10+ Scrunchie Free Knitting Patterns — Page 2
If you’ve been working your way through our scrunchie knitting collection, welcome back. And if this is your first stop, you’re in exactly the right place. Scrunchies are one of the most satisfying small projects you can cast on — they’re quick enough to finish in an evening, use up yarn scraps beautifully, and make thoughtful handmade gifts that people actually use every day. On this page, we’re continuing our roundup of free scrunchie knitting patterns that range from beginner-friendly basics to more textured, detailed designs worth showing off.
Whether you’re knitting for yourself, stocking a craft fair table, or looking for a project to teach a new knitter, there’s something here for every skill level and yarn stash. Let’s dive in.
Why Knitters Love Making Scrunchies
Before we get into the patterns, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate why scrunchies have become such a beloved go-to for knitters everywhere. Unlike larger projects that can feel endless, a scrunchie gives you the immediate satisfaction of a finished object without the commitment. Most patterns use less than 50 yards of yarn, which makes them the perfect stash-busting project. That lone skein of luxurious hand-dyed fingering weight you’ve been saving? It finally has a purpose.
Scrunchies are also endlessly versatile. You can knit them in bulky yarn for a big, dramatic statement piece, or use fine lace weight for something delicate and refined. Stretchy yarn blends work beautifully here, but so does cotton, wool, bamboo, and almost any fiber you can imagine. The elastic inside does most of the structural work, so you have tremendous creative freedom with your yarn choice.
From a technique standpoint, scrunchies offer a fantastic opportunity to practice skills you might not otherwise get to use on small projects. Cables, lace, colorwork, textured stitches — all of these can be incorporated into a scrunchie pattern, giving you a chance to try something new before committing to a sweater or a blanket.
Pattern 6: The Classic Ribbed Scrunchie
Ribbing is one of the most iconic stitch patterns in knitting, and it translates beautifully to scrunchies. This pattern uses simple 2×2 ribbing to create a scrunchie that has great stretch and recovery, meaning it holds its gathered shape well even after repeated use and washing.
What You’ll Need
You’ll want a medium-weight yarn — worsted or DK weight both work well here. Choose something with a little elasticity, like a wool-nylon blend or a yarn with some acrylic content. Around 30 to 45 yards will be plenty. You’ll need a set of double-pointed needles or a short circular needle in a size appropriate for your yarn (typically US 5 to US 7), a tapestry needle, and one standard hair tie elastic, roughly 2 inches in diameter when relaxed.
How to Knit It
Cast on 60 to 72 stitches and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Work in 2×2 rib (k2, p2) until your piece measures about 3.5 to 4 inches in length. Before you close the scrunchie, fold the elastic inside and begin working the bind-off over it, encasing the elastic as you go. This is done by holding the elastic loop behind your work and binding off normally — the elastic stays trapped inside the finished scrunchie and gives it that signature puffed look.
Weave in your ends, give it a gentle block if needed, and you’re done. The whole project can be completed in under two hours.
Tips for Success
Don’t cast on too tightly. The initial cast-on edge will become part of the gathered body of the scrunchie, and you want it to have some give. A long-tail cast-on works beautifully here. Also, if you find that your ribbing is coming out too dense or stiff, try going up a needle size. Scrunchies benefit from a slightly looser gauge than you might use for a structured garment.
Pattern 7: The Seed Stitch Scrunchie
If you’re looking for a pattern with a bit more visual texture than plain ribbing, seed stitch is a wonderful choice. It creates a bumpy, almost pebbly surface that catches the light differently depending on your yarn, and it lays flat without curling — which makes it very well-behaved as you’re working and after you’ve finished.
Seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches both across the row and between rows. In the round, this means that when you see a knit stitch, you purl it, and when you see a purl stitch, you knit it. Once you get into the rhythm of it, the pattern is very meditative.
What You’ll Need
This pattern works well with a lighter-weight yarn — fingering or sport weight gives you a dainty, delicate result, while DK weight produces something more substantial. Approximately 40 to 50 yards is sufficient. Use needles in the appropriate size for your yarn. You’ll also need the same materials as above: a tapestry needle and a hair elastic.
How to Knit It
Cast on an even number of stitches — 64 to 80 works well depending on your yarn weight and desired fullness. Join in the round and begin working seed stitch. Since you’re working in the round with an even number of stitches, your rounds will alternate between (k1, p1) and (p1, k1) to maintain the pattern correctly.
Work until the piece measures about 4 to 5 inches. The extra length compared to the ribbed version accounts for the fact that seed stitch doesn’t compress and gather as dramatically as ribbing, so you want a bit more fabric. Encase your elastic during the bind-off as described in the ribbed pattern above.
Pattern 8: The Cable Scrunchie
Now we’re getting into genuinely showstopping territory. A cable scrunchie looks like something you’d find in a boutique shop, but the construction is surprisingly approachable even for knitters who are just dipping their toes into cables for the first time.
Cables are created by temporarily reordering stitches — you slip a few stitches onto a cable needle, hold them either in front of or behind your work, knit the next stitches, and then knit the held stitches. This crossing creates that signature twisted rope effect. On a scrunchie, even a simple 4-stitch cable creates a dramatic, high-end look.
What You’ll Need
Cables show up best in smooth, light-colored yarn with good stitch definition. Wool or a wool blend is ideal. Avoid highly textured or fuzzy yarns here — the cable detail will get lost. You’ll need around 50 to 65 yards of DK or worsted weight yarn, your needles, a cable needle or a spare double-pointed needle, a tapestry needle, and your elastic.
How to Knit It
Cast on a multiple of 8 stitches — 48 to 56 stitches is a good starting point. You’ll arrange your stitches so that every 8-stitch repeat contains a 4-stitch cable panel flanked by 2 purl stitches on each side. The purl stitches create a “frame” around each cable that makes the twist pop visually.
On your cable rounds, work the cross every 6 to 8 rounds for a relaxed cable, or every 4 rounds for a tighter, more rope-like appearance. Between cable rounds, simply knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches to maintain the established pattern.
Work to approximately 4 inches, then encase and bind off over your elastic. The finished scrunchie will show off the cables beautifully when the fabric is gathered around the elastic.
A Note on Yarn Quantity
Cables use more yarn than flat fabric because of all that rearranging of stitches. If you’re substituting a yarn for this pattern, err on the side of having more yardage available rather than less.
Pattern 9: The Velvet Scrunchie
Velvet yarn has had a huge moment in the crafting world, and for good reason — it produces a finish that looks impossibly plush and luxurious, and it’s often available in rich, jewel-toned colors that make for irresistible finished objects. A velvet scrunchie is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to use this special yarn.
Because velvet yarn is slippery and has essentially no elasticity, you’ll want to keep the construction simple. A plain stockinette or garter stitch scrunchie is actually ideal here because the texture of the yarn provides all the visual interest you need — you don’t want a complicated stitch pattern competing with that beautiful surface.
What You’ll Need
One skein of velvet or velvet-style chunky yarn (most brands like Bernat Velvet, Lion Brand Velvet, or similar) will make multiple scrunchies — you’ll use roughly 20 to 30 yards per scrunchie. Use needles sized appropriately for the yarn, typically US 8 to US 10. The slightly looser gauge keeps the finished fabric soft and drapey rather than stiff. You’ll also need your elastic and tapestry needle.
How to Knit It
Cast on 40 to 50 stitches and join in the round. Work in stockinette (knit every round) until the piece measures 3 to 4 inches. You can also work a simple garter stitch version by alternating one knit round with one purl round, which creates a slightly firmer, more structured look.
One important note: velvet yarn is notoriously difficult to rip back and reuse once knitted, so measure as you go and take care not to make it too long. Also, weaving in ends with velvet yarn requires a bit of patience — use a blunt tapestry needle and work the tail back and forth through the stitches on the wrong side rather than trying to weave it in a single direction.
Pattern 10: The Lace Scrunchie
A lace scrunchie is perhaps the most delicate and refined option in this collection. Made in fingering weight or lace weight yarn, it’s the kind of accessory that elevates a simple ponytail into something a little special. The open, airy quality of lace means this scrunchie is also incredibly lightweight — perfect for warmer months or for someone who finds heavier scrunchies uncomfortable.
What You’ll Need
Fingering weight yarn works beautifully here. A cotton or cotton-blend yarn gives crisp stitch definition that really shows off lace patterns. You’ll need US 1 to US 3 needles, about 50 to 70 yards of yarn, a tapestry needle, and a thinner elastic (about 1.5 inches in diameter, or a standard hair tie) to proportion well with the lighter fabric.
How to Knit It
A simple yarn-over based lace pattern works well for beginners. Cast on a multiple of 6 or 8 stitches. A basic lace repeat might look like this: k2, yo, k2tog, k2 across your round, then knit the following round plain. Repeat these two rounds to build up your lace pattern.
Alternatively, if you prefer more guidance, look for any simple sock lace border pattern — these translate very well to scrunchies because they’re designed to be worked in the round on a small number of stitches.
Work until the piece measures 4 to 6 inches (the longer length allows for the lacy fabric to gather attractively), then bind off while encasing the elastic. Block your finished scrunchie by getting it wet, pressing out the excess water, and shaping it gently before letting it dry. Blocking makes an enormous difference in the final appearance of lace.
Pattern 11: The Striped Colorwork Scrunchie
Color adds so much personality to a scrunchie, and stripes are the most accessible way to introduce it. A simple two-color stripe doesn’t require you to carry yarn across stitches or manage floats — you simply cut and join your colors as you go, or carry them up the inside of the tube if your stripes are narrow.
What You’ll Need
Choose two colors of the same yarn that complement or contrast each other beautifully. Yarn with good color fastness is important here, since scrunchies get washed regularly. DK or worsted weight gives you clean, readable stripes. You’ll need roughly 20 to 30 yards of each color, your needles, tapestry needle, and elastic.
How to Knit It
Cast on your stitches and work 4 to 6 rounds in your first color, then switch to your second color and work another 4 to 6 rounds. Continue alternating until you’ve reached your desired length. If you’re carrying your yarn up the side rather than cutting it, twist the carried strand around your working yarn at the beginning of each new stripe to prevent a loose loop of yarn developing on the inside.
Narrow stripes of just 2 rounds each create a cheerful, energetic look. Wide stripes of 8 to 10 rounds each produce something bolder and more graphic. You can also try three or more colors for a truly vibrant result.
General Tips for All Scrunchie Knitters
A few pieces of advice apply across all of these patterns, whether you’re a first-time scrunchie knitter or you’ve made dozens.
On choosing your elastic: Standard ponytail elastics work fine, but if you want a truly sturdy, high-quality finished scrunchie, look for flat braided elastic specifically sold for sewing and crafts. Cut a piece about 8 to 10 inches long and tie or sew the ends together to form a loop before encasing it in your knitting. This gives you more control over the tightness and prevents the elastic from twisting inside the fabric.
On caring for your scrunchies: Most knitted scrunchies can be hand-washed in cool water with a small amount of gentle wool wash or dish soap. Lay them flat to dry or set them over a small jar to help them keep their circular shape. Avoid wringing them out, as this can distort the elastic and the knitted fabric.
On giving them as gifts: A handmade scrunchie becomes an especially meaningful gift when you pair it with a skein of the leftover yarn and a little card explaining what it’s made of. People who don’t knit are often astonished at what can be made from a small amount of yarn, and knowing that something was handmade specifically for them adds a layer of warmth to even a small gift.
On experimenting with stitch patterns: The beauty of scrunchies is that the stakes are low. If you’ve been curious about a stitch pattern but nervous to commit to it for a larger project, try it on a scrunchie first. You’ll use minimal yarn, the project will be finished quickly, and you’ll come away with a real understanding of how the stitch behaves — plus a finished object to show for your experiment.
Moving Forward in the Collection
This page has covered six more patterns, bringing you through the ribbed, seed stitch, cabled, velvet, lace, and striped versions of this beloved accessory. Each one requires only a small investment of time and materials, and each one produces something genuinely lovely and practical.
If you’ve been working through this series from the beginning, you now have a diverse toolkit of scrunchie techniques to draw from. Head over to Page 3 to find even more free patterns, including some seasonal designs and a few more adventurous options for experienced knitters looking for their next quick and satisfying project.
Happy knitting — and may your yarn stash always have exactly the right color waiting for your next scrunchie.
