How to Crochet a Scrunchie for Beginners: Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial

If you’ve been wanting to learn to crochet but don’t know where to start, a scrunchie is honestly one of the best first projects you can pick. It’s small, it’s quick, it uses just a few yards of yarn, and when you’re done you have something genuinely cute and wearable. Whether you’re completely new to crochet or you’ve dabbled before and want a low-stakes project to practice your stitches, this tutorial will walk you through everything you need to know.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to make a basic crochet scrunchie from start to finish, understand the stitches involved, and have tips for customizing the look so you can make one for yourself, for gifts, or even to sell.

Why Crochet a Scrunchie?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why this project is so popular — especially for beginners.

A crochet scrunchie takes anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour depending on your speed and the stitch you choose. You don’t need much yarn, so it’s a great way to use up leftover skeins from bigger projects. The circular shape means you work in the round, which is actually a very useful technique to learn early on. And unlike a blanket or a sweater, there’s almost no finishing work involved — no sewing up seams, no complicated edging.

Beyond the practical side, scrunchies are having a serious style moment. Handmade ones with interesting textures, variegated yarn, or unusual stitch patterns look incredible and stand out in a way that store-bought ones simply don’t.

What You’ll Need

Let’s start with materials, because having the right tools makes a big difference when you’re learning.

Yarn: For a beginner scrunchie, a bulky or super bulky yarn (weight 5 or 6) works beautifully because you can see your stitches clearly and the fabric builds up quickly. Cotton yarn gives a slightly structured look, while a softer acrylic blend will feel fluffy and cozy. You’ll need roughly 15 to 25 yards depending on the stitch you use and how full you want the scrunchie to look. Variegated or self-striping yarn makes the finished piece look impressive with almost no extra effort.

Crochet Hook: A size 5.0mm (H-8) to 6.0mm (J-10) hook pairs well with bulky yarn. If you’re going with a worsted weight yarn (weight 4), a 5.0mm hook is usually the right choice. Always check your yarn’s label for the recommended hook size as a starting point.

Hair Elastic: You’ll need one standard hair tie or elastic ponytail holder. The diameter doesn’t need to be exact, but a medium-sized one — about 2 inches across — works well for most patterns.

Scissors: For cutting your yarn at the end.

Yarn Needle: Also called a tapestry needle or darning needle. You’ll use this to weave in your ends when you’re finished.

That’s it. You don’t need a big investment to get started, which is another reason why scrunchies make such perfect beginner projects.

Understanding the Basic Stitches

If you’ve never crocheted before, don’t panic. This project uses just a few basic stitches, and we’ll go over each one before you start making the scrunchie.

Slip Stitch (sl st): This is the simplest stitch in crochet. You insert your hook, yarn over, and pull the yarn through both loops on your hook in one motion. You’ll use this to join rounds and to connect your work to the hair elastic.

Chain Stitch (ch): This is usually the very first thing you learn. You make a loop on your hook, then yarn over and pull through to create a chain. Chains form the foundation of most projects and are used to create turning chains when starting new rows or rounds.

Single Crochet (sc): Insert your hook into a stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (you now have two loops on your hook), then yarn over again and pull through both loops. This creates a tight, sturdy stitch and is perfect for scrunchies.

Half Double Crochet (hdc): Yarn over first, then insert your hook into a stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (three loops on your hook), then yarn over once more and pull through all three loops. This stitch is slightly taller than a single crochet and creates a nice, slightly stretchy fabric.

Double Crochet (dc): Yarn over, insert your hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (three loops on your hook), yarn over and pull through the first two loops (two loops remain), then yarn over and pull through the last two loops. This is a tall, open stitch that creates beautiful drape and volume — great for a fluffier, more statement scrunchie.

For this tutorial, we’ll use single crochet as the main technique since it’s the most beginner-friendly, and then I’ll show you how to adapt it for a double crochet scrunchie once you’ve got the basics down.

How to Hold Your Hook and Yarn

Before you start, it helps to know how to hold your hook and manage your yarn tension. There’s no single right way to do this — crocheters develop their own style over time — but here are two common methods.

The pencil grip means you hold the hook between your thumb and index finger the way you’d hold a pencil. The knife grip means you hold it the way you’d hold a table knife, with the handle resting in your palm and your thumb on top. Try both and see which feels more natural.

For tension, the yarn feeds through the fingers of your non-dominant hand. Many people loop the yarn over their index finger and let it rest over their middle and ring fingers, with the tail held lightly between their thumb and middle finger. Your index finger is what controls how tightly or loosely the yarn feeds into your stitches. Consistent tension is one of the most important things to develop as a beginner, and a scrunchie is a great low-pressure project to practice on because slight variations in tension actually don’t matter much here.

Step-by-Step Crochet Scrunchie Tutorial

Now for the actual tutorial. Read through all the steps once before you start so you have a sense of the whole process.

Step 1: Slip Your Yarn Onto the Hair Elastic

Hold your hair elastic in your non-dominant hand. Make a slip knot with your yarn and place it on your crochet hook. Now insert the hook through the center of the hair elastic, yarn over, and pull up a loop so that the yarn is coming through the inside of the elastic. You now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops — this is your first slip stitch and it anchors the yarn to the elastic.

Alternatively, you can simply hold the tail of the yarn behind the elastic and work your stitches over the elastic from the very first stitch. Both methods work; the second is sometimes easier for absolute beginners.

Step 2: Work Single Crochet Stitches Over the Elastic

This is the core of the pattern. You’re going to work single crochet stitches directly over the hair elastic, all the way around its circumference.

Insert your hook through the center of the elastic (not into a previous stitch — you’re encasing the elastic itself). Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over again and pull through both loops. That’s one single crochet.

Continue making single crochet stitches around the elastic. Keep your stitches snug but not so tight that the elastic bunches up. For a standard-sized elastic, you’ll typically work between 50 and 80 single crochet stitches to go all the way around. The exact number depends on your yarn weight and tension.

As you work, push the stitches around the elastic so they don’t bunch up in one spot. You want them evenly distributed. When you’ve worked all the way around and the elastic is fully covered, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 3: Join to Form a Round

When your stitches have gone all the way around the elastic and you’ve come back to where you started, you’ll use a slip stitch to join the last stitch to the first stitch. Insert your hook into the top of the very first single crochet you made, yarn over, and pull through both loops on your hook. This closes the round and gives you a clean join.

Step 4: Fasten Off and Weave In Ends

Cut your yarn, leaving a tail of about 6 inches. Pull the tail through the last loop on your hook to fasten off. Thread the tail onto your yarn needle and weave it through the back loops of nearby stitches — going in one direction, then doubling back — to secure it. Trim any excess. Do the same with the starting tail.

That’s it. You’ve made a scrunchie.

Making a Double Crochet Scrunchie

Once you’re comfortable with the single crochet version, try making a double crochet scrunchie. The process is essentially the same, but double crochet stitches are much taller, which means the fabric gathers more dramatically and creates that fluffy, voluminous look that’s so popular right now.

Instead of making single crochets over the elastic, you make double crochets. You’ll likely end up working the same number of stitches (50 to 80), but the finished scrunchie will be much fuller because each stitch takes up more height. Some crafters even work two double crochets into the same spot on the elastic periodically to increase the volume even more.

You can also add a second row for extra fluffiness. After joining your first round with a slip stitch, chain 3 (which counts as your first double crochet), then work a double crochet into each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch and fasten off. The result is a layered, textured scrunchie that looks like it took much more skill than it did.

Tips for a Beautiful Scrunchie

A few small habits will take your scrunchie from “I made this” to “wait, where did you buy that?”

Keep your tension consistent. This is the biggest factor in how your finished piece looks. If your stitches are too loose, the elastic will peek through. If they’re too tight, the scrunchie won’t stretch properly. Aim for stitches that are snug around the elastic but still slide along it easily.

Don’t skip the weaving in of ends. It’s the least exciting part, but loose ends will unravel over time — especially when the scrunchie gets wet or stretched. Take the extra two minutes to secure them properly.

Choose your yarn thoughtfully. A yarn with a bit of elasticity (like one that contains nylon or spandex) will wear better in a hair accessory than a purely cotton or wool yarn, which can stretch out of shape. That said, 100% cotton looks gorgeous and holds up reasonably well for lighter everyday use.

Block your scrunchie if needed. If it looks a little uneven when you’re done, wet it gently, shape it, and let it dry flat. This smooths out minor tension variations and gives it a more polished look.

Customization Ideas

Once you’ve got the basic pattern down, the creative possibilities really open up.

Try different stitch patterns. The shell stitch — where you work multiple double crochets into a single point — creates a scalloped, decorative effect. The puff stitch gives you little raised bobbles all around the scrunchie. A simple ribbed pattern using front post and back post double crochets creates a stretchy, textured fabric.

Mix colors. Work the first round in one color and the second in another. Use a variegated yarn that shifts through a gradient. Add a stripe of a contrasting color at the end of a round.

Change your yarn weight. A fine weight yarn (like a fingering or sport weight) crocheted with a small hook over the elastic creates a dainty, delicate scrunchie. A super chunky yarn makes a big, statement piece.

Add embellishments. Small crochet flowers, pearls, buttons, or bows can be sewn onto the finished scrunchie for extra personality.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

The elastic is visible through my stitches. Your stitches are probably too spread out or your yarn is too thin. Try using a thicker yarn, a smaller hook, or work more stitches over the elastic so they’re closer together.

My scrunchie won’t stretch properly. Your stitches are probably too tight, or you’ve worked too many of them and they’re crowding each other. Try loosening your tension slightly, or reduce the stitch count by 5 to 10 stitches next time.

The stitches are sliding off the elastic. This is normal while you’re working — just slide them back. Once you join the round, they’ll stay in place. Make sure you’re joining properly at the end.

My starting tail keeps getting caught in my stitches. Hold the tail along the elastic as you work and crochet over it for the first several stitches. This buries it inside the work so it doesn’t get tangled.

The join looks uneven or there’s a visible gap. This is a very common beginner issue. Try inserting your hook through both loops of the first stitch when you slip stitch to join, and don’t chain before joining. With practice, the join becomes nearly invisible.

How to Make It a Gift

Crochet scrunchies make wonderful gifts because they’re personal, handmade, and useful. A set of three scrunchies in coordinating colors tied together with a piece of ribbon is a lovely, inexpensive present for birthdays, holidays, bridesmaid gifts, or teacher appreciation. You can make a scrunchie in someone’s favorite color, in their school or sports team colors, or in a yarn that matches their personal style.

If you want to present them nicely, drape a few over a small wooden ring or loop them over a decorative card. They photograph beautifully, too, which makes them ideal if you ever want to set up a small handmade shop online.

How Long Does It Take?

For most beginners, the first scrunchie takes about 45 minutes to an hour once you account for learning the stitches and figuring out the process. By your third or fourth one, you’ll likely be finishing in 20 to 30 minutes. Experienced crocheters who know the stitches well can crank one out in 15 minutes or less.

This makes scrunchies ideal for watching TV, listening to podcasts, or keeping your hands busy during long video calls. They’re genuinely one of the most satisfying quick projects in crochet.

Moving Forward with Crochet

Making your first scrunchie is a meaningful step because it teaches you the core skills that almost every other crochet project builds on — how to hold your hook, how to manage tension, how to make basic stitches, how to work in the round, and how to join and fasten off neatly. These are the building blocks.

From here, you might try a crochet headband, a small coin purse, a dishcloth, or even a simple hat. Each new project adds another skill to your toolkit, and before long you’ll look back at your first scrunchie the way most crocheters do — with a mix of fondness for how far you’ve come and genuine satisfaction that you made something real and beautiful with your own hands.

Keep your first scrunchie. Wear it. Let it remind you that you can make things from scratch, one stitch at a time.