The Knit Guru

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Cabled Messy Bun Hat – free knitting pattern

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Hello all. A few days ago you were meant to be seeing this post… but instead I tipped a cup of coffee directly into my laptop… and now I’m working from my iPad… so it’s just taken a little longer to sort this all out. However, here it is.

The Messy Bun Hat Pattern has been going gangbusters recently. This is an update of the pattern, but with cables. It comes in 3 sizes. The largest size is what I wear… and I have a lot of hair. The smallest size is perfect for children. The middle size would be good for people with thin hair, smaller heads, or teens really.

You will need:

  • DK yarn. 100gms is more than enough
  • 4mm curricular knitting needles or double pointed needles
  • Cable needle
  • Darning needle
  • Elastic (optional)

Cabled Messy Bun Hat

Cast on 80, 90 or 100

(Knit 1, purl 1) repeat this rib pattern for 12-16 rows (your preference of brim size)

6 row repeating pattern-
Row 1-5:
Knit 4, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2
Row 6: Cable row: 2 on cable needle to the back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2

Small: Repeat rows 1-6 5 Times

Medium: Repeat rows 1-6 6 Times

Large: Repeat rows 1-6 7 Times

Complete decrease 1.

Decrease row – knit 4, purl 2, k2tog, purl 2

Row 2-5: Knit 4, purl 2, knit 1, purl 2

Row 6: Cable row: 2 on cable needle to the back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2

Complete decrease 2:

Decrease row – knit 4, purl 2 tog, knit 1, purl 2 tog – repeat over row

Row 2-5: knit 4, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1 – repeat over the row

Cable row 6: 2 on cable needle to the back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1 – repeat over the row

Complete decrease 3:

Decrease row- k1, k2tog, k1, p1, k1, p1 (repeat over whole row)

Row 2: knit 3, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1

Row 3-4: knit 1, purl 1 – repeat over whole row (*before for you complete row 5, decide on your top of hat from option 1 or 2 below)

Row 5: knit 2 together – repeat over whole row

Option 1 ending: (elasticated top)

Cut yarn. Thread elastic through remaining stitches and tie to create a stretchy loop for the hair. I have a lot of thick hair, and I prefer this method for the top of the hat.

Option 2 ending: no elastic.

Knit 2 more rows of knit 1, purl 1 before the final row 5 decrease.

Cast off using the stretchy bind off technique. This method can be better for people with thin hair or children who get fidgety with their hair.

The yarn I used (not sponsored, just a fan): Outlaw Vanitas DK

https://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/vanitas/Vanitas+Alpaca+DK+-+Brass.html

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18 responses to “Cabled Messy Bun Hat – free knitting pattern”

  1. Messy Bun – Ponytail Hat – Knitting Pattern | The Knit Guru Avatar

    […] Love this hat? Maybe you might also want to check out this free messy bun hat with cables. 🧡 […]

  2. Fay Avatar
    Fay

    Thank you so very much for the “Cabled Messy Bun Hat” – much appreciated. Would you have any “Crazy”, “Funky” hats or beanies available please ??

    1. juanamac Avatar

      Hello there, I probably do. If you search “hat” in the sidebar, more of my patterns will pop up for you. Or alternatively you can click the page of the pattern directory (though not all my patterns are listed there yet). There are many patterns from a completely insane desert island hat with palm tree on the top to other cabled beanies in funky styles. (All free patterns).

      1. Fay Lennon Avatar
        Fay Lennon

        Thank you so very much for your help as most beanies/hats I look up are just the normal type pattern, not the “out-there” type of pattern I most appreciate.

      2. juanamac Avatar

        I’m pretty out there in general 😂 no worries at all.

    2. juanamac Avatar

      I have over a hundred patterns listed on Ravelry here if that helps: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/the-knit-guru

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    […] Tomorrow however, you have another hat on it’s way. The first of a series, perfect for knitting for particularly tweens. In the meantime you can still make this plain ponytail hat here  or this cable version here. […]

  4. bykrchyckNancy Avatar

    Hi

    At what point do you start the decrease ?
    At the beginning of a cable
    At the end

    1. juanamac Avatar

      The decrease starts around the cables, for want of a phrase.

  5. Sharon Tappouni Avatar
    Sharon Tappouni

    In the first decrease section, you decrease to a 9 stitch repeat (k4, p2, k1, p2) rows 1-5, but at row 6 you instruct a 10 stitch repeat (k4cable, p2, k2, p2). Typo? Should row 6 be k4cable, p2 K1, p2? Or am I missing something in the pattern?

    1. juanamac Avatar

      Heya – I’ll have a closer look. I think you may have have uncovered a boo-boo in the pattern. 👍

      1. Megan Avatar
        Megan

        Yes I was wondering the same thing I think on the 1st decrease, row 6 cable row, it’s supposed to say after the cable, “purl 2, knit 1, purl 2.” Rather than knit 2.

  6. Top 10 Patterns of 2018 | The Knit Guru Avatar

    […] Cabled ponytail hat and Messy Bun hat. […]

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    […] This one has cables. This one has different cables. This one is the basic one if you aren’t ready for cables. […]

  9. Clapson Eileen Avatar
    Clapson Eileen

    In the cabled messy bun hat. Do you only decrease on the first row?
    On the smallest size it leaves 72 stitches. Is this right?

    1. juanamac Avatar

      Do you mean at the top of the hat? At the top there is a decrease every second row to bring in the top of the hat. Mostly my messy bun hats have around 20 (give or take) stitches left at the top for the opening for the hair.

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