Santorini Triple Ruffle Scrunchie Crochet Pattern

Stitch The Peaceful Rhythm of the Aegean Waves

Are you on the lookout for a fun & easy stash-busting crochet project that'll make a great gift? Well I've got a practical ruffle scrunchie that's a little different from what you might have seen before.

The inspiration for this Santorini Ruffle Scrunchie came from a fabulous trip to the Greek Island of Santorini. The vibrant blues, whites & pinks I experienced there are all embodied in this wavy ruffled crochet piece: the waves of the Aegean Sea, the winding alleys, and vibrant bougainvillea, popping up in stunning contrast against the whitewashed buildings and blue domes.

I designed this project specifically for International Crochet Month (more on that below), and I used my all-time favorite crochet technique: Hyperbolic Crochet.

If you're not familiar with it, Hyperbolic Crochet is an incredibly fascinating technique! I've used it many times in several of my crochet designs including my worry worms and wind spinners.

With it, one can create models of hyperbolic planes—surfaces characterized by constant negative curvature. Unlike flat (Euclidean) planes, hyperbolic planes curve away from themselves at every point... think of shapes that resemble natural forms like coral reefs and lettuce leaves.

This method was pioneered by mathematician Daina Taimiņa in 1997, who sought durable and tactile models to illustrate complex geometric concepts. She found that crochet is the only medium through which hyperbolic planes could be replicated!

To crochet a hyperbolic shape, one typically increases stitches at a consistent rate in each subsequent row or round. This exponential increase causes the fabric to ruffle and fold, naturally forming the hyperbolic geometry.

The formula for hyperbolic crochet is: 
x = n + 1 (where n is any number you choose)

So with this triple ruffled scrunchie pattern, I'd like to show you how easy it is to create these organic shapes. If you're new to crochet, this is the perfect project for you! You'll get to practice 2 basic stitches: half double crochet and double crochet.

You can keep scrolling for the FREE Pattern below, or you could get the Ad-Free PDF printable version for a small fee from my shop.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the Start Crochet links. Please see my disclosure for more details.

Materials Needed

• Aran / Worsted weight yarn in blue, white and pink. I used Venezia Sommer Color #185 for Blue, Loops & Threads Impeccable for white, and Loops & Threads Heathered Tweed for Pink.
• 5 mm crochet hook
• An elastic hair tie (best to be a thick & firm tie without a metal clamp about 6 cm, 2.5 inches in diameter)
• Darning needle 
• Scissors

Abbreviations Used in Pattern

• Ch = Chain
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• fo = fasten off

Printable Scrunchie Tags

Would you like to add some Tags to your handmade Scrunchie? These give a professional finish to your project if you're gifting or selling it.

Skill Level

Beginner

Measurements/Size

Approx. 12 cm (4.7 inch) in diameter.

Yardage

Approximately 41 m of yarn (45 yards)

Gauge

12 sts and 6 rows in dc = 10 cm (4") with a 5 mm hook.

Notes

• This ruffled scrunchie pattern is beginner-friendly with step-by-step photo tutorials.
• Numbers at the end of each round in parentheses ( ) = total number of stitches for that round.
• Hdc 3rd loop: horizontal loops behind the “v”s of the hdc stitch.
• If you are new to reading crochet patterns, you might find these tips helpful.
• Please note that I use US crochet terms.

Santorini Ruffled Scrunchie Crochet Pattern Instructions

Scrunchie

 Starting with white, tie a slip knot leaving a short tail.

R 1: Insert your hook through the center opening of your hairband and grab your slip knot from the back with your hook. Attach to the hairband with a ch st.

Working over your yarn tail, hdc through and all the way around the hairband. (I cannot tell you how many stitches exactly because that depends on the diameter of your hairband and how loosely you stitch.)

When you feel you have enough stitches to cover your hairband, push all your stitches together to create a gap. Work some more hdc stitches till it is not possible to push them together without them overlapping. Now you know you have enough stitches. I'd say an average of about 60 hdc for this round.

Slip stitch to the top of your beginning stitch to join.

Now look closely at the tops of your stitches. You'll see that a hdc has 3 loops. We'll be working into the middle loop (back loop) first,  then change to blue and work into the front loops only, and lastly with pink into the 3rd loops.

R 2: Ch 2, Identify the middle loop (back loop) and dc into the back loop of the first stitch. Continue to work 2 dc into each middle loop all around your scrunchie. Ensure you can see 1 ridge on the either side of your scrunchie (one in the front, and another in the back). (120)

Sl st to join. Leave a 4" (10 cm) tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

R 3: Attach blue yarn onto the front loop of the first stitch, ch 2. Dc into that same loop. Continue to work 2 dc into each front loop all around your scrunchie. (120)

Slip stitch to join. Leave a 4" (10 cm) tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

R 4: Attach pink yarn onto the 3rd loop of the first stitch of R 1, ch 2. Dc into that same loop. Continue to work 2 dc into each 3rd loop all around your scrunchie. (120)
Note: Stretch your elastic band so you can see that 3rd loop easier.

Slip stitch to join. Leave a 4" (10 cm) tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

Finishing Touches

With your darning needle, thread the white tail and join the tops of the 2 stitches at the beginning and end of R 1. Weave in all tails to secure the scrunchie from unraveling.

Snip off excess.

And there you have it! All done!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern. Please let me know what you think or if you have any questions in the comments below.

Happy hooking!

May

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