Brain Waves Messy Bun Beanie

Messy-bun beanies... it seems like they're everywhere. But if you've missed the craze, you may be wondering what the bleep I'm talking about. It's a beanie with a spot left open in the top so you can wear a hat AND still wear your hair in a cute messy bun (unless you have super short hair like me in which case you borrow your friend's daughter because she's the only one you know with long enough hair). Leaving a hole in the top of your beanie has never been a good idea... until now.

SO I decided to show you how to turn my Brain Waves Beanie - and really ANY beanie - into the most popular style of the season with just a few small tweaks. Watch the video first and then check my written directions. Upload your projects to Ravelry!

(Bonus points to anyone who posts a picture on my Facebook page of a Brain Waves messy man-bun beanie.)



I have put countless hours into creating the best possible pattern and video tutorial for you while keeping it free. I would be honored by any contribution you deem worthy. But you can also feel free to enjoy the pattern without a donation.

BRAIN WAVES MESSY BUN BEANIE

(For more sizes and pattern information- click here to see the original Brain Waves Beanie pattern)

MATERIALS

• Worsted weight (Medium-4) yarn - Suggestions: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice, Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn, Loops and Threads Impeccable, Red Heart With Love
• US I-9 / 5.50 mm crochet hook
• Hair Band - I used Goodie clear non-slip hair ties
• Measuring Tape

FINISHED SIZE

• ADULTS: 22" - 24" around, 7.5" tall

THE BASIC IDEA

• The goal is to leave a hole in the top of your beanie (~gasp~). To do this, you will either skip the first few rounds (if your pattern is top-down like this one) OR omit the last few rounds (if your pattern is bottom up like these).
• To figure out how many rounds you need to skip: Measure your hair band across the middle (ish, this doesn't need to be perfectly precise). Look at your pattern and find the round that measures just over your hair band measurement (R2 in my video).
• Top-Down Beanies: Begin by working the NEXT round (R3 in my video - working 24 total sc) into your hair band. I like to also work over my beginning yarn tail. Work the rest of the pattern as written. THAT'S IT!
• Bottom-Up Beanies: Work the entire pattern as written until you are almost finished. After each round, measure the gap you have remaining at the top. Quit working when you have a hole that is slightly (probably around 1") larger across that your hair band. Work the next row, crocheting over the hair band as you go. Voila! 

THE PATTERN - Adult Size

R3: (accent row) Work 24 sc through hair band. JOIN to 1st sc. (24 sts)

R4: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in same st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, * 2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts. Rep from * to end. JOIN to 1st hdc. (32 sts, 3½”)

R5: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in same st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts, * 2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts. Rep from * to end. JOIN to 1st hdc. (40 sts, 4½”)

R6: (accent row) Ch 1, work 2 sc in same st, 1 sc in each of the next 4 sts, * 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of the next 4 sts. Rep from * to end. JOIN to 1st sc. (48 sts, 5”)

R7: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in same st, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 sts, * 2 hdc in next st, 1 hadc in each of the next 5 sts. Rep from * to end. JOIN to 1st hdc (56 sts, 6”)

R8: Ch 2 (counts as 1st dc), 2 dc in same st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, * 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts. Rep from * to end. JOIN to top of beg ch 2. (66 sts)

R9: (accent row) Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st, and in each st to end. JOIN to 1st sc. (66)

R10 (and R16): Ch 1, * 1 sc in each of the NEXT 3 sts (do not work in SAME st on 1st rep), 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts. Rep from * to end. JOIN to 1st sc. (66)

R11 (and R17): Ch 1, work 1 sc in SAME st, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 hdc, 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 hdc, * 1 sc in each of the next 3 sc, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 hdc, 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 hdc. Rep from * to end. JOIN to 1st sc. (66)

R12 (and R18): (accent row) Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st and in each st to end. JOIN to 1st sc. (66)

R13 (and R19): Ch 2, work 1 dc in each of the NEXT 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, * 1 dc in each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sts, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts. Rep from * to end. JOIN to top of beg ch 2. (66)

R14: Ch 2, work 1 dc in each of the NEXT 3 dc, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 hdc, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sc, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 hdc, * 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 hdc, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sc, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 hdc. Rep from * to end. JOIN to top of beg ch 2. (66)

R15: (accent row) Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st and in each st to end. JOIN to 1st sc. (66)

R16 - R19: Rep R10 - R13

For a longer (slouchier) beanie: Continue with pattern repeating R14, R15, R10… until desired length. Always end on an R10 or R13 repeat. Work edging as below.

R20: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st and in each st to end. JOIN to 1st sc. (66)

R21: Ch 1, work 1 hdc in same st and in each st to end. JOIN to 1st hdc. (66)

FO and weave in ends. Use my Invisible Finish tip for a clean finish.