very easy to customize.
Simple Textured Messy Bun Hat by Amanda Saladin
This bottom up pattern gets the texture from a waffle-type stitch and color change using Unforgettable yarn. You will need to know how to front post double crochet, but there is a full video tutorial to help.
Chunky Messy Bun Hat from Fiber Flux
Uses a super bulky Thick and Quick yarn to work up in a snap! This hat is worked bottom up and the optional button is a nice touch.
1 Hour Messy Bun Beanie from Sewrella
A super fast project that also uses Thick and Quick yarn from Lion Brand. This hat is worked top down with a ponytail holder and even includes a video tutorial!
Cabled Messy Bun Beanie from High Strung Crochet
I love crocheted cables and the colors used for this hat. It is made with Red Heart Super Saver, one of the most affordable worsted weight yarns out there, and is worked bottom up.
Messy Bun & Ponytail Hat from Posh Patterns
A simple and cute design that is made with a large hook and worked from the top down.
I hope you have enjoyed this collection of free crochet messy bun hat patterns. Check these out and make a few for yourself! 🙂
If you’d like to view other fun patterns be sure to check out all my free crochet patterns here!
Happy Crocheting!
Amanda
I really like all of these but I want to try the Simple Textured Messy Bun Hat first. I need it to fit a 23″ head. How do I make the adjustments for this?
Hi Donna,
You will need to make the ribbing 23″ instead of 20″ and add 12 sts (so your starting sc would be 99). Since this stitch pattern works in multiples of 3 it should work out. The cap shaping might be a little tricky, but it should work. Start shaping the top two rows earlier than the original pattern and repeat round 6 to make the hole at the top smaller before you complete round 7. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much!!! I can follow someone else’s directions but I cannot for the life of me adjust or write one myself???