This pattern is part of the Fall 2017 Malia CAL (Crochet-Along). To view the other patterns in this collection (including a slouchy hat, beanie, infinity scarf, buttoned cowl and more), please visit the Malia CAL Homepage.
I got so many requests for a messy bun hat pattern last season. The problem was, I had already gone on a self-imposed maternity leave by the time the messy hat trend exploded!
I’ve had quite a few people ask me if I believe the messy bun hat will be popular again this season, and while I don’t think it will match the absolute CRAZY levels of viral-ness it did last year, I do think that the messy bun hat is here to stay. Why? Because it’s more than just a style trend. It’s also super practical! The concept has been around for a long time, but now that a lot more people know about it, I think it will probably become a regular part of the winter accessory lineup.
So, my first messy bun hat pattern is here! (Sorry it’s a year late.) If you’ve already made a Malia Beanie or Malia Slouch, this will be super simple for you. If you haven’t, I recommend you watch the video tutorial for those hats to get you started. The tutorial shows you step by step how to make the beanie (adult large size) but all we’re doing to convert it to a messy bun beanie is skipping straight to Round 3 and working it around a hair elastic. Everything else is the same!
Here are a few more photos. Scroll down for the free pattern!
Free Printable Tags
I made some cute printable tags for this pattern that you are welcome to use! If you’re selling or gifting this hat, a tag or wrap just ups the professionalism, in my opinion. I included a wraparound label (shown in the photo) as well as a smaller tag that can be attached to a piece of decorative string wrapped around your finished product, by punching a hole through the corner and threading the string through before tying a bow to secure. Print on cardstock for best results!
Prefer a PDF?
This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! And if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my All Access Pass. It’s an awesome deal! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)
MALIA MESSY BUN HAT (2 SIZES)
Difficulty: Easyish
Finished Size: 8.25″ tall x 18.5″ around (teen / adult small), and 8.25″ tall x 20″ around (adult medium / adult large).
Yarn: #4 aran weight. Individual yardage listed under each size in the pattern. Yarn used in sample photos is Yarn Bee’s Rustic Romantic in “Faded Porch Swing.” (See Malia CAL Homepage for substitution suggestions.)
Hook: I (5.50 mm) or whichever hook is needed to obtain correct gauge
Gauge: The importance of checking your gauge for this project cannot be understated. Because of the construction of the hat, it is difficult to adjust mid-pattern if you discover it is turning out too large. Even if you typically do not complete gauge checks, I strongly encourage you to do so this time. To ensure the best results, the gauge check is a swatch taken straight from the pattern. Upon completion, you should have a 4” square. If yours is larger, consider using a smaller hook or a thinner #4 yarn. If yours is smaller, consider using a larger hook.
Pattern for Gauge:
CH17.
Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. (16)
Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 7 times. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 3: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (16)
Row 4: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 14 STS. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 5: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (16)
Row 6: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 7 times. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 7: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (16)
Row 8: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 14 STS. SC in final ST. (16)
Row 9: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (16)
Rows 10-16: Repeat Rows 2-8. (16)
You’ll also need: Yarn needle, hair elastic
Terms and Abbreviations:
MC (magic circle – view tutorial here)
ST/STS (stitch/stitches)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
HDC (half double crochet)
LBS (large bean stitch – see “Special Stitches”)
BLO (back loop only)
3rd LOOP (work stitch into 3rd loop only – see “Special Stitches”)
Special Stitches:
Large Bean Stitch (LBS)
Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (8 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 8 loops. Chain 1 to close the stitch. (Because this stitch creates two sets of loops – one when creating the bean, and one when closing the stitch – each completed Large Bean Stitch will count for two stitches in the row or round’s final stitch count.)
3rd Loop Only
Half double crochet stitches have a 3rd loop that we utilize in this pattern. When working in turned rows, as in this pattern, the 3rd loop can be found just below the front loop on the side of the work that is facing you. When instructed to work in “3rd loop only”, insert your hook into this special loop. This creates a delicate braided look on the opposite side of the pattern.
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) CH1s at the beginning of rounds and rows do not count as a stitch in the final stitch count.
(3) Click here to view a video tutorial for the beanie version of this pattern.
(4) Individual instructions are listed first, followed by seaming instructions at the bottom, which is the same for both sizes.
SIZE: TEEN / ADULT SMALL
Finished Size: 8.25″ tall x 18.5″ around
Yarn Total: 150-160 yards
INSTRUCTIONS:
Base Round: Attach yarn to hair elastic and secure with a knot. Work 72SC around the hair elastic. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (72)
Your elastic will be VERY crowded with stitches and will be wavy. This is good! We are now switching to vertical rows, and working them one by one using the stitches we just crocheted around the elastic. The pattern refers to the stitches around the elastic as the “base round”.
Row 1: CH29. SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. SL ST to the base of the CH29, then SL ST to the next ST along the Base Round. (28 + 2 SL STS)
Row 2: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along the Base Round, SC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)
Row 3: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 11 times; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 empty STS along the Base Round. (28 + 2 SL STS)
Row 4: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along the Base Round, HDC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)
Row 5: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 22 STS; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 empty STS along the Base Round. (28 + 2 SL STS)
Row 6: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along the Base Round, SC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)
Row 7: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 11 times; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 empty STS along the Base Round. (28 + 2 SL STS)
Row 8: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along the Base Round, HDC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)
Row 9: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 22 STS; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 empty STS along the Base Round. (28 + 2 SL STS)
Rows 10-65: Repeat Rows 2-9, in order, 7 more times.
Rows 66-72: Repeat Rows 2-8.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the seam.
SIZE: ADULT MEDIUM / LARGE
Finished Size: 8.25″ tall x 20″ around
Yarn Total: 190-200 yards
INSTRUCTIONS:
Base Round: Attach yarn to hair elastic and secure with a knot. Work 84SC around the hair elastic. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (84)
Your elastic will be VERY crowded with stitches and will be wavy. This is good! We are now switching to vertical rows, and working them one by one using the stitches we just crocheted around the elastic. The pattern refers to the stitches around the elastic as the “base round”.
Row 1: CH29. SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. SL ST to the base of the CH29, then SL ST to the next ST along the Base Round. (28 + 2 SL STS)
Row 2: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along the Base Round, SC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)
Row 3: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 11 times; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 empty STS along the Base Round. (28 + 2 SL STS)
Row 4: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along the Base Round, HDC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)
Row 5: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 22 STS; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 empty STS along the Base Round. (28 + 2 SL STS)
Row 6: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along the Base Round, SC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)
Row 7: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 11 times; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 empty STS along the Base Round. (28 + 2 SL STS)
Row 8: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along the Base Round, HDC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)
Row 9: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 22 STS; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 empty STS along the Base Round. (28 + 2 SL STS)
Rows 10-81: Repeat Rows 2-9, in order, 9 more times.
Rows 82-84: Repeat Rows 2-4.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the seam.
SEAMING
Turn hat inside out. Thread your yarn needle onto the long finishing tail and sew the first 6 stitches (the ribbed band) together, stitch by stitch. The following photo is a screenshot from the video tutorial:
Once you finish with the ribbed section, sew the rest of the seam up, stitch by stitch, putting your needle through the 3rd loop only of the final row of HDCs and across to the corresponding stitch on the other side of the seam. This will ensure that the seam creates a row of visible top loops to match the other 3rd loop rows around the hat. The following photo is a screenshot from the video tutorial, with the 3rd loops highlighted:
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Done! If you’re sharing on social media, be sure to hashtag #maliacaland #maliamessybunhat, and tag me @littlemonkeyscrochet. Hope you enjoyed it!
I am not sure what i am doing wrong I tried making this hat twice and both times it came out very big. My gauge came out right and i tried making both sizes. I even took it done a hook size to 4.5. Any suggestions?
My compliments to you on your easy to understand patterns and the beautiful products. I adjusted your adult beanie pattern to fit my first great granddaughter. 3 months old. And then I ran onto your pattern for a baby. Thank you so much for your free patterns. Going to do the messy bun beanie for my fifteen year old granddaughter. Thank you so much.
Hi! Love all of your patterns! I am having an issue I’m hoping you can help me with, I made a malia hat and it was huge! Teen adult small size using a size h hook. I am trying another and my gauge with an f hook is still 5 inches! 🙁 heeelp! Lol, I am not a really loose crocheter either. Thanks!!!
There is something called a Golden Loop that determines the height of your stitches, and you might be making yours much taller than I do (you can Google it). You can also just try a thinner yarn. 🙂
I love this Messy Bun pattern. It looks great and classy. I’ll love wearing it & so will my granddaughter.
I love this CAL! I have long hair, and battle static electricity and fly aways. After finishing the first two patterns, I picked up Deborah Norville, Cotton Silk yarn from premier to use on the ear warmer pattern. Wow! what a magic combination. I have made a couple of the ear warmers in the cotton silk and have worn them almost constantly since. Thanks for doing this CAL , my warm ears and head thank you also !
Cindy
Sounds lovely!
Hi, and congratulations to your families addition last year! you have some cute sons and it’s fun to see your posts with them. Has anyone made the brim wider to flip up on the beanie? I was thinking of trying that but didn’t know if it would need extra stitches to make it look and fit right?
Hi! If you want to try it, just add 6 chains and make the ribbing 12 stitches long instead of 6. 🙂
My granddaughter just asked me to make one of these hats for her so it was a nice surprise to see it in my email. Thanks