Everyone’s Going Crazy for Knit and Crochet Ponytail Hats (aka the Messy Bun Beanie) – FREE Patterns

Posted by Danielle | Dec 7, 2016 | Crochet Hacks, Knit Hacks | 55 |

UPDATED: For more messy bun patterns and tutorials — both knit and crochet — see the collection of links at the end of this post.

I follow a group on Facebook called Crochet Addict. Recently a member posted a photo of a ponytail hat (a winter hat with a hole for your ponytail to slip through, nature’s pom pom!) and things went wild! People LOVE this hat and are inspired to make them right away. Join the group, see for yourself!

I looked around Ravelry to see what was available in terms of free knit and crochet patterns and I found two:

Knit Tea Cozy Hat
by Woolly Wormhead

Messy Hair Bun Hat
by Kayla Rollin

Enjoy!

p.s. this is the one that started it all (not free)!

The yarn and colorway are Plymouth Gina #20:

Here are some more messy bun patterns:

* This post may contain affiliate links.

About The Author

Danielle

Danielle Holke is a long-time knitter, first taught by her beloved grandmother as a young girl growing up in Canada. In 2008 she launched KnitHacker, a lively blog and knitting community which has since grown to be a popular presence in contemporary knitting culture, reaching more than a million readers each year. As a marketing professional, Danielle advises and works with a motley squad of artists, yarn bombers, film makers, pattern designers, yarn companies and more. Learn more about her latest book, Knits & Pieces: A Knitting Miscellany.

55 Comments

Daphne Lewis on December 7, 2016 at 7:07 pm

Great idea and great patterns! Thank for sharing!
- Shelley bongers on December 11, 2016 at 10:06 pm
  
  Is there a knitted pattern for this hat on straight needles only?
  - knithack on December 12, 2016 at 12:35 pm
    
    Hi Shelley, if you visit Ravelry and search ponytail hat, you may find one. Good luck!
    - Shelley bongers on December 13, 2016 at 8:11 pm
      
      Thank you
  - Dianne Rhoades on December 18, 2016 at 5:46 pm
    
    I have a knitted beanie pattern that I created. Would be more than happy to share it with you on this sight if it is allowed 🙂
    - knithack on December 19, 2016 at 5:15 am
      
      Sure, email me at knithack@gmail.com
    - narci on December 20, 2016 at 3:10 pm
      
      Can you please send me a copy for the knitted beanie pattern too.
      narci1502@gmail.com
    - Denise Slaunwhite on December 22, 2016 at 10:21 pm
      
      I would love to have the knitted one also – don’t seem to be a lot around – thank you so much – dmdwslaunwhite@hotmail.com
      - knithack on December 23, 2016 at 5:59 am
        
        There are free knit patterns here: http://bit.ly/2hOVOAi
    - Angela Adamson on December 22, 2016 at 10:32 pm
      
      Can you please email me the knitted pattern as well? It would be greatly appreciated!! jjam08@gmail.com. Thank you!!
    - Margaret Riccio on December 28, 2016 at 4:21 pm
      
      I would like to have the knitted pattern please.
      - knithack on December 30, 2016 at 7:53 am
        
        Click through the image and you’ll be taken to where you can get the pattern.
    - Sheila Moody on January 2, 2017 at 12:38 pm
      
      I would love to try your knitted pony tail hat pattern.
      - knithack on January 2, 2017 at 1:49 pm
        
        Hi Sheila, you can click through the image for the pattern and there are a ton of additional knit ones here: http://bit.ly/2hKIaB6
    - rachel roberts on January 13, 2017 at 7:57 am
      
      I would love that pattern as well, the ponytail hat with straight needles. Rachelroberts59@gmail.com Thank you so much!
- Wylone Brewer on January 6, 2017 at 4:57 pm
  
  Do you have a crochet ponytail hat pattern with the hole further down the back. My daughter-in-law wears her ponytail about half way down the back of her head and I can’t find a pattern for that. Thanks
  - knithack on January 7, 2017 at 7:01 am
    
    Hi Wylone, have you looked at this one from Red Heart: http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/ponytail-hat
    - Janet on March 18, 2017 at 2:15 pm
      
      Is there a knitted one with the low ponytail hole?
      And maybe for a male?
      - knithack on March 19, 2017 at 6:51 am
        
        There are many more options here: http://wp.me/pjlln-3Ex
Stephanie E. on December 7, 2016 at 9:50 pm

Thanks so much for sharing!
- Lisa Rios on December 21, 2016 at 10:22 pm
  
  Is either of last two patterns free or is their any similar to these free?
  - knithack on December 23, 2016 at 5:57 am
    
    Hi Lisa, there are free options here: http://bit.ly/2gG5OLn
Amanda Daras on December 8, 2016 at 4:02 am

Thank you so much!! I know the Ravelry one that you have to pay for is crochet, I just wish she posted a pic instead of the knit version, but I have been searching for this hat! You are awesome!!!
- Monique on December 9, 2016 at 2:56 pm
  
  Is it really knitted the one pictured? Thought it was crochet?
  - Nancy Marrs on December 11, 2016 at 2:25 pm
    
    Crocheted
- knithack on December 11, 2016 at 3:37 pm
  
  HI Amanda, the first one is knit and the second two are crochet – is there anything I can help with?
Brandi on December 9, 2016 at 4:05 pm

the second one is not free. they must have changed it when these hats became popular
- knithack on December 11, 2016 at 3:39 pm
  
  You’re right, this has been corrected. Thanks!
Nancy Marrs on December 11, 2016 at 8:31 am

Is there a version for a child’s size?? Thank you!
- knithack on December 11, 2016 at 3:42 pm
  
  Hi Nancy, knit or crochet?
  - Nancy Marrs on December 11, 2016 at 3:53 pm
    
    Crochet please. 4 -5 year old.
    - knithack on December 11, 2016 at 4:43 pm
      
      Hi Nancy, did you see this one: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kaycee-ponytail-or-bun-beanie-hat
Darlene Middlebrook on December 11, 2016 at 9:07 am

I am looking for a knot pattern of the hat that started all this craze, anyone know where l can find one?
Darlene
- Nancy Marrs on December 11, 2016 at 2:24 pm
  
  Darlene, the multi colored hat has sentence above the picture with green highlighted words “the one.” Click on it and it will take you to Ravelry to this pattern. It cost $5.00 to purchase.
- knithack on December 11, 2016 at 3:43 pm
  
  Hi Darlene, did you get what you need?
- Mary on December 17, 2016 at 11:23 pm
  
  Check Knitting Paradise. There is a Beanie/ponytail Hat/Cowl pattern knit on circular needles. It is free. Only adult size
Donna Hull on December 11, 2016 at 8:46 pm

I haven’t been able to find the free pattern for the ponytail hat. Can you help with this.
Thank you, Donna Hull
- knithack on December 12, 2016 at 12:43 pm
  
  Hi Donna, knit or crochet? There are two posts with 10+ free patterns, look at the very top of this post for the list – good luck!
Mandy on December 11, 2016 at 10:43 pm

Anyone know the name of the color shown in this hat?
Valerie on December 12, 2016 at 8:23 am

Where can I get a free knit pattern for kids
And adults
- knithack on December 12, 2016 at 6:42 pm
  
  There are two posts with 10+ free patterns, look at the very top of this post for the list – good luck!
Yolanda on December 12, 2016 at 5:57 pm

Where can I GET A FREE PATTERN FOR KNIT LOOM BUN HAT?
- knithack on December 12, 2016 at 6:45 pm
  
  There are two posts with 10+ free patterns (skip the crochet one), look at the very top of this post for the list, there are loom patterns – good luck!
Janet McIntosh on December 12, 2016 at 9:08 pm

Can you send me the pattern by email? My email is janetmac@windstream. I want the pattern for the ponytail hat!! Thanks!!!
- knithack on December 13, 2016 at 11:34 am
  
  Hi Janet, There are several and some are paid patterns. Please click on the image for the one you like and there are several more round-up linked at the top of this page. Thanks!
Carmen Newell on December 17, 2016 at 7:15 pm

What yarn was used in the pattern that isn’t free? The actual color.
- knithack on December 18, 2016 at 3:56 pm
  
  This is the yarn, http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/plymouth-yarn-gina
- knithack on January 13, 2017 at 1:53 pm
  
  Plymouth Gina #20
Shelley on December 23, 2016 at 1:24 pm

Thank you so much Denise
maryland knitter on January 4, 2017 at 5:18 pm

Is there a basic formula way to alter a knitted cap into a “messy hat”???
- knithack on January 7, 2017 at 12:58 pm
  
  Hi maryland knitter, check out this tutorial from vickie howell: http://vickiehowell.com/2016/12/how-to-messy-bun-beanie/
maryland knitter on January 7, 2017 at 3:50 pm

Thanks so much for this information. I look forward now to working on some conversions!
- knithack on January 9, 2017 at 6:13 am
  
  Great, so glad I could help!
Amber on January 12, 2017 at 7:08 pm

For the original bun hat what color of Gina yarn was used? I have some that wants the exact same color but can’t decide which one it is!
- knithack on January 13, 2017 at 4:56 am
  
  Hi Amber, she used #20 – details here, via Ravelry: http://bit.ly/2ijOotC