This cute and colorful rainbow bonnet knitting pattern is the perfect fun knit for your little one, with a bright rainbow stretching from ear to ear!
Hello, welcome to post 9,745 in which I discuss my love of bonnets and this rainbow bonnet in particular. In this post I will wax poetic about how bonnets are the world’s cutest headgear for anyone under the age of 5.
Then I will talk about delicious chubby cheeks and how bonnets perfectly frame them while at the same time being practical and keeping your little one’s ears warm and cozy.
Next I will discuss my additional love of rainbows and how they are so fun and bright and cheerful and rainbow patterned anything instantly makes me happy.
I will then tell you this is because I am an 80’s child and rainbows were popular then. But I secretly will think to myself that rainbow are ALWAYS popular and if you don’t like rainbows then you’re lame.
Next I will connect the dots and explain that basically a rainbow bonnet is the perfect combination of two of my favorite things EVER, thus making this pattern awesome.
And then finally, I will make a lame joke about wanting Baby V to keep wearing bonnets until she goes off to college. Sometimes I change the joke to say she should wear them until grad school.
Have we covered it all? Yeah?
Let’s get to it then! If you knit up a rainbow bonnet, please, please share it with me, I love seeing what you guys make!
Rainbow Bonnet Knitting Pattern
Gauge: 20 stitches = 4 inches
Rainbow Bonnet Knitting Pattern Supply List
(If you need help, my favorite knitting reference book for everyone from beginners to advanced knitters is THIS ONE!)
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 for just a few dollars, you can choose to purchase an upgraded PDF pattern that is nicely formatted and easy to print. Besides being easy to print, the PDF pattern also contains MORE SIZES with instructions for additional sizing including 0-3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 2T+! Thank you for supporting Little Red Window!
Rainbow Bonnet Instructions
Size: 12 months
Using straight needles, cast on 72 stitches with a long tail cast on. The first part of this bonnet is knit flat.
Row 1 (RS): (k1, p1) repeat to the end of the row
Row 2 (WS): (k1, p1) repeat to the end of the row
Repeat rows 1 & 2 twice more.
The next part of the bonnet will be knit in stockinette stitch with a garter stitch border as follows:
Row 7 (RS): k4, k64, k4
Row 8 (WS): k4, p64, k4
Work rows 7 & 8 of this pattern in light blue and then repeat rows 7 & 8 6 more times in each of the 6 rainbow colors in order. Finally, continue on repeating rows 7 & 8 in light blue until the bonnet is 6 1/4 inches long.
To begin the decrease, distribute stitches among double pointed needles (or use magic loop) and and join to knit in the round. Knit all stitches for one round.
Decrease:
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
Round 7: (k3, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 8: knit all stitches
Round 9: (k2, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 10: knit all stitches
Round 11: (k1, k2tog) repeat to the end of the round
Round 12: k2tog and repeat to the end of the round
Cut yarn, pull through loops and close. Weave in ends.
To add ties:
Using double pointed needles, pick up 2 stitches on one corner under the chin of the bonnet.
Then, attaching new yarn, knit an i-cord using those 2 stitches until the tie is 9 inches long. Cut yarn, pull through stitches at the end of the i-cord to close, and weave in the ends. Repeat with the other tie. Be sure to block your bonnet before wearing.
Please use common sense, don’t tie the chin straps too tightly and never leave baby unattended while wearing your bonnet.
Happy Knitting!
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
- Easy DIY Knit Halloween Costumes (Just Add Pajamas) - October 10, 2024
- Witchy Black Cat Hat Knitting Pattern - October 7, 2024
- Big Squishy Pumpkin Knitting Pattern - October 2, 2024
helen long says
If bonnet is knit in stockinette shouldn’t the WS be a purl stitch?
Cassie May says
Hi!
It is! Row 8 is the wrong side row and it has 4 stitches of garter on the border but purl stitches in the middle (k4, p64, k4).
The decrease, however, is knit in the round so that is all knit stitches.
Hope that helps!