Our Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick rainbow hat pattern can be made with the classic rainbow colors or switch them to make your own color combination. This free knitting pattern will give you all the details to make this hat in sizes newborn, toddlers, children and women.
* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase HERE.
Supplies:
Yarn – Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky 6). The colors used in the photo above, in order from the bottom to the top are: Fisherman, Cranberry, Pumpkin, Mustard, Grass, Sky Blue, Cobalt, Plum.
Order online: (Lion Brand) (Amazon USA) (Amazon Canada) (Michaels) (Love Crafts)
Needles – US 13/9mm or whichever size needed to obtain gauge. Size US 13/9mm circular needles, 16” long and US 13/9mm double pointed needles for the decrease, if desired.
Darning needle, stitch marker, pompom maker, measuring tape and scissors. I use the Clover brand pompom makers – size 2.5” (green) size for the newborn and 0-3 month hats; and the 3 3/8” (blue) size for the larger sizes.
Gauge:
4” x 4” = 9 stitches and 12 rows in stocking stitch (same as pattern). I recommend using US 13 needles, but if you are a loose knitter you may need to drop down to US 11 or go up to US 15 for tighter knitters.
Be sure to check your gauge to ensure the hat will fit your little one properly.
Abbreviations:
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit two together
Sizes:
6-12 Months, 1-3 Years, 4-12 Years and Women using the color scheme shown. I have also included the basic hat pattern for sizes newborn, 0-3 months and 3-6 months. If making these sizes, you will need to use less colors as there will not be enough rows to complete all of the colors in the original pattern/color scheme.
Colors (all sizes)
Cast on with the color Fisherman. Continue the ribbing K1P1 rows with this color. When starting the Knit All rows, follow this color scheme while changing colors each row.
Cranberry
Fisherman
Pumpkin
Fisherman
Mustard
Fisherman
Grass
Fisherman
Sky Blue
Fisherman
Cobalt
Fisherman
Plum
Fisherman
Depending on the size you are making, you may have several rows left to finish the hat. Continue in Fisherman to complete the remaining rows.
Tip – When I knit my hats using stripes I like to use the Jogless Stripes method to switch colors. If this is unfamiliar to you, there are some great tutorials on YouTube and Pinterest that you may want to check out to see if you’d like to include it in your work.
Directions:
6-12 Months
Cast on 30 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 6 rounds.
K all for 10 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (23 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, K1, K2together. (17 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
1-3 Years
Cast on 32 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 7 rounds.
K all for 11 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (24 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (18 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
4-12 Years
Cast on 34 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 7 rounds.
K all for 12 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last two stitches, K2. (26 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last two stitches, K2. (20 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
Women
Cast on 36 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 7 rounds.
K all for 13 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. (27 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Next row – *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last three stitches, K1, K2tog. (20 stitches)
Next row – K all.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
Below is the pattern for the smaller size hats. If making one of these sizes, you will need to alter the colors you use as there are not enough rows to include all 7 colors.
Newborn:
Cast on 24 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 4 rounds.
K all for 7 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all for 1 round.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert the tail into the hat through the middle opening and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
0-3 Months
Cast on 26 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 4 rounds.
K all for 8 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2together; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.
K all for 1 round.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
3-6 Months
Cast on 28 stitches on your circular needle.
Join.
Begin by working *K1 P1; repeat from * to the end of the round – for 5 rounds.
K all for 10 rounds.
Decrease: *K2, K2together; repeat from * to end.
K all for 1 round.
Cut yarn and weave through the remaining stitches. Insert tail into the hat through the middle and pull to close up the top. Secure the tail tightly on the inside and weave in the end. Make pompom using a pompom maker and attach to the top of the hat.
Although our patterns are always free on our blog, many prefer our premium ad-free, printer friendly, PDF versions. These are available to purchase HERE.
Follow Fox & Pine Stitches on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Pattern and photos are the property of Fox & Pine Stitches. Copying, altering or sharing the pattern and claiming it as your own is strictly prohibited.
You have permission to sell items made with this pattern but credit must be given to the designer in any online listings/websites:
Pattern Credit: www.foxandpinestitches.com
You may not use our photos for your own listings.
Tagging us on social media is greatly appreciated.