
There’s nothing better than a messy bun beanie for fall and winter. These crochet hats are so versatile and don’t mess up your hair. A messy bun hat can be worn as a statement piece or as a more protective version of an ear warmer.
They typically have a hole in the top of the crochet messy bun hat for your ponytail or bun to pop out of. These crochet hat patterns are for all experience levels and all ages. You’re never the wrong age to wear a ponytail beanie!
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of my favorite free crochet hat patterns. There’s one for everyone no matter what level you crochet at. And they’re of all styles too. Just pick the one you’re most excited to get started on!
Retro Messy Bun Hat
This fun yellow crochet beanie will be sure to brighten up any gloomy day – even though you can choose whichever color you’d like. People won’t be able to help but ask you where you go your cheerful crochet hat from.
Via Stitch11

Pretty Pink Messy Bun Hat
This crochet messy bun hat is sweet and simple, and fun to work on. The ponytail beanie has a hole in the top for your updo hairstyle. It also has a decorative ribbing around the bottom of the hat. The hat is made using the wattle stitch which adds a nice texture. By the way, if you're looking for more great crochet stitches to try in other projects. Click here to see the Ultimate Crochet Stitch Library.
Via Simply Collectible Crochet

Cabled Messy Bun Bow Hat
Have you made yourself a messy bun hat yet? They have become all the rage in the crochet world. The latest incarnation of these hats is with an adorable bow attached. If you're obsessed with cabling and want something cute, but with a little winter elegance this is the crochet winter hat pattern for you!
Via CDM Handmade

Mommy and Me Messy Bun Hats
The messy bun hat crochet pattern comes in adult and child sizes but keep in mind that because of the cluster v-stitch, there is a lot of stretch to the hat so these hats will fit a wide range of heads! But it’s always nice when a pattern includes several crochet hat sizes. You can always make it longer by adding in a row or two as well.

Bobble Messy Bun Hat
When it comes to this crochet hat pattern, messy is the way to go. This pattern gives you the choice to create three different styles of hats. You can choose to make a short ear warmer, the messy bun hat itself, or the full crochet beanie pattern. If you can decide, then just make them all. You’ve got options.
Via Simply Collectible Crochet

Beehive Messy Bun Hat
This new, highly textured hat is worked from the bottom up in the signature style of Made with a Twist. A ribbed brim creates just the right amount of stretch to get the beanie pattern over even the thickest of hair and the horizontal beehive ribs create such a great, stylish texture that makes this a versatile and comfortable easy crochet hat.

Classic Messy Bun Beanie
This is a freestyle pattern. If you don’t know how to crochet a hat, this design looks complex. It’s pretty straightforward. It is an eclectic pattern I encourage you to try. So, if you love a good challenge this all free crochet project is perfect for you!
Via Loopingly Made

Be Mine Messy Bun Hat
This easy crochet beanie works up quickly with basic crochet stitches and the strategically placed rounds of color changes and post stitches give this hat a bit of interest and texture. Messy Bun hats not your style? No worries, just work a couple more rounds of decreases and you’ll have a regular beanie!
Via Pattern Paradise

Basketweave Messy Bun Hat
Whether you’re hiking on trails through the Grand Canyon or shopping at the grocery store, this Basketweave Messy Bun Hat will keep you warm and in style no matter where you are. Begin making this hat from the bottom, working your way up to the crown, with a few decreasing rows along the way. This hat is a great way to practice crochet in the round.

Easy Messy Bun Hat
If you want to make this free crochet hat pattern for yourself, you’ll be happy to hear that it’s simple. You'll absolutely love the bow on this particular hat. It’s a simple touch to a simple pattern, and it can be worn in the front, in the back, or on the side. So many options! You could also embellish it with a flower or leave it plain.

1 Hour Crochet Messy Bun Hat
These kinds of crochet hat patterns for beginners who are learning to crochet and are perfect for keeping you warm and your hair bun out of your face. Well, as long as you have long enough hair to pull into a bun and know how to crochet a hat.

Snow Drops Messy Bun Hat
This messy bun crochet pattern uses colorway of Caron Cakes yarn. You can use any worsted weight yarn of your choice – the stitch definition of the star stitch would look stunning in any color! The unique crochet stitches really make this pattern stand out.
Via Left In Knots

Plaid Messy Bun Hat
This free crochet hat pattern is very fun to make. The plaid hat is worked from the bottom up by crochet in the round. It’s very easy to modify it too. Perfect for keeping your head warm while keeping your hair up in a bun.
Via Whistle & Ivy

Chunky Messy Bun Hat
The Chunky Crochet Messy Bun Hat is super easy and fun to whip up. Messy bun hats are all the rage at the moment…there is an opening at the top to allow you to wear your hat with a bun or even a ponytail right through the top! This is a perfect crochet project for a quick gift and uses only one ball of yarn.
Via Fiber Flux

Messy Bun Hat
As far as crochet ideas go, this one is genius. This hat's starting row is crocheted around an elastic hair band and is worked up with bulky yarn so it's a fairly quick project. It uses a special stitch- the half double crochet stitch worked into a loop behind the front & back loops you'd normally work a stitch into. It gives it a similar look of a knit stitch or a braided effect in the body of the hat.

At the Woods Messy Bun Hat
You’ll love these hats! They are designed to be seamless, and if you know how to chain, do a single crochet and a half double crochet, you’ll be able to make these hats! You’ll only need one Caron Tea Cake or about 200 yards of your favourite super bulky weight yarn, and an 8 mm crochet hook.

Easy Peasy Messy Bun Hat
This messy bun hat crochet pattern is crocheted much like a regular beanie, but allows you to leave an opening at the crown to pull your messy bun or high ponytail through. You can make this in any color you’d like, and it’s a very beginner-friendly pattern.
Via Simply Collectible Crochet

Messy Bun Hat with Adjustable Bow
Your little girl can be styling in no time with this easy-to-make Messy Bun Crocheted Hat! The perfect hat for skiing trips, riding a bike in the neighborhood and playing in the snow. The bow has an alligator clip attached to the back so it can be moved around the hat. Or taken off and worn separately all by itself. It’s a really cute pattern.

Breezy & Easy Messy Bun Beanie
Looking for a one-hour or less crochet beanie pattern? Well, this series has 3 and they can be made in 45 minutes or less! But what makes them unique is their ability to be interchanged with each other! Three free crochet hat patterns in one is pretty amazing!

Spiral Top Messy Bun Hat
Last year the Messy Bun Hat was very popular. But what are you supposed to do if you cut your hair and don’t have any more ponytail to go through the hole in the top? This messy bun hat is the answer by crocheting spirals on the top and joining in the round.

These crochet hat patterns are so stylish and fun to make. Each one uses different crochet stitches to create one-of-a-kind designs.
The list is full of all free crochet messy bun hat patterns. You’ll be able to make a crochet hat for any occasion with all these crochet patterns at your disposal!
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to crochet a hat. With all these options, you’re sure to find one you can master. Face your fears and start creating!
If you are looking for more crochet hat pattern pages, please visit my fantastic new curated pattern blog post of 40+ Free Crochet Bucket Hat Patterns, 35+ Free Crochet Hat Patterns For Adults, 40+ Stylish Crochet Hat and Beanie Patterns for All Seasons