A simple and easy crochet messy bun hat.
After having some success with my paid Messy Bun Ponytail Hat pattern I decided to create a free version of a messy bun hat. This pattern still uses a bulky weight yarn which allows for you to create this hat in an hour or less.
This specific pattern is worked from the top down and is NOT crocheted around a hair tie. Having a hair tie just makes me anxious about it breaking so I opted to not add one.
The example hat in this post is a nice neutral 2 tone color. I absolutely love 2 tone hats and I think this combination came out perfect. You can of course make this in a solid color or any color combinations you like.
This hat pattern uses 1 stitch throughout the body of the hat. Then the brim uses another easy stitch throughout. The body of the hat uses the extended single crochet stitch and the brim uses single crochet stitches.
The body of the hat is also worked in the back loop only. The brim is then worked in both top loops of the stitch below.
Using a bulky weight yarn and a larger hook size, this messy bun hat can work up quickly once you get the hang of the stitches. The extended single crochet stitch may be new to you but it is explained in the pattern.
I hope you enjoy making yourself this simple and easy messy bun hat!

Materials:
- US Size L/8.0mm crochet hook
- #5 Bulky yarn – example is Loops & Threads Charisma in Off White & Taupe
- Yarn Needle, Scissors
Difficulty:
- Easy
Stitches/Abbreviations: US Terms
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- esc – extended single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- ch – chain
- blo – back loop only
Notes:
- This hat is made to fit an average size adult
- Work in back loop only (unless specified not to)
- Ch 1 at the beginning of each round does not count as a stitch
- After each round you will join with a sl st to the first st in that round
Special Stitch:
extended single crochet: insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through first loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (view photo tutorial HERE)
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Instructions:
Ch 22, join.
Round 1: Ch 1, esc in each ch around, join (22 esc)
Round 2: Ch 1, *1 esc in next 2 sts, 2 esc in next st, rpt from * around, 1 esc in last st, join (29 esc).
Round 3: Ch 1, *1 esc in next 3 sts, 2 esc in next st, rpt from * around ending with a 1 esc in last st, join (36 esc).
Round 4: Ch 1, *1 esc in next 5 sts, 2 esc in next st, rpt from * around, join (42 esc).
Rounds 5-10: Ch 1, 1 esc in each st around, join (42 esc).
Round 11: (still in back loop only) Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (42 sc).
Rounds 12-14: (in both loops) Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (42 sc). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Have fun with this hat and experiment with different bulky yarn. Add a button or two to the hat. You can also try a two toned version where the section with extended single crochets are one color and the brim of single crochet stitches is a contrasting color.
I’d love to see if you make any of these! tag #simplyhookedbyjanet or add your project to RAVELRY
Copyright protected. You may not redistribute pattern after purchase or publish any part as your own including photos. If sharing online you must link back to this original post. You may sell finished products and if possible, reference back to this pattern and/or give credit to Simply Hooked by Janet as the original designer.
Do you start off in back loops only
What yarn and colors did you use?
Love the combination,
Hi Kimberly, I used Loops and Threads Charisma in off white and taupe.
Hi, its Debbie again. I remembered how to do it lol. Thanks anyway! I love your patterns by the way!
Hi I’m wondering what you mean when you say esc in the next st.
The next st when beginning a new round is the same stitch that you joined to. Or do you mean what does esc mean? Esc is an extended single crochet stitch. There is an explanation of that st in the notes. 🙂
Thank you for answering me. I must’ve been doing something incorrectly, but I was finally able to get 42 stitches. I really like this easy pattern. I’m going to make 2 hats for my great-nieces. Thanks! Elise
Hi Elise, I’m glad you are liking this pattern. The ch 1 at the beginning of each round does not count as a stitch. And in round 4 the pattern is correct when it says to crochet in next 5 sts not the next 4. When you crochet in the next 5 that’s when the count comes out to 42 sts in a round. If you crochet in the next 4 rather than 5 your stitch count will not come out to 42.
From Row 3 to Row 4, we go from *1 esc in next 3 sts* to 1 esc in next 5 sts*. Doing it that way, I couldn’t come up with 42 total stitches. I thought maybe it should be “…in next 4 sts”, but that didn’t turn out to 42, either but it was closer. Also, does the chain 1 after the slip stitch count as a stitch? I really like this pattern but I have taken that row out so many times, I’m getting discouraged. Thank you!
For the extended single crochet you don’t yarn over first or you will have 3 loops on hook at the end. Please advise.
Hi Cheryl, I adjusted the explanation. You insert hook into stitch and then yarn over. Do not yarn over before inserting into next stitch.
Thank you. I love the pattern and so easy. I finished two last night. The only thing I did different was sc foundation chain around a hair tie. Will post pictures if I can figure out how to do that.