Kids Messy Bun Hat Crochet Pattern
After she saw my messy bun hat, my 6 year old wanted in on the action. Not only that, but many people have asked for a smaller size for kids. So, here it is! If you haven’t seen it, check out the adult messy bun hat pattern before you go.
Worked in the round, this hat starts at the top just like a traditional hat. But, there’s a catch. You work into elastic hair bands in your first round. Rubber bands plural, you might ask? Yep! You want to put a few of the skinny hair elastics in there just in case one breaks. It’s not stretching much, though, because the hole is a pretty good size.
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The materials for this hat are easy to find. I used Hobby Lobby’s I love This Yarn! in Greybeard and Cream. I’m linking to some similar colors at the bottom of this post that will work well if you don’t have a Hobby Lobby close by.
Ready to get started?! Let’s go. This hat is simple, and those who have tried the adult size have been raving about how easy it is and how well theirs turned out.
Want the ad-free version of this pattern? It’s available in my Etsy shop as an instant download. Click here to grab it.
Materials:
- Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors
- I crochet hook
- Tapestry Needle
- Bow Crochet Pattern
Messy Bun Hat Crochet Pattern Notes:
- This pattern is worked through both loops.
- Do NOT work into the ch 2 when you’re finishing each round. You’re going to work an extra stitch at the beginning of each round so you can sl st directly into the first REAL double crochet. This helps hide your seam.
- Use your favorite way to create stripes. When I’m doing it, I don’t cut my yarn between each row. I just keep it attached and pick it up when I slip stitch at the end of each row.
- Find a video tutorial of how to begin this hat here.
Round 1: Join yarn to 3 thick hair elastics with a sl st. Work 30 dc around hair elastics (the larger size… not the tiny ones for kids). Sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch 2. (30)
Round 2: 1 dc into the same stitch and the next stitch, 2 dc into the next stitch. *1 dc into the next 2 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch* around. Sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch 2. (40)
Round 3: 1 dc into the same stitch and the next 2 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch. *1 dc into the next 3 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch* around. Sl st to the top of the first dc. Cut yarn and weave ends. (50)
Round 4: Join second color yarn using your preferred method. Ch 2, 1 dc into the same stitch and the next 3 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch. *1 dc into the next 4 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch* around. Sl st to the top of the first dc. Cut yarn and weave ends. (60)
Round 5: Join first color yarn. Ch 2, dc into each stitch. Sl st to the top of the first dc. Cut yarn and weave ends. (60)
Rounds 6-12: Join yarn using your preferred method. Ch 2, dc in each stitch. Sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch 2. (60)
Rounds 13-14: Join first color yarn. Ch 2, dc in each stitch. Sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch 1. (60)
Round 15-16: sc into each stitch. Sl st to the top of the first sc. Ch 1.
Round 17: sc into each stitch around. Sl st to the top of the first stitch and weave ends. (If you prefer to use the invisible finish method, omit slip stitch to the top of the first sc.) (60)
Don’t forget to go check out the large free bow crochet pattern.
What a cute hat! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks SO much for sharing your pattern. Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much, Angela!
Thanks for making a child size!!! Love the bow also!
When you say you ‘just leave the yarn attached’, do you mean you yarn over it until you need it, or just leave it hanging and pick up again? I am new to doing stripes…. Thanks so much.
Just leave it hanging 😉 Then, when you go to do your slip stitch, rather than pulling the same color through, grab the other color with your hook. Hope this makes sense!
I tried this pattern for my 4 year old granddaughter and it was big. ?I even used an h hook . What other adjustments can I try do u think??
Hi, Kathleen. You could take out 3 stitches from the first round then follow the rest of the pattern (ignoring the stitch counts).
Is this pattern for the adult size or child size??
This is the kid’s pattern, but the adult version is available here.
What is the approximate measurement for the band for a medium sized youth hat? In inches or centimeters?
Approximately 20 inches. But, it stretches some 🙂 I can stretch it on to my head, but it would definitely fit a younger person more comfortably 🙂
Around 3 hair ties? Making sure I understand correctly.
That’s what I would do. That way, if one breaks, you still have some in there. Or, someone else suggested creating a chain and making it a circle the same size as the hair tie and using both. 🙂 Either would work.
What ages would this size hat fit?
Probably 4-12 🙂 I could stretch it on myself, but it fits kids more comfortably 🙂
What size hook?
I 🙂
Ti keep coming up with 38 on second round don’t know what I am doing wrong
Hmm… Are you remembering not to work into the ch 2? 🙂
Hi :
I’d like to make the kid sized hat. The directions say:
Round 1: Work 3o dc around 3 think hair elastics (the larger size… not the tiny ones for kids). (30)
My question is how many dc do I start with around the hair tie for a kid sized hat?
Thanks,
Candis
Hi, Candis! This is the pattern for kids! I was just saying don’t get the kid-sized hair ties 🙂
Do you have this pattern for a 2 yr old? I was thinkin maybe 15-18 DC’s around the ponies. However, I’m really not sure, especially since my granddaughter lives over 800 miles away. My daughter would like me to use this specific pattern (the one with the bow) for the matching messy bun hats. Can you please help me?
Hi there! I’d think starting with 18 would be the way to go 🙂 If you went down to 15, I think it would be too small 🙂
For this pattern, do you use double strands of worsted weight yarn like for the adult one, or just a single strand?
Just one 🙂
Do you use two strands of worsted weight with this one as you do for the adult size?
No.This one is just one strand of worsted weight. I haven’t done a chunky kids hat yet.
I couldn’t find the video tutorial for this pattern, it there a video tutorial?
The video tutorial just shows you how to work around the hair elastic and how to make the chain loop 🙂
Are the elastics you use the size that measure two inches across? Thanks so much for sharing the pattern! I’m planning to make one for each of my granddaughters, ages 3 and 9. I’ll send pictures when they are finished.
That sounds about right. I’d say they’re between 2-3 inches. I’ve used most of mine in hats and the others are stretched out so it’s hard to tell 😉
Hi again! I have another question. When you say to DC in the same stitch, when starting a new row, do you mean to DC in the space of the chain two? That’s what I’m doing, but I have very little experience following patterns, and want to make sure I’m not doing it wrong! Thanks!
Hi, Darillyn. When you Ch 2, at the base of that, there’s a stitch. So just work right into that stitch. Usually when you’re double crocheting, that ch 2 would count as your first stitch. But, not in this hat 🙂
I love this pattern!! Thank you for Sharing! I’ve made a few of them for my family and they love it!!
That’s great! Thanks for letting me know <3
Now I have a hairstyle question. My granddaughters are both biracial. The youngest one has soft, extremely curly hair, which probably won’t need anything but to rubber band it together, on top, and it will curl itself into a pretty shape. I’m still working on her hat.
The oldest has thick, long, straight hair. I’m a little bit hairstyle challenged! Should I put it in a ponytail on top, pull it through the hole of her hat, which I just finished, and then wind it around and pin it, or put it in a bun first, and then pull the bun through the hat?
Thanks very much!
I would definitely do the ponytail first 🙂
Hello,
Thank you for the lovely pattern! I did not see any demensions. I made this and it is 9 25″ from crown to bottom of the brim. It came out about 19-20″ stretched.
Do you get the same size as me? I have a head and it seems long on it! Again thank you. I made this one solid pink.
Hi, Brenda. I don’t remember the measurements and I gave mine to a friend. It wasn’t long on me, but I wear my bun towards the back of my head. 🙂
To make this for a two year old if I start with 18 do I follow the rest of the pattern , just not count the sets.
Thanks, Tasha!
I have been crocheting since i was 7 and I will soon be 67. Just finished one of these hats for my future granddaughter. My son is engaged to the mom. Your directions are so easy to follow. Have 8 more hats to make for various family members. I have a pic of the hat but didnt know if i could send it. Thanks again.
Sharon
Thanks so much, Sharon! I’m so glad you liked the pattern.
How many chs do I do if I don’t want to use a hair tie
I’d start with something like 24 or 26.
thank you for sharing this pattern…I hope to make one for my granddaughter to go with a sweater.
I’m sure she’ll LOVE it 🙂