Velvet-Look Gift Crochet Scrunchie

Use plush velvet or chenille-style yarn and keep the construction simple so the texture stays the focus.

Materials

• Hair elastic, preferably ouchless
• Yarn suited to this scrunchie style
• Matching crochet hook for your yarn
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Step-by-step instructions

1. Make a slip knot and place it on your hook. Chain 16 for worsted-weight yarn, or chain 21 if you are using DK yarn.
2. Pass the foundation chain through the center of the hair elastic, then slip stitch into the first chain to form a loop around the elastic. Check that the chain is not twisted.
3. Work single crochet slowly and loosely because plush yarn can hide stitches. Feel each stitch with your fingers if the loops are hard to see.
4. Continue in a spiral without joining at the end of each round. Keep working single crochet into every stitch so the crocheted tube grows around the elastic.
5. Stretch the elastic gently as you go. Stop when the crocheted tube reaches around the elastic with enough extra fabric to look gathered and scrunchy.
6. Cut the yarn with a long tail, fasten off, and use a yarn needle to stitch the two tube ends together neatly.
7. Weave in the remaining ends, trim the excess yarn, and fluff the scrunchie so the gathers sit evenly.

Finishing tip

Before trimming the yarn tails, stretch the elastic a few times and redistribute the crochet fabric evenly so the scrunchie looks full from every angle.

Source inspiration: One Little Project crochet scrunchie tutorial. This article is written in original wording for Crochet to Calm.