
Get ready to crochet a trendy and versatile hat with this free Messy Bun Hat Crochet Pattern! Whether you’re a toddler, child, or adult, this pattern has got you covered. It’s perfect for keeping your hair up and your head warm during those chilly days.
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Whether you’re running errands, going for a jog, or simply lounging at home, these messy bun hats will add a touch of fashion to your outfit. So grab your yarn and crochet hook, and let’s get started on creating these trendy and practical accessories!
Skill Level
Advanced beginner. Projects may include involved stitch patterns, color work, and/or shaping.
Materials
- I/5.5 mm crochet hook
- Worsted weight yarn in white and rainbow colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
Gauge
Gauge is important for this pattern.
14 dc= 4″ and just over 9 rows= 4″
Messy Bun Hat Size Chart
Size | Circumference | Crown | Height |
Toddler | 18-19 inches | 6 inches | 7 inches |
Child | 19-20 inches | 6.5 inches | 7.5 inches |
Adult | 20-23 inches | 7.5 inches | 8 inches |
Pattern Notes
- This pattern starts with a magic circle (also known as a magic ring or adjustable ring). If you are a beginner crocheter, check out my magic circle tutorial.
- Leave a long yarn tail for weaving in when you make your magic circle.
- The beginning of each round starts with a chain. This chain does not count as your first stitch.
- At the end of each round, you’ll join your yarn with a slip stitch (sl st) to the first stitch made in that round.
- Repeat instructions between asterisks (*) for the remainder of the round.
- You are crocheting in the round.
- Hat is worked from the top down.
- You can make any size hat longer or shorter by repeating or eliminating the second to last row.
- Need help? Watch my Messy Bun Beanie Video Tutorial
Abbreviations
- dc = double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- st = stitch
- sts = stitches
- sl st = slip stitch
- ch = chain
- chs = chains
- rnd = round
- rnds = rounds
- rem = remaining

Crochet Stitches
Double Crochet (dc)
- Firstly, yarn over and insert hook in next stitch.
- Secondly, yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 3 loops on your hook.
- Then, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. You will have 2 loops on your hook.
- Lastly, yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops on your hook.
Single Crochet (sc)
- Firstly, insert hook in next stitch.
- Then, yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 2 loops on your hook.
- Lastly, yarn over and pull through both loops.
Toddler Size Messy Bun Hat
Rnd 1: ch 22, join in the round, (22 chains)

Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each ch, join (44 stitches)


Rnd 3: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 4: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)
Rnd 5: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)
Rnds 6– 9: ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)
Red yarn
Rnd 10: ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)
Orange yarn
Rnd 11: ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)
Yellow yarn
Rnd 12: ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)
Green yarn
Rnd 13: ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)
Blue yarn
Rnd 14: ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)
Purple yarn
Rnd 15: ch 2, dc in each st, join (56 stitches)
Rnd 16: ch 1, sc in each st, join (56 stitches)
Fasten off and then use a tapestry needle to weave in your ends.
Child Size Messy Bun Hat
Rnd 1: ch 22, join in the round, (22 chains)

Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each ch, join (44 stitches)


Rnd 3: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 4: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)
Rnd 5: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)
Rnd 6: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join (60 stitches)
Rnds 7– 10: ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Red yarn
Rnd 11: ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Orange yarn
Rnd 12: ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Yellow yarn
Rnd 13: ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Green yarn
Rnd 14: ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Blue yarn
Rnd 15: ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Purple yarn
Rnd 16: ch 2, dc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Rnd 17: ch 1, sc in each st, join (60 stitches)
Fasten off and then use a tapestry needle to weave in your ends.
Adult Size Messy Bun Hat
Rnd 1: ch 22, join in the round, (22 chains)

Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each ch, join (44 stitches)


Rnd 3: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 10 sts*, join (48 stitches)
Rnd 4: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 11 sts*, join (52 stitches)
Rnd 5: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 12 sts*, join (56 stitches)
Rnd 6: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 13 sts*, join (60 stitches)
Rnd 7: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 14 sts*, join (64 stitches)
Rnds 8– 11: ch 2, dc in same st, dc in each rem st, join (64 stitches)
Red yarn
Rnd 12: ch 2, dc in each st, join (64 stitches)
Orange yarn
Rnd 13: ch 2, dc in each st, join (64 stitches)
Yellow yarn
Rnd 14: ch 2, dc in each st, join (64 stitches)
Green yarn
Rnd 15: ch 2, dc in each st, join (64 stitches)
Blue yarn
Rnd 16: ch 2, dc in each st, join (64 stitches)
Purple yarn
Rnd 17: ch 2, dc in each st, join (64 stitches)
Rnd 18: ch 1, sc in each st, join (64 stitches)
Fasten off and then use a tapestry needle to weave in your ends.