The sunburst granny square is a fun twist on the classic granny square. You can use these squares to make beautiful blankets, stylish sweaters, cozy home decor, and more. So if you’ve been wanting to try one, now’s the perfect time!
In this guide, I’ll show you the easiest way to crochet a sunburst granny square. I’ve included plenty of photos to walk you through each step.
UPDATED: FEBRUARY 14, 2025 BY BRITTANY
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If you love making squares and joining them into bigger projects, the sunburst granny square is a must-try! You only need basic crochet skills to make one, and it’s a great way to practice puff stitches and double crochet clusters if you haven’t used them before.
Here is a quick overview of the topics we will cover in this article:
- Sunburst Granny Square Pattern Instructions
- Stitch Abbreviations
- Special Stitches
- Finishing the Sunburst Granny Square
- Step-by-Step Video
- How to Join Sunburst Granny Squares
- Is it better to sew or crochet the squares?
- More Granny Square Inspiration
Crochet Sunburst Granny Square Pattern
There are lots of creative variations of the sunburst granny square. I’ve tried many, but this one is my favorite—it’s easy, quick, and works for all kinds of projects.
Supplies
- Yarn: For practice, use medium-weight yarn. You’ll only need a small amount to practice making one square
- Crochet Hook: 5 mm crochet hook
- Scissors & a yarn needle to weave in the ends.
For this tutorial, I’m using a beautiful hand-dyed yarn from Koigu Yarn but you can use any yarn you have on hand. To start, it’s helpful to stick with a single color while learning the pattern. But once you’re comfortable, the sunburst granny square looks amazing in all kinds of color combinations!
Crochet Flower Granny Square Pattern Notes
- The side facing you as you crochet is considered the right side of the square.
- This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
Stitch Abbreviations
- Ch Chain
- Dc Double Crochet
- DcCL Double Crochet Cluster**
- Pf Puff Stitch**
- Sk Skip
- Slst Slip Stitch
- Sp Space
- Slst Slip Stitch
- St(s) Stitch(es)
- Tc Treble Crochet
Special Stitches
** Double Crochet Cluster (dcCL): [Yarn over, and insert the hook in the designated stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through two loops] four times. Yarn over and pull through all five loops on the hook. Chain 1.
** Puff Stitch (Pf): [Yarn over, and insert the hook in the designated stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop] four times. Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook. Chain 1.
Round 1: Ch 4. Slst to the first ch to form a ring. Ch 2 (counts as a dc). Make 15 dc in the center of the ring. Slst to the 2nd ch to join the round.
Round 2: Make a Pf in every st. Slst to first Pf to join the round.
Slst in the space between the first and second puff stitches to set up for the next round.
Round 3: Make a dcCL in the space between the Pf stitches. *In the space between the next 2 Pf, make a dcCL. Rep from * to the end of the round so that there is a dcCL between every Pf. Slst to first dcCL to join the round.
Slst in the space bewtween the first and second dcCL to set up for the next round.
Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as a dc) and make 2 dc in the same space. Sk the next dcCL and make 3 dc in the space between the next two dcCL. *Sk the next dcCL and make 3 tc, ch 2, 3 tc in the space between the next two dcCL. [Sk the next dcCL and make 3 dc in the space between the next two dcCL] three times. Rep from * two more times. Sk the next dcCL and make 3 tc, ch 2, 3 tc in the space between the next two dcCL. Sk the next dcCL and make 3 dc in the space between the last two dcCL. Slst to the 2nd ch to join the round.
Finishing the Sunburst Granny Square
One thing I love about the sunburst granny square is that it looks really great right off the hook. I rarely ever block these squares before joining them together, especially if I use the join-as-you-go method. But if you want to corners to be pointy, and the edges to be perfectly straight, you can always block them!
Blocking will “set” the stitches into a perfectly square position so your finished motif will look more polished and professional. If you’re unfamiliar with the blocking process, check out my beginner-friendly guide and video here.
Sunburst Granny Square Step-by-Step Video
Video not displaying? Watch this tutorial on YouTube instead.
How to Join Sunburst Granny Squares
Joining your sunburst granny squares can be just as creative and fun as crocheting them. You can change the entire look of the project just by changing the way you join them. I usually like to make a few squares first, and try a few joins to see which one I like best.
While there are countless ways to connect these gorgeous squares, there are three methods that suit them really well.
Single Crochet Join for Sunburst Granny Squares
Joining your sunburst granny squares with a single crochet will frame the squares with a 3D border, adding texture and visual interest to the project. This is a really quick way to join them too!
Invisible Join for Sunburst Granny Squares
Another classic join for these squares is the invisible seam. With this join, you get a “fused at the edges” look so the little sunbursts can be the star of the show. It comes together pretty quickly with a yarn needle so you can get to the fun part of enjoying your project sooner.
Plus I have a step-by-step tutorial with a video to walk you through it all.
Join Sunburst Granny Squares As You Go
If you love a seamless look with less finishing work, the join-as-you-go method is a great choice! This technique connects your squares as you crochet the final round, giving you a flexible, slightly textured join that blends right in. It’s a fun, rhythmic way to bring your project together without a pile of seams waiting at the end. I have a full step-by-step tutorial to walk you throught it too!
Is it Better to Sew or Crochet Sunburst Granny Squares Together?
When it comes to joining sunburst granny squares, you can’t go wrong with sewing or crocheting them together. Choose the crochet method if you want the join to be more of a decorative aspect of your project. By crocheting them together you can add a contrasting color and texture for more visual interest.
If you want the join to be more invisible so the squares or color pattern can be the focal point, it’s best to seam them together. While you can use a whip stitch to seam them together, using the invisible seam will give them a “fused at the edges” appearance. This will make your join completely invisible and the flowers will stand out the most.
Love Granny Squares?
So do I! Learn how to crochet granny squares, find tips for making them perfectly square, find project inspiration, and more in our complete granny square guide.
