This summer, inspired by MiuMiu crochet items, I have been obsessed with crochet bags and crochet hair scrunchies. I’ve made two bags so far – Caramella and Granita (planning a third one, so stay tuned).
I’ve also made 10 different hair scrunchies so far. I’m on the quest to find some of the best combinations between yarn, stitch pattern and how quickly one can be made. I also intend to experiment with the elastics to be used inside.
So far I have only been using one type of elastic – simple thin one. It’s about 4 cm in diametre, and stretches up to 15cm.
I will share below my experiments, of which some have been much more successful then others. This way you can also avoid some of my mistakes.
For all of the below, except the ones using mesh patterns, I’ve always started with foundation dc/sc. The basic construction is very simple. I start with the number of stitches approximately double the length of the elastic that is going to be inside, fully stretched. I then work either in the round or flat, until the height of the piece is double the width I’m looking for. If worked flat, I sew the short side to create a circle, than I then fold in two lengthwise. With the elastic inside I then join the two sides, to form a completely sealed tube with the elastic inside.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a complete video instruction about making one scrunchy from start to end.
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Number 1
Yarn: Lang Yarns Handarbeitsgarn (100% cotton, 84m/50g), colour 54
Hook: 4mm/US G
Pattern: double crochet, in the round, 44 stitches, 8 rounds, joined last round to the first one using slip stitch.
Finished size: 30×10 cm (15×5 when joined)
Notes – the yarn and by consequence the fabric is too thick, so the scrunchie doesn’t feel very elastic. It’s also rather heavy, especially for my thinner shorter hair. Slip stitch join is not elastic enough either
Number 2
Yarn: Lang Yarns Golf Color [unfortunately discontinued] (100% cotton, 125m/50g), colour 350
Hook: 3mm/US C or D
Pattern: double crochet, in the round, 77 stitches, 12 rounds, joined as you go.
Finished size: 42×12 cm
Notes – my most favourite yarn, but probably the worst outcome (should I reclaim the yarn??). Way too big, both length and width. Join as you go doesn’t look pretty, it is also very inelastic.
Number 3
Yarn: Lang Yarns Golf Color [unfortunately discontinued] (100% cotton, 125m/50g), colour 317
Hook: 3,25mm/US D
Pattern: single crochet, in the round, turning work, 80 stitches, 16 rounds, joined with mattress stitch
Finished size: 36x8cm
Notes – A bit too stiff, but it is one of the scrunchies I wear regularly. Takes longer to finish. First time trying mattress stitch to sew the final seam, which worked really great. Just need to remember that for mattress stitch you need work with both sides facing right side up.
Numbers 4 & 5
Yarn: Lang Yarns Quattro Color (100% cotton, 120m/50g), colour 51
Hook: 3,5mm/US E
Pattern: half double crochet, in the round, turning work, 50 stitches for Nr 4 and 60 stitches for Nr 5, 10 rounds, joined with mattress stitch
Finished size: 36x8cm
Notes – Lovely fabric, another one I wear regularly. Quick enough. I think, probably the best balance speed/look for thicker yarn. I think I prefer the longer one (60 stitches)
Number 6
Yarn: Alize Bella 100 (100% cotton, 360m/100g), colour 165
Hook: 3mm/US C or D
Pattern: double crochet, in the round, turning work, 60 titches, 6 rounds, joined with mattress stitch
Finished size: 40×6 cm
Notes – a bit too narrow? And very loose fabric. Needs to be worked on.
Number 7
Yarn: Lang Yarns Quattro Color (100% cotton, 120m/50g), colour 51
Hook: 3,5mm/US E
Pattern: Chain 81+4, work flat, in dc1, ch1 mesh. 10 rows, joined with mattress stitch
Finished size: 40×10 cm
Notes – Quick, but not a fan of the look.
Number 8
Yarn: YarnArt Canarias (100% cotton, 507m/50g), colour 4660
Hook: 1mm/US 12/6
Pattern: Chain 123+4, work flat, in dc1, ch1 mesh. 14 rows, joined with mattress stitch
Finished size: 34×7 cm ( I think I’ve used a smaller elastic inside)
Notes – my favourite look and feel. The only one to snatched away by my picky teen. Takes a long time to finish though, unfortunately.
Number 9
Yarn: Lang Yarns Golf Color [unfortunately discontinued] (100% cotton, 125m/50g), colour 317
Hook: 3,5mm/US E
Pattern: Chain 63+4, work flat, in dc1, ch1 mesh. 10 rows, joined with mattress stitch
Finished size: 30×10 cm
Notes: not a fan…
Number 10
Yarn: YarnArt Canarias (100% cotton, 507m/50g), colour 4660
Hook: 1.25mm/US 9/4
Pattern: This is the only one made in a different direction – cast on the narrow edge. C/o 30+1+7 ch, 24 repeats of 2 rows.
Finished size: 40×8 cm
Notes – the pain and time are not worth the results.
Bonus for those who read the whole article – Number 11 and the video tutorial
Yarn: Lang Yarns Golf Color [unfortunately discontinued] (100% cotton, 125m/50g), colour 350
Hook: 3,5mm/US E
Pattern: half double crochet, in the round, 66 stitches, 14 rounds, joined with mattress stitch.
Finished size: 36×10 cm
Notes – my most favourite yarn, and a much better result than Nr2
What’s your favourite?