Crochet scrunchies patterns free: soft hair scrunchies

If you have been looking for crochet scrunchies patterns that are free, fast, and actually stay in your hair, this set of three is the one. Each scrunchie is worked around a plain elastic hair tie in soft cotton yarn: dusty pink, sage green, and mustard yellow, with a gentle ruffle that looks boutique-made and feels like nothing on your wrist. One scrunchie takes about 20 minutes, so you can make the whole set in an hour, which makes them perfect for a last-minute gift, a market-stall make, or a stash-busting evening when you want a finished project before bed.

Why you'll love these crochet scrunchies patterns

Most crochet scrunchie patterns fall into one of two traps: they are either so thin that they disappear into your hair and do nothing, or so bulky that they slide out and end up at the bottom of your bag. These patterns dodge both. The scrunchie is worked with two rounds of double crochet around the hair tie, which gives it a full, soft ruffle that grips gently without pulling, and the cotton yarn has just enough texture to stay put through a whole day.

The construction is simple and forgiving. You crochet straight around the elastic, so there is no seaming, no sewing the scrunchie closed, and no fiddly join to hide. The ruffle comes from the increases, not from fancy stitches, so the pattern is just double crochet all the way down. And because each scrunchie uses only a few yards of yarn, you can make a whole set from the leftovers of bigger projects: the dusty pink from a baby blanket, the sage from a hat, the mustard from a scarf.

They are also the perfect gift and market make. A set of three in matching colours sells beautifully at craft fairs, and a single scrunchie tucked into a birthday card turns a small gift into a thoughtful one. If you like quick accessory makes, our crochet headband pattern is the natural next project: same cotton yarn, same one-evening speed, with a twist knot instead of a ruffle. And the crochet bag charm patterns are another stash-busting favourite.

Materials you'll need

A soft DK-weight cotton yarn is the best pick here: it has a gentle grip that holds hair without snagging, it washes well, and it comes in beautiful muted colours. Acrylic DK works too and is softer on the wrist, but it is slipperier, so the scrunchie may need an extra round of stitches to grip the same way. Avoid fluffy or eyelash yarn for scrunchies: it sheds into your hair and hides the ruffle completely.

Yarn amounts by size (approximate): Standard — 25 yds per scrunchie. Chunky — 35 yds per scrunchie. Mini — 15 yds per scrunchie. One 50 g ball of each colour makes two standard scrunchies with yarn to spare.

A note on hair ties: use plain elastic hair ties with no metal join, because a metal join snags hair and shows through the stitches. The standard size, about 2 in (5 cm) across, fits most hair; use a smaller tie for fine hair and a larger tie for thick hair. If your tie is very stretchy, work one extra stitch in the first round so the scrunchie stays full when the tie is stretched.

Size, gauge and skill level

The scrunchie is worked in joined rounds around the hair tie. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round.

• Finished size (standard): about 4 in (10 cm) across, 1.5 in (4 cm) thick when relaxed, stretching to fit a ponytail about 3 in (8 cm) around. The ruffle is soft and full, not stiff.
• Gauge: 16 dc and 8 rows = 4 in (10 cm) with a 4.0 mm hook. Gauge matters less here than in garments, because the hair tie sets the size, but your stitches should be even so the ruffle lies smoothly. If the ruffle looks sparse, add 6 stitches to Round 1; if it looks overstuffed, take 6 away.
• Skill level: beginner. You should know how to chain, double crochet, and slip stitch. The whole scrunchie is just double crochet around a hair tie, with increases that make the ruffle.

If you have never crocheted around a hair tie before, this is the perfect first project: the tie holds the work for you, the rounds are short, and you will finish your first scrunchie in about twenty minutes. If the first round feels awkward, hold the tie in your left hand and work the stitches around it like a ring: after six stitches it will feel natural.

Abbreviations — US terms

A note on working around the tie: the first round is worked around the elastic itself, not into stitches. Insert your hook under the elastic, yarn over, and pull up a loop, then complete the double crochet as normal. The stitches should sit snugly around the tie with no gaps: if you can see the elastic between stitches, work more stitches in Round 1.

The pattern (US terms)

Work each scrunchie in joined rounds around a plain elastic hair tie. Join each round with a slip stitch to the top of the starting chain. Instructions below are for the standard size, with mini and chunky in brackets: mini (standard, chunky).

Dusty pink scrunchie — the classic

With color A (dusty pink) and a 4.0 mm hook, start by joining the yarn to the hair tie.

• Round 1: ch 3 (counts as dc), work 23 (29, 35) dc around the hair tie, join with sl st to top of ch 3. [24 (30, 36)]
• Round 2: ch 3, dc in same st, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around, join. [36 (45, 54)]
• Round 3: ch 3, dc in each st around, join. [36 (45, 54)]

Work 2 rounds for the mini size (stop after Round 2), 3 rounds for the standard size, and 4 rounds for the chunky size: for the chunky, add Round 4 as a repeat of Round 3. The ruffle should be full and soft: if it looks flat, your Round 2 increases are too few; if it looks overstuffed, they are too many. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in tail, and weave in the ends.

Sage green scrunchie — the velvet ruffle

With color B (sage green) and a 4.0 mm hook, work the same first round, then add a velvet stitch round for a softer, denser ruffle.

• Round 1: ch 3 (counts as dc), work 23 (29, 35) dc around the hair tie, join. [24 (30, 36)]
• Round 2: ch 2 (counts as hdc), *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around, join. [36 (45, 54)]
• Round 3: ch 3, dc in each st around, join. [36 (45, 54)]

The half-double crochet round makes this scrunchie denser and softer than the dusty pink one, with a velvet look that suits the sage colour. Work 2 rounds for mini, 3 for standard, and 4 for chunky, with the extra round a repeat of Round 3. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Mustard yellow scrunchie — the shell edge

With color C (mustard yellow) and a 4.0 mm hook, work the same first round, then finish with a shell edge that gives the ruffle a scalloped finish.

• Round 1: ch 3 (counts as dc), work 23 (29, 35) dc around the hair tie, join. [24 (30, 36)]
• Round 2: ch 3, dc in same st, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around, join. [36 (45, 54)]
• Round 3 (shell edge): ch 1, sc in first st, *skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 st, sc in next st; rep from * around, join with sl st. [9 (11, 13) shells]

The shell edge should sit evenly all the way around: if you run out of stitches before you run out of round, work the last few shells with only 1 skipped stitch between them instead of 2. Fasten off and weave in the ends. The mustard scrunchie is the fanciest of the three, and the shell edge is what makes it look boutique-made.

Finishing each scrunchie

Fasten off, leaving a 6 in tail. Weave the tail into the wrong side of the scrunchie for at least 2 in, working it through the base of the stitches near the hair tie so it cannot wriggle out. Trim the tail flush and the end will disappear inside the ruffle. Then scrunch the ruffle up with your hands: push the stitches together around the tie and fluff the ruffle out. The scrunchie should look full and even all the way around, with no bare elastic showing. If you can see the tie, work one more round of double crochet on your next scrunchie.

Try the scrunchie on your wrist first: it should slide on easily and sit comfortably without pinching. Then try it in your hair: wrap it twice around a ponytail for most hair, three times for fine hair. If it slips out, the tie underneath is too loose for your hair: use a smaller tie next time, or work Round 1 with 6 fewer stitches so the scrunchie grips tighter.

Finishing touches

Take five unhurried minutes here: it is the difference between homemade and handmade.

Block them lightly. Lay the scrunchies flat on a towel, fluff the ruffles, and mist them lightly with water. Let them dry completely before you stack or gift them. Blocking evens out the stitches and sets the ruffle so it stays full. Do not stretch the scrunchies while blocking: the elastic should keep its gentle grip.

Check the ruffle. Hold each scrunchie up and look at it from the side. The ruffle should be even all the way around, with no flat spots and no bare elastic showing. If one side is flatter, push the stitches toward it and re-block that side with the ruffle fluffed out.

Three cute variations to try next

Once you have made one set, the same hair tie makes a whole drawer of scrunchies. Same construction, three personalities:

1. Chunky velvet scrunchie. Use bulky (#5) yarn and a 5.5 mm hook, and work the standard stitch counts. Your gauge will be looser, so the scrunchie comes out bigger and softer, and it works up in about fifteen minutes. It is the cosiest scrunchie you will own. If you like chunky accessories, the crochet headband pattern in bulky yarn is the matching piece.
2. Beaded scrunchie. Thread six small wooden beads onto the yarn before you start, and push one bead up into every sixth stitch of Round 2. The beads sit in the ruffle like little jewels and catch the light when you move. Sew each bead on firmly if you add them after crocheting, so they cannot come loose. For more beaded accessories, our crochet bag charm patterns use the same bead trick.
3. Striped scrunchie. Work Round 1 in dusty pink, Round 2 in sage green, and Round 3 in mustard yellow. A striped scrunchie uses up half balls from your yarn basket and looks adorable in a ponytail. If you like easy colour play, the crochet bandana pattern uses the same stripe rhythm in a different accessory.

And if these scrunchies gave you the quick-make bug, the free crochet scrubby patterns are the next stash buster: same cotton yarn, same twenty-minute speed, for the kitchen instead of the hair. Or keep it soft with the crochet flower pattern, another one-evening make.

Troubleshooting tips

• Your scrunchie is too thin and disappears into your hair. You worked too few stitches in Round 1, or too few increase rounds. Add 6 stitches to Round 1 and work one more round: a full ruffle needs at least 30 stitches in Round 1 for the standard size.
• The scrunchie slides out of your hair. The tie underneath is too loose, or the yarn is too slippery. Use a smaller hair tie, or switch to cotton yarn, which grips better than acrylic.
• The elastic shows through the stitches. Your Round 1 stitches are too far apart. Work more stitches in Round 1, pushing them close together so they cover the tie completely.
• The ruffle looks lopsided. You worked the increases unevenly. Count Round 2: the increases should fall every other stitch all the way around, with no gaps and no doubles.
• The scrunchie is too tight on your wrist. The tie is too small for you. Use a standard tie instead of a small one, or work Round 1 with 6 more stitches so the scrunchie sits looser.
• The shell edge puckers. You pulled the shell stitches too tight. Work the shells with a relaxed tension, and if the edge still pulls in, work the shell round with a hook half a size larger.

Frequently asked questions

Are these crochet scrunchies patterns really free?

Yes, the complete patterns above are free, no email signup, no PDF purchase required.

What skill level are these scrunchie patterns?

Beginner. If you can double crochet and slip stitch, you have every skill these patterns need. The whole scrunchie is just double crochet around a hair tie.

How long does it take to make one scrunchie?

About 20 minutes for the standard size: roughly 5 minutes for Round 1, 10 minutes for the ruffle rounds, and 5 minutes for finishing. The whole set of three takes about an hour.

How much yarn do I need?

About 25 yds per standard scrunchie in DK-weight cotton yarn. One 50 g ball of each colour makes two standard scrunchies with yarn to spare, so a set of three needs less than one ball of each colour.

Will the scrunchie damage my hair?

No, if you use cotton yarn and a plain elastic tie with no metal join. Cotton grips gently without snagging, and the stitches cover the elastic completely so nothing rough touches your hair.

Can I wash crochet scrunchies?

Yes. Hand wash in cool water with a little gentle soap, squeeze out the water without wringing, and lay flat to dry. Cotton scrunchies wash beautifully and keep their ruffle.

Can I sell the finished scrunchies I make?

Yes! You may sell finished scrunchies made from these patterns in small batches (craft fairs, markets, gifts). Please credit Little Loop Finds as the pattern designer with a link back to this page.

More free patterns to try

If these scrunchies were fun, keep the hook moving. The crochet headband pattern is the matching hair accessory, the crochet bag charm patterns are another stash-busting favourite, the crochet bandana pattern uses the same stripe rhythm, and the free crochet scrubby patterns are the next twenty-minute make.