Another Friday has come around, which is fast becoming my new release day, and this week it’s a 100% free pattern!

One of the things I love about crochet is it’s versatility.  There’s not much you can’t make with it and if you can’t make it then you can yarnbomb it.

Though I do sometimes think the old adage that “just because you can, it doesn’t mean you should” may apply in some cases – I’ve seen some crazy (but always skilled) stuff made from crochet in the past, but perhaps I’ll save that for another post!

After a very random conversation (thank you for the inspiration @joy.margot), sparked by an Instagram story about scrunchies making a come back along with the rest of the 90’s, I realised I could totally just crochet one.

I often get what I refer to as “hair headaches” from having my hair up too tight all day and find that scrunchies are a good way round this.

Is that just me or does anyone else get this, or just me?

How good does it fell to literally let your hair down at the end of the day?

So anyway, I gave it a go… and it worked!

It’s such a fun, easy project that I had to share it asap.  It’s a really nice make for beginners and only uses a small amount of yarn so is also a great stash-buster.

Is it too early to mention it would make a great stocking filler?

I’ve written the pattern with picture guide below, and I also recorded a tutorial when I made the second one.  You can see the video tutorial on my YouTube channel or  by scrolling down.  Like me, it is left handed but so long as you have the crochet basics down, it’s easy to follow either way round! There are a lot more tutorials currently in editing so go ahead and subscribe to my channel and watch this space for more! Oh, and if there’s anything you want to see, please let me know and I’ll see what I can do!

Self promo over, have fun with this make and let me know how it works out for you.  As always you can contact me on any of my socials and find all my other info on the contact page.

Have a great weekend.

Happy Hooking!

Dx

Before you start, you should know…

You can buy an ad-free printable pdf of this pattern on Ravelry or Craftsy.  For the free pattern, continue reading!

Materials

You can use any yarn you like with an appropriate hook.  I have used a hook on the small end of what is recommended to keep the fabric dense.  The pink scrunchie in the video was worked with acrylic double knit and a 3.5mm hook and the blue one was worked with 4 ply wool and a 3mm hook.

You will also need a hair elastic.  Any size will do.

Stitches & Abbreviations (US terms)

ch = chain

sl st = slip stitch

sc = single crochet

fsc = foundation single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

Stitch explanations

Foundation Single Crochet (fsc):  Ch 2, insert hook into 2nd chain from hook, yo and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).  *Yo and pull through one loop (this creates the base stitch of the next fsc).  Yo and pull through two loops.*  For the next st start by inserting the hook into the v of the base stitch and pulling up a loop.  Continue from *

You can find tutorials for this stitch on my channel both for left-handed and right-handed crocheters

If you struggle with this technique it can be modified by just making a chain of the number of stitches plus one, then sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and across to the end.

The Pattern

For the blue scrunchie in the picture tutorial, I used a foundation chain of 12 stitches.  The Pink scrunchie in the youtube video used a foundation chain of only 10 because it was thicker yarn.  You can adjust to fit your yarn and personal taste!

Video tutorial

Written and photo pattern

Row 1: Leaving a tail, make 12 fsc (or ch 14, work a sc into the third chain from the hook and across to the end).  Thread the chain into the hair elastic.

Join to first st with a sl st, ensuring you avoid any twists

Row 2: Ch 1, work 12 hdc, do not join!

Row 3 onwards: continue to work 12hdc around in a spiral around the hair elastic, turning as you go.

 

Once you reach the end, keep going so the fabric ruffles up.

Once the two ends meet around when the elastic at it’s full stretch, fasten off leaving a long tail and sew the end row to the first.

 

I worked around 70 rows for the blue and about 50 for the pink, but there is no need to count, you can just work it until you think it’s long enough!

And there you have it!

If you’ve made it this far then you also get ‘treated’ to an unedited picture of me ‘modelling’ it.

This is as stripped back as it gets!  A no-make-up-selfie taken in amid the chaos of my renovations, in a mirror which should be on the wall (more about that here), just after I had got back from a yoga class where I gave it a trial run!

It passed the test but sadly no one told me I looked like an extra from the Flintstones!

I hope you enjoy this pattern, and as always, don’t forget to tag me in your finished makes!  Nothing makes me happier than seeing my designs brought to life by others.  I love the colour choices and personal touches you add to the patterns!

On Instagram, you can use the hashtag #HookMeHappy or just tag @doradexplored.  You can tweet me your pictures, or add your them to my Facebook page.  And if socials aren’t your thing, feel free to email me your efforts.  It really does make my day!  I’m also a huge fan of Pinterest so if you like my patterns I’d love it if you pin them, or visit my Pinterest page which showcases some wonderful inspirational crochet patterns – the talent out there blows my mind!

Until next time.

Happy Hooking

Dx

(C) DoraDoes 2018.  You may sell what you make from my patterns, but please credit me as the designer. The pattern is for personal use only and may not be shared.  My photos may be shared with credit.