This easy crochet messy bun beanie pattern uses the suzette stitch variation I showed in this tutorial. It works up quickly in worsted weight yarn. The ribbing is worked first side to side and then joined with slip stitches. A round of single crochets is worked across the ribbing, and then the suzette stitch variation is used for the body of the beanie. I have included a photo tutorial for creating the “cinched” look using chain stitches. I also really like the way this beanie looks with the sparkle embellishment, but this is totally optional!

The pattern includes six sizes, so you can make this for yourself or anyone else. The sizes shown in the pictures are Adult Medium and Toddler. I think this messy bun beanie would be especially cute as a Mommy and Me set! The full pattern is included below, or you can purchase an inexpensive, ad-free pdf at my Etsy shop here. The pdf includes each of the sizes in black and white on their own page, so you can easily print whichever size(s) you need.

Materials:

Yarn: Any worsted/aran weight #4 yarn (Premier Basix Worsted, Mainstays Sparkle Acrylic) 100-200 yards

Hooks: I (5.5 mm) for the ribbing and final two rounds of the body AND J (6 mm) for the main part of the body

Locking stitch marker, scissors, yarn needle, optional embellishment

Stitches and Abbreviations:

• This pattern is written using US crochet terms.
• chain (ch)
• single crochet (sc)
• double crochet (dc)
• single crochet in back loop only (scblo)
• stitch (st)
• skip (sk)
• slip stitch (slip st)
• right side (RS)
• wrong side (WS)

Size, Gauge, and Pattern Multiple:

Notes on Sizing: The sizes for this pattern are based on the following head circumference measurements. The actual circumference of the bun beanie itself should be about 1 inch less than the wearer’s head circumference to allow for stretch. The great thing about crochet hats is that you can easily modify sizing. Crochet your ribbing until it fits comfortably, but snugly, with stretch, around the head in multiples of three (3) rows. In other words, crochet any number of rows that are a multiple of 3 (51, 54, 57, 60, etc.).

Head Circumferences:

• Toddler: 17-19 inches head circumference
• Child: 19-20 inches
• Teen/Adult Small: 21 inches
• Adult Medium: 22-23 inches
• Adult Large: 23-24 inches
• Adult Extra Large: 24 plus inches

Gauge for reference: 16 st x 12 rounds in suzette stitch variation pattern with J hook.

Notes and Tutorials:

• ch 1 and ch 2 turning chain does NOT count as a stitch.
• For row 1, I worked into the back “bumps” of the starting chain, which makes working the slip stitch join of the ribbing easier. See the pictures below.

• After working the ribbed band of the hat, you will join the final row of single crochets to the base “V’s” of the starting chain. I like to slip st through the “outside” loops of the single crochets and the chains to avoid a bulky seam. See the picture below.

• A locking stitch marker will be used in the first round of the body of the beanie (the sc round) to denote the middle of the hat. This will make it easier to know where to place your hook for cinching the beanie at the end. However, you can place the cinch anywhere you like if you don’t want it in the middle of the hat.
• The cinch is worked the same for all beanie sizes. Scroll to the bottom of the pattern to see a photo tutorial for how to work this.
• The ribbing of the beanie is worked in rows, and the body of the beanie is worked in rounds. Rounds 2 through the end of the body of the beanie are worked in turned rounds, which means that you will join with a slip stitch at the end of each round but then turn your work, so you will be working on the “wrong side” of the beanie for Round 3, the right side for Round 4, and so on.

Pattern:

Toddler (17-19 inches head circumference)

Ribbing (I 5.5mm hook):

Using I hook, chain 8. sc1 in the second ch from the hook and every ch across. Work in the back “bumps” of the ch to make the slip st join easier (see pictures above). Turn. (7 sc)

1: Ch1, sc1 in the first sc, sc in blo in the next 5 sc, sc1 in the last sc, turn. (2 sc, 5 sc in blo)

2-57: Repeat row 1 until the ribbing band measures 17 inches, or until it fits comfortably around the head with some stretch.

Slip Stitch Join: You will now join the last row of the ribbing to the starting chain using slip stitches. Ch1 and then slip st across to join (see picture above).

Body (J 6mm hook):

Rnd 1 (RS): Using J hook, sc 57 evenly around the top of the ribbing. You will work 1 sc for each row of single crochets. Place a locking stitch marker in the 27th sc. Slip st to first sc to join. Do not turn. (57 sc)

Rnd 2 (RS): ch1, *[1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc, sk 2 st*, repeat ** around, ending by skipping the last 2 st. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (19 [1sc, ch1, 1dc]) 

Note that from Round 3 on, you will be working in turned rounds. Your turning chain will now be ch2.

Rnd 3 (WS): ch2, *sk 2 st, [1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc*, repeat ** around. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (19 [1sc, ch1, 1dc])

Note that you are always working the [1sc, ch1, 1dc] stitch into the single crochets of the previous round.

Rnds 4-10: Repeat Rnds 2-3, ending on a RS round (Rnd 2).

Change back to I (5.5mm) hook.

Rnds 11-12: With I hook, repeat Round 3 and then Round 2. (The final round will be on the RS.)

Fasten off and weave in ends. Finish using chain cinch (See “Finishing” section below).

Child (19-20 inches head circumference)

Ribbing (I 5.5mm hook):

Using I hook, chain 8. sc1 in the second ch from the hook and every ch across. Work in the back “bumps” of the ch to make the slip st join easier (see pictures above). Turn. (7 sc)

1: Ch1, sc1 in the first sc, sc in blo in the next 5 sc, sc1 in the last sc, turn. (2 sc, 5 sc in blo)

2-63: Repeat row 1 until the ribbing band measures 19 inches, or until it fits comfortably around the head with some stretch.

Slip Stitch Join: You will now join the last row of the ribbing to the starting chain using slip stitches. Ch1 and then slip st across to join (see picture above).

Body (J 6mm hook):

Rnd 1 (RS): Using J hook, sc 63 evenly around the top of the ribbing. You will work 1 sc for each row of single crochets. Place a locking stitch marker in the 30th sc. Slip st to first sc to join. Do not turn. (63 sc)

Rnd 2 (RS): ch1, *[1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc, sk 2 st*, repeat ** around, ending by skipping the last 2 st. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (21 [1sc, ch1, 1dc]) 

Note that from Round 3 on, you will be working in turned rounds. Your turning chain will now be ch2.

Rnd 3 (WS): ch2, *sk 2 st, [1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc*, repeat ** around. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (21 [1sc, ch1, 1dc])

Note that you are always working the [1sc, ch1, 1dc] stitch into the single crochets of the previous round.

Rnds 4-12: Repeat Rnds 2-3, ending on a RS round (Rnd 2).

Change back to I (5.5mm) hook.

Rnds 13-14: With I hook, repeat Round 3 and then Round 2. (The final round will be on the RS.)

Fasten off and weave in ends. Finish using chain cinch (See “Finishing” section below).

Teen/Adult Small (21 inches head circumference)

Ribbing (I 5.5mm hook):

Using I hook, chain 10. sc1 in the second ch from the hook and every ch across. Work in the back “bumps” of the ch to make the slip st join easier (see pictures above). Turn. (9 sc)

1: Ch1, sc1 in the first sc, sc in blo in the next 7 sc, sc1 in the last sc, turn. (2 sc, 7 sc in blo)

2-66: Repeat row 1 until the ribbing band measures 20 inches, or until it fits comfortably around the head with some stretch.

Slip Stitch Join: You will now join the last row of the ribbing to the starting chain using slip stitches. Ch1 and then slip st across to join (see picture above).

Body (J 6mm hook):

Rnd 1 (RS): Using J hook, sc 66 evenly around the top of the ribbing. You will work 1 sc for each row of single crochets. Place a locking stitch marker in the 33rd sc. Slip st to first sc to join. Do not turn. (66 sc)

Rnd 2 (RS): ch1, *[1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc, sk 2 st*, repeat ** around, ending by skipping the last 2 st. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (22 [1sc, ch1, 1dc]) 

Note that from Round 3 on, you will be working in turned rounds. Your turning chain will now be ch2.

Rnd 3 (WS): ch2, *sk 2 st, [1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc*, repeat ** around. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (22 [1sc, ch1, 1dc])

Note that you are always working the [1sc, ch1, 1dc] stitch into the single crochets of the previous round.

Rnds 4-14: Repeat Rnds 2-3, ending on a RS round (Rnd 2).

Change back to I (5.5mm) hook.

Rnds 15-16: With I hook, repeat Round 3 and then Round 2. (The final round will be on the RS.)

Fasten off and weave in ends. Finish using chain cinch (See “Finishing” section below).

Adult Medium (22-23 inches head circumference)

Ribbing (I 5.5mm hook):

Using I hook, chain 10. sc1 in the second ch from the hook and every ch across. Work in the back “bumps” of the ch to make the slip st join easier (see pictures above). Turn. (9 sc)

1: Ch1, sc1 in the first sc, sc in blo in the next 7 sc, sc1 in the last sc, turn. (2 sc, 7 sc in blo)

2-72: Repeat row 1 until the ribbing band measures 21 inches, or until it fits comfortably around the head with some stretch.

Slip Stitch Join: You will now join the last row of the ribbing to the starting chain using slip stitches. Ch1 and then slip st across to join (see picture above).

Body (J 6mm hook):

Rnd 1 (RS): Using J hook, sc 72 evenly around the top of the ribbing. You will work 1 sc for each row of single crochets. Place a locking stitch marker in the 36th sc. Slip st to first sc to join. Do not turn. (72 sc)

Rnd 2 (RS): ch1, *[1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc, sk 2 st*, repeat ** around, ending by skipping the last 2 st. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (24 [1sc, ch1, 1dc]) 

Note that from Round 3 on, you will be working in turned rounds. Your turning chain will now be ch2.

Rnd 3 (WS): ch2, *sk 2 st, [1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc*, repeat ** around. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (24 [1sc, ch1, 1dc])

Note that you are always working the [1sc, ch1, 1dc] stitch into the single crochets of the previous round.

Rnds 4-14: Repeat Rnds 2-3, ending on a RS round (Rnd 2).

Change back to I (5.5mm) hook.

Rnds 15-16: With I hook, repeat Round 3 and then Round 2. (The final round will be on the RS.)

Fasten off and weave in ends. Finish using chain cinch (See “Finishing” section below).

Adult Large (23-24 inches head circumference)

Ribbing (I 5.5mm hook):

Using I hook, chain 10. sc1 in the second ch from the hook and every ch across. Work in the back “bumps” of the ch to make the slip st join easier (see pictures above). Turn. (9 sc)

1: Ch1, sc1 in the first sc, sc in blo in the next 7 sc, sc1 in the last sc, turn. (2 sc, 7 sc in blo)

2-75: Repeat row 1 until the ribbing band measures 22 inches, or until it fits comfortably around the head with some stretch.

Slip Stitch Join: You will now join the last row of the ribbing to the starting chain using slip stitches. Ch1 and then slip st across to join (see picture above).

Body (J 6mm hook):

Rnd 1 (RS): Using J hook, sc 75 evenly around the top of the ribbing. You will work 1 sc for each row of single crochets. Place a locking stitch marker in the 36th sc. Slip st to first sc to join. Do not turn. (75 sc)

Rnd 2 (RS): ch1, *[1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc, sk 2 st*, repeat ** around, ending by skipping the last 2 st. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (25 [1sc, ch1, 1dc]) 

Note that from Round 3 on, you will be working in turned rounds. Your turning chain will now be ch2.

Rnd 3 (WS): ch2, *sk 2 st, [1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc*, repeat ** around. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (25 [1sc, ch1, 1dc])

Note that you are always working the [1sc, ch1, 1dc] stitch into the single crochets of the previous round.

Rnds 4-14: Repeat Rnds 2-3, ending on a RS round (Rnd 2).

Change back to I (5.5mm) hook.

Rnds 15-16: With I hook, repeat Round 3 and then Round 2. (The final round will be on the RS.)

Fasten off and weave in ends. Finish using chain cinch (See “Finishing” section below).

Adult Extra Large (24 inches plus head circumference)

Ribbing (I 5.5mm hook):

Using I hook, chain 10. sc1 in the second ch from the hook and every ch across. Work in the back “bumps” of the ch to make the slip st join easier (see pictures above). Turn. (9 sc)

1: Ch1, sc1 in the first sc, sc in blo in the next 7 sc, sc1 in the last sc, turn. (2 sc, 7 sc in blo)

2-78: Repeat row 1 until the ribbing band measures 23 inches, or until it fits comfortably around the head with some stretch.

Slip Stitch Join: You will now join the last row of the ribbing to the starting chain using slip stitches. Ch1 and then slip st across to join (see picture above).

Body (J 6mm hook):

Rnd 1 (RS): Using J hook, sc 78 evenly around the top of the ribbing. You will work 1 sc for each row of single crochets. Place a locking stitch marker in the 39th sc. Slip st to first sc to join. Do not turn. (78 sc)

Rnd 2 (RS): ch1, *[1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc, sk 2 st*, repeat ** around, ending by skipping the last 2 st. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (26 [1sc, ch1, 1dc]) 

Note that from Round 3 on, you will be working in turned rounds. Your turning chain will now be ch2.

Rnd 3 (WS): ch2, *sk 2 st, [1sc, ch1, 1dc] in first sc*, repeat ** around. Slip st to first sc to join. Turn. (26 [1sc, ch1, 1dc])

Note that you are always working the [1sc, ch1, 1dc] stitch into the single crochets of the previous round.

Rnds 4-16: Repeat Rnds 2-3, ending on a RS round (Rnd 2).

Change back to I (5.5mm) hook.

Rnds 17-18: With I hook, repeat Round 3 and then Round 2. (The final round will be on the RS.)

Fasten off and weave in ends. Finish using chain cinch (See “Finishing” section below).

Finishing: (All Sizes)

1. Insert your hook into the space above the marked single crochet.
2. Make a slip knot on your hook.
3. Pull the hook with the slip knot and yarn tail through the space.
4. Chain 1.
5. Continue chaining until you have a long enough chain to cinch the beanie tightly. Cut yarn, leaving a tail, and fasten off chain. (Toddler: ch 5; Child: ch 6; Teen/Adult Small: ch 7-8; Adult Medium: ch 10; Adult Large: ch 10; Adult Extra Large: ch 12)
6. Use a yarn needle to draw the chain over and down and back through the single crochet space. Tie the tail from the chain and the beginning yarn tail together tightly to secure the chain. Weave in ends.
7. Optional: Add embellishment if desired. I used a sparkly iron-on trim, but I attached it using dots of hot glue. (Make sure to avoid using large globs of the glue.) Tweezers or sewing scissors can be used to clean up bits of dried glue that show through.

Thank you so much for viewing my website! I hope that you will enjoy crocheting this pattern.

As with all of my patterns, you are more than welcome to sell any finished item made with your personal copy of the pattern. Attribution to the pattern designer or a link to my website or Etsy is appreciated. 🙂 Please do not sell the pattern itself. Thank you.