Rust Messy Bun Beanie Crochet Free Pattern

Introduction

This rust messy bun beanie is the perfect answer to cold-weather hair days: a cozy, bulky-weight hat that keeps your ears warm while letting your bun (or ponytail) out the top. It is worked as a simple straight tube from a ribbed brim upward, so there is no crown shaping and no complicated decreases to worry about. The warm rust yarn looks earthy and rich, and a little forest green flower appliqué adds a handmade, boho touch at the front. It is a quick, satisfying project for anyone comfortable with half double crochet and working in the round, and it makes a wonderful gift.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Bulky (5) weight yarn. Color A (rust): 120 yards. Color B (forest green): 20 yards. A wool or wool-blend bulky yarn gives the warmest, springiest result.
• Hook: 6.5 mm (K/10.5) crochet hook, or the size needed to match gauge.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, stitch marker, measuring tape, and scissors.
• Finished size: Fits a head circumference of 21–23 inches. The hat measures approximately 20 inches around and 8 inches tall (excluding the brim).

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• hdc – half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
• dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through the last two loops.
• blo – back loop only: work into the back loop of the stitch, leaving the front loop free.
• MR – magic ring: an adjustable loop used to start working in the round.
• rep – repeat.

Gauge

12 stitches and 12 rounds = 4 inches in half double crochet. Work a small swatch in hdc and measure a 4-inch section in both directions; if you have more stitches than this, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Measure the brim before joining: it should stretch to about 20 inches so the finished hat fits a 21–23 inch head comfortably.
• When you join the brim into a ring, check carefully that the strip is not twisted, or the ribbing will spiral around the hat.
• Work the body rounds evenly and keep your tension relaxed; bulky yarn can pull tight and make the tube narrower than 20 inches.
• Leave a 6-inch tail on the flower so you have plenty of yarn to sew it securely to the hat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Brim (Color A)

Row 1: Ch 9, hdc in the 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across (7 hdc).

Row 2: Ch 2, turn, hdc in the back loop only of each st across (7 hdc).

Rows 3–40: Rep Row 2 until the piece measures 20 inches, ending with a row (7 hdc). Do not fasten off.

Join: Bring the short ends together without twisting and join with sl st to form a ring.

Body (Color A)

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 48 hdc evenly around the brim edge, join with sl st to the first hdc (48 sts).

Rnd 2: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join with sl st to the first hdc (48 sts).

Rnds 3–12: Rep Rnd 2 (48 sts). Fasten off.

Opening: The top of the hat is left open at 48 stitches around for the bun; there is no crown or closure, so the hat is a straight tube open at both ends.

Flower (Color B)

Center: Make a magic ring and work 6 sc into it.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, [sc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, sc] in the same st, sl st in the next st; rep from [ to ] around for 6 petals total, join with sl st to the first sc (6 petals). Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail.

Assembly and Finishing

Thread the 6-inch tail of the flower onto your tapestry needle and sew the flower to the hat at the base of the brim, centered on the front. Take a few small stitches through the center of the flower to anchor it firmly, then secure the tail on the inside of the hat. Weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side, working each end back and forth through a few stitches to lock it. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping the hat flat or over a round form; let it dry completely before wearing.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the flower for a crocheted leaf, a button, or a small pom-pom for a different look.
• Make the brim longer (about 22 inches) for a slouchier fit, or shorter (about 18 inches) for a snugger hat.
• Work the body in a contrasting color or add a stripe of Color B near the top edge for a playful two-tone effect.