After her video went viral on Facebook during Christmas of 2016, my model, Chelsea, became known as the Messy Bun Hat Girl. When it came time to design a new ponytail hat, I just couldn’t resist naming this Beehive Messy Bun Hat after her.
This new, highly textured hat is worked from the bottom up in the signature style of Made with a Twist (by Crochetpreneur). A ribbed brim creates just the right amount of stretch to get the hat over even the thickest of hair and the horizontal beehive ribs create such a great, stylish texture that makes this a versatile and comfortable bun beanie. As all of my bun hats do, this one has our trademark elasticized opening to keep the hole tight to the hair so the wearer gets no chilly winter draft!
Looking for a closed, regular hat version of this pattern? You can find it on the page, Free Crochet Pattern: The Beehive Beanie.
Below, it’s shown with our mandala logo buttons from All This Wood LLC. You can get some made with your own logo, here on Etsy.
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Ready to make your own?
Make the Beehive Messy Bun Hat
Here’s everything you need to know to make your own Beehive Messy Bun Hat.
There are several ways you can get your hands on the pattern:
- Follow the pattern for women’s medium size in this post, below.
- Purchase and download the premium version including sizes Teen – Unisex XL from:
Materials
- 9.00 mm (US size M/N ) Crochet Hook
- 75 yards of super bulky yarn. I used Lion Brand Hometown USA in Houston Cream
- Sewing Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
- Buttons or embellishment of your choice
Stitches Used
- CH: chain
- SC: single crochet
- HDC: half-double crochet
- SLST: slip stitch
All the Deets
- Single Crochet Ribbing: Working in the back loop only, single crochet back and forth in rows to create a stretchy ribbing.
- HDC in the back bar: Several rows in the pattern are worked in the back bar of the HDC from the row below. Instead of working through both loops, or the back loop, when you work in the back bar you stitch through the loop directly behind/below the back loop.
Chelsea Beehive Messy Bun Hat Crochet Pattern
With 9.00 mm hook and super bulky yarn
To Make the Band at the Bottom of the Hat
CH 6
Row 1: (working in back loop only,) SC in 2nd ch from hook, SC in each ch across, CH1, turn. 5 sts
Row 2: (working in back loop only) SC in each st across, CH1, turn. 5 sts Repeat for 36 rows
Do not fasten off.
With right sides together and the crochet hook on the right-hand side of the piece, SLST the last row of SCs to the beginning row of chain sts, matching the stitches across. This will create a circular band.
Turn the cuff right-side out so that the seam is on the inside.
CH1 and work across the top of the ribbing. You’ll be working in rounds now.
To Make the Top Part of the Hat
RND 1: SC into the end stitch of each SC row of the band. Join with SLST to first SC. 36 sts
RND 2: CH1, HDC into the same stitch as beginning CH1, HDC in each stitch around. Join with SLST to beginning HDC. 36 sts
RND 3: (working in the back bar – aka third loop) CH1, HDC in each stitch around. Join with a SLST to beginning HDC. 36 sts.
RND 4: Repeat Rnd 2
RND 5: Repeat Rnd 3
RND 6: Repeat Rnd 2
Rnd 7: Repeat Rnd 3
Rnd 8: (decrease) CH1, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch1, HDC in the next st, work a HDC2TOG decrease across the next 2 sts, *HDC, HDC, HDC2TOG,* repeat from * to * around the hat. Join with a SLST to beginning HDC. 27 sts.
Rnd 9: CH1, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch1, HDC in the next st, work a HDC2TOG decrease across the next 2 sts, *HDC, HDC, HDC2TOG,* repeat from * to * around. Work a HDC in any remaining stitches after working the decrease pattern. 20 sts.
Rnd 10: Holding hair tie inside the rim of the top hole, CH1, SC in each stitch around being sure to grab the hair tie in each stitch so that it is encased in this final row of stitches.
Fasten off leaving enough yarn to tuck in.
Tuck ends and sew on buttons as desired.
Get the Downloadable, Ad-free PDF of this Design
If you’d love to make this gorgeous messy bun hat, I’ve created a beautifully formatted, large print, ad-free PDF of this pattern for you in Child, Teen, Women’s S, M and L sizes to use at your convenience. The premium pattern also includes instructions for the optional stripes and bow embellishment. You can get it on Ravelry for less than the cost of a cup of coffee…or join the Made with a Twist Makers Club to get lifetime access to all Made with a Twist PDF patterns for just $25!
Copyright notice: This pattern and its images are copyright protected and the sole property of Made with a Twist by Crochetpreneur®, a division of Montgomery Grice Enterprises, Inc. Please do not redistribute, transfer, or sell the pattern, or alter it to claim as your own You may sell any products you create from this pattern. Please credit the designer by linking online listings to www.madewithatwist.com or tagging @madewithatwist.
Once Your Project Is Finished
I know you’re going to love making the Beehive Messy Bun Hat and I so look forward to seeing your finished product.
You can share them with me in one of two way (or both):
- Create a project on Ravelry for your unique creation and link it to the Chelsea Beehive Messy Bun Hat pattern.
- Follow me on Instagram and share your photos. Be sure to tag @thecrochetpreneur or @madewithatwist
I can’t wait to see your creations!
Until then, stay cozy and keep on yarning. ♥
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More Messy Bun Hats From Made With A Twist
do you have a video step by step tutorial on this beehive bun hat? I am just learning how to crochet, please help Respectfully yours, Loida
Hi Paul, I’m so sorry that I don’t have video…but the good news is that my new camera should be here tomorrow and I’m going to start making videos for all my free patterns. You can find my youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZIGNhYZ6GSyOmQjlgqy0oA if you’d like to subscribe and be notified when a new video is posted. Thank you so much for visiting the blog!
I was wondering how to make this a full beanie?
Hi Candice, Thank you so much for the suggestion! If you’ll keep an eye out, this evening I’ll add instructions for making it a regular (non-ponytail) hat. If it’s ok, I can email you when it’s ready so you don’t need to check back. Thanks again, Pam
Absolutey thank you so much
Great hat! Love your patterns!
Thank you, Judy!
Hi Pam I love your pattern for the ponytail beanie hat! Would you please email me the pattern and the pattern for the hat without the ponytail holder. Thank You!
Hi Joanne, Thank you! I’ll email you with links to both patterns. I know you’re going to love making them!
first of all thanks! Do you have any suggestions on how to make this in to a sz large? I have noticed in the past that this kind of yarn doesn’t give much and we have big heads in our family..LOL
Hi Gaile,
Thank you so much for visiting Crochetpreneur! To answer your question, yes! While this free version of the pattern is for a women’s medium, I just so happen to have written this pattern in 5 sizes (including large) along with instructions for striping and the bow. You can find that premium version of the pattern here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chelsea-messy-bun-hat-with-bow
I just know you’re going to love making these hats and anyone you give them (or sell them) to will overjoyed to wear them!
Hi! Love your pattern! I have a question on the decrease. On the HDC2TOG, does that mean 2 HDC in the same stitch?
Hi Tara,
Actually HDC2TOG means to half-double crochet two stitches together. So, you’ll work one half double crochet across two stitches. To do that:
With a loop on your hook, insert your hook in the next stitch, pull up a loop, insert in the stitch after the one you just used and pull up a loop. With three loops on your hook, yarn over and pull through all three loops. HDC2TOG made.
I hope this helps!
Pam
I love the added touch of the bow on the back!
Thank you, Roseann! Isn’t it so sweet?!
Thank you for the free pattern, very easy to follow..
Super cute pattern, thanks so much. I was just talking to a friend about these messy bun hats, I’ll let her know about this one, it could be just what she is after.
Thank you, Julie! I hope your friend enjoys the hat pattern and maybe she’ll even make one for you. 🙂
I love this pattern. I’ve been trying to make it but a crochet tight and can’t get the right size. How many more stiches or rounds should I increase by?
Hi Candy,
I’d suggest working the pattern as is, but moving up a hook size or two. That should do the trick! Let me know how it works out – I’d love to see your finished product.
I can’t wait to try this pattern! Was wondering if you could crochet it without a hair tie?
Hi,
Can you please email me the two patterns as well? I’d like to make the full beanie and also the messy bun one. Thank you so much. I can’t wait.
Hi Elaine,
I’m so glad you like the designs. Crochetpreneur subscribers get free access to my pattern library. If you’ll click this link (aahttps://www.subscribepage.com/free_pattern_library) to sign up you’ll get be able to download both patterns and more. I hope you enjoy them!
Pam
I can’t get the password to work even with copying and pasting!
Hi,
I just confirmed that the password is working. You may need to clear your browser history or try adding the passcode in an incognito window. Also, check your settings to be sure popups aren’t blocked. That could be interfering with the process.
Pam
Love this pattern. It makes up really fast. In the last round in stead of using a ponytail holder I did a round of single crochet decrease. Turned out great.
How do you make the bow? Can’t seem to find that any place.
Hi, Instructions for the bow are contained in the premium version of the pattern only. However, if you’d like to make one, using SCs, simply make a rectangle the size of the bow you’d like and wind yarn around the middle several times. Secure the yarn and sew the bow to the hat. Easy peasy! 🙂
Any way of getting the pattern for closed top? Thanks
Hi Irene, I hope you were able to find what you were looking for. If not, here is a link to the closed top beehive beanie: https://crochetpreneur.com/beehive-beanie-free-crochet-pattern/ Thanks for stopping by and I hope you found some other fun things to make while you were here! Pam
How do you do the one with two colors and a bow? I love this pattern!
Hi Faith,
The instructions for the hat with the stripes and bow are included in the premium pattern for this hat. You can find the pattern available here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/572239886
Hope that helps!
Pam
What is the completed measurement? I substituted a 4 weight yarn and wanted to get an idea of the height. Thanks 🙂 Great pattern easy to follow.
Hi Amanda, I’m so sorry it took so long for me to get back with you – I was just swamped with Christmas orders and have finally recovered. 🙂 The finished measurements are 9.5″ wide (19″ in diameter) x 8″ tall. I’d love to see a photo of your finished beehive bun hat!
Can this hat be done with worsted size 4 yarn?
Hi Quwanda!
Yes, you can make this with a size 4 yarn. You’ll just need to increase the number of stitches (both width and length) of the rows of the brim. Once you get those to the size you like, continue to work the pattern as written (just ignore the stitch counts because they will be different). You’ll probably need to repeat rows 2 & 3 one or two more times than indicated to get the proper height on the hat. Finished measurements should be approximately 9.5″ side (19″ circumference) and 7.5 to 8″ high, depending on size. I hope that helps!
Pam
Thanks that helped a lot can’t wait to start
Thanks so much for the free pattern, it worked up so quickly and easily, I didn’t like how my edge looked along the bottom so after it was complete I went back and added one row of single crochet and then finished it off. It looks great now!
HI Nancy,
Thanks for your kind words and I’m glad you found a solution that works for you!
Pam
How do you work in back loops only on the beginning where it says chain 6?
Hi! You would chain six and then turn to work in the second chain from the hook. Then, work in the back loop of the chain instead of working through both loops.
Hope that helps!
Pam
How do you make and attach the bun at the back? I absolutely love this messy bun hat! Can’t wait to make it!
Hi Faye,
I’m guessing you’re asking if the bow is attached at the back. Yes, it is. You can find the pattern for the bow along with instructions working the stripes inside the premium pattern which can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/572239886 Hope that helps!
Pam
I found your site. nice work that you are doing. I like it very much. I hope everyone will love it. I want to say thanks for the helpful work. keep it up.