Last year I designed a giant rainbow pattern, as a big thank you to all the key workers and to help raise spirits during the pandemic. I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since the first lockdown. Part of me feels it’s been such a long year, the other can’t comprehend that it’s only been a year.

I wanted to knit my rainbow a friend, and my favourite musical is Les Misérables. In the finale they sing “even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise”, and it’s always meant a lot to me. I feel like now, more than ever, we need some sunshine, so here’s my knitted version.

This is a free knitting pattern that’s available on my website, alongside the giant rainbow. My original design was knitted using Rico Essentials Big on 8mm (US 11) needles, but I also made another Sunshine using chunky yarn on 6mm (US 10) needles. You can knit this pattern in any weight of yarn to change the finished size. I’ve included all the row numbers so it scales up and down easily. All the information about changing the size is included in the materials section.

There’s also a photo tutorial for sewing up.

I hope you enjoy making your sunshine, mines in the front window, keeping my rainbow company.

This knitting pattern won’t teach you how to knit, but my new book First Time Knits can take you from beginner to knitter in nine fun (and cute) projects.

For more patterns and knitting inspiration find me on Instagram.