Crochet Sunburst (Sunflower) Granny Square Pattern + Tutorial

Would you like to learn how to crochet a sunburst granny square? Follow this step-by-step tutorial or watch the video below 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!

This crochet sunburst granny square pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarns. This post contains affiliate links.

How Is a Sunburst Granny Square Different?

A crochet sunburst (or starburst) granny square pattern differs from a traditional granny square in that the center is a circle instead of a square.

Although the classic granny is arguably slightly easier to learn because there's really only one round to remember, I love the textured and more contemporary look of a sunburst granny square.

Plus, if you use shades of yellow and brown yarn, your sunburst square will look like a crocheted sunflower granny square!

Sunburst Granny Square: Step-By-Step Photos

The sunburst granny square pattern includes four distinct rounds. Here's how you'll crochet this unique motif.

1. A sunflower granny square begins with a magic ring (aka magic loop). The first round uses double crochet stitches, each followed by a chain stitch. These are worked directly into the magic ring.
2. The second round is made by working puff stitches into the chain spaces from the previous round.
3. Round three adds a circle of cluster stitches, which are a bit flatter than puff stitches.
4. The circle is squared off in round four. Double crochets are used along the sides of the square, while taller treble crochet stitches create the corners.

Watch the video tutorial or follow the sunburst granny square crochet pattern below for specific details and stitch counts.

Related: 40+ Best Crochet Crochet Stitches for Blankets

What To Make With Your Granny Squares

Once you're pumping out sunburst granny squares like a grandma on a mission, you'll be ready to decide what to make with them.

These sunburst grannies work beautifully in most patterns where a traditional granny square is be used. Afghans and throws, retro jackets, cardigans, pillows, cushions, and even temperature blankets are all possible sunflower granny square projects!

Here are some granny square project ideas to get your wheels turning.

See more granny square projects →

Recommended Yarn And Crochet Hooks

One of the great things about granny squares is how customizable they are. You can delight in choosing any colors you love for your sunburst squares. I often use up scrap yarn to make mine even more unique.

While using the same brand of yarn for each color is not essential, you'll want to ensure all the yarns are the same weight (thickness).

Sunflower Granny Square Yarn Color Suggestions

If you like the idea of making a sunflower crochet granny square, you'll need a few specific colors in shades of yellows, browns, and oranges.

Here are a few shades of worsted weight yarn that'll help you get that perfect retro sunflower granny square look:

Crochet Hook Size For Granny Squares

If you crochet your sunburst granny square with worsted weight yarn, you'll want to use a size H (5.0 mm), I (5.5 mm), or J (6.0 mm) hook. If your crochet pattern lists a gauge, make sure to measure your square and adjust your hook size if necessary.

If no gauge is listed, make sure your tension is tight enough that the gaps aren't too large in your sunburst square. If the square feels a little loose and lacks structure, try a smaller crochet hook.

More Inspiration: 27+ Free Crochet Hats and Beanies for Adults

Tips for Making Granny Squares

Sunburst granny squares are an easy crochet project. They can be very relaxing and meditative because the pattern is quite simple to memorize.

Here are some tips to ensure granny square success:

Crochet Sunflower Granny Square Pattern

Follow along with these step-by-step instructions to crochet a sunburst granny square in sunflower colors.

Skill Level

Advanced-beginner to intermediate

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 and Glossary (US Terms)

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. See this tutorial to learn how to crochet a puff stitch step-by-step.

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 Notes

• Watch the video tutorial above for extra visual guidance while learning how to crochet a sunburst granny square.

• This pattern is worked in the round without turning. Each round is finished with a slip stitch to the first stitch of the round before fastening off the color.

• The three chains at the beginning of a round always count as one double crochet. Work these chains quite tightly so as to minimize the potential gap they can create in a round.

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 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:

1. Yarn over and insert hook in the designated stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. (3 loops on hook)
2. 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.)
3. Yarn over, insert hook in the designated stitch again, pull up a loop. (7 loops on hook)
4. Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops on hook.
5. 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:

1. 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)
2. 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)
3. 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)
4. 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)
5. 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.

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.

How to Change Colors in Granny Squares

Changing colors in granny squares is quite easy. My favorite method is to use a slip stitch to attach the new color at the beginning of the next round or row.

Here's how to do a slip stitch to attach a new yarn at the beginning of a row/round.

1. Fasten off the first color at the end of the round as if the project is complete.
2. Using the new color, tie a slip knot around the hook. Then insert hook in the appropriate stitch or space where the round should begin.
3. Yarn over and pull a loop through the slip knot on your hook.

How to Join Crochet Granny Squares Together

Did you think I was just going to leave you out in the cold with 900 granny squares and no way to join them into something useful? No way!

Once you have a collection of sunflower squares, try joining them into a crochet blanket, granny square bag, or even a vintage-style bucket hat.

Here are a few methods to connect your granny squares.

Join As You Go (JAYG)

If you've always shied away from granny square projects because of the finishing work involved, learning how to join squares as you go will change your life.

This method allows you to seamlessly join your sunflower granny squares without fastening off. Hooray for fewer ends to weave in!

Follow this video tutorial to learn how to do a continuous granny square join.

Other Joining Methods

While join-as-you-go is my favorite technique to join granny squares, it's not the only way. Here are two more methods to try.

Joining Granny Squares With a Whip Stitch

Sunburst granny squares can be joined with some good old-fashioned sewing as well. For this method, you'll need a tapestry needle and a strand of yarn in the outermost color of your squares.

1. Hold two squares together with the right sides facing out. If your squares are large, try pinning them together with stitch markers.
2. Working from right to left (left-handed: left to right), whip stitch under the loops of each crochet stitch on both squares. Ensure your crochet stitches are lined up as you whip stitch.
3. Repeat steps one and two to join all sunflower granny squares.

Joining Granny Squares With Crochet Slip Stitches

This method of joining sunburst granny squares is my second favorite because it can quickly complete and reduces the ends to weave in. You'll need the same crochet hook and yarn used on the final square round to connect granny squares with slip stitches.

Check out this tutorial on how to slip-stitch crochet motifs together for more detailed instructions.

1. Hold granny squares so wrong sides are facing out. Join yarn to right corner (left-handed: left corner) with a slip knot. (With a slip knot on hook, insert hook in corner, yarn over and pull loop through slip knot.)
2. Insert hook under the outer loops of each granny square stitch. On the square facing you, this is the closest loop. On the square facing away from you, this is the farthest loop from you.
3. Yarn over and pull a loop through all three loops on your hook.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 in each stitch to opposite granny square corner.

If you've made a baby blanket or larger throw from your sunburst granny squares, try adding a border to finish your blanket.

How to Modify The Size of Your Granny Square

While the center of this starburst granny is a circle, in the fourth round we begin conforming to the traditional granny square style. We do this by placing sets of three double crochets between the clusters of the previous row. In this round only, we use treble crochet stitches to create the corners.

This makes your circle into a square.

Once you've established the square shape, it's easy to increase the size of your sunburst granny square by working additional rounds in the classic granny stitch style of three clusters of double crochet. (Instructions included above – see Round 5.)

How Many Sunburst Granny Squares Do I Need for a Blanket?

The number of sunburst granny squares you'll need for a blanket depends on the size of your granny squares and the size of the blanket you want.

Here's how to figure out how many squares to make.

1. Divide the desired blanket width by the width of one granny square. This will give you the number of columns of squares you'll need.
2. Then divide the desired blanket height by the height of one granny square. This will give you the number of rows of squares you'll need.
3. Multiple the number of columns by the number of rows to get the number of total squares your blanket will require.

Adjust that figure depending on how big your squares are and how big you want your blanket to be.

More Beautiful Granny Square Patterns

If you're looking for more easy and creative ways to use the crochet granny stitch, here are a few patterns you might love. You can always check out all our free crochet patterns using the granny stitch.

See more granny square ideas →

More Crochet Stitch Tutorials

Would you like to learn more unique crochet stitches that are far simpler than they look? You'll love these!

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