The Best Free Crochet Ponytail Hat Patterns (aka Messy Bun Beanies) – Great Gift Idea!

Posted by Danielle | Dec 10, 2016 | Crochet Hacks, Free Patterns! | 54 |

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

UPDATED JANUARY 2021: Everyone LOVES ponytail hat patterns! And no wonder, they work up quick and make fabulous gifts! Here is a round-up of my favorite FREE crochet patterns, with a few variations on the theme – messy bun cat hat anyone? Though you would love to have new messy bun beanies in the upcoming season, if you have the older one, you can renew it by using functional lint and bobble remover. And don’t forget the most important material you will need to compete this project, that’s right – yarn for crochet! If crochet is not your cup of tea these days, try your hand at sewing. You can still take your sewing on the go, there are many great portable sewing machines to consider! Enjoy!

The Best Free Crochet Ponytail Hat Patterns (aka Messy Bun Beanies) - This Season's Fave Gift!

Criss Cross Messy Bun Beanie by Loops and Love Crochet

Braided Ridge Messy Bun Beanie by Trishia Rodriguez

Malia Messy Bun Beanie by Rebecca Langford

Quick ‘n Easy Messy Bun Hat by Kristi Simpson

Messy bun hat by TLH Patterns

Free Pattern: Messy Bun Hat
Suggested Materials:

Royal Bun Beanie by Ingrid Geerings

Free Pattern: Royal Bun Beanie
Suggested Materials:

Messy Bun Hat

Free Pattern: Messy Bun Hat
Suggested Materials:

Bibbity Bobbity Messy Bun 3-in-1 – free pattern by Celina Lane

Free Pattern: Bibbity Bobbity Messy Bun 3-in-1
Suggested Materials:

Crochet Frozen Winter Bun Hat – free pattern by Wilma Westenberg

Free Pattern: Frozen Winter Bun Hat
Suggested Materials:

One Hour Messy Bun Beanie by Sewrella

Free Pattern: One Hour Messy Bun Beanie
Suggested Materials:

Quick and Easy Messy Bun Hat by Amanda Saladin

Free Pattern: Quick and Easy Messy Bun Hat
Suggested Materials:

Messy Bun Hat by Repeat Crafter Me

Free Pattern: Messy Bun Hat
Suggested Materials:

Messy Bun Plaid Hat by Bethany Dearden

Messy bun Hat by Daisy Cottage Designs

Crochet Ribbed Bun Hat – Messy Bun Hat by Naztazia

Messy Bun Hat by Amy Lehman

It’s All About the Messy Bun by June Nemeth

Headhuggers by ValliesKids

Messy Bun Cat Hat by Rebecca Renea

NoGrinch’s Messy Bun Hat by NoGrinchHere

Yet Another Messy Bun Hat by Danielle LaChance

Ponytail Beanie by Danyel Pink Designs

Ponytail Hat by Erika and Monika Simmons – FREE Crochet Pattern via Ravelry

Here are some more messy bun patterns:

* This post contains affiliate links and sponsored content.

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.

54 Comments

Celina on December 11, 2016 at 12:50 am

Thank you so much for featuring my Easy Peasy Messy Bun Hat by Simply Collectible! It’s great to be included amongst other cooler-than-cool hats!
- knithack on December 11, 2016 at 11:00 am
  
  Thank you! xoxo
  - Celina Lane, Simply Collectible Crochet on December 11, 2016 at 10:18 pm
    
    😀 It’s crazy! I have about 3 more patterns ready to be released. I love these!
- Brenda Harman on December 16, 2016 at 2:25 pm
  
  Hi, can you email me the pattern please for the crochet ponytail hat. bmharm1@live.com Thanks so much.
  - knithack on December 17, 2016 at 2:17 pm
    
    Hi Brenda, there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern. Danielle
Jessica Lehet on December 12, 2016 at 3:17 am

Can someone email me the crochet pattern to make this?

Jeslehet@gmail.com

Thank you!!
- knithack on December 12, 2016 at 10:21 am
  
  Hi Jessica, there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern.
  - Janice on December 15, 2016 at 6:09 pm
    
    I would love to have the patterns emailed to me as well. janiceschmelzer@yahoo.com
    - knithack on December 16, 2016 at 10:21 am
      
      Hi Janice, there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern.
    - rosie on November 19, 2018 at 4:21 pm
      
      rosiedeal32@yahoo.com
Kaye on December 12, 2016 at 11:50 pm

Just finished the easy peasy hat pattern & it turned out great !! Thanks for the pattern !!
- Celina on December 13, 2016 at 9:15 pm
  
  That’s great, Kaye! That’s my pattern and it is my absolute favorite.
Daina Falbo on December 13, 2016 at 11:08 am

Can someone email me the messybun pattern too? dfalbo13@gmail.com. TY
- knithack on December 14, 2016 at 12:07 pm
  
  Hi Daina, there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern.
Michelle Havens on December 13, 2016 at 12:21 pm

can someone email me the messybun pattern too?

michelle.freight@yahoo.com
- knithack on December 14, 2016 at 12:07 pm
  
  Hi Michelle, there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern.
Jess on December 13, 2016 at 3:39 pm

Can someone email me the messy bun pattern too? simplydevine82@aol.com TY
- knithack on December 16, 2016 at 1:26 pm
  
  Hi Jess, there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern.
Roxxi on December 13, 2016 at 9:43 pm

Ohhh yeah! I’d love to try this pattern. Thanks!
deena on December 14, 2016 at 10:02 am

I would love to have this pattern. Could it please be emailed to carljen@comcast.net
- knithack on December 16, 2016 at 1:19 pm
  
  there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern.
Donna Bourland on December 14, 2016 at 2:30 pm

Please email me the messy bun hat. Crochet or knit. Please please to dsbourland@aol.com
- knithack on December 14, 2016 at 4:04 pm
  
  Hi Donna, there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern.
Ann heuer on December 16, 2016 at 1:04 am

Please email me these free patterns. Do you have any knitted patterns for same
Annheuer1941@gmail.com
- knithack on December 16, 2016 at 10:24 am
  
  Hi Ann, there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern. All of the knit ones are here: http://bit.ly/2hOVOAi – good luck!
Zabada Campbell on December 16, 2016 at 2:54 am

Please email me the free crochet patterns. Thank you

Zebbyc67.zc@gmail.com
- knithack on December 16, 2016 at 10:26 am
  
  Hi Zabada, there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern.
Patty on December 17, 2016 at 8:03 am

I’d love the pattern for the ponytail hat
- knithack on December 17, 2016 at 2:23 pm
  
  Hi Patty, there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern. Danielle
Donna Click on December 17, 2016 at 9:02 am

I loved making messy bun, but when I crocheted the band, it flares out, instead of fitting snugly. Any ideas about what I missed?
teressa on December 17, 2016 at 12:40 pm

I love this my granddaughter has long hair and most of the time it is up in a bun I don’t crochet does anyone sell these
Donna Click on December 17, 2016 at 1:04 pm

Okay. I figured out what I did. You are really good, aren’t you.????
- Kim Black on December 26, 2016 at 5:43 pm
  
  Hi Donna,
  So what did you do? Mine did the same thing…
Claudette Green on December 17, 2016 at 5:40 pm

Could I get the pattern for pony tail hat to plese?
- knithack on December 18, 2016 at 3:55 pm
  
  there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern. Danielle
Heather on December 17, 2016 at 8:52 pm

I would love this pattern jakebaby127@aol.com please an thank you
- knithack on December 18, 2016 at 3:57 pm
  
  there are several patterns here – click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern. Danielle
Kari Heikkinen on December 17, 2016 at 10:28 pm

You can make ANY pattern into one of these messy bun hats.knitting or crochet… Instead of continuing decreases, (when knitting from brim to crown) stop when you have around 20 sts left and crochet over an elastic/hair tie for the last round and BO.
Cara on December 19, 2016 at 12:57 am

Any know where I can find these wholesale for a local botique?
Donna Wonnacott on December 30, 2016 at 9:11 pm

I would like to know why when I make hats they appear big some of these crochet hat are for a size 19 inch how can I go smaller
- knithack on December 31, 2016 at 6:29 pm
  
  Yarn weight and hook size could be factors, it’s difficult to know unless you share these variables.
Donna Wonnacott on December 30, 2016 at 9:13 pm

can you help me how do I make smaller hats for teens and child
- knithack on December 31, 2016 at 6:27 pm
  
  Hi Donna, here is one option in three sizes: http://bit.ly/2ipB9o0 and a free on here, also several sizes: http://bit.ly/2ikct2u
Vanessa McKay on January 8, 2017 at 2:37 pm

My mom and I are looking for a pattern for the Crocheted Messy Bun Beanie! I searched and was brought here. Do you offer a free one?
- knithack on January 9, 2017 at 6:12 am
  
  Hi Vanessa, yes – every pattern on this post is available for free. Just click on the image for the hat you like and you’ll be directed to the pattern. Good luck!
Robin Mercer on January 13, 2017 at 2:07 pm

I love the picture of the blue and white with a snowflake look, when I click on the picture to get the pattern it takes me to the different pattern. I really want the pattern can you please tell me how to get it? I really want it!!. It is beautiful. My email address is Mrsb12174@yahoo.com
- Kim Black on January 13, 2017 at 3:12 pm
  
  Hi Robin,
  Here’s the correct link to the hat – it’s free on Ravelry. The same lady makes it, this one is called Frozen Winter (bun) hat. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/frozen-winter-bun-hat
- knithack on January 14, 2017 at 7:12 am
  
  Hi Robin, that’s corrected now…
Kimberly Black on January 13, 2017 at 2:35 pm

I really like the first hat listed, the white and blue hat. Unfortunately, the link provided is NOT for that hat, nor is the name in the caption correct. Could you fix the link and add the correct pattern link? That hat is gorgeous! Thank you a bunch!
- knithack on January 14, 2017 at 7:01 am
  
  Hi Kimberly, that’s corrected now…
Lisa Secrest on January 21, 2017 at 10:01 am

Hi, I clicked the link for the Crochet Frozen Winter Bun Hat – free pattern by Wilma Westenberg but when I tried to download it, I received a message that the site was risky and “When we tested this page, we learned it might be malicious or cause unwanted changes to your device. ” Is there anyway that a copy of the pattern can be emailed to me.

Thank you!

SO SORRY111
- knithack on January 21, 2017 at 1:10 pm
  
  Yup, I just checked and you’re right – there’s an issue with the site. I’m not comfortable emailing you the pattern due to her copyright, but will email her to let her know her site is compromised.
Betty mc garry on November 15, 2018 at 7:19 am

Please send me number 7 and 8 for ponytail hat patterns and crochet hat pattern.
- Danielle on November 15, 2018 at 8:12 am
  
  Hi Betty, click on the picture of the one you like and you’ll be taken to the pattern. Danielle