Announcement: you don’t have to choose between putting your hair up and wearing a hat. Seriously, these free messy bun hat knitting patterns are the answer to all of your problems! If you have never knit and worn one of these fantastic hats before, then you really owe it to yourself to try. 

The first reason to love free messy bun hat knitting patterns is that they are the real deal solution when it comes to bad hair days. Bad hair days are no more a problem when you can just throw your hair up into a chic messy bun or ponytail and then slip your hat on over it. 

The second reason to love them is because they are seriously cute! You can really capture that effortless I-woke-up-like-this attractiveness with one of these bad boys. Plus, they are less common than regular beanies, so you are more likely to stand out. Prepare to receive lots of compliments!

The third reason to love free messy bun hat knitting patterns is that they are generally easier and faster than regular beanie patterns. You save time by skipping out on knitting the crown, and you get to skip all the more complicated shaping techniques too. You’ll also find that when you knit them in rows, you don’t have to worry about that bunched up look that you get when you knit regular beanies in rows.

Of course, not all of these patterns are for beginner knitters. We have a few more challenging designs for experienced knitters to stretch their skills too! You may very well be surprised at just how many different designs there are out there. Rest assured, we’ve curated the best 25 free messy bun hat knitting patterns out there, so you can save time spent scrolling and get right to the fun part. So what are you waiting for? Scroll down and see all this knitting goodness for yourself! 

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25 Free Messy Bun Hat Knitting Patterns for Bad Hair Days

1. Cable and Eyelet Ponytail Hat

If this hat looks familiar it’s because the design was inspired by Hermione’s hat from the Harry Potter movies! You don’t have to choose between texture and lace for this design, because the cable and eyelet combination give you both of those things. The pattern is knit from the bottom up in the round. 

Designer: Julie Measures

Yarn: (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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2. Shirell’s Messy Bun Ponytail Hat

If you are looking for free messy bun hat knitting patterns that are suitable for beginners, then I recommend looking for patterns that call for a thicker yarn – like this one! The thickness of the yarn makes it easier to see your stitches. Plus, this pattern is super straightforward. It’s really just knit and purl stitches along with simple decreasing. 

Designer: Marta Poling

Yarn: Wool and the Gang Crazy Sexy Wool (Jumbo Weight #7)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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3. Little Knot Messy Bun Hat

Add a touch of rustic romance to your wardrobe with this textured tweed hat. You’ll start with the traditional ribbed brim by knitting in the round from the bottom up. Then you’ll veer off the standard path to knit the rest of the beanie with faux bobble, slip, and purl stitches. It’s a fun one, for sure!

Designer: Rough Bark Knits

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Tweeds (Super Bulky Weight #6)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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4. Ponytail Poof Hat

The next one of our free messy bun hat knitting patterns features a bright blue color and a bold texture. The pattern alternates between sections of ribbing and sections of poofy purl stitches. You can knit the whole thing using just basic stitches, so it’s definitely a beginner-friendly project. 

Designer: Startled Starfish

Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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5. Knit Ponytail Hat

The vertical stripes in this pretty ponytail hail are created by knitting in rows and then seaming the work together. As you knit the main part of the hat, you’ll also add on to the unique faux braided brim made with cable stitches. Everything is worked together, so the necessary sewing is minimal.  

Designer: Premier Yarns Design Team

Yarn: Premier Yarns Puzzle (Bulky Weight #5)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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6. Lobster Claw Cable Messy Bun Hat

There’s no denying that cables in knitting are great to look at, but sometimes it’s frustrating how much they can slow your progress down! This clever design only has you do the cable stitches every 6 rounds so you can speed on through to the finish line. The pattern includes the option for a removable pom pom – perfect for those days you don’t feel like wearing your hair up. 

Designer: The Knit Guru

Yarn: (DK Weight #3)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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7. Ponytail Hat

Here’s a bold and bulky messy bun beanie that’s perfect for beginner knitters! The pattern is knit in the round from the bottom up using basic knitting stitches and simple shaping techniques. The bulky weight yarn makes it easy for beginners to see their stitches and allows for larger size needles which beginners may find less fiddly than their small size counterparts. 

Designer: Handy Little Me

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky Weight #6)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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8. Glamping Beanie

I love the name of this design and I’ve got to admit that having a messy bun beanie on hand when I’m camping is a great idea! (because camping hair is definitely a thing) The design recommends using two strands of fingering weight yarn held together or a single strand of DK weight yarn. You’ll be using basic knitting stitches and easy eyelets for a touch of lace. 

Designer: Brittany Petko

Yarn: Machete Shoppe Dirty DK (DK Weight #3)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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9. Holly Ponytail Hat

If you are looking for free messy bun hat knitting patterns for your mini me, then why not try the Holly Ponytail Hat. This darling design features a ring of textured diamonds that add a sophisticated style. Despite appearances, it’s actually pretty easy to knit using just basic stitches and working in the round. 

Designer: Craftox

Yarn: (DK Weight #3)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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10. Pink Ponytail Hat

Sometimes when you’re working with a single color of yarn it can be nice to be a little extra with your stitchwork. More intricate designs allow you to stretch your knitting skills and show them off too! This hat design features a generous section of leaf motifs which transition into a lovely and lacy stitch called the cellular stitch.

Designer: Balls to the Walls Knits

Yarn: Sommer Wolle Merino 85 (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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11. Ridged Messy Bun Hat

Who says that the ribbed stitch pattern only belongs on the brim of the hat? Starting at the bottom, you’ll switch between ribbed and stockinette sections until you get to the top. A unique and stretchy cast off keeps the opening of the hat nice and flexible – perfect for folks with lots of hair!  

Designer: Audrey Mason

Yarn: (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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12. Messy Bun Knit Hat

Let’s get back to basics with this gorgeous blue beanie from Yarnspirations. The straightforward pattern is knit from the bottom up working in the round using just basic stitches. You’ll start with the ribbed brim and then move on to the stockinette section. Add a few rounds of shaping at the end and you’re all set! 

Designer: Laura Bain for Yarnspirations

Yarn: Red Heart With Love Solids (Aran Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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13. Family Fun Messy Bun Hats

Here’s another beautiful, basic, and beginner friendly design. The difference is that this design is knit flat and then seamed! This is great news for folks who haven’t quite mastered working in the round. Plus, the free knitting pattern is available in a range of sizes so you can make hats for the whole family! 

Designer: Bernat Design Studio

Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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14. Riva Bun Hat

Vertical cables add length and texture to this gorgeous messy bun beanie design. The pattern is knit in the round working from the brim up the crown. You will be pleasantly surprised at how quick this project is to knit in the recommended bulky weight yarn! And the best part is that you only need one skein. 

Designer: Berroco Design Team

Yarn: Berroco Vintage® Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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15. Brioche Ponytail Hat

One big benefit of the brioche stitch (other than the fact that it’s ridiculously pretty!) is that it’s super stretchy. This is such an important quality for a knit hat, especially if you are a tight knitter, and extra especially if you have ever made a hat before that turned out too small (Worst. Feeling. Ever.) 

Designer: Original Design

Yarn: Brooklyn Tweed Arbor (DK Weight #3)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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16. The Goodie Bag Hat

You’ll look like the present you are in this gorgeous Goodie Bag Hat! The drawstring closure at the top is threaded through a round of easy eyelets. Other than that it’s just garter and stockinette stitch. The garter stitch brim is worked in a unique way using turned rounds, so you can knit every row instead of alternating between knit and purl rows.. 

Designer: Cheryl Oberle

Yarn: (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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17. Hannah

Say hello to the Hannah beanie! The button closure is a handy feature that will keep your hair from being too mussed up when you take the hat off. I also think that the buttons are a nice accent (and a great excuse to add some bling in the form of sparkly buttons). Overall, it’s just a really nice and basic design made with ribbed and stockinette stitches. 

Designer: Blake Ehrlich Designs

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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18. Tea Cozy Hat

You’re sure to feel sophisticated and stylish in this messy bun beanie made with a muted red and purple variegated yarn. The design features an icord drawstring threaded around the opening at the top, a classic ribbed brim, and a stockinette stitch top. It’s knit in the round from the bottom up to the top. 

Designer: Woolly Wormhead

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica (Aran Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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19. Messy Bun Beanie and Matching Wrist Warmers

Free messy bun hat knitting patterns are a great way to show off the long color changes in a gorgeous gradient yarn. I especially like the effect that you get here between the color changes and the slanting ridges. Those ridges are created with the diagonal seed stitch. Make the matching set and you’ll be as cozy as can be! 

Designer: Knit Paint Sew

Yarn: Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball® Crazy Cotton (DK Weight #3)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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20. Autumn Dreams

The Autumn Dreams beanie is twice as cozy thanks to its wide double brim. This is a really nice feature if it gets really cold where you live. I also think that it adds some polish to the design. People will ask you where you bought it and then you’ll be able to tell them that you knit it yourself! 

Designer: Brome Fields

Yarn: Lion Brand Heartland (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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21. Ridge and Rib Messy Bun Hat

Can’t decide between ridges or ribs? You can have your cake and eat it too with the Ridge and Rib Messy Bun Hat! The design is knit from the bottom up in the round. The textural difference between the ribbed sections and the puffed up garter stitch sections is further emphasized by the great contrast in yarn colors.  

Designer: Let’s Go Baa-Less

Yarn: Stylecraft Special Double Knit (DK Weight #3)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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22. Chunky Knit Messy Bun Hat

If you can knit a dishcloth, then you can knit this cute messy bun beanie! The pattern is knit flat in a rectangular shape, and then seamed along the edges to form a circle. All you need to know is how to knit, purl, and knit 2 together. Both video and written tutorials are available, so it’s super beginner friendly! 

Designer: Marni Made It

Yarn: Premier Yarns Serenity Chunky Heathers & Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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23. Striping Messy Bun Hat

Make the easiest striped beanie of your life with a color changing skein of yarn. All of the colors are professionally matched for you, and you don’t have to worry about switching colors or weaving in all those extra ends. This free pattern keeps the stitching easy too (only rib and stockinette) so you can just knit and chill!  

Designer: Laura Bain for Yarnspirations

Yarn: Red Heart Soft Essentials Stripes (Bulky Weight #5)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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24. Cabled Bun Hat

We’ve seen a few free messy bun hat knitting patterns with vertical cables, but this is the first horizontal one. The secret is to knit the hat flat and then seam it. This one simple change makes a big visual impact that will have people doing a double take when they see it! Finish the design off with an icord drawstring closure and it’s ready to wear. 

Designer: Lion Brand Yarn

Yarn: Lion Brand Scarfie (Bulky Weight #5)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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25. Buffalo Plaid Messy Bun Beanie

Calling all plaid lovers! This buffalo plaid beanie is the perfect winter accessory and a total compliment catcher too. The design is super straightforward and the yarn is nice and thick, so you’ll have this project done in no time! You’ll be knitting in the round from the bottom up starting with a short ribbed brim and finishing with stockinette stitch. 

Designer: Charissa Pray

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky Weight #6)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Say goodbye to bad hair days, because these free messy bun hat knitting patterns are the answer to all of your problems! Isn’t that exciting? Tell me in the comments which of these patterns you decide to make and let me know how it goes!

Don’t forget, sharing is caring! Send this free knitting pattern round-up to all your knitting friends so they can join in on the fun too! Bookmark this page or save the link to your Pinterest board for amazing knitting patterns. 

I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3

Happy Knitting!
Amanda