Free Pattern: Knit Velvet Scrunchie Tutorial

Perhaps rather surprisingly, scrunchies are back! (?!?) 

You may have seen some very cute velvet crochet scrunchies on instagram using Bernat's new Velvet yarn. While I'll admit crochet makes a little more sense for this project, I thought I'd attempt a knit version for those of us who more often reach for knitting needles than a crochet hook. 

These scrunchies are made by knitting a wide ring in the round, then whip stitching the two ends together around a ponytail holder to make a hollow tube. Bernat Velvet breaks rather easily so handle your scrunchie with some care (don't stretch it too much!). I used the magic loop method, though I imagine a shorter circular needle (16in or 9in) or double pointed needles would work better. 

I recommend you use a ponytail holder you like. The scrunchies will reduce the stretchiness of your ponytail holder so make sure you have a size that works for you. 

I've created three sizes: S(M, L). Go up a size if your hair is a little thicker or you need some more stretch. 

Materials:

About 20-40 yards of Bernat Velvet, shown here in Chilled Blue

US Size 11 (8mm) circular or double pointed needles

Yarn needle

A ponytail holder

Gauge:

10 sts = 4in (10cm) in stockinette stitch

Abbreviations: 

CO: Cast on

K2tog: Knit two together (decreases 1 stitch)

Kfb: Knit through the front and back of same stitch (increases 1 stitch)

BO: Bind off

Pattern:

CO 40(50, 60)

Rnds 1-3: Knit

Rnd 4: K2tog around

Rnd 5: Knit

Rnd 6: Kfb around

Rnds 7-8: Knit

Rnd 9: BO knitwise

Finishing:

After binding off, leave a tail long enough for sewing the sides together

Turn the scrunchie inside-out (purl-side out) and place ponytail holder in center of ring

Sew the edges of the ring together by folding the scrunchie over the ponytail holder and using whip stitch (or any other sewing method) to sew the edges together

Hide the ends of the yarn inside the scrunchie. The cast on edge can be tucked inside the scrunchie. The sewing end can be threaded through and hidden inside the scrunchie after tying off.

Variations:

There are so many ways to vary this scrunchie! In the top-left corner of photo above, I knit four rows instead of three before and after the increases/decreases. You could also not decrease and increase at all (and save yourself a little time!). Simply knit for eight rounds and then bind off knitwise. The scrunchies would then have less of a doughnut shape and a more ruffled look. 

Let me know what you think in the comments! Have fun!

Many thanks to Carly and Bridget for modeling for me :)