Sunburst Granny Square Pattern (Sunflower) Free Tutorial!

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Learn how to make a beautiful crochet sunburst granny square in this step by step tutorial and video!

Granny squares are such a fun crochet project to work on when you’re sitting on the couch at the end of the day and you don’t want to have to think too hard about what you’re making.

I love making a whole stack of different colors of granny squares, mixing and matching different colors, until I have a bunch of different ones to play with!

Want to remember this? Post this Sunburst Granny Square tutorial to your favorite DIY Pinterest board!

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You’re probably familiar with the traditional granny square design with 3 double crochet in each of the space around, and a new color for each round.

The sunburst pattern (also known as the starburst or sunflower) changes up this basic design with three rows done in a circular pattern, and then squaring it up at the end.

The version I’ll be showing you below is a bit smaller than other sunburst patterns. Instead of starting with 15 double crochet in the middle, we’ll start with 12. This will shrink the whole design down just a bit.

We’ll start our granny square with a magic loop (aka magic ring or magic circle).

If you want, you could also chain 4, slip stitch together, and make your first round into the center.

I love how the magic loop doesn’t leave a bit hole in the center, though!

You can use a whole bunch of these square motifs for a beautiful baby blanket, or mix it up with classic granny squares or a basic crochet square. There are lots of different ways to get creative with these little beauties!

I’ve got a video tutorial for you as well as the free pattern, let’s take a look at what kind of yarn you’ll need and then jump right into the tutorial!

Supplies and Tools You’ll Need

• Worsted weight yarn (medium size 4) in four colors. The yarn I used is called Impeccable by Loops & Threads and here is the color scheme I used:
  • chocolate brown – center
  • pumpkin – round 2
  • gold – round 3
  • aran – outside of square
• 4 mm crochet hook (That’s a bit smaller hook size than the recommended size on the yarn label, but the granny squares turn out nicer if you size down a bit.)
• Yarn needle to weave in ends
• scissors

Sunburst Granny Square Pattern

You’ll find the video tutorial below, and under that you’ll find the step by step written walk through with pictures. If you’d like to grab a printable version, scroll to the bottom of the page.

Notes

US Terms

Pattern worked in the round

Finished size: Approx. 4.75 inches x 4.75 inches (12 cm x 12 cm)

Abbreviations

• sl st: slip stitch
• st: stitch
• ch: chain
• dc: double crochet
• tc: treble crochet

Special Stitches

There are two main “special stitches” in this granny square: the puff stitch and the cluster.

However, the first stitch rows 2 and 3 will be a little different than the rest because of the starting chain.

first puff stitch: this is how to do the first puff stitch of the second round – *yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop* repeat 3 times (7 loops will be on your hook).

Yarn over, pull through all the loops on your hook. Chain 1.

regular puff stitch: this is how to do the rest of the puff stitches in the second round, not counting the first one *Yarn over, insert into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop* repeat 4 times (9 loops will be on your hook).

Yarn over, pull through all the loops on your hook. Chain 1.

first cluster: this is how to do the first cluster of the third round – *yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops* repeat 3 times (you’ll have 4 loops on your hook).

Yarn over, pull through all the loops on the hook. Chain 2.

regular cluster: this is how to do the rest of the clusters of the third round – *yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops* repeat 4 times (you’ll have 5 loops on your hook).

Yarn over, pull through all the loops on the hook. Chain 2.

Video Tutorial – Subscribe to Yarn Stash with Marching North!

Instructions

Round 1: (Chocolate Brown) Make a magic loop. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Dc 11 into magic loop. Pull short end from magic loop to tighten. Sl st to top of ch 3. Cut yarn and fasten off. (12 sts)

Round 2: (Pumpkin) Insert hook into top of any dc. Make a slip knot with next color of yarn and attach to hook. Pull hook through and make a sl st to secure. Ch 2.

Make first puff stitch in same st (See instructions for first puff stitch and regular puff stitch in special stitch section above). Make a regular puff stitch in next stitch and remaining 10 sts. Attach to top of first puff st with a sl st. Cut yarn and finish off. (12 sts)

Round 3: (Gold) Insert hook in space between any of the puff stitches from the previous round. Make a slip knot with next color of yarn and attach to hook. Pull hook through and make a sl st to secure. Ch 3.

Make first cluster stitch in same space (See instructions for first cluster stitch and regular cluster stitch in special stitch section above).

Make a regular cluster stitch in the remaining space between each puff stitch. When you get to the last cluster, instead of doing a ch 2, just ch 1, and then attach to the top of first cluster with a sl st. (12 sts)

Round 4: (Aran) Insert hook in space between any of the cluster stitches. Make a slip knot with next color of yarn and attach to hook. Pull hook through and make a sl st to secure. Ch 3.

Make 2 dc stitches in same space.

In next space, make (3 tc, ch 2, 3 tc). The ch2 spaces make the corners, and this is the first corner.

Make 3 dc in next 2 spaces, then make (3 tc, ch 2, 3 tc) for the second corner.

You’ll repeat this for each side and corner. The sides have 3 dc in 2 spaces, and the corner is (3 tc, 2 ch, 3 tc).

In the last space, make 3 dc. Sl st to top of ch 3 at beginning of round. Cut yarn and finish off.

Once you finish the pattern, flip over the granny square, tie the loose yarn ends together and weave them in.

In Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this Sunburst Granny Square pattern! If you make one of these, please share a pic over on Instagram and tag me @marchingnorth so I can take a look. I love seeing your creations!

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Sunburst Granny Square Pattern (Sunflower) Free Tutorial!