Meagan's Rainbow

Meagan Blackmore lost her battle with cancer on August 19, 2013, leaving behind a devastated family, heartbroken friends and a world that lost a beautiful light.

Please keep her family in your thoughts as they deal with this incredible loss.

To me, although Meagan had grown up to be a beautiful, giving, wonderful adult, I remember her as a sweet, adorable little girl who always had a smile on her face.  The Rainbow Connection was the song I sang to her when I baby-sat for her and even as an adult, Meagan loved rainbows.  I hope that Meagan has found that Rainbow Connection we sang about so often.

When my friend Carolyn died, her family sent out cards with a quote from the book “The Little Prince” that she had chosen.  I tried hard to take some comfort from these words and am trying yet again.  I now have 2 stars that are laughing to find each night.

"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night . . . You--only you--will have stars that can laugh!" And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me. You will always be my friend."

Those of you who know me, know that when I am upset I tend to reach for yarn.  Yesterday I cried too much about the unfairness of her life ending so soon to pick up my needles.  Schnapps kept snuggling close and looking at me as if to tell me to get some yarn and see what happens.  Today, with a hurting heart and tears streaming down my face, I knit this hat.  I am calling it Meagan’s Rainbow in her honor.

If you use this pattern, please take the time to think of Meagan and her family.  In Meagan’s honor, do something kind for someone else.  She was a giving, loving person – help spread the light she gave so freely.

Meagan's Rainbow

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You will need 5 weight yarn and size US 10.5 needles or some combination of needles and yarn listed below.  I used Lion Brand Tweed Stripes because of the softness and beautiful colors.  You could knit this in a solid color, but I think I will always make this in a multi-color yarn.

Abbreviations:
yo:  yarn over
Sl1:  slip one stitch as if to knit
k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together as one
psso:  pass slipped stitch over

Cast on 64 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until the piece is about 3 inches long

Work Pattern:
Row 1:  *yo, k3, yo, k1*; repeat around
Row 2:  knit all stitches
Row 3:  *k1, sl1, k2tog, psso, k2*; repeat around
Row 4:  knit all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 - 4  until piece is about 6  to 6.5 inches in length
Work Crown:
Row 1:  knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until the piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches long

Decrease Crown:  switch to dpns when needed
Row 1: *k6, k2tog,*; repeat around
Row 2:  *k5, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 3:  *k4, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 4:  *k3, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5:  *k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 6:  *k1, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 7:  *k2tog*; repeat around

Finish: Cut working yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail.  Draw the tail through the remaining stitches, cinch closed and secure.  Weave in ends and pass along some love in honor of Meagan!

The pattern is worked over 4 stitches. Work in increments of 8 stitches to keep the crown decrease the same.

To knit this using 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 48 stitches. 

To knit this using worsted weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 80 stitches. 

To make it child size, use worsted yarn, size 8 needles and cast on 64 stitches.  Adjust in increments of 8 stitches for individual sizes.

To knit this using sport weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 112 stitches. 

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