Mermaid Messy Bun Hat for Teens & Adults – Crochet Pattern

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see my Disclosure Policy here.

Messy bun hats just got even more fun! Add some mermaid magic to this cute, clever and functional concept by crocheting this Mermaid Messy Bun Hat. It can be worn two ways – with the “fin” above the opening (best for ponytails), and below the opening (best for messy buns). The pattern works up fairly quickly and uses the beautifully textured Crocodile Stitch! What a great way to stay warm, wear your hair up, and be unique all at the same time!

Pin it for later!

If you’d prefer to make a Kids’ size hat, and/or want to make the cutest Mommy & Me set of hats ever, check out my Kids’ Mermaid Messy Bun Hat pattern! It’s the same style as this one, just made in a smaller/Kids’ size!

Mermaid fashion is on fire right now, and rightly so – it’s cute and unique! How fun it can be to incorporate some pretty, oceanic designs into your daily wardrobe. I’m a self-proclaimed “MerManiac” myself (I will find a way to make this word an actual thing), as you may already know from my Mermaid Slouchy Hat, Mermaid Scarf, and Mermaid Purse. And trust me, there are more mermaid designs coming soon!

So why make a messy bun hat that’s mermaid themed? Well, between this hat and my Mermaid Slouchy Hat, you’re pretty much covered in the mermaid department in terms of winter headwear! For those days when you just want your ‘do out of the way, you can still rock a fun a hat and look great while doing it!

Once again, I called upon the sparkly magic of Caron Simply Soft Party for this project! I’ve used this same yarn for so many of my other mermaid projects, and it really gives a great effect due to the deep jewel tones and metallic/glitter thread running throughout! This colorway, Purple Sparkle (on Amazon HERE), is also a favorite of mine for mermaid designs!

Ready to tread these winter waters and make a fun, one-of-a-kind hat that’s also incredibly functional?! Then let’s get started!

Supplies
Size H-8 / 5 mm crochet hook
3 skeins of Caron Simply Soft Party (color shown is Purple Sparkle)
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Optional: barrette or hair clip for detachable Fin

Abbreviations
*= indicates the beginning/end of a section to be repeated
BLO = back loop only
Ch = chain
Croc St = crocodile stitch
Dc = double crochet
Rem = remaining
Rep = repeat
Rnd(s) = round(s)
Sc = single crochet
Sk = skip
Sl St = slip stitch
St(s) = stitch(es)

Gauge
2 croc sts and 4 rows of croc sts = approx. 3.5 inches

Size
About 10.5 inches wide and 8.5 inches length laying flat; ponytail opening approx. 7.5 inch circumference

Instructions
Hat
Ch 70.
Rnd 1 – sc in each st across. Join with sl st to first sc of rnd. Ch 3 (69 sc)

Rnd 2 – Dc back into same st, ch 1. *Sk 2 sts, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1 (2-dc cluster made)] in next st.* Rep from * to * 21 more times. Join with sl st to 2nd ch in beg ch 3. Ch 1 (23 2-dc clusters)

Rnd 3 – *Croc st around next 2-dc cluster, sc in next 2-dc cluster.* Rep from * to * ten more times. Croc st around last 2-dc cluster. Join with sl st to center of first croc st made. (12 croc sts, 11 sc)

Rnd 4 – Ch 3, dc back into same st, ch 1. *In next sc, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1]. In center of next croc, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1].* Rep from * to * ten more times. Ch 1 (23 2-dc clusters)

Rnd 5 – *Sc in next 2-dc cluster, croc st around next 2-dc cluster.* Rep from * to * ten more times. Sc in last 2-dc cluster. Join with sl st to first sc made. (11 croc sts, 12 sc)

Rnd 6 – Ch 3, dc back into same st, ch 1. *In center of next croc, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1]. In next sc, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1].* Rep from * to * ten more times. Join with sl st to 2nd ch in beg ch 3. Ch 1 (23 2-dc clusters)

Rnds 7 – 22 – Rep Rnds 3 – 6 four more times.

Rnds 23 – 24 – Rep Rnds 3 – 4 once more.

Rnd 25 – sk first 2-dc cluster, *croc st in next cluster, sc2tog over next 2 clusters.* Rep from * to * six more times. Croc once more. Join with sl st to center of first croc. (7 sc, 8 croc sts)

Rnd 26 – Ch 3, dc back into same st, ch 1. *In next sc, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1]. In center of next croc st, [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1].* Rep from * to * six more times. Join with sl st to 2nd ch in beg ch 3. Ch 1 (15 2-dc clusters)

Rnd 27 – Sk first 2-dc cluster. *Sc2tog over next 2 clusters, croc st around next cluster*; rep from * to * three more times. Sc2tog over last two clusters, join with sl st to first sc. (5 sc, 4 croc sts)

Rnd 28 – evenly make 19 sc on top of sts of Rnd 27, working multiple sts into croc sts below if necessary.

Fasten off.

Fin
(Note: All Rows starting with Row 2 are worked in BLO.)
Ch 14.
Row 1 – sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st across. Ch 1, turn (13 sc)

Row 2 – sc in next 12 sts, leaving rem st unworked. Ch 1, turn (12 sc)
Row 3 – sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (12 sc)

Row 4 – sc in next 11 sts, leaving rem st unworked. Ch 1, turn (11 sc)
Row 5 – sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (11 sc)

Row 6 – sc in next 10 sts, leaving rem st unworked. Ch 1, turn (10 sc)
Row 7 – sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (10 sc)

Row 8 – sc in next 9 sts, leaving rem st unworked. Ch 1, turn (9 sc)
Row 9 – sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (9 sc)

Row 10 – sc in next 8 sts, leaving rem st unworked. Ch 1, turn (8 sc)
Row 11 – sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (8 sc)

Row 12 – sc in next 7 sts, leaving rem st unworked. Ch 1, turn (7 sc)
Row 13 – sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (7 sc)

Row 14 – sc in next 6 sts. 2 sc in last st. Ch 1, turn (8 sc)
Row 15 – sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (8 sc)

Row 16 – sc in next 7 sts. 2 sc in last st. Ch 1, turn (9 sc)
Row 17 – sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (9 sc)

Row 18 – sc in next 8 sts. 2 sc in last st. Ch 1, turn (10 sc)
Row 19 – sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (10 sc)

Row 20 – sc in next 9 sts. 2 sc in last st. Ch 1, turn (11 sc)
Row 21 – sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (11 sc)

Row 22 – sc in next 10 sts. 2 sc in last st. Ch 1, turn (12 sc)
Row 23 – sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (12 sc)

Row 24 – sc in next 11 sts. 2 sc in last st. Ch 1, turn (13 sc)
Row 25 – sc in each st across. Do not fasten off (13 sc)

Gathering Fin
Working across top of Fin, evenly sc 6 sts across top of Fin. Join with sl st to first sc of Row 1 of Fin.
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing.

Finishing
Sew Fin either directly above or below opening at top of Hat, depending on which look is desired (Fin above/below bun/ponytail). Optional: sew Fin to barrette or clip for a detachable / more customizable Fin.

Weave in all ends.

Here is the finished Hat!

I hope you enjoyed crocheting this Mermaid Messy Bun Hat along with me! If you love fun, free patterns (including Mermaid patterns!!) then please be sure to subscribe to my email list and follow me on social media! I have so many more fun patterns like this one coming soon!

Happy Crocheting!

COPYRIGHT:  This pattern is owned by Crafty Kitty Crochet (Melissa Moore). Any reselling or distribution of this pattern is prohibited. Sale of items made using this pattern is welcomed, but I do ask that credit/a link be provided back to my site, craftykittycrochet.com.