Sunrise Hat Knitting Pattern

Sunrise Hat Knitting Pattern by Lion Brand

Project Overview

The Sunrise Hat is a child's knitting pattern designed for young knitters and those seeking an easy, quick project. This downloadable PDF pattern from Lion Brand Yarn creates a cozy hat sized for children ages 2-6 years, with a finished circumference of approximately 18 inches (45.5 cm) that stretches to accommodate a range of sizes within this age group. The completed hat stands about 12 inches (30.5 cm) tall, providing adequate coverage and warmth for small heads.

Skill Level and Construction Method

Rated as an Easy skill level project, the Sunrise Hat is worked in the round using the circular knitting technique with double-pointed needles. This construction method creates a seamless tube of fabric, eliminating the need for seaming and making it ideal for beginners learning to work with multiple needles simultaneously. The pattern includes detailed notes on how to properly divide stitches across double-pointed needles to maintain even tension and create a symmetrical finished garment.

Stitches and Techniques

The primary stitch used throughout this pattern is stockinette stitch worked in the round, abbreviated as St st in the rnd, where knit stitches are worked in every round to create the classic smooth, V-patterned fabric. The pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques including casting on, joining stitches to begin working in the round, and working even (continuing established stitch patterns without increasing, decreasing, or binding off). These foundational techniques make the project accessible to knitters developing their skills.

Materials and Gauge

The Sunrise Hat requires one ball of Lion Brand Homespun Yarn in the Mixed Berries colorway (product number 790-411), a bulky-weight yarn that knits quickly and creates a soft, textured fabric. The pattern calls for Lion Brand Double-Pointed Needles in Size 10, along with Lion Brand Split Ring Stitch Markers to mark the beginning of rounds and track pattern repeats, and a Large-Eye Blunt Needle for weaving in yarn ends after completion.

The gauge for this pattern is 14 stitches equals 4 inches (10 cm) when working stockinette stitch in the round. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished hat matches the specified dimensions and that the single ball of yarn provided will be sufficient. Knitters who achieve fewer stitches per inch should use smaller needles, while those achieving more stitches per inch should use larger needles to match the pattern gauge.

Pattern Details

Construction begins with casting on 63 stitches, which are then divided across four double-pointed needles as evenly as possible (16 stitches on each of three needles and 15 stitches on the remaining needle). The stitches are joined to begin working in the round, with a stitch marker placed to indicate the beginning of each round. This setup creates the foundation for the seamless, tube-like construction that characterizes in-the-round knitting.

• Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun in Mixed Berries colorway
• Needles: Lion Brand Double-Pointed Needles Size 10
• Notions: Split Ring Stitch Markers and Large-Eye Blunt Needle
• Finished Size: Approximately 18 inches circumference, 12 inches height
• Gauge: 14 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch