This cute, and simple crochet bun cover pattern is perfect hair accessory to make for ballerinas and dancers of all ages. It brings to mind images of ballet class, and tiny dancers frolicking around the room in tutus–so precious and sweet! Find the free crochet pattern instructions below, or purchase a print-optimized, ad-free PDF by clicking here.
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Bun covers are classic, elegant, and practical as they prevent hair “flyaways” at the dance studio. This crochet cover is small, and light weight with plenty of stretch, meaning it should last for years as your ballerina grows up.
The small cover is approximately 3.25″ across, and was designed to fit children with medium to long hair. It can also fit adults with short to medium length hair. The Medium cover is approximately 4″ across and should work for adults. Make it if you have thick, heavy, long hair.
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Difficulty:
Easy
Materials Needed:
Size “0” or 2.55 mm steel hook
Approximately 15-20 yds Aunt Lydia’s #10 Crochet thread in Silver, or Antique White, or color of your choice
Yarn needle
Medium 4mm hair elastic <–click here if you need to pick some up.
Sewing needle
Sewing thread in a color that matches your crochet thread
Czech Glass Seed Beads 8/0, in the color “Iris Sphinx” from Bead Treasures @ Hobby Lobby
(Optional): 3mm or 4mm small pearl bead for center of flower
Stitches Used:
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
sp = space
Measurements:
Small (Kids): Approximately 3.25″ across
Medium (Adults): Approximately 4″ across
Gauge:
Gauge isn’t especially important
Additional Notes:
-This bun cover looks nice with or without beads. It’s up to you how you want to make it.
-I’ve linked to the type of beads I used for this project in the materials list. If you choose to use a different brand of bead I don’t know if it will fit over the #10 crochet thread.
-If you aren’t sure how to get the beads into the center of the single crochet stitch, please watch this video:
Ballerina Bun Cover Pattern (US Terms):
Click here to purchase an ad-free, print-optimized PDF of this pattern on LoveCrafts
If making this cover with beads follow this step first:
For Small bun cover: string 64 seed beads onto your working thread. This will give you enough beads for 4 rounds of bead accents. I used a dot of glue to stiffen the end of the string to form a make-shift needle to pick up the beads with.
For medium size bun cover: string 80 seed beads onto your working thread. This will give you enough beads for 5 rounds of bead accents. I used a dot of glue to stiffen the end of the string to form a make-shift needle to pick up the beads with.
If you don’t want to make your bun cover with beads, start here:
Round 1: In magic circle, ch 1, 16 dc, join with sl st to first dc. (16)
Round 2: ch 6, sl st into same dc as join, *ch 6, sl st to next dc; repeat from * around for a total of 16 “loops”, final sl st counts as join. (16 ch-6 sps)
Each time you make a single crochet in rounds 3-7 slide a bead up into the center of the stitch. Your beads may try to poke through the back, but try to make it come through the front. This step may take a little bit of practice, but it will look better in the end. Once your bead is situated in the center of the stitch, pull the single crochet stitch tight. This will ensure your bead does not wander out of the center.
Rounds 3-7 : sl st into the next 4 chains of the first ch-6 “loop” or sp. This should put you right about the top of the “loop”, ch 1, sc in same st, ch 6,*sc in next ch-6 sp, ch 6; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (16, ch-6 sps)
*Small ends here. Continue to finishing round.*
Round 8-9 :sl st into the next 4 chains of the first ch-6 “loop” or sp. This should put you right about the top of the “loop”, ch 1, sc in same st, ch 6,*sc in next ch-6 sp, ch 6; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (16, ch-6 sps)
*Medium ends here. Continue to finishing round.*
Finishing round: ch 1, taking your hair elastic, work 4 sc around the ch-6 sp from the previous row and the elastic to join them together. Continue putting 4 (or even 5 sc if you want the band to be more filled in) sc around each of the ch-6 loops or sps and the elastic until you reach the end of the round, join with sl st to first sc. (64 sc)
Cut thread and weave in ends.
Flower:
Leaving a 6″ tail, ch 5, join to first ch creating a ring.
Round 1: [ch 3, sl st into ring] 5 times in ring. (5 ch-3 sps)
Round 2: sl st into first ch-3 sp, (ch 1, hdc, dc, hdc, ch 1 sl st), *sl st in next ch-3 sp (ch 1, hdc, dc, hdc, ch 1 sl st); repeat from * around. (5 petals)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Use the tail to sew the bead to the bun cover.
OR
String 5 beads onto a 18″ length of sewing thread. Sew into center of flower.
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You are welcome to share the link to this pattern, using one image of your choice, on your site, but please do not share the written patterns themselves, this includes my Ravelry downloads or translations of these patterns, or use additional images. You do not have permission to use my images by themselves to create pinnable graphics for Pinterest, however they may be included in a roundup pin if there are 4 or more other patterns. If you sell finished items online, please do not use my pictures for your listings. I’m positive that your work is of high enough quality for you to sell the finished piece. Have confidence in your abilities! <3 Thank you!
This pattern was made to be used by individuals, and small business crocheters alike. Selling your finished pieces in boutiques, at farmer’s markets, craft shows, and other local events is encouraged! Please credit/link Kirsten Holloway Designs when selling finished products online. The only thing I require is that this pattern not be used commercially to produce hundreds of thousands of copies.
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I was asked to make a bun cover for a sweet little girl and was excited to see this pattern–it will be perfect for her! Thank you so much.
You’re welcome, Karen!
Thank you for this pattern. I am an older cosplayer and needed a bun cover for my costume this year. This looks perfect. I will be making a gray bun to attach to my regular hair. will be a=making the bun cover in black thread. I am very excited to get started.
You’re welcome Brenda! I’m glad it was what you were looking for!
Thank you so much for this pattern. My daughter is almost 3 and I'm hoping this isn't too big. Any thoughts on how to make it smaller? My standard smaller hook/finer yarn hack won't work with crochet thread!
This isn't very big to begin with, but you might try only doing 12 dc instead of 16 dc. You could also try a smaller hook, say a 1.6mm or so, and see if that works. I hope that helps!