The Golden Sun Hat Knitting Pattern makes the perfect addition to a DIY Rainbow Costume for kids OR it’s perfect for any day you need a little sunshine in your life!

If you’re new here, the adorable Golden Sun Hat knitting pattern goes with my DIY Rainbow Costume for kids. That rainbow costume is just about the cutest thing ever and includes instructions for a sunshine hair clip.

But here in Chicago, it tends to be pretty chilly on Halloween. So I also whipped up the Golden Sun Hat knitting pattern so Baby would have something to wear while trick-or-treating!

Don’t you hate it when you make (or buy, that’s cool too) your kid an adorable costume and then they have to put a winter coat on top and cover it up?! The worst.

I remember trying to get my costume OVER my jacket when I was kid and ending up as a very puffy black car or whatever it was I was that year.

I’m trying to avoid that this year. I think Baby V’s rainbow shirt will easily fit over some other layers (I sized up on purpose). And if you add a cute little Golden Sun Hat, her costume still totally makes sense and she’s warm!

Success!

Of course, you are not required to knit this cute little sun hat for Halloween, you can knit one for anyone who needs a little sunshine in their life.

It could be especially cute as a gift for someone who’s doing a “You are my Sunshine” themed baby shower or nursery. Right?!?!

Wait, can I go back in time and redo my nurseries? That would be such a cute theme! Someone do that and then share it with me!

Looking for the pattern? Here's how it works: This pattern is available for free in one size right here on my site (keep scrolling down). Or you can purchase an upgraded PDF pattern that is ad-free and easy to print in just one or two nicely formatted pages. The PDF printable also contains instructions for additional sizes including 0-3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 2T+! You can purchase the PDF patterns either via Etsy or Ravelry. There is a very small fee for the PDF version and this helps me keep Little Red Window running! Thank you so much for loving my patterns!

-The PDF is an optional upgrade, keep scrolling down for the free version-

Or download the PDF pattern from Ravelry here:buy now

Golden Sun Hat Knitting Pattern

(12 mo. size, see PDF for other sizes)

This pattern is copyright Little Red Window Design 2017 and is intended for personal use. You may not not distribute, reproduce or sell this pattern either physically or digitally.

Gauge: 20 st. = 4 inches

Golden Sun Hat Knitting Pattern Supply List:

(If you need help, my favorite knitting reference book for everyone from beginners to advanced knitters is THIS ONE!)

Golden Sun Hat Knitting Pattern Instructions:

Using long-tail cast on, cast on 72 stitches onto your circular needles. Join to knit in the round and knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch in a rib stitch for 5 rounds. Then knit all rows until the hat is about 5 inches long.

Decrease (divide the stitches between 3 double pointed needles and knit with the 4th, or use magic loop):

Round 1: (k6, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round

Round 2: Knit all stitches

Round 3: (k5, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round

Round 4: Knit all stitches

Round 5: (k4, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round

Round 6: Knit all stitches to the end of the round.

Round 7: (k3, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round

Round 8: Knit all stitches to the end of the round

Round 9: (k2, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round

Rounds 10: Knit all stitches

Round 11: (k1, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round

Rounds 12: Knit all stitches

Round 13: k2tog repeat to the end of the round

Cut yarn, pull through loops and close. Weave in ends.

To make the Sun’s Rays:

Starting to one side of the very top of the hat, pick up 9 stitches vertically going down one side.

Rows 1 & 2: k9

Row 3: k2tog, k5, ssk

Row 4: k7

Row 5: k2tog, k3, ssk

Row 6: k5

Row 7: k2tog, k1, ssk

Row 8: k3tog

Cut yarn, pull through remaining stitch to close. Weave in both ends.

To make the next ray, pick up 9 more stitches in the same vertical column below the ray you just made.

Repeat these steps to make the next ray and again to make more rays down the side of the hat fitting in as many rays as you can until you reach the brim. (The 12 month size fit 4 on each side for a total of 8, but spacing is up to you.)

When you have completed one side, start again at the very top, the other side of center, pick up nine stitches and begin making rays down the other side.