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

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: http://bit.ly/2ijOotC
Here are some more messy bun patterns:
- NEW: 2018 Update: The Best Free Crochet Ponytail Hat Patterns (aka Messy Bun Beanies) – Still a Popular Trend!
- NEW: 2018 Update: The Best Free Knit Ponytail Hat Patterns (aka Messy Bun Beanies) – Still a Popular Trend!
- NEW: Perfect Gift Alert: Crochet a Messy Bun Rainbow Hat
- NEW: Knit or Crochet This Fresh Messy Bun Beanie For Winter, For Yourself or as the Perfect Gift!
- The Best Free Knit Ponytail Hat Patterns (Messy Bun Beanies) On Trend For The 2017-2018 Season!
- The Best Free Crochet Ponytail Hat Patterns (Messy Bun Beanies) On Trend For The 2017-2018 Season!
- The Best Free Crochet Ponytail Hat Patterns (aka Messy Bun Beanies) – This Season’s Fave Gift!
- How To Crochet a Ponytail Hat (aka Messy Bun Beanie) – Video Tutorial by Donna Wolfe from Naztazia
- The Best Free Knit Ponytail Hat Patterns (aka Messy Bun Beanies) – a Popular Gift This Season!
- 9 Popular Ponytail Hats and Messy Bun Beanies – a Roundup of Paid & Free Patterns in Knit & Crochet
- The Best Ponytail Hat Patterns (aka Messy Bun Beanies) for Little Girls!
- Everyone’s Going Crazy for Knit and Crochet Ponytail Hats (aka the Messy Bun Beanie) – FREE Patterns
- Available in Knit & Crochet, It’s 2 Hats in 1: a Messy Bun Beanie That Doubles as a Pussy Hat Project …
* This post may contain affiliate links.
Great idea and great patterns! Thank for sharing!
Shelley bongers
on December 11, 2016 at 10:06 pmIs there a knitted pattern for this hat on straight needles only?
knithack
on December 12, 2016 at 12:35 pmHi Shelley, if you visit Ravelry and search ponytail hat, you may find one. Good luck!
Shelley bongers
on December 13, 2016 at 8:11 pmThank you
Dianne Rhoades
on December 18, 2016 at 5:46 pmI 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 amSure, email me at knithack@gmail.com
narci
on December 20, 2016 at 3:10 pmCan you please send me a copy for the knitted beanie pattern too.
narci1502@gmail.com
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 amThere are free knit patterns here: http://bit.ly/2hOVOAi
Angela Adamson
on December 22, 2016 at 10:32 pmCan 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 pmI would like to have the knitted pattern please.
knithack
on December 30, 2016 at 7:53 amClick through the image and you’ll be taken to where you can get the pattern.
Sheila Moody
on January 2, 2017 at 12:38 pmI would love to try your knitted pony tail hat pattern.
knithack
on January 2, 2017 at 1:49 pmHi 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 amI 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 pmDo 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 amHi 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 pmIs there a knitted one with the low ponytail hole?
And maybe for a male?
knithack
on March 19, 2017 at 6:51 amThere are many more options here: http://wp.me/pjlln-3Ex
Stephanie E.
on December 7, 2016 at 9:50 pmThanks so much for sharing!
Lisa Rios
on December 21, 2016 at 10:22 pmIs either of last two patterns free or is their any similar to these free?
knithack
on December 23, 2016 at 5:57 amHi Lisa, there are free options here: http://bit.ly/2gG5OLn
Amanda Daras
on December 8, 2016 at 4:02 amThank 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 pmIs it really knitted the one pictured? Thought it was crochet?
Nancy Marrs
on December 11, 2016 at 2:25 pmCrocheted
knithack
on December 11, 2016 at 3:37 pmHI 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 pmthe second one is not free. they must have changed it when these hats became popular
knithack
on December 11, 2016 at 3:39 pmYou’re right, this has been corrected. Thanks!
Nancy Marrs
on December 11, 2016 at 8:31 amIs there a version for a child’s size?? Thank you!
knithack
on December 11, 2016 at 3:42 pmHi Nancy, knit or crochet?
Nancy Marrs
on December 11, 2016 at 3:53 pmCrochet please. 4 -5 year old.
knithack
on December 11, 2016 at 4:43 pmHi 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 amI 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 pmDarlene, 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 pmHi Darlene, did you get what you need?
Mary
on December 17, 2016 at 11:23 pmCheck 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 pmI 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 pmHi 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 pmAnyone know the name of the color shown in this hat?
Valerie
on December 12, 2016 at 8:23 amWhere can I get a free knit pattern for kids
And adults
knithack
on December 12, 2016 at 6:42 pmThere 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 pmWhere can I GET A FREE PATTERN FOR KNIT LOOM BUN HAT?
knithack
on December 12, 2016 at 6:45 pmThere 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 pmCan 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 amHi 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 pmWhat yarn was used in the pattern that isn’t free? The actual color.
knithack
on December 18, 2016 at 3:56 pmThis is the yarn, http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/plymouth-yarn-gina
knithack
on January 13, 2017 at 1:53 pmPlymouth Gina #20
Shelley
on December 23, 2016 at 1:24 pmThank you so much Denise
maryland knitter
on January 4, 2017 at 5:18 pmIs there a basic formula way to alter a knitted cap into a “messy hat”???
knithack
on January 7, 2017 at 12:58 pmHi 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 pmThanks so much for this information. I look forward now to working on some conversions!
knithack
on January 9, 2017 at 6:13 amGreat, so glad I could help!
Amber
on January 12, 2017 at 7:08 pmFor 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 amHi Amber, she used #20 – details here, via Ravelry: http://bit.ly/2ijOotC