Knitting patterns inspired by sunshine, raindrops, lightning, clouds, and other favorite weather signs. Updated 12/13/22
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
Free Patterns
Little Rain Cloud Sweater
Adorable baby and child sized pullover sweater jumper with an intarsia cloud. Sizes 3mths, 6mths, 1yr, 2yr, 4yr. DK weight yarn. Designed by Clea Romeo. May only be free for a limited time.
Weather Symbols Squares
Communicate today's forecast or mood with these signs for sunshine, lightning cloud, raindrops, and a rainbow. Use as single signs to put on a door, wall or fridge. Or use for a child's bedroom décor, blanket squares, bunting, or unique wall art, or other knitting projects. It is also a great way to use up scraps of yarn. DK weight yarn. Designed by Ruby and the Foxes.
Lightning Sweater
Electrify your wardrobe with this top down sweater with lightning bolts on the yoke in stranded colorwork. Sizes 32.75(34.75, 39.25, 43.75, 47.5, 52, 56.75, 60.5, 64.5) inches / 83(88, 99.5, 110, 120, 132, 144, 153.5, 164)cm. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Elizabeth Felgate for Knitty.
Cloud with Raindrops
Cloud softie with rainbow colored raindrops that can be used as a wall decoration, a baby nursery mobile, a gift to show support. The cloud is a reminder that mental health is so important, especially after the past year of lockdown. Various sizes. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Louise Walker.
Cloud-to-Cloud Lightning Mitts
Fingerless gloves with a lightning bolt that jumps from cuff to cuff knit with twisted stitches in a 14 row repeat. Sizes S/M, L/XL. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Hannah Colbert.
Sunshine in My Pocket
Sun toy softie to cheer up someone who is having a gray day or brighten up a room. Size 4.5". Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Vy Tran.
Rain Kissed Cowl
Shoulder cozy cowl with drop stitches and lace inspired by rain showers coming down from clouds. Versatile enough to wear over a special occasion dress, a t-shirt, or beachwear. This pattern includes both Charted and Written Instructions. Uses one skein of fingering weight yarn. Great showcase for variegated or handdyed yarn. Designed by Katie Degroff.
Hibernate Afghan
Cozy blanket afghan with giant snowflake inspired by close-up photos of real snowflakes knit with intarsia. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Cheryl Bach for Knitty.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- See more Quick Afghan Knitting Patterns
- Consider supporting Knitty on Patreon
Good Day Sunshine Shawl
This lace shawl features intertwining rays of sunshine portrayed by lace and cables radiating out from the central sun body of estonian gathered stitches combined with eyelets. Shawl is shaped to sit nicely on your shoulders. Lace weight yarn. Designed by Amanda Bjoerge for Knitty.
Weather Dish Cloths or Squares
Weather themed wash cloths or afghan blocks in knit and purl stitches including Sun, Lightning Bolt, and Umbrella. Designed by Daisy and Storm. Web versions are free. PDFs available for purchase
- Get the SUN free knitting patterns
- Get the LIGHTNING free knitting patterns
- Get the UMBRELLA free knitting patterns
- Get the pdfs on Etsy
Raindrop Dishcloth
Dish cloths with a lace raindrop pattern that also makes a great scrubbing surface. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lily / Sugar'n Cream.
Golden Sun Hat and DIY Rainbow Costume
Easy baby hat pattern with sun rays that was designed to go with the DIY Rainbow Costume for Kids, but of course can be worn by itself. Web version of hat pattern for size 12 months and Rainbow costume instructions are free. A printable pdf for hat pattern with additional sizes is available on Etsy. Designed by Cassie at Little Red Window.
More Free Patterns
Rain and Rivulets Cowl
This cowl combines lace raindrops with beads and a zig-zag Aran pattern to create the look of a small stream of flowing water. Pictured projects used one skein or less of DK weight yarn each though can be customized for other weights. Designed by Sherri Matteo.
Cabled Sunburst Washcloth
Sun-inspired wash or dish cloth with easy zigzagging cable rays and a picot sunburst edge. Brightens up any room and also makes a great gift. Uses less than one skein of the recommended Aran weight yarn. Size 9.5” diameter, from inner edge of picots, blocked. Designed by Kendra Nitta for Knit Picks.
Take-Along Sun
Portable sun softie toy to brighten up anyone's day, a baby nursery, or any room. Size 13 1/2 Inches tall from bottom of feet to top of ray. DK weight yarn. Designed by Anita M. Wheeless.
Water Cycle Socks
Socks inspired by the water cycle. From the gently scalloped picot hem clouds at the cuff, raindrops fall down the front of the foot to waves of water at the toe. From waves at the base of the heel flap, water vapor swirls and rises back to the clouds at the cuff. This sock is knit from the toe-up, with a gusset and heel flap Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Tami Sheiffer.
Cloudburst Lace Mitts
Lace fingerless mitts knit with a 10 row lace pattern that looks like rain coming down from clouds. Written and charted. Uses less than one skein 153 - 164 yards (140 - 150 m) of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Arienne Grey. Available in English and German
Rain, Rain, Go Away Hat
Slouchy hat with an easy and whimsical stranded umbrella and rain motif. Sizes child/teen (adult small, adult large). Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Laura Reinbach for Knitty
Weather the Weather Hat
Unisex beanie featuring a zigzag stitch pattern inspired by storm fromt symbols on weather maps. Great with variegated or solid color yarn. Sizes X-Small/Child, Small, Medium, Large. Designed by Megan Williams. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured projects by designer and Sayleywayley
Temperature Timepiece Shawl
Record the high temperature of every day in the stripes of this shawl/scarf/blanket with the color of each row based on temperature. Eyelet rows separate the months. Worsted weight yarn. Easy pattern and great for stashbusting. Designed by Andrea Shanti
Maria's Might
Double-knit, reversible lightning hat. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Akaemi Barnett
Over the Rainbow Hat
Adorable rainbow baby hat with little cloud earflaps. Web pattern for 6 months is free. More sizes and a printable pdf are available on Etsy. Designed by Little Red Window.
- Get the free knitting pattern for 6 mos
- Get printable pdf with sizes 0-3 months, 6 months, 12 months, & 2T+ on Etsy
- See more Baby Hat Knitting Patterns
Head in the Clouds Pillow
Cloud shaped cushion approx 19¼ x 14¼" [49 x 36 cm] with embroidered face. Rated easy by the designer and many Ravelrers. Designed by Julia Madill for Yarnspiratons. Use a chenille yarn to give it a fluffy no-stitch texture. Pictured projects by the designer and craftycoug. Super Bulky weight yarn.
Easy Rainbow Pillow
Easy rainbow-shaped plush cushion knit in 2 flat pieces, with simple decreases creating the rainbow shape. Rated easy by designer. Approx 18" [45.5 cm] wide x 13" [33 cm] tall. There's also a crochet version. Quick knit in super bulky yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the free crochet version
- Get the recommended Bernat Baby Blanket yarn
Sunny Nap Pillow
Round cushion cover knit in the round and finished with triangle garter stitch rays. Fits a round pillow, approx. 50 cm = 19 3/4” in diameter. Designed by DROPS Design. Aran weight yarn. Available in English, Danish, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and more
Giant Smiley Rainbow
Put this rainbow softie in your window to give your neighbors and essential workers a smile and let you know you're thinking about them. Designed by Louise Walker as a big thank you to all key workers. Super Bulky weight yarn.
Patterns for Purchase
Stormfront Cowl
Cumulonimbus clouds pile up against a darkening sky in this garter stitch cowl in spired by stormy skies. DK weight yarn. Designed by HandmadeBySmine.
Sunshine Shawl
Half circle shawl in 3 colors inspired by the sun with zigzag rays going out to the edge. Knit in other colors for a different mood. Designed by Natalia Moreva for Kulabra Designs. Sport weight yarn.
Cirro Beanie Bobble Hat
Cirrus cloud inspired hat with a fluffy cumulus pompom atop zigzag cirrus lines that spiral to the crown. Soft, bulky yarn makes for a quick knit. 4 sizes baby to adult. Designed by WoollyWormheadHats.
Diaper Cover Sets
Great for shower gifts and photo props, the knit designs by Lee Ann Garrett in Diaper Cover Sets include Butterfly & Clouds, Stars & Moon, Watermelon, Cow, Bumble Bee, Sailor, and the classic grey Work Sock with red and cream trim. All the designs are easy to knit using medium weight yarn, with bulky novelty yarn embroidery on one set. Each hat and diaper cover is designed for sizes 0-3, 3-6, and 6-12 months. Booties are for sizes 0-3 and 3-6 months.
Lady of the Lake Parasol or Shawl
Circular lace with a ruffled edge that can be attached to an umbrella frame to make a parasol or worn on its own as a stunning shawl. Size 51 inches (130cm) in diameter plus ruffles. Designed by Lotta Groeger. Light Fingering weight yarn. Pictured projects by the designer and intallcotton.
Thunder Cloud Kisses Shawl
Asymmetric triangular shawl inspired by rain storms with bobbles, droplet lace, and picot border. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Truly Myrtle
Raindrops Cardigan & Hat
Baby sweater with matching hat with lace pattern that looks like raindrops. Sizes cardigan 6-9 months, 12-18 months, 2-3 years, 3-4 years. Designed by OgeDesigns. DK weight yarn.
Magnetic Raindrops
Raindrop shaped magnets for your refrigerator. Knit flat. Designed by ButterflyLove1. DK weight yarn. Great for scrap yarn!
Calendar Blanket
Year round calendar blanket features 12 blocks, one for each month of the year. Great stashbuster with appliqued designs for January snowman, February duck and rainbow, March bunny and kite, April sheep, May nest in tree, June bees and flowers, July butterfly and flowers, August beach with sea creatures, September hedgehog, October black cat, November Owl, December star and holly. Size 26.5 x 25 ins (67 x 64 cms). DK weight yarn. Designed by LCMknits
Sunshine in My Pocket
Baby and child dress with rainbow striped pockets, collar, and cuffs. Sizes 3mo (6mo, 12mo, 18mo // 2yo, 4yo, 6yo, 8yo, 10yo). Knit seamlessly from the top down. Designed by Lisa Chemery for Frogginette Patterns. DK weight yarn.
Rainbow Rug
Striped semicircular rug is a quick knit in super bulky yarn. Finished size 35in x 18in. Designed by Josie Bailey of Peony Knits.
Raindrops & Rainbows Scarf
Easy garter stitch scarf knit sideways. The clouds & raindrops are worked as flat pieces in Stocking Stitch, on a pair of single point needles then stitched onto the finished scarf. Designed by LittleImaginKnits. Chunky yarn.
