Fall is finally here and it’s time to create some super cute hats to wear. If you love the messy bun beanie trend that is so popular right now (no wonder why!) then you just might love my newest free crochet pattern for this messy bun / ponytail brim beanie. I have added a little brim to this beanie for something cute but different. Everyone loves this one and has been requesting one but I WILL make time to make these in several colors for me and my three girls!!

This messy bun beanie can be made with or without the brim. It can be made using two different colors as in the photo or it can, of course, be made in an all solid color also. I chose the brown and beige varigated yarn and an off white color because it would match better with colors in my fall wardrobe.

I love big hair and I absolutely love being able to put my hair up and pull it through the top of a beanie. I decided that I would use the Bead Stitch for the stripes of the alternating color but if you choose to do one solid color it will still give it some variance in the texture. I was pretty pleased with the result. If you do not know how to do the bead stitch, I have provided instructional photos in this post but if that is not enough, check out this video tutorial from Bella Coco HERE.

**** A downloadable / printable version of this pattern is available for purchase HERE in my Etsy shop if you are interested. I appreciate all of your support.

You Will Need….

• one skein of any worsted weight (#4) yarn in the color you choose or two colors if you choose to do the alternate color stripes. If you want to use the same colors that I used for my beanie in the photos, you will need a skein of I Love This Yarn in the color Walnut (available at Hobby Lobby) and the other color is Red Heart Super Saver in the color Aran.
• an I/9 crochet hook ( 5.50 mm )
• an F/5 crochet hook ( 3.75 mm )
• an elastic ponytail / hair tie
• Scissors
• Measuring Tape
• Darning Needle

Stitches & Abbreviations

***This pattern is written in USA crochet terms.

St / Sts : Stitch / Stitches
Ch : Chain
Sl St : Slip Stitch
Sk : Skip
Rep : Repeat
SC : Single Crochet
HDC : Half Double Crochet
DC: Double Crochet
SC 2Tog : Single Crochet 2 together
BD St : Bead Stitch (For the purpose of this pattern). See below for Bead Stitch Instruction photos.

Gauge

To make your gauge swatch you will need to use the I (5.50 mm) hook and do alternating rows of DC and BD St as in the main part of the beanie to get an accurate measurement.
Gauge is : 6 Rows, alternating rows of 13 DC and rows of 6 1/2 BD St = is equal to a 4 inch by 4 inch square.

Notes

You will use the I hook for the main part of beanie and the smaller F hook for the brim. You will be crocheting in the round and do not need to turn work around when starting new rows for the main part of beanie. Pay attention to when and where pattern indicates you should count the beginning chain as the first stitch in round or row and when it does not count as a stitch. When you see Rep * it means to repeat what is between the two * * for that round or row.

As far as the sizing, this pattern is written for the average sized female head which is about 22 inches in circumference. It has some stretch so it will fit sizes a bit smaller. If you need a larger size, it is noted in the pattern where you can add additional rows for a slightly larger size.

When you reach the end of the main part of beanie, you might want to leave it as such, without the brim. Just disregard the instructions for the brim part. It’s, of course, up to you.

Bead Stitch How To….

Ok, so let’s get to it!! But first, if you don’t already know how to crochet the Bead Stitch, check out these photos or follow the link to the video tutorial in the beginning of this post.

To complete the Bead Stitch you start the row by chaining 3 (photo #1), sk 1 St, DC in next St (photo #2), grab the yarn with hook (photo #3), scoop yarn down under the DC and pull up a large loop of the yarn (photo #4). Repeat by scooping yarn down under again and pulling up another large loop (photo #5). Repeat once more and pull up a 3rd loop of yarn (photo #6). Now yarn over (photo #7) and pull through all the loops but the last one furthest on the right. There will now be 2 loops on hook (photo #8). Yarn over and pull through those remaining 2 loops (photo #9). Then you will sk 1 St between BD Sts.

Messy Bun / Ponytail Brim Beanie

Round 1 : Begin by crocheting 30 SC around an elastic ponytail / hair tie. Join round with a Sl St. See #1 in photo below.
Round 2 : Ch 2, HDC in same St, HDC in next 4 Sts, * 2 HDC in 1 St, HDC in next 4 Sts * Rep * around, join with Sl St to top Ch of beginning Ch 2. (36 Sts total) See #2 in photo below.

Round 3 : Ch 2, HDC in same St, HDC in next 5 Sts, * 2 HDC in 1 St, HDC in next 5 Sts .* Rep * around, join with Sl St to top of ch 2. (42 Sts total)
Round 4 : Ch 2, HDC in same St, HDC in next 6 Sts, * 2 HDC in 1 St, HDC in next 6 Sts.* Rep * around, join with Sl St to top of ch 2. (48 Sts total)
Round 5 : Ch 2, HDC in same St, HDC in next 7 Sts, *2 HDC in 1 St, HDC in next 7 Sts.* Rep * around, join with Sl St to top of ch 2. (54 Sts total)
Round 6 : Ch 2, HDC in same St, HDC in next 8 Sts, *2 HDC in 1 St, HDC in next 8 Sts.* Rep * around, join with Sl St to top of ch 2. (60 Sts total)

For a looser fitting size large, add an additional round of HDCs, continuing with the pattern by increasing by 6 Sts. The row would be as follows : Ch 2, HDC in same St, HDC in next 9 Sts, *2 HDC in 1 St, HDC in next 9 Sts.* Rep * around, join with Sl St to top of ch 2.

At this point the top of beanie is finished and should look like #3 in photo below.

Here is where you would switch colors IF you are opting for the alternate color stripes (as well as switch back to first color for the next round after and so on….)

Round 8 : Ch 3, sk 1 St, *BD St in next St, sk 1 St.* Rep * around, join with Sl St to top of beginning ch 3. (Round 8 completed should look like #4 in photo above)
Round 9 : Ch 3, DC in next St and every St around, join with Sl St to top of beginning ch 3. (Round 9 completed should look like #5 in photo above)
Round 10 : Rep Round 8
Round 11 : Rep Round 9
Round 12 : Rep Round 8
Round 13 : Rep Round 9
Round 14 : Rep Round 8
Round 15 : Ch 1, Sl St in every St around, join with Sl St to beginning ch 1

At this point your beanie should look like #6 in photo below. If you prefer for it to be just a messy bun / ponytail beanie without a brim, then fasten off here and weave in ends. If you want to add a cute little brim, continue on with the brim part of pattern.

The Brim

Switch to an F (3.75 mm) hook for the brim.

The beginning ch 1 of every row does not count as a stitch. So you will be starting the stitches in the same stitch as the chain.

You will be increasing by 2 Sts every other row. The increases are done by doing 2 SC in the 2 Sts that are on either side of the center St. There are rows of 1 SC in every St between the increase rows. After some rows of the same amount of Sts, you will be doing decrease rows, by SC 2Tog the 2 Sts on each side of the center St. There are rows of 1 SC in every St between the decrease rows.

Row 1 : Ch 6, SC into 2nd ch from hook and every St across, ch 1 and turn work around. (5 SC total)
Row 2 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (5 SC total)
Row 3 : SC in 1st St, 2 SC in next St, 1 SC in next St, 2 SC in next St, SC in last St, ch 1, turn work (7 SC total)
Row 4 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (7 SC total)
Row 5 : SC in 2 Sts, 2 SC in next St, 1 SC in next St, 2 SC in next St, SC in last 2 Sts, ch 1, turn work (9 SC total)
Row 6 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (9 SC total)
Row 7 : SC in 3 Sts, 2 SC in next St, 1 SC in next St, 2 SC in next St, SC in 3 Sts, ch 1, turn work (11 SC total)
Row 8 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (11 SC total)
Row 9 : SC in 4 Sts, 2 SC in next St, 1 SC in next St, 2 SC in next St, SC in 4 Sts, ch 1, turn work (13 SC total)
Row 10 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (13 SC total)
Row 11 : SC in 5 Sts, 2 SC in next St, 1 SC in next St, 2 SC in next St, SC in 5 Sts, ch 1, turn work (15 SC total)
Row 12 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (15 SC total)
Row 13 : SC in 6 Sts, 2 SC in next St, 1 SC in next St, 2 SC in next St, SC in 6 Sts, ch 1, turn work (17 SC total)
Row 14 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (17 SC total)
Row 15 : SC in 7 Sts, 2 SC in next St, 1 SC in next St, 2 SC in next St, SC in 7 Sts, ch 1, turn work (19 SC total)

At this point the increases are done and your brim should look like #7 in the photo below….

Row 16 – Row 25 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (19 SC)

Your brim, after completing Row 25, should now look like #8 in photo above. Now we will begin the decreases.

Row 26 : SC in 7 Sts, SC 2Tog, SC in next St, SC 2Tog, SC in 7 Sts, ch 1, turn work (17 Sts total)
Row 27 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (17 Sts total)
Row 28 : SC in 6 Sts, SC 2Tog, SC in next St, SC 2Tog, SC in 6 Sts, ch 1, turn work (15 Sts total)
Row 29 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (15 Sts total)
Row 30 : SC in 5 Sts, SC 2Tog, SC in next St, SC 2Tog, SC in 5 Sts, ch 1, turn work (13 Sts total)
Row 31 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (13 Sts total)
Row 32 : SC in 4 Sts, SC 2Tog, SC in next St, SC 2Tog, SC in 4 Sts, ch 1, turn work (11 Sts total)
Row 33 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (11 Sts total)
Row 34 : SC in 3 Sts, SC 2Tog, SC in next St, SC 2Tog, SC in 3 Sts, ch 1, turn work (9 Sts total)
Row 35 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (9 Sts total)
Row 36 : SC in 2 Sts, SC 2Tog, SC in next St, SC 2Tog, SC in 2 Sts, ch 1, turn work (7 Sts total)
Row 37 : SC in every St across, ch 1, turn work (7 Sts total)
Row 38 : SC in 1st St, SC 2Tog, SC in next St, SC 2Tog, SC in last St, ch 1, turn work (5 Sts total)
Row 39 : SC in every St across (5 Sts total)

Your brim should now look like #9 in photo below….

You should now fold the brim in half (see #10 in photo above)

Use a darning needle to sew the brim to the bottom front edge of beanie, making sure to go through both sides of the folded brim (see #11 and #12 in photo below)….

Messy Bun / Ponytail Brim Beanie Closing Words

That’s it!!! All finished. Just pull hair through the opening in the top and adjust the beanie and bend the brim til it looks just right. Such a cute way to wear your hair in the fall and winter seasons.

While in the checkout line in the grocery store, a lady asked where I got my hat and my two year old daughter said ” Mommy made it. It’s so beautiful.” Made me laugh. I guess my munchkin approves. I hope you approve too. I hope you have fun with this messy bun / ponytail brim beanie crochet pattern and experiment with colors and color combos.

If you enjoyed this pattern, check out some of my other free patterns here on The Stitch Vixen blog, such as my Caledonia Chunky Scarf pattern or my Lattice Slouch Hat pattern.

Also feel free to share this post, and connect with me on social media by following my social media links. I would so much appreciate your support.

Hope you stop through the website again for some more good fiber arts related content.

With lots of love, **Meghan**