Free Ponytail Hat Knitting Pattern (Super Bulky Yarn)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.If you love wearing your hair up in cold weather, this ponytail hat knitting pattern (aka a messy bun beanie) is the perfect quick make.
Knit in the round with super bulky yarn, it’s a cozy, textured hat that keeps your ears warm while leaving an opening for a ponytail or top knot.
This is a great advanced beginner project using simple skills such as knit, purl, and simple decreases for shaping.
Please scroll down to view the free pattern or purchase a printer-friendly ad-free PDF in my shop here.
Ponytail Hat Knitting Pattern
Purchase the printable ad-free PDF version from my shop.
Notes
Skill Level – Easy (Advanced beginners)
The messy bun hat knits up quickly in super bulky yarn, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
Wear it if you have long hair and want to have it up in a bun instead of wearing it in pigtails when you go for a stroll.
This type of warm hat is a popular trend and is a really quick knit, using up less than one skein of super bulky yarn.
Copyright Info
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.
Size Information
- Adult medium.
- Height – approx 7 inches/width – 9 inches
- To fit a head circumference of around 22-26 inches
Gauge – 10 sts and 15 rounds = 4in/10cm
Materials
Yarn
- 1 skein (or leftover yarn) of super bulky yarn (Lion Brand wool ease thick and quick in grey marble) and leftovers of another color, I used Lion Brand wool ease thick and quick in wheat.
- Scrap yarns can be used, as you do not need a full skein for this pattern.
- Super bulky weight – 106 yards. / Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)
Needles/Hooks
- Set of 10.00 mm (US 15) 16″ circular knitting needles
- Crochet hook 10mm (N/15)
Notions
Other Tools
- Pom pom maker Clover 2 – 1/2 inch Large.
Abbreviations
Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK)
- Approx – Approximately
- Beg – Begin(ning)
- Cont – Continue(ing)
- K – Knit
- K2tog – Knit the next 2 stitches together
- P – Purl
- PM – Place marker
- Rem – Remaining
- Rep – Repeat
- Rnd(s) – Round(s)
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
Pattern Instructions
- Yarn A – Grey Marble
- Yarn B – Wheat
Cast on > 40 sts with Yarn A, join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist the sts.
K1, P1 ribbing until the work measures 5″ from the cast-on edge.
(If you want the hat to be a little longer, you can increase this by one or two inches.
Change to Yarn B and knit 3 rows.
Decrease as follows >
- Shape top: 1st rnd: *K1, K2tog* Rep from * around.
- 2nd rnd: *K2tog* Rep from * around.
- 3rd rnd: *K2tog. Rep from * around till last st.
Break yarn.
Draw the end through rem sts and fasten so that you have an opening large enough to fit your hair through.
Don’t close it up too tightly, or it will be difficult to pass your hair through the hole.
Sew in any loose ends.
With a 10 mm (N/15) crochet hook (or you can use a lower number – 7 mm will be ok), create a single crochet line around the ponytail hole for the hair, to tidy up the edge.
You may also like this messy bun hat pattern.
Share your work with us…
I love seeing your finished projects.
If you enjoyed making the ponytail hat, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, tag me @handylittleme.
I’d love to see your work.
Happy Knitting!
Helpful Resources
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Knitting Lessons
- How to cast on knitting
- How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
- How to knit garter stitch
- How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
- How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
- How to read knitting patterns for beginners
- Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
- How to knit rib stitch patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)
- How to join knitting in the round with circular knitting needles
- How to knit – a complete beginner’s guide
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Love this pattern,rnine turned out lovely but i could use some help on how I could make one for great grandsaughter, 6 yrs old. She loved her nana’s, but at 84 I’m a little slow any more at figuring out size chsnges.. Thanking you kindly in advance for any help.
Hello Sheila, I am so happy you enjoyed making the hat! For a 6-year-old – I would suggest using super bulky weight yarn and size 10 mm (US 15) circular needles casting on 36 stitches and then following the pattern – knitting to a length of around 5 inches and then following the pattern again to decrease. Casting on 36 sts would fit 4-12 years old. I hope that helps and happy knitting! 🙂