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

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. Β 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!

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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. πŸ™‚

Free Messy Bun Hat Crochet Pattern Collection

Free Pattern – Crochet Messy Bun Plaid Hat

Free Pattern - Crochet Messy Bun Plaid Hat by Whistle & Ivy

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 availableΒ free.Β Wear it as a cowl, hat, or scarf. In child through adult sizes. Created in Bernat Satin Yarn by Sherry Weber.

Bernat Satin

Bernat Satin Yarn, Solid, 3.5 Ounce, Grey Mist Heather, Single Ball Bernat Satin Yarn, Grey Mist Heather

Bernat Satin Solid Yarn, Ebony, Single Ball Bernat Satin Yarn, Ebony

Free Low Ponytail HatΒ Crochet Pattern by Red Heart

This freeΒ Ponytail HatΒ Pattern by Red Heart features a brim and a lower ponytail opening.

Made with Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, Cherry Red

Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Cherry Red

Red Heart Super Saver Economy 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 inΒ Red Heart With Love Yarn in Peacock

Red Heart With Love Yarn 1505 Peacock 6 oz - 170 grams - 315 yards

Red Heart With Love Yarn 1505 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!Β Get this free pattern, in sizes from toddler to adult, from Oombawka Design.

Crocheted in Red HeartΒ Soft Yarn, Off WhiteΒ andΒ Wine

Bulk Buy: Red Heart Soft Yarn (2-pack) Off White E728-4601

Read More or Purchase online

Bulk Buy: Red Heart Soft Yarn (2-pack) Wine E728-4608

Read More & Purchase Online

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 withΒ Red Heart With Love Yarn – Autumn

Bulk Buy: Red Heart With Love Yarn (3-Pack) Autumn E400-1934

Red Heart With Love Yarn, Autumn E400-1934

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 withΒ Red HeartΒ Super Saver Yarn – Mirage

RED HEART Super Saver Jumbo Yarn, Mirage

RED HEART Super Saver Jumbo Yarn, Mirage

Cabled Messy Bun Beanie (Free Pattern) by High Strung Crochet

You’ll find this free cabled hat pattern perfect for you updo atΒ Highstrungcrochet.com

Yarn Used: Red Heart Super SaverΒ Icelandic – E300_3952

RED HEART Super Saver Jumbo Yarn, Icelandic RED HEART Super Saver Jumbo Yarn, Icelandic

Mango Tree Crafts: Messy Bun Hat Free Crochet Pattern – Child, Teen & Adult Sizes

You’ll find all three sizes atΒ Mango Tree Crafts

Samples were made with Bernat Wool-Up Worsted Yarn

Free Pattern –Β Everyday Kisses Messy Bun HatΒ 

A variegated yarn creates a unique pattern in this messy mom bun hat created byΒ American Crochet

Yarn Used: Premier Yarns Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted Prints – Lava (2010)

Bulk Buy: Deborah Norville Collection Everyday Print Yarn (3-Pack) Lava ED200-10

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 byΒ American Crochet

Made with Premier Yarns Deborah Norville Everyday, Neon Pink

Deborah Norville Collection Everyday Solid Yarn-Neon Pink

Deborah Norville Collection Everyday Solid Yarn-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 ofΒ 12 sc and 15 rows = 4″ We suggest Red HeartΒ With Love Yarn, Blue Hawaii

Red Heart with Love Yarn, Blue Hawaii

Red Heart with Love Yarn, Blue Hawaii

Messy Bun Beanie Free Pattern by Crochet Ever After

This pattern is available free fromΒ CrochetEverAfter.com

Created in Loops and Thread Facets in Black Diamond

Loops & Thread Facet Yarn Black Diamond 1 skein 3.5 ounces

Loops & Thread Facet Yarn Black Diamond

Crochet Ponytail Beanie by Danyel PinkΒ (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

Red Heart Yarn With Love 1701 Hot Pink Red Heart Yarn With Love, Hot Pink (1701)

Red Heart with Love Yarn, Iris Red Heart with Love Yarn, Iris

Free Crochet Pattern – Unforgettable Messy Bun Ponytail Hat

Get this free crochet pattern at Dearest DebiΒ  Crocheted in Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable – Petunia

Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable Yarn, Petunia

Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable Yarn, 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 –Β Red Heart Abstract Boutique TreasuresΒ /Β Red Heart Super Saver- Primary PrintΒ /Β 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 Boutique Treasure Yarn, Abstract

Bulk Buy: Red Heart Super Saver Yarn (3-Pack) Panther Pink E300-3938

Red Heart Super Saver Yarn Panther Pink E300-3938

Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Primary Print

Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Primary Print

Dashing Messy Bun Hat – Free Crochet Pattern

Get this free crochet pattern atΒ American Crochet

Crocheted in Red Heart Soft Yarn, Wine

Red Heart Soft Yarn, Wine

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 atΒ Naztazia.comΒ 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

Bulk Buy: Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable Yarn (3-Pack) Tidal E793-3960

Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable Yarn Tidal E793-3960

30 Minute Chunky Crochet Messy Bun Hat – Free Pattern

A free crochet pattern for ages 2 yrs to adult with anΒ 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, Blue Tones Print

Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Light Blue

Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Light Blue

Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Black

Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Black

Quick and Easy Messy Bun Hat – Free Crochet Pattern

Free Messy Bun hat created byΒ Amanda Saladin withΒ Lion Brand ScarfieΒ #209 Charcoal/Aqua

Lion Brand Yarn 826-209 Scarfie Yarn, Charcoal/Aqua Lion Brand Yarn 826-209 Scarfie Yarn, Charcoal/Aqua

Dutch Messy Bun Beanie

Dutch messy bun beanie, a free crochet pattern by Ingrid Geerings

Love the look but can’t crochet? Buy a messy bun hat online:

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