Many ponytail and messy bun hats start with an opening that's tight around your hair. This shell stitch hat by Lauren of Daisy Cottage Designs has a larger opening, which makes it easier to slip on over your hair bun.
The shell stitch design gives this a nice texture and the added bow makes it extra special. This and many of Lauren's other patterns are free, but you can also buy the PDF version for easy printing and saving.
Shell Stitch Messy Bun Crochet Hat Pattern from Daisy Cottage Designs
Chunky Crochet Ponytail Hat
You can crochet this beehive-style hat in a flash because it's made with super bulky yarn. The pattern includes five sizes, as well as options for adding the stripes and the bow. With just this one pattern, you can make hats for all your friends and family!
Buffalo Plaid Messy Bun Hat
What could be cozier than a buffalo plaid winter hat? Learn how to crochet in plaid from Whistle and Ivy's tutorial series, which includes the messy bun hat, an infinity scarf, and boot cuffs!
Instead of a large or elastic opening, this pattern weaves ribbon through the stitches so you can cinch up the hat and embellish your hair with a pretty bow!
Crochet Plaid Messy Bun Hat from Whistle and Ivy
Cat-Eared Ponytail Hat
Although this last ponytail hat is a knitting pattern, the cat ears make it too adorable to skip. For those who both crochet and knit, grab your needles and cast on this cutie! But even if you don't knit, you might just be inspired to work up some triangle ears to attach to your favorite crochet ponytail hat!
Cat Hat With Ponytail Opening, $5, Monique Rae on Ravelry
Retro Messy Bun Hat
Now you do not have to hide your messy buns during the chilly days with the heavy hats. The solution is this retro messy bun hat looking so gorgeous and bright. The lovely bright yarns hues, buttons and the bun escape really make this hat a stylish headpiece. Details here
Tutorial: stitch11
Third Loop HDC Messy Bun Hat
Erin from The Cookie Snob designed her version of the messy bun beanie in the style of her series of 3 mL beanies. They hold more than 3 milliliters, but the backstory for the name includes some fun geekery. And to create the rows of horizontal chains, she works into the third loop of the half double crochet stitches. It's a fun way to make a hat with a popular look!
3 mL Messy Bun Beanie from The Cookie Snob