Free Knit & Crochet Scrunchies Patterns: Your Complete Guide to Making Adorable Hair Accessories
Scrunchies never really went away, but over the past few years they’ve made a full-on comeback. What started as a nostalgic nod to the ’80s and ’90s has become a full-blown accessory trend embraced by people of all ages. The best part? They’re one of the most beginner-friendly projects you can make with yarn and a hook or needles. Whether you’re just learning to crochet or you’ve been knitting for decades, scrunchies are satisfying, quick, and endlessly customizable.
In this guide, you’ll find free knit and crochet scrunchie patterns for every skill level, tips for choosing the right yarn, and ideas for making them even more special. Bookmark this page, grab your yarn stash, and let’s get started.
Why Knit and Crochet Scrunchies Are Worth Making
Before we dive into the patterns, let’s talk about why scrunchies deserve a spot in your project queue.
They’re fast. Most scrunchies take less than an hour to complete, which makes them perfect for when you want the satisfaction of a finished object without committing to a sweater-sized time investment. They work up quickly even in finer yarns, so you can knock out several in an afternoon.
They use very little yarn. Got leftover yarn from bigger projects? Scrunchies are the perfect stash buster. Even a small amount of bulky or medium-weight yarn is enough to make a beautiful scrunchie, and because the quantities are so small, you can afford to use luxury fibers like merino, cashmere blends, or silk-infused yarns without breaking the bank.
They make incredible gifts. Handmade scrunchies are thoughtful, practical, and personal. You can match them to someone’s favorite colors, make a whole set in coordinating tones, or pair them with a cute pouch or headband for a complete handmade gift set.
They’re a great way to practice new techniques. Because the finished object is small, scrunchies are low-stakes practice ground. Want to try a new stitch pattern, work with a slippery yarn, or experiment with color combinations? A scrunchie lets you do all of that without the pressure of a larger commitment.
What You Need to Make a Scrunchie
Before jumping into the patterns, here’s a quick rundown of the supplies you’ll want to have on hand.
Yarn: Almost any yarn works for scrunchies, but the texture and weight will dramatically change the look of the finished piece. Bulky and super bulky yarns create a big, puffy scrunchie that’s great for thick hair. Worsted weight is the most versatile and easiest to work with. DK and sport weight produce a more delicate, refined look. Ribbon yarn, velvet yarn, and specialty fibers like mohair or boucle add instant texture and visual interest.
Hair Ties: You’ll need standard fabric-covered hair elastics, not the thin rubber band kind. The thicker, sturdier ones work best because they provide structure and won’t snap under the weight of the yarn. You can find them in most craft stores, pharmacies, or online in bulk packs.
Hooks or Needles: For crochet scrunchies, a 5mm to 6mm hook is a great starting point for worsted weight yarn, though you’ll adjust based on your yarn choice. For knitting, circular needles or double-pointed needles in size US 6 to US 8 work well for most patterns.
Yarn Needle: You’ll need this to weave in ends and, in some patterns, to seam the scrunchie closed.
Free Crochet Scrunchie Patterns
1. The Classic Single Crochet Scrunchie
This is the pattern that most beginners start with, and for good reason. It’s simple, fast, and produces a clean, full scrunchie that looks polished without requiring any fancy stitches.
What you need: Worsted weight yarn in any color, a 5mm crochet hook, one hair tie, and a yarn needle.
How to make it: Start by making a slip knot and chaining loosely around your hair tie. You’ll want roughly 100 to 120 chain stitches for a standard hair tie, though the exact number depends on how stretchy your elastic is and how full you want the finished scrunchie to be. Once you’ve chained all the way around, slip stitch into the first chain to join and form a ring. From here, work single crochet stitches into each chain around the elastic. The fabric will naturally gather and ruffle around the elastic as you work. Join the round, fasten off, and weave in your ends. That’s it.
Tips for success: If your scrunchie looks too flat, try using a slightly larger hook or adding more chains in the foundation round. If it looks too bunchy and stiff, go down a hook size or use fewer chains. A little experimentation goes a long way.
2. The Ruffle Crochet Scrunchie
If you want something with more drama and volume, the ruffle scrunchie delivers. It uses the same basic construction as the classic version but incorporates increases that cause the fabric to fold over itself and create a ruffled effect.
What you need: Bulky or worsted weight yarn, a 5.5mm hook, one hair tie, and a yarn needle.
How to make it: Chain around your hair tie as you would for the classic version, then join. In the first row, work two single crochet stitches into every chain. In the second row, work two double crochet stitches into every stitch. The aggressive increasing is what causes that beautiful ruffle. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Yarn suggestions: Velvet yarn is stunning in this pattern because it has a soft drape that enhances the ruffle effect. Bulky cotton works beautifully too, especially in pastel or earthy tones.
3. The Shell Stitch Scrunchie
The shell stitch creates a lovely fan-like texture that elevates a simple scrunchie into something that looks genuinely intricate, even though the technique is quite straightforward once you understand the concept.
What you need: DK or worsted weight yarn, a 4mm to 5mm hook, one hair tie, and a yarn needle.
How to make it: Chain around your hair tie as before, then join. Work your foundation round of single crochets evenly around the elastic. In the following round, skip two stitches, work five double crochets into the next stitch to form a shell, skip two stitches, single crochet into the next stitch, and repeat this sequence all the way around. The shells create a rippling, decorative texture. Finish with a slip stitch, fasten off, and weave in ends.
Variations: You can make the shells larger by working seven double crochets instead of five, or add a third row of single crochets after the shell round for extra fullness.
4. The Bobble Stitch Scrunchie
Bobbles add a satisfying, three-dimensional texture to crocheted fabric, and they translate beautifully to scrunchies. The result is a chunky, textured hair tie that looks almost sculptural.
What you need: Worsted weight or bulky yarn, a 5.5mm to 6mm hook, one hair tie, and a yarn needle.
How to make it: Chain around your elastic and join as usual. Work a foundation round of single crochets. In the next round, alternate between single crochets and bobble stitches. To make a bobble, yarn over and insert your hook into the stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, then repeat this process four more times in the same stitch so you have six loops on your hook, then yarn over and pull through all six loops at once. The bobble pops out toward you, creating that satisfying texture. Alternate every other stitch for a dense bobble scrunchie, or space them out every three stitches for a more subtle effect.
5. The Granny Square Scrunchie
For something truly unique, you can make a mini granny square, fold it around a hair tie, and seam the edges together. The result is a flat, structured scrunchie that has a retro feel and works as a statement accessory.
What you need: Fingering or DK weight yarn in two or three colors, a 3.5mm hook, one hair tie, and a yarn needle.
How to make it: Crochet a standard granny square measuring roughly three to four inches wide. Fold the square in half lengthwise, insert your hair tie into the fold, and use a slip stitch or whip stitch to seam the two long edges together around the elastic. The yarn ends from your color changes get woven into the inside of the fold, keeping the outside looking clean.
Color ideas: Classic granny square combinations like cream with dusty pink and sage green are incredibly popular right now. You could also do a tonal look with three shades of the same color for something more subtle.
Free Knit Scrunchie Patterns
6. The Basic Knit Scrunchie
Knitted scrunchies have a slightly different texture than crocheted ones because knitted fabric has a natural stretch and drape. This basic pattern is perfect for knitters who want to try scrunchies for the first time.
What you need: Worsted weight yarn, US size 7 circular needles or double-pointed needles, one hair tie, and a yarn needle.
How to make it: Cast on 90 to 100 stitches using a long-tail cast on. Join in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches. Work in stockinette (knit every round) for about six to eight rounds. The fabric will naturally curl, which actually works in your favor here because the curling helps enclose the elastic. Before binding off, fold your knitted tube over your hair tie so the elastic sits inside the fabric. Bind off and use a yarn needle to seam the cast on and bind off edges together around the elastic, trapping it inside. Weave in ends.
Tip: The longer you knit before seaming, the fuller and more gathered the scrunchie will be. Try ten or twelve rounds if you want maximum volume.
7. The Ribbed Knit Scrunchie
Ribbing creates a naturally elastic fabric that hugs the hair tie beautifully and gives the finished scrunchie a classic, polished look. This is the pattern to reach for when you want something that looks effortlessly put-together.
What you need: Worsted weight yarn, US size 7 needles, one hair tie, and a yarn needle.
How to make it: Cast on a multiple of four stitches, around 80 to 100 stitches depending on your desired fullness. Join in the round and work in 2×2 ribbing (knit two, purl two, repeat) for eight to ten rounds. Fold over the elastic and seam as described in the basic scrunchie pattern.
Yarn suggestion: This pattern shines in solid or semi-solid yarn where the rib texture can really show off. Try a deep burgundy, forest green, or rich navy for something sophisticated.
8. The Seed Stitch Scrunchie
Seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard pattern, creating a nubby, interesting texture that lies flat and doesn’t curl the way stockinette does. It’s slightly more involved than plain knitting but still very approachable.
What you need: DK or worsted weight yarn, US size 6 or 7 needles, one hair tie, and a yarn needle.
How to make it: Cast on an even number of stitches. Work seed stitch in the round by alternating knit and purl stitches in every round, being sure to knit the purls and purl the knits from the previous round. Work for eight to ten rounds, fold over the elastic, and seam. The resulting texture is bumpy and tactile in the best way.
9. The Lace Knit Scrunchie
For an elegant, delicate look, a lace scrunchie made in fingering or sport weight yarn is absolutely beautiful. It takes a bit more attention because lace involves yarn overs and decreases, but the airy, feminine result is well worth the extra focus.
What you need: Fingering or sport weight yarn, US size 2 or 3 needles, one hair tie, and a yarn needle.
How to make it: Cast on 120 stitches and join in the round. Work a simple lace pattern such as a repeated sequence of yarn over, knit two together across the round for a simple eyelet effect, or search for a basic horseshoe lace chart if you want something more elaborate. Work the lace section for about one inch, then seam around the elastic. The drape of the lace fabric creates a romantic, bohemian look.
10. The Striped Color Block Scrunchie
This pattern uses the same construction as the basic knit scrunchie but incorporates color changes for a fun, modern look. You can do two colors, three colors, or as many as you like.
What you need: Worsted weight yarn in two or more colors, US size 7 needles, one hair tie, and a yarn needle.
How to make it: Cast on and work two rounds in your first color, then switch to your second color for two rounds, continuing to alternate throughout. Because you’re working in the round, the color changes happen naturally at the same point each time, giving you clean vertical stripes when the scrunchie gathers up around the elastic. Finish as usual by seaming around the hair tie.
Color palette ideas: Earthy tones like terracotta, ochre, and cream look stunning together. Pastels in pink, lavender, and mint give a dreamy, cottagecore feel. Classic black and white is always graphic and chic.
Tips for Customizing Your Scrunchies
One of the best things about making your own scrunchies is how easily you can customize them. Here are a few ideas to make your handmade scrunchies truly one of a kind.
Add beads. Thread beads onto your yarn before you begin and slide them into place as you work. Glass seed beads, wooden beads, or even large sequins can add sparkle and interest.
Mix yarn textures. Try holding two strands of different yarns together as you work. A strand of mohair held with a strand of cotton creates a soft, halo effect. Pairing a sparkle yarn with a solid base adds shimmer without overwhelming the design.
Experiment with oversized scrunchies. Use super bulky yarn and a larger elastic for a dramatic, statement-making scrunchie that works as a wrist accessory or ponytail holder for thick hair.
Make matching sets. Use the same yarn to make a scrunchie, a simple knit headband, and a hair claw cover for a cohesive set. These make beautiful packaged gifts.
Try natural fibers. Cotton scrunchies are breathable and great for everyday wear. Bamboo yarn is silky smooth and eco-friendly. Wool scrunchies are cozy and have natural elasticity.
Caring for Your Handmade Scrunchies
Since scrunchies are worn in hair, they’ll need occasional washing. Most yarn scrunchies can be hand washed in cool water with a gentle soap, then laid flat or hung to dry. Avoid wringing them out, as this can distort the shape. If you used superwash wool, cotton, or acrylic yarn, many scrunchies can even go in a mesh laundry bag in the gentle cycle of a washing machine.
If you notice the elastic getting stretched out over time, it’s simple enough to cut the seam, replace the hair tie, and re-seam the scrunchie. The yarn itself usually outlasts several elastics.
Final Thoughts
Knit and crochet scrunchies prove that the best projects don’t have to be big or complicated to be deeply satisfying. They use minimal materials, work up quickly, and result in something genuinely beautiful and useful. Whether you’re making them for yourself, gifting them to friends, or selling them at a craft fair, the patterns in this guide give you a solid foundation to start from and plenty of room to grow and experiment.
Pick up a skein of your favorite yarn, grab your hook or needles, and start with whichever pattern calls to you most. Once you make your first one, it’s nearly impossible to stop at just one. That’s the magic of scrunchies.
