How to Make a Knitted Scrunchie — Free Pattern Suitable for Beginners

If you’ve been looking for a quick, satisfying knitting project that you can finish in an evening, a knitted scrunchie is exactly what you need. These charming little accessories have made a massive comeback over the past few years, and for good reason — they’re gentle on hair, endlessly customizable, and make thoughtful handmade gifts. Best of all, this free pattern requires only basic knitting skills, a small amount of yarn, and a couple of simple tools. Whether you picked up your needles last week or you’re returning to the craft after years away, this tutorial will walk you through every single step.

Why Knit a Scrunchie?

Before we dive into the pattern, let’s talk about why knitted scrunchies deserve a spot in your project queue. Unlike crochet scrunchies, which are worked in rounds and tend to have a more textured, dense finish, knitted scrunchies have a soft, stretchy drape that sits beautifully on the wrist and holds hair without pulling. The fabric wraps around the elastic with a gentle puff that looks far more polished than it is difficult to make.

From a practical standpoint, scrunchies are also one of the most economical knitting projects out there. You can make several from a single skein of yarn, which means they’re a brilliant way to use up leftover yarn from larger projects. Got a few yards of that beautiful merino left over from a sweater? A scrunchie is the perfect home for it.

They’re also ideal for gifting. A handmade knitted scrunchie tucked inside a birthday card or placed on top of a wrapped present adds a personal touch that no store-bought item can replicate. And because they work up so quickly — most knitters finish one in under two hours — you can make multiples in different colors and textures without the commitment of a longer project.

Materials You’ll Need

Gathering your supplies before you begin will make the whole process smoother. Here’s what you’ll need for this free beginner knitted scrunchie pattern.

Yarn: Approximately 20–30 yards of worsted weight yarn (Category 4). This is a great opportunity to use scrap yarn from your stash. Wool, cotton, acrylic, or any blend all work well. For your first attempt, a smooth yarn in a light or medium color is recommended, as it will make it easier to see your stitches clearly. Avoid anything too fuzzy or hairy until you feel more confident reading your work.

Knitting needles: US size 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles. If you’re using circular needles, any length will do since you’ll be working flat and then seaming. Double-pointed needles are not necessary for this pattern.

Elastic: One standard hair tie or a piece of round knitting elastic cut to approximately 8–10 inches and tied into a loop. Regular fabric hair ties from any drugstore work perfectly. The elastic is the foundation of the scrunchie, so choose one that has a comfortable amount of stretch.

Tapestry needle: Also called a darning needle or yarn needle. You’ll use this to seam the knitting and weave in your yarn ends at the end of the project.

Scissors: A small pair of sharp scissors for cutting your yarn.

Optional: A stitch marker to mark the beginning of rows if you find it helpful.

That’s truly all you need. No special gadgets, no expensive tools. This project is one of the most accessible in all of knitting.

Understanding the Abbreviations

This pattern uses a handful of standard knitting abbreviations. If you’re new to patterns, here’s a quick reference guide so nothing catches you off guard.

CO — Cast on. This is how you create the initial row of stitches on your needle before you begin knitting.

K — Knit. The most fundamental knitting stitch.

P — Purl. The companion stitch to knit, and just as important.

K2tog — Knit two stitches together. A simple decrease that reduces your stitch count by one.

BO — Bind off (also called cast off). How you finish your work and remove it from the needles.

Rep — Repeat.

RS — Right side. The side of your fabric intended to face outward.

WS — Wrong side. The back of your fabric.

St/sts — Stitch/stitches.

Gauge and Sizing

Because scrunchies are stretchy and forgiving, gauge is not critical for this pattern the way it would be for a garment. That said, aiming for approximately 18 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch with a worsted weight yarn and US 7 needles will give you a scrunchie of average size. If you knit tightly, consider going up a needle size. If you knit loosely, try going down a needle size. The finished scrunchie should be snug enough to hold hair securely but not so tight that the elastic inside is constricted.

The finished measurements are approximately 3–4 inches in circumference when unstretched, and about 2 inches wide.

The Free Knitted Scrunchie Pattern

Now for the good part. This pattern is written in two variations: a basic stockinette version for complete beginners, and a simple ribbed version for those who want a little more texture and stretch. Both are made the same way — the only difference is the stitch pattern used.

Variation One: Stockinette Scrunchie (Absolute Beginners)

Step 1: Cast on

Using your US 7 needles and chosen yarn, cast on 60 stitches. The long-tail cast on is recommended here because it creates a neat, slightly stretchy edge that will look tidy once the scrunchie is seamed. If you only know the backward loop cast on, that will work too — just be aware the edge may look slightly less polished.

Take your time with the cast on and try to keep your tension consistent from stitch to stitch. This is good practice that will serve you throughout the entire project.

Step 2: Work the body

Row 1 (RS): Knit across all 60 stitches.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across all 60 stitches.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your piece measures approximately 4.5 inches from the cast on edge. This back-and-forth knitting between knit rows and purl rows is called stockinette stitch. The right side will look smooth and v-shaped, like the fabric of a classic t-shirt. The wrong side will look bumpy, like the reverse of that same fabric.

You should have roughly 10–12 rows total, depending on your individual gauge and how you’re measuring.

Step 3: Bind off

On a right side row, bind off all 60 stitches loosely. Binding off too tightly can make the seam stiff and uncomfortable, so consciously try to keep your tension relaxed here. One trick is to go up a needle size just for the bind off row, which naturally loosens the tension without any extra effort.

Cut your yarn, leaving a tail of approximately 12–15 inches. You’ll use this tail to seam the piece.

Step 4: Insert the elastic

Before seaming, fold your knitted rectangle so the right sides face outward (so the smooth side of the stockinette is facing you). Lay the piece flat. You’ll notice you have a long strip of knitting with cast on and bind off edges at either short end, and long selvage edges running along the top and bottom.

Take your hair tie or elastic loop and place it along the center of the strip. Fold the strip lengthwise over the elastic so that the long top edge meets the long bottom edge. The elastic should be enclosed inside like a pocket but not yet sealed.

Step 5: Seam the long edge

Thread your long yarn tail onto your tapestry needle. Using a whip stitch or mattress stitch, sew the long open edge closed, enclosing the elastic inside. Pull your stitches firmly but not so tight that the seaming puckers. Work all the way along the length of the strip.

Step 6: Seam the short ends

Now you have a long tube with open ends. Bring the two short ends together to form a loop. Sew the ends closed to join them, making sure the elastic is contained inside the tube. Take a few extra stitches through both ends to secure the join well — this is the spot most likely to come apart with use, so a firm connection here will make your scrunchie last.

Step 7: Weave in ends

Using your tapestry needle, weave in any remaining yarn tails through the back of the fabric. Trim the tails close to the fabric. Give the scrunchie a gentle tug to distribute the gathers evenly around the elastic, and you’re done.

Variation Two: Ribbed Scrunchie (Slightly More Texture)

Ribbing is one of the most beginner-friendly stitch patterns because it naturally creates a stretchy, flexible fabric that looks neat and finished. It also works beautifully for scrunchies because it hugs the elastic more evenly.

Step 1: Cast on

Cast on 64 stitches. This number is chosen to make the ribbing pattern come out evenly.

Step 2: Work the body

Row 1 (RS): K2, P2 — repeat from to across all 64 stitches.
Row 2 (WS): K2, P2 — repeat from to across all 64 stitches.

This is called 2×2 ribbing. The key to ribbing is keeping track of which stitch is which — when you see a knit stitch facing you (the smooth v), you knit it. When you see a purl bump facing you, you purl it. After a few rows, you’ll start to recognize the pattern without having to think too hard about it.

Continue repeating this row until the piece measures approximately 4.5 inches from the cast on edge.

Step 3: Bind off in rib

To bind off in rib, work each stitch as it appears (knit the knits, purl the purls) while binding off at the same time. This creates a bind off edge that matches the body of the fabric and gives the finished scrunchie a more cohesive look.

Leave a 12–15 inch tail and follow Steps 4 through 7 from the stockinette version above to complete your ribbed scrunchie.

Tips for Beginners

Getting through your first knitted scrunchie is a genuine accomplishment, and like any new skill, a few practical tips can make the experience much more enjoyable.

Work at a relaxed pace. This is a small project but it’s still an opportunity to build good habits. Don’t rush. Consistent tension comes from a calm, steady rhythm, not from speed.

Check your stitch count regularly. Even experienced knitters accidentally add or drop stitches. Get into the habit of counting your stitches at the end of every few rows. Catching an error early saves a lot of time and frustration.

Use smooth, light-colored yarn for your first attempt. As mentioned in the materials section, it’s much easier to see what you’re doing with a clean, smooth yarn. Once you’re comfortable, experiment with textures and colors to your heart’s content.

Don’t panic if it looks a little rough. Your first scrunchie might not look exactly like the photos that inspired you, and that’s completely normal. Knitting improves dramatically with practice, and even slightly uneven scrunchies are functional, beautiful, and entirely wearable.

Block if needed. If your finished scrunchie looks a little uneven or the fabric seems stiff, a quick wet block can work wonders. Simply soak the finished scrunchie in lukewarm water for a few minutes, squeeze out the excess (never wring), and lay it flat to dry. The natural relaxation of the fibers will smooth out many imperfections.

Yarn Suggestions and Color Ideas

One of the great joys of making scrunchies is playing with color and texture. Here are a few directions you might take.

For a classic, clean look, a smooth worsted weight cotton in a neutral or pastel shade is timeless. Cotton has the added benefit of being gentle on hair and easy to wash. For something a little more luxurious, a merino wool blend in a rich jewel tone feels beautiful and has a natural elasticity that makes the finished scrunchie especially springy and bouncy. Chunky novelty yarns — faux fur, boucle, velvet-textured yarns — create scrunchies that look absolutely plush and are especially popular as gifts.

If you’re working from your stash, don’t feel limited to worsted weight. You can use bulky yarn with larger needles for a chunkier, more voluminous scrunchie, or go down to a DK weight with slightly smaller needles for a sleeker, more delicate result. The pattern is forgiving enough to adapt.

Making Scrunchies as Gifts

If you plan to give your knitted scrunchies as gifts, consider packaging them in a simple and appealing way. A set of three in coordinating colors tied together with a ribbon is always received warmly. You could also attach a small handwritten card that mentions the yarn content, which is especially helpful for anyone with allergies or sensitivities. Including care instructions — hand wash in cool water, lay flat to dry — is a thoughtful finishing touch.

Scrunchies also make lovely additions to gift baskets. Pair a few with a candle, a small bottle of hand lotion, and a bar of nice soap, and you have a gift that feels genuinely considered and personal.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

My scrunchie is too loose around the elastic. This can happen if your knitting is very loose or if you cast on too many stitches. Try casting on fewer stitches next time, or switch to a smaller needle size.

My scrunchie feels too tight and stiff. The opposite problem — try casting on a few extra stitches or going up a needle size. Also make sure you’re binding off loosely.

The seam is visible from the outside. This is usually a matter of technique with the tapestry needle. Practice the mattress stitch if you want a nearly invisible seam — there are excellent video tutorials available online that show this stitch clearly. Alternatively, you can position the seam so it faces inward when the scrunchie is worn, which hides it completely.

The elastic keeps slipping out during seaming. Use a safety pin to hold the elastic in place while you stitch. Pin one end of the elastic to the knitted strip so it can’t escape while you work.

Final Thoughts

A knitted scrunchie is one of those rare projects that manages to be simple, practical, beautiful, and genuinely fun all at once. It’s an ideal starting point for beginners who want to build confidence quickly, and it’s equally satisfying for experienced knitters who want a meditative, low-stakes project between bigger undertakings. With just a small amount of yarn and a couple of hours, you can create something wearable, giftable, and truly handmade.

Once you’ve mastered this basic pattern, the possibilities expand quickly. You can add stripes by switching colors mid-project. You can try seed stitch or moss stitch for a different texture. You can experiment with lace patterns if you’re ready for a new challenge. The humble scrunchie, it turns out, is a surprisingly versatile canvas.

So cast on, take it one stitch at a time, and enjoy the process. Your hair — and everyone you plan to gift one to — will thank you.