Crochet Sunburst (Sunflower) Granny Square Pattern

Would you like to learn how to crochet a sunburst granny square? Follow this step-by-step tutorial to make this easy starburst granny square.

Then, try this sunburst granny square pattern using yellow, orange, and brown yarn to crochet sunflower squares. This sunflower granny square pattern is perfect to use in blankets, jackets, sweaters, and bags!

Materials

• Yarn: Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling yarn
• Hook: Size J (6.0 mm) crochet hook
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle to weave in ends
• Measuring tape to check the granny square size

Abbreviations

• ch(s) – chain(s)
• ch1sp – space created by 1 ch
• ch2sp – space created by 2 ch
• dc – double crochet
• rep – repeat
• sl st – slip stitch
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• tr – treble crochet
• yo – yarn over

Special Stitches

Cluster – 4 double crochet cluster – yo, insert hook in the designated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull yarn through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (4 loops on hook). Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (5 loops on hook). Yo and pull through all 5 loops.

Puff – [yo, insert hook in the designated stitch, yo and pull up a loop] three times in the same stitch, yo and pull through all 7 loops on hook, ch 1 to close puff.

Partial Puff – [yo, insert hook in the designated stitch, yo and pull up a loop] twice in the same stitch, yo and pull through all 5 loops on hook, ch 1 to close puff.

Pattern Instructions

Begin with the darkest brown or orange yarn you plan to use.

Foundation

Begin your sunflower granny square with a magic ring. Alternatively, you can begin with a small circle made of chain stitches. (Start with a slip knot, chain 4, slip stitch to the first chain to join into a loop.)

Round 1 - Burnt 1 - Burnt Orange or Brown Yarn

Continuing with the same color yarn, ch 4. (This counts as 1 dc, 1 ch1sp). Then [dc, ch 1] in the magic ring 15 times, sl st to the third ch from the beginning of round to join. (16 dc + 16 ch1sps)

Cut yarn and fasten off.

Round 2 - Mustard Yellow Yarn

Use a slip stitch to attach a deep mustard yellow worsted-weight yarn in any ch1sp.

Ch 3, partial puff in same ch1sp yarn attached in, puff in next ch1sp 15 times, sl st to top of first puff stitch to join. (16 puff stitches + 16 ch1sps)

To puff stitch:

Yarn over and insert hook in the designated stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. (3 loops on hook)

Yarn over, insert hook in the designated stitch again, pull up a loop. (5 loops on hook) (For a partial puff only: yarn over and pull through all 5 loops. Move onto step 5.)

Yarn over, insert hook in the designated stitch again, pull up a loop. (7 loops on hook)

Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops on hook.

Chain 1 to close puff.

Fasten off.

Round 3 - Bright Yellow Yarn

Use a slip stitch to attach the brightest yellow yarn in any ch1sp.

This round uses cluster stitches. You can think of a cluster as several incomplete double crochets that are finished off with one single yarn over that’s pulled through them all.

The first cluster includes fewer double crochets because it begins with a chain.

Here’s how to start this round with a partial cluster: Ch 2, *yarn over, insert hook in the same ch1sp yarn attached in, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops** (2 loops on hook). Repeat this process twice more. There should be four loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops. (First cluster complete.) Chain 2.

Then work a cluster in the next ch1sp, then ch 2. Repeat (cluster + ch 2) in each ch1sp, slip stitch to top of first cluster stitch to join. (16 clusters + 16 ch2sps)

Fasten off.

How to crochet a 4 dc cluster:

Yarn over and insert hook in the designated stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull yarn through 2 loops. (2 loops remain on hook)

Yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. (3 loops remain on hook)

Yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. (4 loops remain on hook)

Yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. (5 loops remain on hook)

Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops. Cluster complete.

Round 4 – Background Color:

Now we will turn our granny circle into an official granny square with four distinct sides. Use a slip stitch to attach the final yarn color in any ch2sp.

First side: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same space yarn attached in, 3 dc each of next two ch2sps…

First Corner: Place [3 tc, ch 1, 3 tc] all in the next ch2sp…

Second Side: 3 dc each of next three ch2sps…

Second Corner: Place [3 tc, ch 1, 3 tc] all in the next ch2sp…

Third Side: 3 dc each of next three ch2sps…

Third Corner: Place [3 tc, ch 1, 3 tc] all in the next ch2sp…

Fourth Side: 3 dc each of next three ch2sps…

Fourth Corner: Place [3 tc, ch 1, 3 tc] all in the next ch2sp, sl st to third chain from beginning of round to join.

Fasten off and weave in the ends. Or to make your sunburst granny square larger, you may work additional rounds as described below until you’re happy with the size

Round 5 And Beyond (Optional):

Here’s how to add additional rounds to your sunflower granny squares. Note that because the piece is no longer a circle, we’re working double crochets into the corners instead of treble crochets.

First Side: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in space between same granny clusters, 3 dc in each space between granny clusters until corner…

Each Corner: Place [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in corner ch1sp…

Final Three Sides: 3 dc in each space between granny clusters until corner…

After the last corner, sl st to third chain from beginning of round to join.