13 Knitted Scrunchies Free Patterns: The Ultimate Guide to Making Your Own Hair Accessories

If you’ve been looking for a fun, fast, and satisfying knitting project, knitted scrunchies might be exactly what you need. These charming little hair accessories have made a massive comeback over the past several years, and for good reason — they’re gentle on hair, endlessly customizable, and you can knit one in an evening using just a small amount of yarn. Whether you’re a beginner picking up needles for the first time or an experienced knitter looking for a quick gift idea, scrunchies are a perfect project.

In this guide, we’re sharing 13 free knitted scrunchie patterns that cover a wide range of styles, skill levels, and yarn weights. From simple ribbed designs to textured cables and chunky statement pieces, there’s something here for everyone. We’ll also cover tips on yarn selection, sizing, and how to finish your scrunchies so they look polished and professional.

Why Knitted Scrunchies Are Worth Making

Before we dive into the patterns themselves, let’s talk about why knitted scrunchies deserve a spot in your project queue.

First, they’re economical. Most scrunchie patterns use less than 50 yards of yarn, which means they’re ideal for using up leftovers from other projects. That single skein of beautiful merino you bought on impulse but never knew what to do with? Perfect scrunchie material.

Second, they make wonderful gifts. Scrunchies are small, lightweight, and easy to customize by color. You can knit a set of three in a single afternoon and have a thoughtful, handmade gift ready to go. Pair them with a bar of soap, a candle, or a small book, and you have an easy gift basket that feels genuinely personal.

Third, knitted scrunchies are gentler on hair than many elastic bands. The fabric wraps around the hair tie, distributing pressure more evenly and reducing breakage — something people with fine or delicate hair especially appreciate.

Finally, they’re a wonderful way to try out new stitches. Because a scrunchie is small and low-stakes, you can experiment with a cable pattern, a lace motif, or a new cast-on technique without committing to a full sweater’s worth of practice.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Most knitted scrunchie patterns call for a few basic supplies:

Yarn: The weight and fiber content will depend on the pattern and the look you’re going for. Fingering weight yarn produces a delicate, stretchy scrunchie. DK and worsted weights create something slightly chunkier and more structured. Bulky yarn gives you a bold, oversized look that’s very on-trend.

Knitting needles: Many scrunchie patterns are worked flat and then seamed, so straight needles or a short circular needle both work well. Some patterns are worked in the round on double-pointed needles. Check each pattern’s recommended needle size.

Hair elastic: You’ll need one standard hair tie or a length of elastic sewn into a loop. The hair elastic gets encased inside the knitted tube, giving the scrunchie its stretch and function.

Darning needle: You’ll use this to seam the knitting and weave in ends.

Scissors: Always handy to have nearby.

Now, let’s get into the patterns.

1. The Classic Ribbed Scrunchie

Ribbing is stretchy, versatile, and has a clean, polished look that never goes out of style. This pattern uses a simple 2×2 rib (knit 2, purl 2) worked flat on a small number of stitches and then folded around a hair tie before seaming.

Yarn: Fingering or DK weight in any fiber

Needles: US size 3 to 5 (3.25 to 3.75mm)

Skill level: Beginner

Cast on 12 stitches and work in 2×2 rib for approximately 10 to 12 inches, depending on how gathered you want your finished scrunchie to look. Bind off, fold the fabric around your hair elastic, and seam the long edge closed using mattress stitch. Then seam the two short ends together to form a ring. Weave in ends and you’re done. The ribbed texture naturally gathers and ruffs up around the elastic for a classic scrunchie look.

2. The Garter Stitch Scrunchie

If you’re an absolute beginner who only knows how to knit (and not purl), this is the pattern for you. Garter stitch — every row knit — creates a ridged, squishy fabric that works beautifully in a scrunchie.

Yarn: Worsted weight for a chunkier look, or DK for something more delicate

Needles: US size 6 to 8 (4.0 to 5.0mm)

Skill level: Complete beginner

Cast on 8 stitches and knit every row until your piece measures about 12 inches. The garter stitch will have a slight bounce to it that makes the finished scrunchie feel extra soft and comfortable on the wrist.

3. The Seed Stitch Scrunchie

Seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches across the row, then on the next row you do the opposite — purl where you knitted, knit where you purled. The result is a beautifully textured fabric with little pebble-like bumps that catches the light in a lovely way.

Yarn: DK or fingering weight in a smooth, single-ply yarn that shows the stitch definition

Needles: US size 3 to 5

Skill level: Beginner to intermediate

Cast on 10 stitches. Row 1: (k1, p1) across. Row 2: (p1, k1) across. Repeat these two rows until your piece is 10 to 14 inches long. Seam around the elastic and close the ends. Seed stitch scrunchies look particularly lovely in solid colors where the texture really pops.

4. The Simple Cable Scrunchie

Cables look far more impressive than they actually are. This pattern features a single 6-stitch cable panel flanked by reverse stockinette, which gives the finished scrunchie a three-dimensional, sculptural quality.

Yarn: Worsted weight in a wool or wool-blend yarn (cables show up best in smooth, lightly spun fibers)

Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) plus a cable needle

Skill level: Intermediate

Cast on 14 stitches. Set up: p4, k6, p4. The cable is worked every 6th row by slipping 3 stitches to the cable needle, holding it in front or back, knitting the next 3 stitches, then knitting the stitches from the cable needle. Work until the piece is about 12 inches long. The cable will gather and twist beautifully once the scrunchie is assembled around the elastic.

5. The Linen Stitch Scrunchie

The linen stitch creates a fabric that looks almost woven — dense, elegant, and with a beautiful drape. It’s a little slower to work up than the simpler stitches, but the result is worth it.

Yarn: Fingering or sport weight, especially cotton or linen blends, which enhance the woven appearance

Needles: US size 2 to 4 (2.75 to 3.5mm)

Skill level: Intermediate

The linen stitch is worked by alternating a knit stitch with a slipped stitch with yarn in front. On right-side rows: (k1, sl1wyif) across. On wrong-side rows: (p1, sl1wyib) across. Cast on an even number of stitches — around 10 to 12 — and work until the piece is 12 to 14 inches. The density of the fabric makes this one of the most durable scrunchie options in this list.

6. The Ruffle Scrunchie

Want maximum drama? The ruffle scrunchie is your answer. This pattern starts with a generous number of stitches that are gradually decreased as you work, creating a built-in ruffle effect that looks exuberant and festive.

Yarn: Fingering weight in a silk blend or another yarn with a natural sheen

Needles: US size 2 to 3

Skill level: Intermediate

Cast on 30 stitches and work in stockinette for 2 inches. Then decrease by working k2tog across the row to reduce your stitch count by half. Continue in stockinette for another 2 inches. Decrease again. Work a final inch and bind off. The extra fabric from the initial rows naturally ruffles and frills once assembled. These are particularly beautiful in jewel tones or pastels.

7. The Chunky Scrunchie

This is the oversized, bold scrunchie you’ve seen everywhere on social media. Worked in bulky or super bulky yarn, it knits up incredibly fast — we’re talking 20 to 30 minutes from cast-on to finished object.

Yarn: Bulky or super bulky weight, especially in soft, squishy fibers like merino or alpaca blends

Needles: US size 10 to 13 (6.0 to 9.0mm)

Skill level: Beginner

Cast on 10 stitches and work in your chosen stitch (garter, ribbing, or stockinette) for about 10 inches. The chunky yarn creates a very full, dramatic scrunchie once gathered around the elastic. These are great stash busters if you have leftover bulky yarn from hat or cowl projects.

8. The Colorwork Scrunchie

A small stranded colorwork pattern — even just a 4-stitch motif repeated across a narrow piece of knitting — transforms a simple scrunchie into a miniature wearable artwork. Think tiny hearts, stars, geometric diamonds, or Nordic-inspired motifs.

Yarn: Fingering or DK weight in two contrasting colors

Needles: US size 2 to 5, depending on yarn weight

Skill level: Intermediate to advanced

This pattern works best knitted in the round on double-pointed needles so you can see your colorwork pattern without the wrong-side floats interfering. Cast on 16 to 20 stitches, distribute across your DPNs, and join to work in the round. Work your chosen colorwork chart for the length of the piece. The finished tube is then slid over the elastic and the ends are seamed together. These make truly impressive gifts because they look far more complex than they are.

9. The I-Cord Scrunchie

This is one of the most unusual and charming scrunchies on the list. An i-cord is a thin, tubular knitted rope worked on just 3 to 4 stitches on double-pointed needles. When worked long enough and spiraled around a hair elastic, it creates a scrunchie that looks almost like a coiled rope or a cluster of tubes.

Yarn: Any weight — experiment with what you have on hand

Needles: Double-pointed needles appropriate to your yarn weight

Skill level: Beginner to intermediate

Cast on 4 stitches on a double-pointed needle. Do not turn your work. Instead, slide the stitches back to the right end of the needle, bring your yarn around the back, and knit all 4 stitches again. Repeat until the cord is 24 to 30 inches long. Bind off, thread the i-cord around the elastic in a coiled, wrapped fashion, and sew the ends together. The result is surprisingly voluminous and has a lovely, organic texture.

10. The Brioche Scrunchie

Brioche knitting produces an incredibly squishy, plush fabric that feels luxurious against the wrist and hair. The basic brioche stitch — a combination of yarn overs and slipped stitches — creates a deeply ridged, stretchy texture.

Yarn: DK or worsted weight in a soft, high-quality fiber; brioche really rewards good yarn

Needles: US size 5 to 7

Skill level: Intermediate

Work brioche rib flat: set up with a (brk, brp) pattern. Each brk is worked as: sl1yo, k1; each brp is worked as: sl1yo, p1. The brioche stitch requires a little practice to get the rhythm, but once you have it, it flows quickly. The finished fabric is almost twice as squishy as regular ribbing, making this one of the most comfortable scrunchies to wear.

11. The Feather and Fan Scrunchie

The feather and fan stitch (also called old shale) creates a wavy, rippling fabric that looks almost like flowing water or delicate lacework. It’s worked in a 4-row repeat involving increases and decreases that create the characteristic scalloped edge.

Yarn: Fingering or lace weight in a soft, smooth fiber

Needles: US size 2 to 4

Skill level: Intermediate

Cast on a multiple of 18 stitches and work the feather and fan pattern over 4 rows: Row 1 (right side): knit. Row 2: purl. Row 3: (k2tog three times, (yo, k1) six times, k2tog three times) across. Row 4: knit. The wavy, scalloped edges will be visible on the finished scrunchie, giving it an almost ethereal, romantic quality. These look especially beautiful in variegated or gradient yarns.

12. The Bobble Scrunchie

Bobbles are small, three-dimensional puffs of fabric knitted into the surface of your work. A few bobbles scattered across a simple stockinette or garter stitch scrunchie give it a playful, textured look that’s perfect for kids or for anyone who loves a bit of whimsy in their accessories.

Yarn: DK or worsted weight; smooth yarns make the bobbles pop

Needles: US size 6 to 8

Skill level: Intermediate

A basic bobble is worked by (k1, p1, k1, p1, k1) all into the same stitch, then turning the work and purling those 5 stitches, turning again and knitting them, then passing all stitches over the first. Space bobbles evenly every inch or so along your scrunchie panel. The finished piece will have a lumpy, charming texture that feels fun to touch.

13. The Slip Stitch Mosaic Scrunchie

Mosaic knitting is a clever colorwork technique that only requires working with one color at a time — no stranding or carrying floats. You alternate two colors every two rows, slipping certain stitches to carry one color’s pattern up through the other, creating a geometric design.

Yarn: Fingering or DK weight in two high-contrast colors — think deep navy and bright gold, or charcoal and cream

Needles: US size 3 to 5

Skill level: Intermediate

Work flat, alternating two rows each of color A and color B. On color A rows, slip the stitches designated in your chart with yarn in front on the wrong side. The slipped stitches in color B will show through to create the pattern. Even a simple checkerboard or diamond motif looks stunning worked in mosaic. These scrunchies are conversation pieces — people often assume they took far more time and skill than they actually required.

Tips for Making Your Knitted Scrunchies Look Their Best

Block your knitting before assembling. A quick wet block of the flat knitted panel before you sew it around the elastic will smooth out any uneven tension and give the finished scrunchie a much cleaner appearance.

Choose elastic carefully. Standard round ponytail elastics work perfectly inside knitted scrunchies. If you prefer a slimmer look, cut a length of flat elastic, overlap the ends slightly, and sew them together to form a loop before encasing it in your knitted tube.

Use mattress stitch for seaming. Mattress stitch creates a nearly invisible seam along the long edge of your scrunchie panel, which looks much more polished than a simple whip stitch.

Experiment with yarn fiber. Cotton creates scrunchies with great structure and shape retention. Wool is soft and forgiving with beautiful drape. Silk blends add sheen. Acrylic is machine-washable, which makes it a practical choice for everyday wear.

Make multiples and play with color. One of the best things about scrunchies is that the same pattern in a different color or yarn weight produces a completely