I think this would be tough to make into a messy bun hat because you need to cinch the rectangle closed to make it into a hat shape. You might be able to try using elastic thread to close the top of the rectangle and leave it more open for a ponytail to fit through. Lmk if you try, I'd be interested to see how it works!

Jess

I'm so happy to hear you've found this a fast, easy hat to crochet for donations! How wonderful!

Jess

The free beanie pattern is directly above on this page.

Great tip! I love the idea of using a button to make the pom pom removable! Thank you for sharing.

Jess

I'm sorry you're having trouble! Turn off any ad-blockers and the video player will show up on your page. 🙂

You have to have ad-blockers turned off for the video tutorial player to appear on the page. Then you should be able to see it near the top middle. 🙂

Jess

No, not crucial at all. 🙂

Hahaha, me either! Thanks for pointing that out!

Jess

Hey Marianne,

Great! The free pattern is on this page above.

Jess

Not a dumb question at all! Usually fur pom poms have a little loop of elastic that allows you to sew your yarn through them to secure the pom pom. I also like to just tie them to the top of the hat and tuck the yarn tails into the top of the hat in case I decide I want to remove it and use a different pom pom. 🙂

Jess

Thanks for your feedback, Diane. You're always welcome to visit the site whether or not we're email friends!

Jess

Hey Grace, I think you could by using a technique similar to adding crochet ribbing. Here's a ribbing tutorial that might help. Otherwise, you could use post stitches (front post double crochet and back post double crochet, for example) to create ribbing in a new color.

Hope that helps!

Jess

I made my daughters a little short (I chained too few to start). Is there a sneak way to extend it without it being obvious?
Thanks!

If you have an ad-blocker running, you'll need to temporarily disable it to view the video. It should be further up on the page under the heading that says video tutorial. 🙂

I can't find the video tutorial. I've scrolled down but I can't find it anywhere. Can you help me?

... I don't think I have a tape measure long enough for that. 🙂

This is generally an easy pattern - my only gripes are that the video tutorial shows you doing yarn-unders for the double crochets but that isn’t noted in the written pattern and I cant quite tell if that’s crucial or not; the other is that the tutorial for the seam is super tricky to see. Just the same thank you for this quick and easy hat!

Great pattern but for the life of me I cannot find the video tutorial 🙁

Thank you..

I just wanted to add a tip to anyone using the faux fur pompoms -- Instead of sewing the pom to the hat, sew a button just inside the top and thread the elastic loop in through the top hole and around the button. This makes the hat washable (depending on type of yarn used, of course) because the "fur" pompom can be removed then re-fastened.

Hi Jess,

Could this pattern be tweaked to make a messy bun hat? I want to make one for my daughter-in-law and have been looking for an easy pattern.

Hey Christine,

Yes, I imagine there's a bit of a difference in the thickness of the yarn or the way we crochet. A good rule of thumb is to make a small gauge swatch (like 5" x 5") before you start a project to see if you need to change your hook size to meet the designer's gauge that's listed in the pattern. Sometimes we crochet differently or use different yarn the that affects the sizing. In any case, your solution is a great one and if you'd like to make more hats, you can always just chain a few extra stitches at the beginning to make it a bit taller. 🙂

Jess

I'd say that is pretty great for a first crochet attempt! Nice job!

Thank you so much for the sweet note!

I'm wondering this too..

Yay! I love hearing that!

Thanks for posting this. I'd love to purchase the PDF file, but the link doesn't seem to work. I click on it and nothing happens. The hat looks adorable and I'd love to make it! Thanks

Hey Christine,

These are great questions! The amount of yarn in the ball (3.5 oz vs 4 oz) should have no impact on how your hat turns out. Instead, it just impacts how much yarn is in the ball. You have the right idea by choosing a category 5 yarn to make sure it's the same weight as what's in the pattern.

I suspect that your stitches a just a bit tighter than the pattern gauge. You could verify this by measuring a 4" square of your hat and compare it against the gauge listed in the pattern.

You're right that just adding extra rows will work just fine though and your daughter will have a pretty hat to wear! Just be sure to work an even number of rows total as that is what will make the ribbing look the most seamless. 🙂

Jess

🙂 I'm not sure! But I can find out! I just realized I can also take a tape measure next time I go to Target and see if they have any baby beanies or hats I can measure. Thanks for the input!

Hey Michele,

What a generous project you're taking on! I'd google something like "average newborn baby head circumference" or something like that. Then you can just make a rectangle width slightly less than the total circumference of a baby head to allow some room for stretching. I'm not exactly sure about the height of the initial chain though. Perhaps with some googling you could find an average baby "head height" too? Lol, is that even a thing?

Jess

Hey Ellie,

I actually just responded to a similar comment, look right above or below your comment and all the info should still be relevant. I'd use and N hook with WET&Q. 🙂

Jess

Yup, I think your solutions are spot on. You may want to make a slightly fewer stitches if you don't want a super slouchy hat.

The other thing is that you don't necessarily have to go down a hook size because that might make your fabric kind of stiff. I'd use the recommended hook size on the yarn and then just chain fewer stitches / work fewer rows to make the same size rectangle. 🙂

Happy crocheting!

Jess

Hey Molly,

You're in luck! You can watch it now!

http://bit.ly/2ALDFN4

Happy crocheting!

Jess

Hi! I am so excited to finish this beanie, but definitely need a video tutorial to figure out everything after making the rectangle! When will this video tutorial be out? Thanks!

Well, I'm glad you got one great hat and one charitable gift out of your crocheting! Win win! Thanks for sharing your experience with the pattern.

Jess

There will be a video very soon! Essentially, you're just doing one whip stitch through each of the rows of crocheting. I'll share the video here when it's available. 🙂

Jess

I'll have a video tutorial for this very soon on LoveCrochet.com. I'll link to it here when it's available.

You can find all my video tutorials here! makeanddocrew.com/tag/video

(Many are also on my Youtube channel, but some are only here on the site right now.)

Hey Shawna,

I'll have a video tutorial coming out very soon on LoveCrochet.com! I'll be sure to link to it from this pattern as soon as it's there. I tried to make it very beginner-friendly. 🙂

Jess

I love hearing that you made this, Sheri!

If you decide to make another, just work two fewer rows in the rectangle and it will be a smaller fit around your head. 🙂

Jess

My hat turned out darling, except that I made it too large! I hope it will shrink a little when it's washed! I can't wait to make more of them!
Blessings!
Sheri

Hi Jess,
Any chance you can do some youtube tutorials?

Thanks.

Yes! You got it, Jessica.

Nice name, btw. 😉

Wow, talk about over reacting. Maybe let the author explain before threatening to unsubscribe!

Thank you for this pattern! I haven't attempted crochet in years and years. I have suddenly been craving a hook and yarn in the evenings while watching TV! I've been stalking your site for a couple of weeks now. I am going to visit a lifelong friend in a couple of weeks and will meet her toddler grandson. I want to make a couple of these for him. It seems like an easy project to get my feet wet (or my fingers ). I can't wait to try other projects on your site as well, but figure I probably need to take baby steps at first. I am so sorry for your family's loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Your generosity spreads happiness to many more than you know. The caps I will be making and gifting will delight many - not to mention my personal enjoyment of making and giving! Happy New Year!

Thanks for the feedback, Tonya. I appreciate hearing what your experience of the site is because it's definitely not my intention to overwhelm you with ads so that you can't see the patterns. 🙂

I'll look into what I can do to improve the experience for you and other crocheters.

Jess

If handiwork is the key to longevity than we should live till we're 200! 😉

I'm so glad your daughter loved the slippers (and that you found your way here!)

Happy crocheting,

Jess

Welcome to the wonderful world of crochet, Mandy! 🙂 LoveCrochet.com should have the video tutorial for you very soon! I think it'll be really helpful too.

Jess

Oooh, I'd love to see that pattern! You can email it to me if you'd like at Jess (at) makeanddocrew (dot) com. Thank you!

I think you could def make it without the pom pom, especially if you synched up the top really tightly. That should work just fine. 🙂

Happy crocheting!

Jess

Wow, that yarn sounds awesome! I wish I could have tried it!

Just a couple of years ago Lion Brand was making an awesome fake fur yarn called Pelt. I made a long collar out of it and it fools people all the time, but when you get up close and really look, you can see that it is an artificial fiber.

I would be so honored if you did! 🙂

Jess

TIA

Mandy

You're welcome, Linda! It's my pleasure. 🙂

Jess

Hey Jeanette,

The pom pom is made from alpaca and is ethically produced. You can read more about it here:
https://www.lovecrochet.com/us/toft-pom-pom

Thank you for your concern. I agree torturing a raccoon would not be justifiable in the name of creating a crochet beanie.

Jess

Thank you so much, Dena! Merry Christmas to you too. I hope you have a wonderful and creative 2018. 🙂

Jess

Hey Patti,

I completely understand, and this is why I usually offer my ad-free PDFs for purchase for a small fee which covers the lost revenue from you not seeing the ads on the site. They're formatted specifically for easy printing. It's been a busy time for my family and I hope to have the PDF available in the next week.
Thanks for your patience!

Jess

Yes! It sure should! Thank you for catching that. 🙂 Hopefully you've seen that I updated the pattern. I appreciate your hawk eye proofreading. 🙂

Jess

Thank you so much, Annie. It's so joyful for me to share my creativity with all of you and see yours in return. 🙂

Merry Christmas!

Jess