The layers give this sunflower its depth: a brown center, small pale yellow accents, orange petals, and green leaves peeking out behind them. A golden yellow square provides the background and a clear edge for joining or sewing.
This sunflower granny square crochet pattern uses a separately crocheted flower arrangement attached to a solid half-double-crochet square. The flower does not form the structural corners of the square.
Make the decorative pieces before deciding whether the background needs additional rounds. Their size depends on your yarn and tension, and the outer border should remain visible after assembly.
Prepare the Colors and Pieces
You will need worsted-weight yarn in:
- Brown for the center.
- Light yellow for the inner accents.
- Orange for the petals.
- Olive green for the leaves.
- Golden yellow for the square.
Also gather a 4 mm or 4.5 mm hook suited to your yarn, a yarn needle, scissors, four stitch markers, and a measuring tape.
Use similar yarn thicknesses throughout. A heavier orange yarn can make the petals substantially larger than the supporting square.
Skill level: Intermediate. The individual stitches are familiar, but making and arranging the separate layers requires care.
Finished size: Depends on materials, tension, and the number of background rounds. Measure the completed sample before planning a project with multiple squares.
Piece Checklist
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Brown center | 1 |
| Light yellow accents | 12 |
| Orange petals | 12 |
| Green leaves | 12 |
| Golden yellow square | 1 |
No stuffing is used.
US Crochet Terms
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| tr | treble crochet |
| st / sts | stitch / stitches |
| sp | space |
For a treble crochet, yarn over twice before inserting the hook. Draw up a loop, then yarn over and draw through two loops three times.
The Craft Yarn Council’s crochet abbreviation guide provides standard stitch names and US–UK comparisons.
Beginning chains and joining slip stitches do not count as stitches. Join rounds to the first actual stitch unless instructed otherwise.
Sunflower Granny Square Crochet Pattern: Flower Components
Brown Center
Work in joined rounds without turning.
Round 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 1, work 8 sc into the ring, and join to the first sc. (8 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each stitch around. Join. (16 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, repeat (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) 8 times. Join. (24 sc)
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Join. (24 sc)
Fasten off with a long sewing tail.
The final round may give the center a shallow cupped edge. Leave it unstuffed; it will cover the inner ends of the decorative pieces.
Light Yellow Accents — Make Twelve
Ch 4.
Starting in the second ch from the hook, work:
Sc, hdc, sc, one stitch in each chain. (3 sts)
Fasten off with a sewing tail.
Each small strip will extend outward from beneath the brown center. Choose one end as its attachment base and use the same orientation for all twelve.
Orange Petals — Make Twelve
Ch 9.
Starting in the second ch from the hook, work along the first side:
- Sc in the next ch.
- Hdc in the next ch.
- Dc in each of the next 2 ch.
- Tr in the next ch.
- Dc in the next ch.
- Hdc in the next ch.
- Work 3 sc in the final ch.
Rotate the piece to work along the unused side of the foundation chain. Do not turn and crochet into the stitches you just made.
Beginning in the chain immediately after the three-sc turning group:
- Hdc in the next ch.
- Dc in the next ch.
- Tr in the next ch.
- Dc in each of the next 2 ch.
- Hdc in the next ch.
- Sc in the final ch.
Join with a sl st to the first sc. (17 sts)
Fasten off with a sewing tail.
The joined end is the petal base. The three-sc group forms the opposite tip.
Green Leaves — Make Twelve
Ch 7.
Starting in the second ch from the hook:
- Sc in the next ch.
- Hdc in the next ch.
- Dc in each of the next 2 ch.
- Hdc in the next ch.
- Work 3 sc in the final ch.
Rotate to the unused side of the foundation chain.
Beginning in the chain immediately after the turning group:
- Hdc in the next ch.
- Dc in each of the next 2 ch.
- Hdc in the next ch.
- Sc in the final ch.
Join to the first sc. (13 sts)
Fasten off with a sewing tail.
The joined end is the leaf base.
Crochet the Golden Yellow Background
The background begins with two circular rounds. Four corner groups establish the square in Round 3.
Round 1
Ch 4 and join with a sl st to the first chain to form a ring.
Ch 2, work 12 hdc into the ring, and join to the first hdc. (12 hdc)
Round 2
Ch 2, work 2 hdc in each stitch around. Join. (24 hdc)
Round 3 — Establish Four Corners
Ch 2. Repeat the following sequence four times:
Hdc in next 5 sts, then (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in the next st.
Join to the first hdc.
Count: 36 hdc and 4 ch-2 corner spaces.
Place a marker in each corner space.
Round 4
Ch 2. Hdc in each stitch around.
In each marked ch-2 space, work (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc).
Join to the first hdc and move the markers to the new corner spaces.
Count: 52 hdc and 4 ch-2 spaces.
Round 5
Repeat Round 4.
Count: 68 hdc and 4 ch-2 spaces.
Round 6
Repeat Round 4.
Count: 84 hdc and 4 ch-2 spaces.
Keep the working loop secured while checking the flower layout.
Background Count Check
| Round | Total hdc | Hdc between neighboring corner spaces |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 36 | 9 |
| 4 | 52 | 13 |
| 5 | 68 | 17 |
| 6 | 84 | 21 |
Each additional round worked in the same manner adds sixteen hdc overall, or four per side.
Visual Guide: Granny Square Round Counts
Check each background round before fitting the separate sunflower pieces.
Open this guide at a larger size.
Check the Flower Against the Square
Lay the square flat and find its center.
Arrange the green leaves first, then place the orange petals above them. Set the light yellow accents and brown center on top without sewing.
Check that the decorative pieces fit inside the background with a visible margin. Keep the corner spaces accessible if the square will be joined to others.
If the flower reaches too close to the edges, add another background round using the same corner instructions. Round 7 would contain 100 hdc and four ch-2 spaces.
Once the background is large enough, fasten off and secure its ends.
If your yarn permits damp blocking, shape the background and loose components before assembly. Let everything dry completely.
Visual Guide: Stacking Four Sunflower Layers
Arrange the green, orange, yellow and brown layers with the tips visible.
Open this guide at a larger size.
Assemble from the Back Layer Forward
Position the Green Leaves
Use the square’s center as a reference point. Arrange twelve leaves around it, with their bases inward and tips outward.
Start with one leaf pointing toward each side of the square, then place two more between each pair. This gives four groups of three.
Check the orange petals over the leaves before sewing. Because the leaves are shorter, their bases may need to sit farther from the center so their tips remain visible.
Sew each leaf base to the background. Add a small hidden stitch farther along a leaf if it rotates.
Add the Orange Petals
Arrange the twelve orange petals with their bases toward the center. Offset them slightly from the leaves so green tips show through the gaps.
Overlap the petal bases consistently. Sew each base to the square, keeping the outer portions free.
Avoid pulling all the bases into one tight bundle, which can pucker the background.
Place the Light Yellow Accents
Arrange the twelve small strips over the inner portion of the orange petals, pointing outward.
Temporarily place the brown center on top to check how much yellow remains visible. Sew the inner ends of the strips to the background or securely attached petal bases.
Attach the Brown Center
Place the brown disc over the middle to conceal the attachment ends.
Sew around its outer edge with small brown stitches, catching the background beneath the layers where possible.
Distribute the sewing tension evenly. The center should hold the arrangement together without drawing the square inward.
Secure and weave in all tails, keeping the back as smooth as possible.
Practical Tips for the Layered Construction
Make one petal and one leaf first. Check their proportions before making the remaining eleven of each.
Match the two sides of each petal. The return side reverses the stitch-height sequence so the taller stitches face their counterparts.
Arrange all layers before sewing. A leaf can disappear completely if its position is chosen without the orange petals above it.
Keep the square corners clear. Decorative pieces should not obstruct the spaces needed for joining.
Spread the yarn tails. Weave them through different areas instead of trapping a thick bundle beneath the brown center.
This sunflower granny square crochet pattern involves more sewing than a traditional granny square. Working one layer at a time makes the attachment points easier to inspect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the flower crocheted directly into the square?
No. The background is a separate half-double-crochet square. The flower components are sewn onto it afterward.
Can I use this sunflower granny square crochet pattern in a blanket?
It can be considered for a decorative blanket panel, but first check the raised layers, attachment security, and finished dimensions. Make one complete square before planning a large set.
How do I keep the leaves visible?
Position them between the orange petals and move their bases outward as needed. Check the complete arrangement before sewing.
Can I use different colors?
Yes. Keep the yarn thicknesses comparable. A clear contrast between the center, petals, leaves, and background helps the separate layers remain visible.
Does the center need stuffing?
No. The center covers the attachment area without added filling.
Coordinate the Finished Square
For another motif featuring a separately sewn decoration, explore the soft bow square appliqué crochet pattern. Compare finished measurements before combining the two in one project.
If you would like to repeat the sunflower colors in an accessory, the crochet sunflower keychain pattern offers a different construction for a smaller piece.
Photograph the completed square from the front and back. The front records the arrangement, while the back helps you review the sewing and finishing.
Keep your final background round count with the yarn and hook details so another square can be made to the same size.
