Sunflower Granny Square Cardigan Crochet Pattern
This sunflower granny square cardigan crochet pattern combines cheerful flower motifs with an easy, relaxed cardigan shape. Golden petals, deep brown centers, and a soft neutral background create a warm boho look that works beautifully for spring, fall, and cool summer evenings.
The cardigan is built from individual sunflower granny squares that are blocked, arranged, and joined into back, front, and sleeve panels. It is a great project for confident beginners who are comfortable with basic stitches and want to try their first motif-based garment.
The modular construction also makes the design easy to customize. You can keep the traditional sunflower palette, use softer pastels, or create a colorful floral version with different petal shades.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Sunflower Granny Square Cardigan Crochet Pattern
- Clear step-by-step sections make the project easier to follow.
- Materials, sizing, finishing, and customization notes are easy to find.
- The pattern includes practical tips for a neat handmade result.
Project Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Skill Level | Confident Beginner to Intermediate |
| Estimated Time | 20–35 hours depending on size and crochet speed |
| Sizes | XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL, 3XL/4XL |
| Fit | Relaxed with approximately 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) positive ease |
| Crochet Terminology | US terms |
| Construction | Sunflower granny square panels joined into a cardigan, with shaped sleeves and front edging |
Finished Measurements and Sizing
Choose your size based on your actual chest measurement. The cardigan is intended to have a relaxed fit with positive ease.
| Size | Fits Chest | Finished Chest | Approx. Length | Approx. Sleeve Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS/S | 30–34 in / 76–86 cm | 40 in / 102 cm | 23 in / 58 cm | 18 in / 46 cm |
| M/L | 36–40 in / 91–102 cm | 46 in / 117 cm | 24 in / 61 cm | 18.5 in / 47 cm |
| XL/2XL | 42–48 in / 107–122 cm | 54 in / 137 cm | 26 in / 66 cm | 19 in / 48 cm |
| 3XL/4XL | 50–56 in / 127–142 cm | 62 in / 157 cm | 27 in / 69 cm | 19.5 in / 50 cm |
If you are between sizes, choose the size based on how loose you want the cardigan to fit. Measure a favorite relaxed cardigan for comparison before joining your squares.
Materials
- Worsted weight yarn (#4)
- Color A: dark brown for sunflower centers
- Color B: golden yellow for petals
- Color C: cream, oatmeal, beige, or another neutral for the square background
- Color C is also used for joining, cuffs, hem, and front edging
- 5.0 mm (H/8) crochet hook
- 4.5 mm crochet hook for firmer cuffs and edging, optional
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Measuring tape
- Blocking mats and rust-resistant pins
Yarn Requirements
| Size | Approximate Total Yardage |
|---|---|
| XS/S | 1,650–1,900 yd / 1509–1737 m |
| M/L | 1,950–2,250 yd / 1783–2057 m |
| XL/2XL | 2,300–2,650 yd / 2103–2423 m |
| 3XL/4XL | 2,700–3,100 yd / 2469–2835 m |
A soft cotton or cotton-blend yarn is a good option for a breathable spring cardigan. Acrylic or wool blends can also be used if you prefer a warmer garment.
Hook Size
Use a 5.0 mm (H/8) crochet hook for the sunflower squares and main garment. A 4.5 mm hook can be used for cuffs and front edging if you want a slightly firmer finish.
If your square is larger than the target gauge, try a smaller hook. If it is too small, move up one hook size.
Gauge
Gauge is important for this wearable project because the final cardigan size depends on the measurements of the squares.
One blocked sunflower square should measure approximately 5.5 x 5.5 inches (14 x 14 cm).
Make one complete square, block it, and measure before crocheting the full set of motifs.
Abbreviations
- MR = magic ring
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sp = space
- rep = repeat
Pattern Notes
- The sunflower motifs are worked in joined rounds.
- Ch 1 does not count as a stitch unless stated otherwise.
- Ch 3 at the beginning of a double crochet round counts as 1 dc.
- Block all squares to the same dimensions before joining.
- The square count can be adjusted to fine-tune the cardigan length or width.
- Join motifs with the neutral background color for a clean, cohesive appearance.
- Try the cardigan on before completing the sleeve cuffs and final edging.
Sunflower Granny Square Cardigan Crochet Pattern
Part 1 — Crochet the Sunflower Center
Begin each square with Color A.
Round 1: Make a MR. Ch 1, work 12 sc into the ring. Pull the ring closed and join with sl st to the first sc. (12 sc)
Fasten off Color A.
Part 2 — Crochet the Sunflower Petals
Join Color B in any stitch.
Round 2: Ch 2, work 2 dc in the same st. Work 2 dc in each stitch around. Join with sl st. (24 dc)
Round 3: Ch 1. In the first stitch work (sl st, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) to form a petal. Skip the next stitch.
Repeat the petal sequence in every other stitch around until you have 12 petals. Join and fasten off.
The flower should now have a deep brown center surrounded by 12 rounded golden petals.
Part 3 — Turn the Flower Into a Square
Join Color C behind any petal.
Round 4: Ch 3, work 2 dc in the same space. Work 3 dc in each of the next 2 spaces between petals.
In the next space work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) to form a corner.
Continue around, placing 3 dc groups between petals and a (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) corner at four evenly spaced points.
Join with sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Part 4 — Enlarge the Square
Round 5: Sl st to the nearest space. Ch 3, 2 dc in the same space. Work 3 dc in each space across the side.
In every corner ch-2 space work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).
Continue around and join.
If your square has not yet reached approximately 5.5 inches (14 cm), add one more granny-style round using the same rule: 3 dc in each side space and (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in each corner.
How Many Squares to Make
The exact arrangement may vary slightly depending on your gauge, desired fit, and body proportions. Use the following as a practical starting point.
| Size | Approx. Squares |
|---|---|
| XS/S | 40–44 squares |
| M/L | 48–52 squares |
| XL/2XL | 56–62 squares |
| 3XL/4XL | 64–72 squares |
Before joining, arrange your motifs on a flat surface and compare the panel dimensions with your target finished measurements.
Part 5 — Create the Back Panel
Arrange the squares into a rectangular panel wide enough to cover your back from side seam to side seam.
For an XS/S cardigan using 5.5-inch squares, a practical starting arrangement is 4 squares across and 4 squares down.
For larger sizes, add squares across or down as required to achieve your target width and length.
Join the squares using a slip stitch seam, single crochet seam, or whipstitch seam.
Part 6 — Create the Front Panels
Create two matching rectangular front panels.
Each panel should be approximately half the width of the back panel minus the open front space.
Lay the two front panels beside the back panel and check that their lengths match before joining.
Part 7 — Join the Shoulders
Place the front panels and back panel with the wrong sides together.
Join the top edge of each front panel to the back, leaving a comfortable opening in the center for the neck.
For most sizes, a neck opening of approximately 7–9 inches (18–23 cm) works well, but check the fit before securing the final seam.
Part 8 — Join the Side Seams
Join each front panel to the corresponding edge of the back panel from the lower hem upward.
Leave approximately 7.5–10 inches (19–25 cm) unjoined at the top for each armhole, depending on size.
Try on the cardigan shell before continuing. The armholes should feel comfortable without pulling.
Part 9 — Make the Sleeves
The sleeves can be made from strips of sunflower squares for a bold floral look.
Arrange enough squares to reach from the shoulder to several inches above the wrist. Join them into a sleeve panel.
For a fuller sleeve similar to the reference style, keep the upper sleeve slightly roomy and taper the lower sleeve with crochet rows before adding the cuff.
Shaping the Lower Sleeve
Join Color C around the lower sleeve edge.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around. Join.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc around, decreasing evenly 4–6 times depending on the fullness of your sleeve.
To decrease, insert the hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop, insert into the following stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all loops.
Rows 3–5: Repeat as needed until the sleeve opening comfortably fits around your wrist or lower forearm.
Part 10 — Crochet the Cuffs
Switch to the 4.5 mm hook if desired.
Cuff Round 1: Ch 1, hdc evenly around. Join.
Cuff Rounds 2–5: Ch 1, hdc in the back loop only around. Join.
Add or remove rounds for your preferred cuff depth.
Front Edging and Neckband
With Color C and the 5.0 mm hook, join yarn at the lower corner of one front panel.
Edging Row 1: Ch 1 and work sc evenly up the first front edge, around the back neck, and down the second front edge.
Edging Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each stitch across.
Edging Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each stitch across.
For a wider shawl-style border, continue for another 2–4 rows.
Keep your tension relaxed around the neckline so the edging does not pull the garment inward.
Bottom Hem
Join Color C at one lower edge.
Hem Round 1: Ch 1, sc evenly across the entire lower edge.
Hem Round 2: Ch 1, hdc in each stitch across.
Hem Round 3: Repeat Row 2.
Add additional rows if you want extra cardigan length.
Finishing
- Weave in all remaining yarn ends securely.
- Inspect each joined square and reinforce any loose seams.
- Lightly wet block or steam block according to your yarn fiber.
- Lay the cardigan flat and gently shape the front edges, hem, cuffs, and sleeves.
- Allow the garment to dry completely before wearing.
Finished Size
Finished measurements depend on your chosen size and final motif arrangement.
- XS/S: approximately 40-inch (102 cm) finished chest
- M/L: approximately 46-inch (117 cm) finished chest
- XL/2XL: approximately 54-inch (137 cm) finished chest
- 3XL/4XL: approximately 62-inch (157 cm) finished chest
The cardigan is designed to be comfortably oversized rather than tightly fitted.
Tips for the Best Fit
- Block one test square before committing to the entire project.
- Measure the complete back panel before joining the front pieces.
- Try the body on before closing the side seams completely.
- Adjust armhole depth before attaching the sleeves.
- Shorten or lengthen sleeves with extra neutral crochet rows.
- If your squares are slightly larger than gauge, you may need fewer motifs.
Customization Ideas
- Classic sunflower: dark brown centers, golden petals, cream background.
- Soft spring version: tan centers, pale yellow petals, ivory background.
- Autumn version: chocolate centers, rust and mustard petals, warm beige background.
- Colorful floral cardigan: use a different petal color for each motif.
- Cropped cardigan: remove one row of motifs from the body.
- Long cardigan: add one or two rows of squares near the lower hem.
- Simple sleeves: make the body with sunflower squares and crochet solid neutral sleeves.
- Extra boho look: add a wider front band or subtle fringe along the lower edge.
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