Easy Crochet Scrunchie Pattern for Beginners
This easy crochet scrunchie pattern is a small project worked directly around a plain hair elastic. It is useful for practicing stitches in the round, and you can adjust the fullness simply by adding more stitches.
Materials
- Small amount of light or medium-weight yarn
- Plain hair elastic without metal if possible
- Crochet hook suitable for your yarn
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
For standard abbreviations, see the Craft Yarn Council crochet abbreviations guide. If you are still learning basic stitches, start with our single crochet tutorial.
How the Scrunchie Is Built
The first round covers the elastic with crochet stitches. The next round adds extra fabric so the finished scrunchie gathers and ruffles around the elastic.
Easy Crochet Scrunchie Pattern
- Attach the yarn. Make a slip knot, insert the hook through the center of the elastic, pull up the working yarn, and secure it with a slip stitch.
- Cover the elastic. Work single crochet stitches around the elastic, sliding the stitches together as you go so the elastic is well covered.
- Join the round. Slip stitch into the first stitch.
- Add fullness. Work two double crochet stitches into many or all stitches around. More stitches create a fuller ruffle; fewer stitches create a flatter scrunchie.
- Join and finish. Slip stitch to close the round, fasten off, and weave the tail securely through the fabric.
How Many Stitches Should You Use?
Hair elastics vary in size and yarns vary in thickness, so one fixed count is not necessary. In the first round, continue adding stitches until the elastic is covered without stretching it excessively. In the second round, increase evenly until you like the amount of ruffle.
How to Make It Fuller
Use a lighter yarn and add more stitches in the second round, or add a third round of double crochet. Keep checking that the elastic can still stretch comfortably.
How to Make It Less Bulky
Use single crochet or half double crochet for the outer round instead of double crochet, or reduce the number of increases.
Color Ideas
Solid colors create a simple everyday scrunchie. Variegated yarn changes color without extra joins, while stripes can be made by changing yarn between rounds. See our color-change guide for a simple way to switch yarn.
Common Problems
The elastic shows through
Add a few more stitches to the first round and slide them closer together.
The scrunchie feels stiff
Try a lighter yarn or slightly larger hook, and avoid packing the first-round stitches too tightly.
The join is obvious
Use a slip stitch to close the round and weave the tail through nearby stitches rather than knotting it on the outside.
More Small Crochet Projects
Try the crochet flower, crochet leaf, or mug cozy for more quick practice.
Easy Crochet Scrunchie Pattern FAQs
What type of yarn is good for a scrunchie?
Light or medium-weight yarns are easy to work around a hair elastic. Smooth yarn makes the stitches simple to see, while softer yarn can create a more flexible feel. Very bulky yarn can produce a large scrunchie quickly, but it may also reduce how easily the elastic stretches.
How do I make the scrunchie more ruffled?
Add more stitches in the outer round. Working two or more stitches into each stitch from the first round creates extra fabric that gathers around the elastic. Add fullness gradually and test the stretch as you go so the finished scrunchie still opens comfortably.
Can I crochet around any hair elastic?
Most sturdy elastics can work, but an elastic without a metal connector is often easier to cover evenly. Choose one that still has good stretch before you begin. Crochet around the elastic itself rather than cutting it, and avoid packing the first round so tightly that the elastic cannot move.
Final Thoughts
A scrunchie is a flexible beginner project because the exact stitch count can adapt to the elastic and yarn. Focus on covering the elastic evenly, then add as much or as little ruffle as you prefer.
Photo: Liana S via Unsplash.
