Linen Stitch Crochet Ponytail Hat with Video Tutorial

Learn to make a Crochet Ponytail Hat using the popular linen stitch crochet pattern (aka the moss stitch).

The messy bun hat is a very popular crochet hat style this winter season. So soon after designing my Big Bold Cabled Ponytail / Messy Bun hat, I decided I wanted to design a simpler crochet bun hat using the popular linen stitch, also known as moss stitch crochet. My daughters are in love with this messy bun hat trend!

crochet linen stitch messy bun hat pattern in pinks and greys on young girl

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can use this crochet ponytail hat pattern as a base pattern and substitute many other stitch patterns that have a multiple of 2 or 4. You will just have to modify the crown shaping rows when you get to them, but that’s pretty simple too. 

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Materials

Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch: chain
  • sc: single crochet
  • sl st: slip stitch
  • sc2tog: single crochet decrease
  • sp(s): space(s)
  • rep: repeat
  • rnd: round
  • BLO: back loop only

Sizes

  • 18″ Doll
  • Toddler: fits 18″-19″ circ. x 7″ H
  • Child: fits 19″-20″ circ. x 7.5″ H
  • Teen/Adult Small: fits 20″-22″ circ. x 8.25″ H
  • Adult Medium/Large: fits 23″-24″ circ. x 9″ H

Gauge

  • Any (see instructions)

Pattern Notes

  • Turning chains are not counted as stitches, unless specified otherwise.
  • The first stitch of each row is worked into the same stitch as the turning chain, unless noted otherwise.
  • Chain 1’s in the linen stitch pattern are included as a stitch.
  • Yarn: Then yarn I used for the sample shown has been discontinued.
  • Other worsted weight yarns can be substituted.
  • Changes for sizes written as follows: doll (toddler, child, teen/adult small, adult medium/large)
  • Changes for stitch counts are written as follows: (doll, toddler, child, teen/adult small, adult medium/large)
  • VIDEO TUTORIAL: There is a video tutorial available for this messy bun crochet hat pattern.

 

Crochet Messy Bun Hat Pattern

Hat Band Instructions

Set-up: With yarn and a 5.50mm crochet hook, ch 5 (7, 7, 9, 9).

Row 1: Working in the back hump of the foundation chain, sc in 2nd ch from your hook, sc in each ch across. Turn. (4, 6, 6, 8, 8 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, BLO sc in each st across. Turn. (4, 6, 6, 8, 8 sts)

Repeat Row 2 until the band (unstretched) measures:  Doll (9″); Toddler (15”); Child (16”), Teen/Adult Small (17”), Adult Medium/Large (19”).

Band Seam: Bring Row 1 to meet the last row, ch 1, (sl st BLO of last row to BLO of 1st row) repeat across. (4, 6, 6, 8, 8 sts) Turn band inside out.

Do not fasten off. Continue on to the Body of Hat.

Body of Hat

TIP for Row 1: Count how many rows you worked for the band. Subtract that number from the number of sts you need to work in Rnd 1. This number is the number of increases you need to work around your band.

Example: I’m making the adult med/lg and my band has 68 rows & at the end of Rnd 1 I need to have 76 sts. So for my math I have 76 sts – 68 rows = 8 increases for Rnd 1. For Rnd 1 I need to work 8 increases of 2 sc in side of next row to increase to 76 sts.

Rnd 1: With a 6.00mm crochet hook, and working into the sides of the rows of the hat band, ch 1, sc (48, 60, 64, 72, 76 sts) evenly around band. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. (48, 60, 64, 72, 76 sts)  

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st as ch 1, ch 1, skip next st, (sc in next st, ch 1, skip next st) repeat around. Join. (48, 60, 64, 72, 76 sts) 

Rnd 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st and 1st ch-1), skip 1st sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, (ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp) repeat around. Join. (48, 60, 64, 72, 76 sts)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in first ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) repeat around. Join. (48, 60, 64, 72, 76 sts)

Do not fasten off. Continue below to the instructions for the size hat you’re making.

18″ Doll: Rep Rnds 3 – 4 (ending with a rep of rnd 3) until hat measures 2-1/4” then continue to Crown Shaping Doll.

Toddler: Rep Rnds 3 – 4 (ending with a rep of rnd 3) until hat measures 5-1/4” then continue to Crown Shaping Toddler.

Child: Rep Rnds 3 – 4 (ending with a rep of rnd 3) until hat measures 5-3/4” then continue to Crown Shaping Child.

Teen / Adult Small: Rep Rnds 3 – 4 (ending with a rep of rnd 3) until hat measures 6-1/2″ then continue to Crown Shaping Teen/Adult Small.

Adult Medium / Large: Rep Rnds 3 – 4 (ending with a rep of rnd 3) until hat measures 7” then continue to Crown Shaping Adult Medium/Large.

18" doll wearing a crochet ponytail hat in pink and cream

Crown Shaping 18″ Doll

Rnd 1: Ch 1, (sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over a sc), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc2tog. (32 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), skip 1st st, (sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over a sc), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around to last ch-1 sp, sc in last ch-1 sp. Join with a sl st to 1st ch of rnd. (22 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, (sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over a sc), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around to last 3 sts, sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. (14 sts)

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Crown Shaping Toddler

Rnd 1: Ch 1, (sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over an sc), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc2tog. (40 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), skip 1st st, (sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over a sc), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around to last 3 sts, sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps. Join with a sl st to 1st ch of rnd. (28 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, (sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over an sc), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around to last 4 sts, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) 2 times. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. (20 sts)

Do not fasten off. Continue to Finishing.

Crown Shaping Child

Rnd 1: Ch 1, (*sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over an sc), ch 1, skip next sc*, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) repeat around to last 4 sts, then rep from * to *. Join with a sl st to 1st sc2tog. (42 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st), skip 1st st, (*sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over a sc), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp*, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around to last 5 sts, then rep from * to *. Join with a sl st to 1st ch of rnd. (28 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, (*sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over an sc), ch 1, skip next sc*, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around to last 4 sts, then rep from * to *. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. (18 sts)

Do not fasten off. Continue to Finishing.

Crown Shaping Teen / Adult Small

Rnd 1: Ch 1, (sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over an sc), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc2tog. (48 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st and 1st ch-1), skip 1st st, (*sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over a sc), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp*, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around to last 5 sts, then rep from * to *. Join with a sl st to 1st ch of rnd. (32 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, (sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over an sc), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around to last 2 sts, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. (22 sts)

Do not fasten off. Continue to Finishing.

Crown Shaping Adult Medium / Large

Rnd 1: Ch 1, (*sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over an sc), ch 1, skip next sc*, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) repeat around to last 4 sts, then rep from * to *. Join with a sl st to 1st sc2tog. (50 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1st st and 1st ch-1), skip 1st st, (sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over a sc), ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around to last st, sc in last ch-1 sp. Join with  a sl st to 1st ch of rnd. (34 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, (*sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps (skipping over an sc), ch 1, skip next sc*, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc) rep around to last 4 sts, then rep from * to *. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. (22 sts)

Do not fasten off. Continue to Finishing.

Finishing with Elastic Hair Band

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch-1 sp around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. (18, 18, 22, 22 sts)

Rnd 2: Hold elastic hair band near opening in crown, ch 1, work stitches around elastic hair band and into each st around, (sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st). Join with a sl st to 1st sc. (24, 24, 29, 29 sts)

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Your crochet ponytail hat is complete!

Finishing without Elastic Hair Band

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch-1 sp around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. (18, 18, 22, 22 sts)

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Your crochet messy bun hat is complete!

I MADE IT! NOW WHAT?

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Happy Crocheting, Jennifer

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53 Comments

  1. I love this pattern, but, the only question I have is, what does BLO stand for? I will be making a few of these.
    Thank you so much.
    Jean.

  2. I just wanted to thank you for making this pattern and offering it for free.
    I am going to try and make a couple for two little girls.
    thanks again.

  3. Can’t wait to try this pattern, thanks! Do I need 4 skeins of yarn, or just an amount that totals 200-300 yards?

  4. I think I am a little confused. Instructions say 17″ for hat in brim and fits 23″ – 24″. I followed them to the letter. The person I made it for says it fits a child.

    1. Hi Kim~ What kind of yarn did you use? I used an 100% acrylic yarn which has much more stretch than wool/wool blends. And when you say your band measured 17″, was that unstretched?

  5. I’m confused by your math. I ended up with 60 rows for the band. You say to subtract but it looks as though you added. What would my st # be?

    1. Hi Dara~ You subtract your Row number from the total number of sts specified for Rnd 1 of your hat. This will tell you how many increases you need to add around your band to get to the correct number of sts for the size you’re working. So, you’re adding sts, but subtracting numbers to figure out how many to add.

  6. I just wanted to say thank you for this awesome pattern!! Because of you, i am able to give 3 special little girls a Christmas present!! ???

  7. I am loving this pattern! Thank you so much for posting it! I am currently working on the body of the hat for an adult medium/large and was wondering abut the part that said “until hat measures 7-3/4″ then continue to . . . .” Does the 7-3/4″ include the band of the hat or is the 7-3/4″ just the body of the hat. Again, thanks for this pattern!

    1. Hi Jeanne~ Yes, if you’re comfortable “eyeballing it”, you can just evenly space those extra stitches around the band. 🙂

  8. I too had the same problem with the size. I made the child size for a 6 year old…and it’s too small. So i made it again in the teen/ adult small size and it’s still a bit snug.
    I also made the adult medium/large for a 9 year old and it fits good. It also fits me. I used 100%acrylic.

    But this is a great pattern

    1. Hi Kisha~ Did you measure your band before you stretched it? I have a hard time resisting stretching my work as I’m crocheting..lol.. but for this to fit you really need to resist the urge until after it reaches the length stated. 🙂

  9. Thank you so much for the pattern! For the crown shaping, should all of the stitches go into the sc-space, not the actual stitches? I’m a little confused by the instructions and just want to make sure I’m doing it correctly. Thank you!!

  10. Hi –
    My adult daughter asked me to make this for her. I am trying a small sample using the doll measurements before I invest in yarn.
    I am confused by how to work stitches in round 1. Instructions say to work in “sides” of the rows. I don’t get it. Have watched the tutorial but it is too fast to see where the stitches are being placed. Help!!

    1. Hi Margie~ The sts are simply worked into the side of the sc from each row of the band. You can insert your hook into the center of the stitch or around it. Try both and see which you prefer. 🙂

    1. You’re welcome. lol You don’t have to work out the math if you can eyeball working evenly around the band. 😉

  11. sO I AM STARING TO MAKE THE BODY OF T HE HAT, I AM CONFUSED BY HOW MANY INCREASES I NEED FOR THE TE=EN/CHILD HAT,I HAVE 40 ROWS AROUND THAT EQUAL 17 IN?

    1. Hi Mary – If you have 40 Rows for the band and you are making the child size hat, you will need to work 64 sts for Rnd 1. Since you have 40 rows in your band, you will need to work 24 increases. So for Rnd 1, you could work the following: 2 sc in each of the next 8 sts, *sc in next, 2 sc in next, rep from * around. (64 sts)

      If you’re making a teen size, you will need to work 72 sts for Rnd 1. Since you have 40 rows in your band, you will need to work 32 increases. So for Rnd 1, you could work the following: sc in each of the next 8 sts, 2 sc in each of the next 32 sts. (72 sts)

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