Crochet Scrunchie Pattern Free — Quick & Easy
This crochet scrunchie pattern free is the kind of project you can start after dinner and be wearing before bed. Quick, cute, and honestly a little addictive once you make your first one — you’ll want to whip up a whole set in different colors.
It’s also one of the best beginner crochet scrunchie projects out there. The ruffle comes from simple stitch increases, and the optional two-tone border is what really makes it look polished.
Materials
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Yarn
- Worsted weight acrylic or cotton yarn, 1 color for the center
- A second color for the border (optional, but it’s what gives this crochet scrunchie its two-tone ruffle look)
Hook
Other supplies
Finished size: fits a standard hair tie, ruffled edge adds about 1–1.5 inches of width.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
Check our abbreviations guide here.
- ch — chain
- sl st — slip stitch
- sc — single crochet
- dc — double crochet
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- rnd — round
Crochet Scrunchie — Step by Step
Rnd 1: Make a slip knot around your hook.
Working around the elastic hair tie, sc evenly around until it’s fully covered — about 38 sc covers a standard hair tie well, but the exact number isn’t critical. Just keep it an even number, since Round 3 needs to divide evenly. Join with sl st to first sc. (38 sts, or your count)
Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in same st, 3 dc in each st around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. (114 sts, if starting from 38)
Rnd 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; rep from * around. Join with sl st. (171 sts, if starting from 114)
This is the round that really makes this crochet scrunchie ruffle out. If you want an even fuller look, you can fasten off here — or keep going for the optional color-change border below.
Crochet scrunchie mid-progress — ruffled texture forming after Round 3 double crochet increases
Optional Border (Color Change)
Rnd 4: Fasten off your first color, leaving a short tail. Join your second color with a sl st into the first dc of Round 3. Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st around. Join with sl st, ch 1, and pull your yarn through to fasten off. Weave in all ends.
This round doesn’t add or remove stitches — it’s purely the two-tone border that gives this crochet scrunchie its finished look.
Tips From One Crocheter to Another
Keep Round 1 an even number of stitches. Round 3’s alternating pattern (2 dc, then 1 dc) needs to divide evenly, or your last repeat won’t line up.
Stick to worsted weight yarn. Thinner yarn makes a flatter, less ruffly crochet scrunchie — worsted is what gives it that full, bouncy look.
The color change is optional but worth it. It’s what gives this crochet scrunchie pattern free that finished, two-tone look instead of a plain one-color ruffle.
Weave in ends as you go if you’re making a batch — trust me, doing it all at the end for 6 scrunchies is not fun.
Variations
Ombre scrunchie — use 3 shades of the same color family, one per round.
Chunky scrunchie — go up to a 6mm hook with bulky yarn for an extra-fluffy version.
Solid color — skip the color change entirely and work all 3 rounds in one yarn for a simpler look.
Mini scrunchie — use a thinner hair tie and drop your stitch count in Round 1 accordingly.
Project Ideas
Matching set — make one in every color of a favorite yarn line for a coordinated hair accessory collection.
Quick gift — a single crochet scrunchie takes under 20 minutes, making it one of the fastest handmade gifts you can put together.
Craft fair bundle — sell these in packs of 3, since the low yarn cost per scrunchie keeps margins good even at a low price point.
Stash buster — a great way to use up small leftover balls of worsted yarn that aren’t enough for anything bigger.
FAQs
Is this crochet scrunchie pattern free good for total beginners? Yes — Rounds 1 and 2 are as simple as it gets. Round 3 has a small repeating pattern (2 dc, then 1 dc), but it’s easy to pick up after the first couple of repeats.
Why isn’t my scrunchie very ruffly? Check your yarn weight first — worsted gives the fullest ruffle. You can also add more dc per stitch in Round 3 for extra fluff.
Can I use any hair tie? Yes, just adjust your Round 1 stitch count so it’s fully covered before joining.
How long does one crochet scrunchie take to make? About 15–20 minutes once you’re comfortable with the stitches — one of the fastest patterns on the site.
Can I sell scrunchies made from this pattern? Yes. Please credit Patterns Here as the pattern source.
Do I need two colors? No — a single color works perfectly fine. The second color is just for the border detail.