
I have received so much positive feedback about my Criss Cross Beanie pattern and tutorial that I thought I would also create a matching messy bun version. I love wearing this messy bun beanie! It is just so convenient when you want to wear a hat, but also want to wear your hear up. Plus, I also think they look extra cute on kids!
If you are looking for the non-messy bun version, check out my original Criss Cross Beanie pattern. Or you can read on for the messy bun beanie version and all of its awesomeness!

This pattern is written in 3 sizes: Toddler/Preschooler, Child, and Teen/Adult. I also included a step-by-step photo tutorial section (scroll all the way to the bottom!) to help with some of the stitches/instructions.
This pattern is available for FREE on this website. If you’d like an ad-free, printable PDF version, you may purchase it for a small fee from my Etsy or Ravelry shops. There is also the option to purchase a bundle of all of the Criss Cross Stitch Collection patterns together as a bundle or a bundle of the Criss Cross Beanie and Messy Bun Beanie. Thank you so much for supporting Loops & Love Crochet!
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Materials:
- Worsted weight yarn – You can use any worsted-weight yarn for this project. I had fun using Red Heart Super Saver Stripes. For the hats pictured above, I used Polo Stripe and Fruity Stripe. I found that the Red Heart Super Saver yarn is a bit of a “thicker” worsted-weight yarn. If you are substituting with another worsted-weight yarn, try to pick one comparable. If you go with a “lighter” worsted-weight (like Caron Simply Soft, Red Heart Soft, and similar), you may also need to go up a hook size so the hat is still the correct size.
- 5.5 mm crochet hook (I crochet on the tighter side and I used a 5.5 hook. If you crochet loosely, it might be a good idea to go down to a 5.0mm hook so your hat isn’t too big). I honestly love the set of Clover Amour hooks! They are so nice on the hands and move through the yarn so easily!
- Yarn needle (for weaving in ends)
Stitches Used:
- Ch – chain
- Sl St – slip stitch
- SC – single crochet
- DC – double crochet
- SC DEC (or Sc2tog) – single crochet decrease
- DC DEC (or Dc2tog) – double crochet decrease
- FPSC – front post single crochet
Gauge
- 8 rows of ribbing = approx. 2” long
- 8 sc = 2”
Important Notes:
- Always start the first stitch of the round in the same space as the chain 1.
- Chain stitches at the start of each round do not count towards stitch count.
- This pattern is worked in joining rounds. When you finish the stitches of one round, you will be joining to the first stitch of the round with a slip stitch, chaining 1 (or 2) and then starting the next round of the pattern, starting in same stitch as chain.
- When you are making the ribbed band, you should only need to stretch it gently to fit around your head.
- I crochet a little on the tighter side. If you crochet quite loosely, you may need to go down a hook size to get the desired hat size. If you are using a yarn a little lighter than the Red Heart Super Saver yarn, you’ll likely need to go up a hook size. Check the gauge of the pattern. If you are unsure about size, you can start with crocheting some of the ribbing and then measure it to check that your gauge matches.
- I have a photo tutorial section at the end of the pattern to help with the instructions and stitches. I hope you find the step by step photos helpful!
The Criss Cross Stitch Pattern has now become a collection! Now, not only does this collection include the Criss Cross Beanie and Messy Bun Beanie, it also features an Ear Warmer, Infinity Scarf, and Fingerless Gloves! Click here to find all of the details for the Criss Cross Crochet Colletion!
Continue on below for the Criss Cross Beanie pattern! Have fun!
I have included the PHOTO TUTORIAL for this pattern at the end of this post. There is also a shorter VIDEO TUTORIAL on this page for the Criss Cross Beanie (which is mostly the same for the Messy Bun Beanie). If you d like the full version of the Criss Cross Beanie video tutorial, click here to be taken to the video on YouTube.

Toddler/Preschooler Size
Age: About 2-4 years
Head circumference: 18-19.5”
Ribbed Band:
Chain 7
Row 1: SC in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Chain 1, turn. (6)
Row 2: SC in back loops only across. Chain 1, turn. (6)
Rows 3-60: Repeat row 2.
Fold ribbing in half and join ends with a slip stitch. Then slip stitch in each stitch across. When you get to the end, flip the ribbing so the stitches are on the inside and your loop is at the top. Chain 1 and start the instructions below for the hat. Your first SC stitch will be in the same stitch as the chain 1.
(See photo tutorial below)
Hat body:
Round 1: SC in first stitch (same stitch as chain 1) and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to first stitch, chain 2. (60)
Round 2: Work criss-cross DC stitches around: Skip first stitch, DC in next stitch. Go back and DC in skipped stitch (see photo tutorial below). Continue around. Join, chain 1. (60 DC stitches)
Round 3: SC in each stitch around. Join, chain 1. (60)
Round 4: FPSC in each stitch around. Make sure you go around each of the stitches from the previous round, even the last one that is hard to get into sometimes. Join with a sl st to first FPSC. Then sl st back to the first SC of the previous round (this will be the smaller looking stitch right beside the slip stitch ending the previous round). See photo tutorial below. This is so your next round is not worked in the post stitches. Chain 1. (60)
Round 5: SC in each stitch around. Make sure you are not working in the post stitches. Your SC stitches should be going into the round before the FPSC round (these are the stitches behind the FPSC stitches). Join, chain 2. (60)
Round 6: Criss-cross DC stitches around. Join, chain 1. (60)
Round 7: SC in each stitch around. Join, chain 1. (60)
Round 8: FPSC in each stitch around. Slip stitch to first FPSC and then slip stitch back to first SC stitch of the previous round. Chain 1. (60)
Round 9: SC in each stitch around (working in the stitches behind the post stitches). Join, chain 2. (60)
Round 10: Criss-cross DC stitches around. Join, chain 1. (60)
Round 11: SC in each stitch around. Join, chain 1. (60)
Round 12: FPSC in each stitch around. Slip stitch to first FPSC and then slip stitch back to first SC stitch of the previous round. Chain 1. (60)
Round 13: SC DEC, SC in next 3 stitches (working in the stitches behind the post stitches). Repeat around. Join, chain 2. (48)
Round 14: Dc2tog, DC in next 2 stitches. Repeat round. Join, chain 2. (36)
Round 15: Dc2tog, DC in next stitch. Repeat around. Join. (24)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Child Size
Age: About 5-10 years
Head circumference: 19.5-21”
Ribbed Band:
Chain 7
Row 1: SC in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Chain 1, turn. (6)
Row 2: SC in back loops only across. Chain 1, turn. (6)
Rows 3-66: Repeat row 2.
Fold ribbing in half and join ends with a slip stitch. Then slip stitch in each stitch across. When you get to the end, flip the ribbing so the stitches are on the inside and your loop is at the top. Chain 1 and start the instructions below for the hat. Your first SC stitch will be in the same stitch as the chain 1.
(See photo tutorial below)
Hat body:
Round 1: SC in first stitch (same stitch as chain 1) and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to first stitch, chain 2. (66)
Round 2: Work criss-cross DC stitches around: Skip first stitch, DC in next stitch. Go back and DC in skipped stitch (see photo tutorial below). Continue around. Join, chain 1. (66 DC stitches)
Round 3: SC in each stitch around. Join, chain 1. (66)
Round 4: FPSC in each stitch around. Make sure you go around each of the stitches from the previous round, even the last one that is hard to get into sometimes. Join with a sl st to first FPSC. Then sl st back to the first SC of the previous round (see photo tutorial). This is so your next round is not worked in the post stitches. Chain 1. (66)
Round 5: SC in each stitch around. Make sure you are not working in the post stitches. Your SC stitches should be going into the round before the FPSC round (these are the stitches behind the FPSC stitches). Join, chain 2. (66)
Round 6: Criss-cross DC stitches around. Join, chain 1. (66)
Round 7: SC in each stitch around. Join, chain 1. (66)
Round 8: FPSC in each stitch around. Slip stitch to first FPSC and then slip stitch back to first SC stitch of the previous round. Chain 1. (66)
Round 9: SC in each stitch around (working in the stitches behind the post stitches). Join, chain 2. (66)
Round 10: Criss-cross DC stitches around. Join, chain 1. (66)
Round 11: SC in each stitch around. Join, chain 1. (66)
Round 12: FPSC in each stitch around. Slip stitch to first FPSC and then slip stitch back to first SC stitch of the previous round. Chain 1. (66)
Round 13: SC DEC, SC in next 4 stitches (working in the stitches behind the post stitches). Repeat around. Join, chain 2. (55)
Round 14: DC in first stitch. Criss-cross DC in rest of stitches around. Join, chain 2. (55)
Round 15: Dc2tog, DC in next 3 stitches. Repeat around. Join, chain 1. (44)
Round 16: SC DEC, SC in next 2 stitches. Repeat around. Join. (33)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Teen/Adult Size
Head circumference: 21.5-23
Note: For teen or smaller adult head, or if you crochet loosely, you may want to go down to a 5.0 mm hook to get a snugger fit.
Ribbed Band:
Chain 9
Row 1: SC in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Chain 1, turn. (8)
Row 2: SC in back loops only across. Chain 1, turn. (8)
Rows 3-70: Repeat row 2.
Fold ribbing in half and join ends with a slip stitch. Then slip stitch in each stitch across. When you get to the end, flip the ribbing so the stitches are on the inside and your loop is at the top. Chain 1 and start the instructions below for the hat. Your first SC stitch will be in the same stitch as the chain 1.
(See photo tutorial below)
Hat body:
Round 1: SC in first stitch (same stitch as chain 1) and in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to first stitch, chain 2. (70)
Round 2: Work criss-cross DC stitches around: Skip first stitch, DC in next stitch. Go back and DC in skipped stitch (see photo tutorial below). Continue around. Join, chain 1. (70 DC stitches)
Round 3: SC in each stitch around. Join, chain 1. (70)
Round 4: FPSC in each stitch around. Make sure you go around each of the stitches from the previous round, even the last one that is hard to get into sometimes. Join with a sl st to first FPSC. Then sl st back to the first SC of the previous round (see photo tutorial). This is so your next round is not worked in the post stitches. Chain 1. (70)
Round 5: SC in each stitch around. Make sure you are not working in the post stitches. Your SC stitches should be going into the round before the FPSC round (these are the stitches behind the FPSC stitches). Join, chain 2. (70)
Round 6: Criss-cross DC stitches around. Join, chain 1. (70)
Round 7: SC in each stitch around. Join, chain 1. (70)
Round 8: FPSC in each stitch around. Slip stitch to first FPSC and then slip stitch back to first SC stitch of the previous round. Chain 1. (70)
Round 9: SC in each stitch around (working in the stitches behind the post stitches). Join, chain 2. (70)
Round 10: Criss-cross DC stitches around. Join, chain 1. (70)
Round 11: SC in each stitch around. Join, chain 1. (70)
Round 12: FPSC in each stitch around. Slip stitch to first FPSC and then slip stitch back to first SC stitch of the previous round. Chain 1. (70)
Round 13: SC DEC, SC in next 3 stitches (working in the stitches behind the post stitches). Repeat around. Join, chain 2. (56)
Round 14: Criss-cross DC stitches around. Join, chain 2. (56)
Round 15: Dc2tog, DC in next 2 stitches. Repeat around. Join, chain 1. (42)
Round 16: SC DEC, SC in next 4 stitches. Repeat around. Join. (35)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

PHOTO TUTORIAL






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Chrystal M.
Saturday 1st of December 2018
Very easy to make. Enjoyed making this hat for myself. Thank you!
Loops and Love Crochet
Monday 3rd of December 2018
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed making it!
Billie Souto
Thursday 8th of November 2018
I really want to try too make this hat. I hope I Can. Thank You For Sharing.