Crochet Scrunchie Tutorial for Beginners (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’ve been looking for a quick, satisfying crochet project that you can actually finish in an afternoon, a crochet scrunchie might be exactly what you need. These little hair accessories are practical, adorable, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re brand new to crochet or you’ve got a few basic stitches under your belt, this tutorial will walk you through everything — from materials to finishing touches — so you can create your own handmade scrunchies with confidence.

Let’s dive in.

Why Crochet Scrunchies Are Perfect for Beginners

Before we get into the how-to, let’s talk about why scrunchies are such a fantastic beginner project. First, they’re small. You’re not committing to a blanket or a sweater — you’re working with a short piece that crochets up fast. Most people finish their first scrunchie in under two hours, and once you get the hang of it, you can easily knock one out in 30 to 45 minutes.

Second, scrunchies are a great way to practice working in the round and around a foundation, which are skills you’ll use constantly in crochet. Even if your tension is a little uneven or your stitch count isn’t perfect, scrunchies are forgiving. The gathering of the fabric naturally hides small mistakes, so the finished product almost always looks polished.

Third, they make wonderful gifts. Once you’ve made a few for yourself, you’ll inevitably want to make them for friends and family. They’re easy to customize with different yarns, colors, and stitch patterns, which keeps the project fresh even after you’ve made your tenth one.

Materials You’ll Need

One of the best things about this project is how little you need to get started. Here’s a simple list of supplies.

Yarn: Any worsted weight yarn works beautifully for scrunchies. Cotton yarn is a popular choice because it’s smooth, shows stitch definition well, and feels gentle against your hair. Acrylic yarn is another great option — it’s affordable, comes in hundreds of colors, and is easy to care for. If you want something a little fancier, a soft velvet yarn creates an incredibly luxurious-looking scrunchie. You’ll only need about 20 to 30 yards for one scrunchie, so this is also an excellent stash-buster project.

Crochet hook: A 5mm (H/8) hook pairs nicely with worsted weight yarn, but you can go up to a 5.5mm or 6mm if you prefer a looser, fluffier result. Check the yarn label for the recommended hook size and use that as a starting point.

Hair tie: A standard fabric-covered elastic hair tie works perfectly. You can use whatever you already have at home — black, clear, colorful, it doesn’t matter because it will be completely covered by the time you’re done.

Scissors and a yarn needle: You’ll need these at the end to weave in your tails and finish things off neatly.

That’s it. No fancy equipment required.

Understanding the Stitches You’ll Use

This pattern uses just a few basic stitches, and if you’ve ever crocheted before, there’s a good chance you already know them. Here’s a quick refresher.

Chain stitch (ch): The foundation of almost every crochet project. You start with a slip knot, then pull a loop of yarn through to create a chain. The chain stitch is the very first thing most people learn in crochet.

Single crochet (sc): A short, tight stitch made by inserting the hook, pulling up a loop, and pulling the yarn through both loops on your hook. Single crochet creates a dense, firm fabric.

Half double crochet (hdc): This stitch is slightly taller than single crochet. You yarn over before inserting the hook, pull up a loop (giving you three loops), then pull the yarn through all three loops at once. Half double crochet creates a slightly stretchier fabric than single crochet.

Double crochet (dc): The main stitch in most scrunchie patterns. You yarn over, insert the hook, pull up a loop, pull through two loops, then pull through the remaining two loops. Double crochet is taller than the previous stitches and creates a lovely, full fabric.

For this tutorial, the pattern is built primarily around double crochet stitches worked directly around the hair tie, which creates that beautiful gathered, ruffled effect that scrunchies are known for.

How to Read Crochet Abbreviations

If you’re completely new to crochet patterns, abbreviations can look intimidating at first. Here are the ones you’ll see in this tutorial and what they mean.

ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
st = stitch
rep = repeat
sp = space

Once you see these a few times, they become second nature. Keep this list nearby while you work through the pattern for the first time.

Crochet Scrunchie Pattern: Step-by-Step

Now let’s get into the actual pattern. This is a classic, simple scrunchie that creates a beautifully ruffled look. It’s written for a beginner, so I’ve included plenty of detail at each step.

Step 1: Make a Slip Knot and Chain

Start by making a slip knot and placing it on your hook. Then chain 120. This long chain will form the foundation that you’ll attach to the hair tie in just a moment.

If you’re working with a stretchier yarn or want a denser scrunchie, you can go up to 130 or even 140 chains. If you prefer a lighter, more open result, you can go as low as 100. The chain count is flexible here, so don’t stress about it being exact.

Tip: Make sure your chain isn’t too tight. It should be easy to insert your hook back into each chain stitch later. If you tend to chain tightly, consider going up one hook size just for this step and then switching back.

Step 2: Join the Chain into a Ring Around the Hair Tie

Here’s where things get really fun. Hold your hair elastic in one hand and drape your chain around it so the chain encircles the elastic. Slip stitch into the very first chain stitch to join the chain into a ring. You should now have a loop of chain going all the way around your elastic.

At this point, your chain is connected at both ends, and the hair tie is sitting inside the loop. The elastic should be able to move freely inside the chain ring for now — that’s normal.

Tip: Make sure your chain isn’t twisted before you join. Lay it flat on a table and check before you close the ring with the slip stitch.

Step 3: Work the First Round of Double Crochets

Now you’ll begin crocheting directly into the chain stitches, with the hair tie sitting behind your work. As you crochet each stitch, you’re going to work over the elastic so that it becomes encased in your crochet fabric.

Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet). Then work one double crochet into the same stitch you just joined to. Work 2 double crochets into each chain stitch all the way around. When you reach the end of the round, slip stitch into the top of the beginning chain 3 to join the round.

Working 2 double crochets into every single stitch is what creates that signature scrunchie ruffle. The extra stitches cause the fabric to gather and bunch up around the elastic, which is exactly the look we’re going for.

Important note: As you work each stitch, make sure the hair elastic is sitting inside your work and that your stitches are going over it. You want the elastic to be fully encased when you’re done. Occasionally hold the work up and check that the elastic is sitting behind your stitches and not slipping out to the front.

Step 4: Check Your Progress

At the end of round one, you should have a dense ring of double crochets that has begun to ruffle and gather. The hair tie should be almost completely hidden inside the stitches. If you can still see a lot of the elastic, that’s okay — you might need one more round, which we’ll get to in the next step.

This is also a good time to check your tension. The scrunchie should feel slightly firm but still squishy and stretchy. If it feels too stiff, try loosening your tension slightly on the next round.

Step 5: Work a Second Round (Optional but Recommended)

For a fuller, more ruffled scrunchie, work a second round. Chain 3, then work 2 double crochets into each stitch from round one all the way around. Join with a slip stitch at the end.

After two rounds of increases, your scrunchie should be gloriously full and ruffled. The elastic should now be completely hidden.

If you prefer a simpler, sleeker look, you can stop after round one and move directly to finishing. Both versions look great — it just comes down to personal preference.

Step 6: Fasten Off and Weave In the Ends

Once you’re happy with the fullness of your scrunchie, cut the yarn leaving about a 6-inch tail. Pull the tail through the last loop on your hook to fasten off. Thread the tail onto a yarn needle and weave it in and out of the nearby stitches to secure it. Do the same with your starting tail from the beginning of the project.

Weaving in ends on a scrunchie is easy because there’s so much fabric to hide the tails in. Just make sure you go through at least 4 or 5 stitches in different directions so the ends don’t work their way loose over time.

Variations to Try Once You’ve Got the Basics Down

Once you’ve made your first scrunchie and feel comfortable with the basic pattern, there are so many fun ways to mix things up.

Single crochet scrunchie: Use single crochet instead of double crochet for a tighter, flatter look. This style has a more subtle, understated ruffle and pairs beautifully with finer yarn.

Bobble stitch scrunchie: Work bobble stitches (clusters of double crochets worked into the same stitch and joined at the top) throughout the round for a textured, three-dimensional effect. This creates a stunningly unique look that’s still surprisingly simple once you know how to make a bobble.

Shell stitch scrunchie: Work shell stitches (multiple double crochets worked into the same stitch) at evenly spaced intervals around the elastic for a scalloped, lacy appearance. This is a lovely option for a more delicate, feminine style.

Striped scrunchie: Use two or more colors by changing yarn at the end of each round. You can make clean horizontal stripes or carry both colors throughout for a more complex look. Color changes in the round are easy to learn and open up tons of design possibilities.

Velvet yarn scrunchie: Swap your regular yarn for a velvet or chenille yarn for a soft, plush scrunchie that feels as luxurious as it looks. The texture of velvet yarn really shows off the ruffles beautifully.

Extra chunky scrunchie: Use bulky or super bulky yarn with a larger hook for a big, dramatic scrunchie that makes a statement. These work up even faster than the standard version and are especially satisfying for quick gifts.

Tips for Better Crochet Scrunchies

A few extra tips can make a real difference, especially when you’re just starting out.

Maintain consistent tension. Tension is the evenness with which you hold and pull your yarn. Consistent tension makes your stitches look neat and uniform. If you notice some stitches are much tighter or looser than others, slow down and try to be more intentional about how much yarn you’re drawing through each stitch.

Count your stitches. In a small project like this, it’s easy to accidentally skip a stitch or add an extra one. Counting your stitches at the end of each round helps you catch mistakes before they become a problem.

Block your scrunchie. If you used cotton yarn, you can lightly wet the finished scrunchie and shape it before letting it dry. This evens out the stitches and gives the finished product a more polished, professional look.

Use good quality yarn. With so few yards needed, this is a good project to splurge a little on yarn. A beautiful, high-quality skein can transform a simple scrunchie into something really special.

Make a gauge swatch if you’re gifting. Gauge doesn’t matter much for personal use since scrunchies are flexible, but if you’re making a set as a gift and want them all to look consistent, crocheting a small swatch first helps you predict the finished size.

How to Care for Your Crochet Scrunchie

The care instructions for your scrunchie will depend largely on the yarn you used. Check the yarn label for specific guidance. In general, cotton scrunchies can be machine washed on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Acrylic scrunchies are usually machine washable as well. Velvet or chenille yarn scrunchies are best hand washed and laid flat to dry so they maintain their shape and soft texture.

One thing to keep in mind is that the elastic inside the scrunchie will eventually wear out with repeated use and washing, just like any regular hair tie. When that happens, you can carefully cut the crochet work open at one point, slide out the old elastic, insert a new one, and stitch it back up. Your beautiful crocheted fabric stays intact, and the scrunchie gets a whole new life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to crochet a scrunchie? Most beginners complete their first scrunchie in about one to two hours. With practice, you can crochet one in 30 to 45 minutes. They’re genuinely one of the fastest crochet projects you can make.

What size hook is best for a crochet scrunchie? A 5mm hook is a great starting point for worsted weight yarn. If you want a looser, fluffier texture, go up to a 5.5mm or 6mm hook.

Can I use thread or lace weight yarn? Yes, but keep in mind that thinner yarn will require more chains and more stitches to cover the elastic fully. It’s also a bit harder to work with as a beginner. Stick with worsted weight for your first few scrunchies.

Do I need to join each round? In this pattern, yes — you join each round with a slip stitch. If you want a seamless spiral look, you can crochet in a continuous spiral instead, but you’ll want to use a stitch marker to keep track of your round beginnings.

My stitches keep twisting. What am I doing wrong? This usually happens when the foundation chain gets twisted before you join it. Make sure your chain lies flat before you slip stitch to join it in the beginning. Once you join correctly, the stitches should stay aligned as you work.

Final Thoughts

There’s something really satisfying about wearing something you made yourself, and a crochet scrunchie is one of the simplest ways to experience that feeling. From start to finish, this project is manageable, fun, and rewarding — which makes it ideal if you’re learning to crochet or if you’re an experienced crocheter looking for a low-effort, high-payoff make.

Once you master this basic pattern, the variations are practically endless. You can experiment with different stitches, yarn weights, textures, and color combinations until you’ve built up a collection that’s entirely your own. And because each scrunchie uses so little yarn, they’re a wonderful way to use up small leftover skeins that might otherwise sit in a drawer.

So grab your hook, pick out a yarn you love, and give it a try. Your hair — and your craft stash — will thank you.