Welcome back for August's free pattern friday review. This is my monthly review of a free knitting pattern available off Ravelry. Ravelry is a great source of free patterns but its much harder to find good, free patterns via a general google search. All Free Pattern Friday reviews can be found here. When looking for something small and easy to knit over the summer I came across this blog article The best DIY scrunchie - knitting, sewing or crochet? with not just 1 but 3 free patterns, so I decided I needed to try all three out.

Knitted Scrunchie

Both the knitted and crochet patterns has options for most weight yarns and the quantities needed so its a great scrap busting project! I decided I'd use a left over bit of Enchant DK in Limpet (You might recognise it from The Age of Brass and Steam!) The pattern is easy to follow and I love the photo of the supplies required. I chucked the yarn and needles and a pack of hair elastics in my bag to take on holiday with me. I used 4mm DPNs but I think a circular needle would have been easier. There are lots of links in the pattern to help with joining in the round and casting on if you need them.

Crochet Scrunchie

Now I will start this by saying I am awful at following crochet patterns, so the fact I ended up with a finished scrunchie that looks like the picture is amazing - the pattern must be really easy to follow! It has both UK and US terms, which confused me slightly but thats easy to do with crochet, a quick google and I worked out what I needed to do. I used DK yarn again, this time Crush DK in Lulworth Cove, and a 4mm hook. There are lots of photos of each round which really helped me. Was quicker than the knitted one.

Sewn Scrunchie

A few more bits of equipment required for this one, I didn't do it on the train this time, but very easy to do even with a basic sewing machine, or if you are happy to spend a bit longer over it you could hand sew it all. I made mine 55cm by 10cm and you could get several out of a fat quarter. Really quick and easy.

So which pattern is best?

Well I think there are advantages to each of them so it depends what you mean by best

• Quickest was the sewn scrunchie, as long as you have access to a sewing machine
• Quickest if you are away from home was the crochet pattern, I finished mine on the train home around eating lunch and if you don't have to google the stitches you probably could have done 2 or three in the time it took me to do one
• Easiest I think was the knitted one, but I am a knitter, so I might be biased. If you are a complete beginner and don't want to try knitting in the round you could even knit it flat, cast off, and seam it
• Most Fun was the crochet one, maybe because I was sure what I was doing, or because it was quick to finish. I can see myself making more of these
• Most likely to wear well actually my hair is a bit short for any of them but if it was longer I'd probably wear the crochet one the most as its a bit different

Other points are:

• All three patterns are really clearly written without use of abbreviations
• Lots of photos including of the equipment required and steps taken
• All use up scraps or left overs so great little stashbusters.

Do let me know if you make this pattern and I'd love to hear your recommendations for patterns to review in the future. The comments are open.
 

Link to patterns

Knit scrunchie

Crochet scrunchie

Sewn scrunchie