The Viral Messy Bun Hat by Stacey Thorngren that started the Messy Bun Crochet Hat Phenomenon that took over the Internet – it’s available for sale on Ravelry – 18 Free Messy Bun Hat Crochet Patterns – Make Your Own Ponytail Beanie
We’ve added five more messy bun beanie free patterns to the list so there’s 23 now!
What? You haven’t seen the thousands of hats patterns that have swamped the crochet message boards, Pinterest and Facebook? It was all started by this one. A simple snap of a hat created and worn by Stacey Thorngren. I doubt she knew how furiously avid crocheters were trying to find out who the cute blonde with the hair-exposing hat was and how they could get their hands on the pattern for the beanie.
What Stacey did was leave a hole in the crown of her hat to allow her messy bun to pop out thus eliminating a bump in her hat. This isn’t a new concept. Search “ponytail beanie, ” and you’ll find plenty of hats, some with the ponytail low and others with an adjustable hole location (my personal favorite).
But that’s the beauty of the Internet. Crazy, huh! Since the photo below has gone viral, the hat’s wearer and designer has posted the pattern for sale. It’s available via Ravelry for $5 (get Stacey’s Bun Hat instantly from Ravelry).
Are you ready to get your crochet hooks out and make a few? I chose patterns that were likely inspired by Stacey’s design, but aren’t copycats (I support original designers). Some are old patterns that I happened to like. I hope you find a few that spark your creativity too! Who knows, maybe your hat could be the next big thing!
[amazon_link asins=’B00XLP2UGI,B06XT2RDNW,0785830480,B000XZYISM,B00B2CCA6W,B0016N3PKW,B000QHF912,B00NZF0TT4,B00KB68U3C’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’associateslinkbuilderplugin-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a1988f44-0d73-11e8-882d-29b88daa3bda’]I will admit, I don’t get the whole messy bun hat viral movement, especially since the ponytail crochet hat has been around forever. But hey, I hope Stacey is profiting from her success. Plus, who am I to judge someone else’s fashion choices? I even promise not to laugh when someone says it looks like you have a dead squirrel on your head. 🙂
Free Messy Bun Hat Crochet Pattern Collection
Free Pattern – Crochet Messy Bun Plaid Hat
Free Messy Bun Hat Crochet Pattern by Whistle & Ivy
Yarn Used in this project: Knit Picks Brava Worsted Yarn in Red, Wine, Black, and Dove Heather
Twizzler Convertible Messy Bun Hat – a free crochet pattern by Sherry Weber
This pattern is available free. Wear it as a cowl, hat, or scarf. In child through adult sizes. Created in Bernat Satin Yarn by Sherry Weber.
Free Low Ponytail Hat Crochet Pattern by Red Heart
This free Ponytail Hat Pattern by Red Heart features a brim and a lower ponytail opening.
Made with Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, Cherry Red
Free Crochet Pattern Brimmed Messy Bun Hat
While the name is a bit tacky (Ribbed For Him and Her Hat by Marly Bird), the hat is quite different from the rest out there so positive marks for that. Marly Bird’s patterns are always well written and easy to understand. Get this free crochet pattern at her website.
Crocheted in Red Heart With Love Yarn in Peacock
Simple Double Crochet Bun Hat (free pattern!) by Oombawka Design
This hat is one of my favorite bun caps. With its color blocking and an accent flower, it’s simply adorable! Get this free pattern, in sizes from toddler to adult, from Oombawka Design.
Crocheted in Red Heart Soft Yarn, Off White and Wine
Shelby’s Free Double Bun Beanie Crochet Pattern by The Lavender Chair
You’ll find this double bun hat and more at The Lavender Chair
Made with Red Heart With Love Yarn – Autumn
Easy Messy Bun Hat – A free Crochet Pattern by Yolanda Soto-Lopez
Yolanda was one of the first crocheters I followed on YouTube. Her tutorials are fabulous! You’ll find this free crochet pattern and many others on her website
Crafted with Red Heart Super Saver Yarn – Mirage
Cabled Messy Bun Beanie (Free Pattern) by High Strung Crochet
You’ll find this free cabled hat pattern perfect for you updo at Highstrungcrochet.com
Yarn Used: Red Heart Super Saver Icelandic – E300_3952
Mango Tree Crafts: Messy Bun Hat Free Crochet Pattern – Child, Teen & Adult Sizes
You’ll find all three sizes at Mango Tree Crafts
Samples were made with Bernat Wool-Up Worsted Yarn
Free Pattern – Everyday Kisses Messy Bun Hat
A variegated yarn creates a unique pattern in this messy mom bun hat created by American Crochet
Yarn Used: Premier Yarns Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted Prints – Lava (2010)
Deborah Norville Collection Everyday Print Yarn Lava ED200-10
Simply Reversible Messy Bun Crochet Hat – FREE PATTERN
Another easy crochet beanie which is perfect for a messy mom bun, but this one can be worn on either side. Created by American Crochet
Made with Premier Yarns Deborah Norville Everyday, Neon Pink
Ponytail or Messy Bun Hat Crochet Pattern – Free
This beanie hat has decorative buttons and an unusual stitch that makes it stand out from the single and double crochet hats. Get the free pattern at Crochet Dreamz
Created in Willow Yarns Wash worsted in color Celestial not readily available in the US. Substitute 100% acrylic with a crochet hook size I-9 wth a gauge of 12 sc and 15 rows = 4″ We suggest Red Heart With Love Yarn, Blue Hawaii
Crochet Mommy and Me Messy Bun Hats – Repeat Crafter Me
Repeat Crafter Me offers many free and fabulous crochet patterns for babies, kids, and adults.
Yarns Used: Bernat Super Value Yarn in Natural and Aqua
Bernat Super Value Yarn (07414) Natural
Messy Bun Beanie Free Pattern by Crochet Ever After
This pattern is available free from CrochetEverAfter.com
Created in Loops and Thread Facets in Black Diamond
Crochet Ponytail Beanie by Danyel Pink (free pattern)
Unlike the majority of ponytail beanie hats, this one has an opening lower down on the back of the head instead of on top. Visit Danyel Pink’s website for the free pattern.
Crocheted in Red Heart With Love Hot Pink & Iris
Free Crochet Pattern – Unforgettable Messy Bun Ponytail Hat
Get this free crochet pattern at Dearest Debi
Crocheted in Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable – Petunia
Pinky Crossover Slouch Hat to Messy Bun Hat – 3 styles
Get these three free patterns (and much more!) at Posh Pooch Designs
Yarns Used – Red Heart Abstract Boutique Treasures / Red Heart Super Saver- Primary Print / Red Heart Super Saver Yarn – Pink Panther
Three Free Messy Bun Hat Crochet Patterns Plus Tutorial Video
Red Heart Boutique Treasure Yarn, Abstract
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn Panther Pink E300-3938
Dashing Messy Bun Hat – Free Crochet Pattern
Get this free crochet pattern at American Crochet
Crocheted in Red Heart Soft Yarn, Wine
Messy Bun Hat – Crochet Updo Beanie, a free crochet pattern & video tutorial by Naztazia
Got an updo and headed out in the cold? This messy bun hat is perfect. It has a hole in the crown for your ponytail or messy mom bun to escape the confines of the cap. Get the free pattern plus much more at Naztazia.com and then check out the companion DIY video below. Both an adult and child’s pattern are available.
Yarn Used: Red Heart Unforgettable Yarn, Tidal
Free Messy Bun Crochet Tutorial & Free Pattern
30 Minute Chunky Crochet Messy Bun Hat – Free Pattern
A free crochet pattern for ages 2 yrs to adult with an elastic top and video tutorial. Get the free pattern at the Hectanooga Website.
Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Blue Tones Print
Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Light Blue
Quick and Easy Messy Bun Hat – Free Crochet Pattern
Free Messy Bun hat created by Amanda Saladin with Lion Brand Scarfie #209 Charcoal/Aqua
A free linen stitch messy bun crochet pattern by A Crocheted Simplicity using Bernat Sheepish Yarn; color FEMME
Dutch Messy Bun Beanie
Dutch messy bun beanie, a free crochet pattern by Ingrid Geerings
Hi you posted above for 23 Free messy ponytail buns I can’t seem to find them.
Connie ~ thank you sooo much for steering me to the website for this pattern video. Turns out I was working too tight. Working great now!
I posted a question about the “Ribbed for Him and Her Hat Pattern”. I don’t see it anymore & have not received a reply. What happened to it?
Hi Sherry,
I linked to the pattern, the pattern wasn’t posted here. I suspect you’ll find your question on the designer’s website.
I know how to crochet, but I have never tried these, doesn’t your head get kind of cold though?
I would think so. Crazy trend.
Not really, ‘cuz your hair is mostly filling the hole. With the multi-opening or adjustable ones, perhaps a little, though I’ve seen some that have a sort of Y-flap (like men’s tightie-whities). There are also some designs where stitch pattern (ex. basket weave or cable) or general design (ex. drawstring top) can mitigate this problem.
As a person of large head and copious hair, I can testify—the huge bulge inside the hat is far more problematic. When it’s not making the hat come off entirely (or at least ride far too high, exposing the brow, ears, etc.), it creates air pockets on top of your head that keep the cool in, in my experience. Granted, I have thick, long hair—last winter, it was calf length—so mostly I have to braid my hair to do anything tidy anyway. Then again, wrap the braid around your neck 2 – 3 times, and Instant Scarf!
Nice to know that this is a trend though, these pony beanies aka messy bun hats aka buffs, headwarmers, whatever—I mostly cope with multiple scarves (effect: doing the dance of the seven veils to remove my turban tower) or infinity scarves pulled up (and some people look at you like a religious extremist, which is a whole different kettle of fish). Sadly, I’m a far better knitter, so I’ll have to do a little legwork or take a whack at hooking.
I absolutely love these! I need to make one for my friend because she always has a bun in.
I have been seeing this trend recently and at first i didn’t know what to think of it. Now, i feel like i really need one f these in my life! I don’t crochet, but i have a friend thats really good at it and maybe she can make me one!
Now these are some cute sounding patterns, I’m going to have to share them with a friend and see if she will make me one as I can’d crochet!
These are so cute! My daughter is all about the messy bun, so these would be something that she would love to make to keep her head warm and still rock that messy bun.
Those are so cute! Thank you so much for sharing these patterns. I love hats like this, and I’ve been looking for something new to make.
My hair is always in a messy bun! I just cannot work with hair in my face. I think I need this hat!
I was just telling my grandma I wanted one of these really bad. She needed a pattern and now here one is!
I have long hair and i do throw my hair in a messy bun quite often. This would be super cute to dress up your bun a little when you don’t feel like doing anything with it lol. I am going to see if my mom will make this for me (i cannot crochet for the life of me!).
These are so stylish! I’ve never tried those bun hat but it looks pretty! I want that!
Oh this is the coolest! I’m liking all of these different patterns. Messy buns are the way to go this winter!
These are all such great patterns. I think the fourth one is my favorite, I wish I could crochet,
These are so stinking cute and thankfully I have quite a few friends who would make one for me. I need one for sure.
How fun are thee? I wish I knew how to crochet!!
I am a total hat person and definitely need a few of these in my life. Love the idea of crocheting them myself.
These are so cute. I have long hair and this would be perfect to wear when I have my hair up and still keep my head warm.
I have seen these before and they are brilliant! My step sister would adore it! Messy buns are totally her thing right now.
Those are so cute! I love how easy the look to make, too. A cute project that’s easy to do is always a winner in my book.
These are so cute! I love that they are stylish and keep your ears and head warm!
My daughter was just wanting a hat like this. These patterns will be great for her to make her own or have a friend make one for her!