• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
moogly
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Patterns
  • Tutorials
  • MooglyCAL
  • Giveaways
  • Lives
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Patterns
    • Tutorials
    • MooglyCAL
    • Giveaways
    • Lives
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Free moogly Patterns » Adult Clothing

    Pick Your Pony Beanie

    Published: Jan 6, 2017 · Modified: Jun 1, 2021 by Tamara Kelly · 46 Comments

    The "messy bun" hat has taken the crochet world by storm, and for the last few weeks the requests for a Moogly version have been pouring in. Well, you know I had to add my own spin to it - and that's the Pick Your Pony Beanie!

    Pick Your Pony Beanie - free crochet pattern on Mooglyblog.com!Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.

    Purchase the downloadable PDF of this pattern on Ravelry

    Why the weird name? Well, it's a ponytail hat/messy bun hat that doesn't require your ponytail to stay put! You get to decide where your bun or ponytail is on your head - this hat works with every style. Even side ponytails (hey, everything comes around again... right?)!

    The key is a slit all the way up the hat, closed with a big button on the brim. You can even put it on before you button it, so your hairstyle stays perfect, hat on or off! Here's a photo of it laid flat, all buttoned up:

    Pick Your Pony Beanie - free crochet pattern on Mooglyblog.com!

    The opening in the Pick Your Pony Beanie is made by working the hat in increasing rows, rather than rounds. With two buttons on the brim, you can adjust this hat to fit every hairstyle, and the thick ribbing keeps your noggin and ears warm and cozy. And it's just about as easy as can be, in two sizes to fit just about anyone old enough to have hair!
    Pick Your Pony Beanie - free crochet pattern on Mooglyblog.com!

    Pick Your Pony Beanie

    Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites

    • US - N, 9.0mm hook (Furls Fiberarts used)
    • 70 - 90 ydsLion Brand Homespun (Bulky/"5"/UK 12-14 ply; 185 yds/169m; 6 oz)
      Colorways used: Sundae Stripes (child size) and Tudor (adult size)
    • Buttons - 2 per hat (Favorite Findings Meadow Flowers used)
    • Gauge: 8 sts x 6 rows = 4 in/10 cm
    • Sizes: Child (19-21"); Teen/Adult (21-24")
    • Helpful Tutorials: magic circle; skip (how to skip stitches); fpdc & bpdc (front post double crochet & back post double crochet); keeping a magic circle closed
    • Crochet Abbreviations
    • Click here for the tutorial video

    CHILD SIZE INSTRUCTIONS:

    Row 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, hdc 11 in the ring; turn. (11 sts) (NOTE: Pull the magic circle closed, but note that this pattern is worked in rows, without joining.)

    Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st st, 2 hdc in each of the next 9 sts, hdc in the last st; turn. (20 sts)

    Row 3: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st st, *hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st; repeat from * until 1 st remains, hdc in last st; turn. (29 sts)

    Row 4: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st st, *hdc in the next 2 sts, 2 hdc in the next st; repeat from * until 1 st remains, hdc in last st; turn. (38 sts)

    Row 5 - 9: Ch 1, hdc in each st across; turn. (38 sts)

    Pick Your Pony Beanie - free crochet pattern on Mooglyblog.com!

    Row 10: Ch 4, skip the ch closest to the hook, hdc in next 3 chs, hdc in each st across; turn. (41 sts)

    Row 11: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st 5 sts, [bpdc in the next st, hdc in the next st] 16 times, hdc in the last 4 sts; turn. (41 sts)

    Row 12: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st 2 sts, ch 1, skip 1, hdc in next 2 sts, [fpdc in the next st, hdc in the next st] 16 times, hdc in the last 4 sts; turn. (40 sts and 1 ch)

    Row 13: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st 5 sts, [bpdc in the next st, hdc in the next st] 16 times, hdc in the next st, hdc in the ch-1 sp, hdc in the last 2 sts; turn. (41 sts)

    Row 14: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st 5 sts, [fpdc in the next st, hdc in the next st] 16 times, hdc in the last 4 sts; break yarn leaving long tail. (41 sts) Use long tail to sew on buttons as shown in photos.

    TEEN/ADULT SIZE INSTRUCTIONS:

    Row 1 - 4 as for Child Size.

    Row 5: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st st, *hdc in the next 3 sts, 2 hdc in the next st; repeat from * until 1 st remains, hdc in last st; turn. (47 sts)

    Row 6 - 10: Ch 1, hdc in each st across; turn. (47 sts)

    Row 11: Ch 4, skip the ch closest to the hook, hdc in next 3 chs, hdc in each st across; turn. (50 sts)

    Row 12: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st 5 sts, [bpdc in the next st, hdc in the next st] 21 times, hdc in the last 3 sts; turn. (50 sts)

    Row 13: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st 2 sts, ch 1, skip 1, hdc in next st, [fpdc in the next st, hdc in the next st] 21 times, hdc in the last 4 sts; turn. (49 sts and 1 ch)

    Row 14: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st 5 sts, [bpdc in the next st, hdc in the next st] 21 times, hdc in the ch-1 sp, hdc in the last 2 sts; turn. (50 sts)

    Row 15: Ch 1, hdc in the 1st 4 sts, [fpdc in the next st, hdc in the next st] 21 times, hdc in the last 4 sts; break yarn leaving long tail. (50 sts) Use long tail to sew on buttons as shown in photos.

    And that's the Pick Your Pony Beanie! Even if you let your hair down, I hope you enjoy this free crochet ponytail hat pattern!

    crochet shawls

    Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2016, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. To print this pattern for personal use, please use the green Print Friendly button at the bottom of the pattern. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, or translate it to another language, please visit the About page for details. Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this pattern!

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email
    Share466
    Pin2K
    Tweet
    Share1
    Email
    Reddit
    2K Shares

    More Adult Clothing

    • Sunday Sweater - free crochet pattern on Moogly
      Sunday Funday Top
    • Work From Home Cardigan - Moogly
      Work From Home Cardigan
    • Lakeside Tee - free crochet pattern on Moogly
      Lakeside Tee
    • Bellevue Cardigan - free crochet pattern on Moogly
      Bellevue Cardigan
    Share466
    Pin2K
    Tweet
    Share1
    Email
    Reddit
    2K Shares
    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. 1

      Nancy McQuade

      January 06, 2017 at 9:55 am

      I knew you would eventually come up with one of these. I have waiting patiently! Thanks, Tamara.

      Reply
      • 2

        Tamara Kelly

        January 06, 2017 at 10:31 am

        😀 Thank you Nancy!

        Reply
        • 3

          susan hahaj

          January 06, 2017 at 12:02 pm

          love your work! and appreciate the free patterns. great idea to not have pull long hair thru a hole 🙂

          i'm not real good at reading/following crochet patterns; i'm a very basic crocheter but experienced knitter. is this basically an open down the back hat with button closure?

          thanks.

          Reply
          • 4

            Tamara Kelly

            January 06, 2017 at 12:10 pm

            Hi Susan! Thank you! Yes, you have it correct. There will be a video tutorial this coming Wednesday! 🙂

            Reply
            • 5

              amy Jost

              January 19, 2018 at 12:12 pm

              where is the video tutorial?

            • 6

              Tamara Kelly

              January 22, 2018 at 7:04 pm

              It's linked above in the bullet points and also at https://www.mooglyblog.com/pick-pony-beanie-tutorial/

    2. 7

      Nikki

      January 06, 2017 at 2:20 pm

      Love this! It just went to the top of my to-do list! Do you have a PDF available somewhere? I tried the print friendly button but it is the same as the blog page.

      Reply
      • 8

        Tamara Kelly

        January 09, 2017 at 9:28 am

        Hi Nikki! Thank you! The Print Friendly window has a PDF download option, and you can click on anything you don't want to download/print. 🙂

        Reply
    3. 9

      Denise

      January 06, 2017 at 9:31 pm

      Hi Tamara, Thanks so much for designing this!!! I work in a conservative office and often wear my hair in a low ponytail or bun. there was no way that I could wear one of the other messy bun hats, but its too cold to go out without something on. This is so perfect! Cant wait to make this! Once again, you've designed an awesome pattern. Thanks again!

      Reply
      • 10

        Tamara Kelly

        January 09, 2017 at 9:29 am

        Thank you so much Denise! 😀 I'm so glad you like it!!

        Reply
    4. 11

      Mar

      January 07, 2017 at 9:37 am

      Could worsted weight yarn be used in place of bulky yarn? Would the sizing change?

      Reply
      • 12

        Tamara Kelly

        January 09, 2017 at 9:40 am

        Hi Mar! Yes, the sizing would change - I would recommend holding 2 strands of worsted together to make your own bulky. 🙂

        Reply
        • 13

          Katie

          February 23, 2017 at 3:26 pm

          How would I adjust the pattern to use worsted yarn with a small hook? Which rows can I increase?

          Reply
          • 14

            Tamara Kelly

            February 23, 2017 at 4:38 pm

            Hi Katie! You would want to just keep increasing in pattern after Round 4 until you have the circumference needed. 🙂

            Reply
    5. 15

      Lucille Klocek

      January 07, 2017 at 3:59 pm

      Thank you for your wonderful patterns they are always easy to follow.

      Reply
      • 16

        Tamara Kelly

        January 09, 2017 at 9:42 am

        Thank you so much for saying so Lucille! 🙂

        Reply
    6. 17

      Clotilde Menendez/Craftybegonia

      January 08, 2017 at 2:11 am

      That is so cute! Instead of having a bulge at the top of your head, you can let your ponytail out of your hat. Cute rendering of a great idea, Tamara.

      Reply
      • 18

        Tamara Kelly

        January 09, 2017 at 9:56 am

        🙂 Thank you so much Clotilde!

        Reply
    7. 19

      Jess

      January 08, 2017 at 6:29 pm

      Thanks for the pattern!
      Just wondering if the buttons should be a certain size? Just looking to get some buttons before I start the hat

      Reply
      • 20

        Tamara Kelly

        January 09, 2017 at 10:01 am

        Hi Jess! I would recommend bigger ones - these are 1-1/4" wide. If you pick small ones, you can just skip the button hole in the pattern and slip the button between the stitches! 🙂

        Reply
    8. 21

      Michaela

      January 16, 2017 at 8:06 pm

      Did you post a video already?

      Reply
      • 22

        Tamara Kelly

        January 16, 2017 at 10:47 pm

        Yes! Sorry I forgot to add the link here, I'll do that now!

        Reply
    9. 23

      Lois

      January 17, 2017 at 2:11 pm

      What would be the number of stitches and correct hook size to make a hat to fit ages 6-10
      .
      Inbetween child and teens. Help would be appreciated.

      Reply
      • 24

        Tamara Kelly

        January 17, 2017 at 10:00 pm

        The child size goes up to 21" and the adult size goes down to 21", so it just depends on how big their heads are! 🙂

        Reply
    10. 25

      Jeannie

      January 28, 2017 at 3:15 pm

      your printer friendly button doesn't work. I love your patterns

      Reply
      • 26

        Tamara Kelly

        January 30, 2017 at 9:00 am

        It sounds like it was glitching over the weekend, sorry about that! It is working fine now!

        Reply
    11. 27

      Sonya

      August 27, 2017 at 8:40 pm

      Hello! Do you turn after row 1 or do you join into the first stitch?

      Reply
      • 28

        Tamara Kelly

        August 28, 2017 at 7:14 am

        Hello Sonya! At the end of the first row you turn. Row 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, hdc 11 in the ring; turn. (11 sts) (NOTE: Pull the magic circle closed, but note that this pattern is worked in rows, without joining.)

        Reply
        • 29

          Sonya Breaum

          September 13, 2017 at 2:40 am

          Thank you!! Love the pattern!!

          Reply
          • 30

            Tamara Kelly

            September 13, 2017 at 8:15 am

            😀 I'm glad to hear it, thank you!

            Reply
    12. 31

      Cassie

      November 12, 2017 at 7:24 pm

      FYI the Print friendly button just printed out 22 pages. I needed only about 5 of those. Lots of wasted ink and paper...

      GREAT PATTERN THOUGH> I Suggest to copy and paste into word processor and not use the print friendly tab. Thanks 🙂

      Reply
      • 32

        Tamara Kelly

        November 13, 2017 at 9:58 am

        Oh dear! Please remember that before you hit Print you can click on anything in the Print Friendly window that you don't want to include in the printed version and it will take it right off!

        Reply
    13. 33

      Eden Brown

      November 15, 2017 at 11:03 am

      This is an amazing pattern!!! Made two last year and will be making more this winter. It’s especially nice to have a pattern that wraps around your head for us curly/big hair girls!!! I can’t pull my hair through a small pony tail hole! Thank you, I always enjoy your patterns!

      Reply
      • 34

        Tamara Kelly

        November 15, 2017 at 11:10 am

        😀 Thank you so much Eden!

        Reply
    14. 35

      Diana Evans

      January 24, 2018 at 4:11 pm

      I just made this. Only took about 2 hrs.
      I used the Size N hook. I was HUGE!
      Did you use the regular Homespun yarn?
      Now to do some Frogging 🐸
      Love the pattern though.
      Thank you so much!!!

      Reply
      • 36

        Tamara Kelly

        January 24, 2018 at 8:08 pm

        Oh dear! Sounds like we must have very different gauges. I did use standard Homespun, but it sounds like you should perhaps try a smaller hook. 🙂

        Reply
    15. 37

      Karen

      February 20, 2018 at 2:46 pm

      Thank You for this pattern :), however I needed to add more to it because the adult size still didnt fit my tiny head lol, Thank You again.

      Reply
      • 38

        Tamara Kelly

        February 21, 2018 at 10:33 am

        Oh my! I hope it was easy enough to upsize! 🙂

        Reply
    16. 39

      Sabrina

      November 29, 2018 at 3:01 pm

      Hi! Thanks so much for sharing this pattern! I love it!!! I have a terrible time figuring out gauge sizes, if you wouldn't mind helping me .... if I am using I Love This Yarn medium 4, 7 oz, for an adult...what size hook would you suggest? Also if I need it a little larger than normal adult where would I increase for the best look? Again, thank you!!!

      Reply
      • 40

        Tamara Kelly

        November 29, 2018 at 3:31 pm

        Hi Sabrina! That yarn is a lot thinner, so I would recommend holding it doubled and not changing the hook size. 🙂 To make it bigger, you'd want to add another increase row or two before going to Row 10.

        Reply
    17. 41

      Carolynn A Guthrie

      November 26, 2019 at 8:03 pm

      What would you say the measurements are for the adult hat when you stop increasing?

      Reply
      • 42

        Tamara Kelly

        November 27, 2019 at 10:01 am

        Hi Carolynn! About 6.5" in diameter. 🙂

        Reply
    18. 43

      Rhonda Lash

      November 16, 2020 at 10:48 pm

      Hey Tamara, Rhonda here again! I watched your video tutorial and immediately figured out what I was doing wrong! Ever time I crocheted the bff a was adding a chain stitch! Thanks for the tutorials!

      Reply
      • 44

        Tamara Kelly

        November 17, 2020 at 9:18 am

        Whew! I'm so glad it helped! 😀 Thank you!

        Reply
    19. 45

      Kim

      November 25, 2020 at 9:27 pm

      I wanted to make a hat for my ex-boss turned friend who has dreads. I wasted several DAYS looking for a pattern that I not only thought would work but that she would also like until I found this pattern! I really wish I had started my search with your site to start with!! I have always found it very helpful and the patterns are not only beautiful but also easy to follow !! Thank you!!

      Reply
      • 46

        Tamara Kelly

        November 27, 2020 at 10:29 am

        ♥ Thank you so much Kim, that's made my day! (Though sorry to hear about the days-long search, I've been there!)

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Courtesy of The Studio Chicago

    Moogly is world-famous for fresh. modern, and approachable crochet designs - as well as a little knitting and crafting here and there. On Moogly, you'll find several new free patterns every month, top quality video tutorials, giveaways, and more!

    More about Moogly →

    Popular

    • Moogly Crochet and Chat Live - December 6, 2023
      Moogly Crochet and Chat Live - December 6, 2023
    • Exploring Tunisian Crochet: Review and Giveaway - Moogly
      Exploring Tunisian Crochet: Review and Giveaway
    • Winter Market Tote - free crochet pattern on Moogly
      Winter Market Bag Tutorial
    • Easy Crochet Projects to Make with Squares: Bags, Pillows, Blanket and More! - Moogly
      Easy Crochet Projects to Make with Squares: Bags, Pillows, Blankets and More!

    See Moogly's Best Recommendations on Amazon!

    I'm a Craftsy Instructor. Click to see my classes.
    Free Wrap Up Afghans

     

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

      Contact

      Email Moogly

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
      Copyright © 2023 Mooglyblog.com