Knit hair accessories are some of the fastest, most fun projects you can make. A scrunchie or a bow takes an evening and only a few yards of yarn, so they are perfect for using up leftover bits of nice wool, cotton or mohair. They also make easy gifts for teens, friends and teachers.
This list has 12 free patterns: scrunchies, headbands, bows, a rose for a hair clip, a lace headscarf and even tiny felted hats. We opened every pattern page to confirm it is free and listed the yarn weight and needle size we found.
Knit Hair Accessories Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Small circular needles, 16-inch, in US 4 to US 8
- Plain elastic hair ties for scrunchies
- Metal hair clips and bobby pins with pads
- Fingering and DK yarn mini skeins
- Hot glue gun or strong fabric glue
- Tapestry needle
1. Aks Scrunchie
Photo: Helene Rønquist Knutsen / Quist Knits
A full, airy scrunchie knit in the round with a heart-shaped stitch texture. The volume helps it stay in your hair instead of sliding out. The designer rates it 2 out of 5 for difficulty and suggests non-felting yarn like cotton, silk or superwash wool, so it holds up to daily wear.
- Designer: Helene Rønquist Knutsen / Quist Knits
- Skill level: Easy (2/5 per designer)
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6) 40 cm circular
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Ballet Scrunchie
Photo: Wool and the Gang
A two-color scrunchie in 2×2 rib, sized to wrap around a hair bun like a ballerina’s. It looks just as cute worn on the wrist. It takes about two hours and needs a hair elastic about 2 inches across. A sweet gift for a dancer.
- Designer: Wool and the Gang
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: see pattern (Alpachino Merino, 2 colors)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8) 16″ circular
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Praha Scrunchie
Photo: Pauline Fanguin
A soft, seamless scrunchie with a stockinette base and a ruffled garter edge. Fingering yarn is held together with a strand of silk mohair, which gives it a fuzzy halo. It is a lovely way to use mohair leftovers from a sweater project.
- Designer: Pauline Fanguin
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport weight (fingering + lace mohair held together)
- Needle size: US 4 (3.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Colourwork Scrunchies
Photo: Dr Dianna
A knit tube with a stranded colorwork pattern, closed around a hair tie. The pattern gives four charts and two ways to close the tube. It is a great tiny project for trying colorwork before you start a full yoke sweater, and it uses sock yarn leftovers.
- Designer: Dr Dianna
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1)
- Needle size: US 3 (3.25 mm) or US 2.5 (3 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Star Struck Headband
Photo: Erron Anderson
A headband in a textured star stitch, made for knitters who know stockinette and want to try a new stitch. It uses very little yarn, so it is a good way to finish small balls. Knit one in a bright color to brighten a winter coat.
- Designer: Erron Anderson
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. A Quartet of Headbands
Photo: Allyson Dykhuizen
Four headbands in one free pattern, each quick enough to finish in an afternoon. They use a cotton-linen DK and a light fingering yarn, so they are comfortable in warmer weather too. Make all four and you have a whole set to match different outfits.
- Designer: Allyson Dykhuizen
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3) and light fingering (#1)
- Needle size: US 2, 4, 7 and 9 (2.75–5.5 mm), depending on headband
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Springlike Headscarf
Photo: Tanis Gray
A long, narrow lace strip, 3 by 60 inches, that you can tie over your hair like a headscarf or wear as a skinny scarf. It is knit flat in one piece from the bottom up and uses about 150 yards of sport yarn. Block it well to open up the lace.
- Designer: Tanis Gray
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport (#2), about 150 yards
- Needle size: US 5 (3.75 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Simple Love Bow
Photo: Emma Du
A small knit bow, about 2.8 inches wide, that uses only 11 to 14 yards of yarn. Clip it to a barrette, sew it to a hair tie or add it to a baby hat. The pattern comes with written, photo and video help, which makes it friendly for new knitters.
- Designer: Emma Du
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1), 11–14 yards
- Needle size: US 2 (2.75 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Rusetti Bow
Photo: Jatta Pauliina
A tiny knit bow in two sizes, normal and big. The designer says any yarn works and gauge does not matter much. Glue it to a clip, sew it on a headband or use it to decorate a sweater. The pattern is written in English and Finnish.
- Designer: Jatta Pauliina
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1)
- Needle size: US 000 (1.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Agnes Rose
Photo: Lux Adorna Knits
A knit rose for a hair clip or pin, named after the designer’s grandmother. There are two versions: a large, three-layer cabbage rose and a smaller tea cup rose. Heavier yarn makes a bigger flower, so you can size it for a hair clip, a brooch or a bag.
- Designer: Lux Adorna Knits
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3), any weight works
- Needle size: US 9 (5.5 mm) and US 13 (9 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Worship the Band
Photo: Marie Schurk
A braided, chain-like band knit with two strands of ribbon yarn. Wear it as a headpiece, or make it into a choker, bracelet or cowl. It is a great way to use up leftover ribbon yarn, and the texture looks almost like jewelry.
- Designer: Marie Schurk
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bulky (#5) ribbon yarn, held double
- Needle size: US 10.5 (6.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Mini Felted Fascinator Hats
Photo: Chris Wass
Tiny hats, about 4 inches across, knit in wool and then felted. There are two base shapes, a fedora with a wide brim and a bowler with a taller dome. Shape them while wet, add a feather or ribbon and pin them to your hair for a tea party, wedding or costume.
- Designer: Chris Wass
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) feltable wool
- Needle size: US 10.5 (6.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Want a quick everyday piece? Start with #1, the Aks Scrunchie. It is rated easy and looks full and pretty.
- Have mohair leftovers? #3, the Praha Scrunchie, turns them into a soft halo.
- Need a gift for a little girl? #8, the Simple Love Bow, uses only a few yards and clips on fast.
- Want to practice a new skill? #4 for colorwork, or #5 for a textured stitch.
- Going to a wedding or party? #12, the felted fascinator, is a fun statement piece.
FAQ
What yarn is best for knit scrunchies?
Choose a smooth yarn that will not felt with handling, like cotton, silk blends or superwash wool. Mohair blends add softness and volume. Avoid very slippery yarns for headbands, since they can slide off your hair. DK and fingering weights make neat, lightweight knit hair accessories.
How do I attach a knit bow or flower to a hair clip?
Sew the center of the bow or flower to the clip with a few stitches using the same yarn, then add a small dab of hot glue or fabric glue for strength. A felt circle glued over the base of the clip hides the stitches and keeps it from catching in your hair.
Are knit headbands warm enough for winter?
Yes, if you choose a wool or wool blend yarn and a dense stitch like rib, garter or a textured pattern. A wider headband covers the ears better. For cold days, pick a thicker yarn like worsted and line the back with fleece if you want extra wind protection.
Pick a pattern, grab a small ball of yarn and make a fresh hair accessory tonight.
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