HOW TO CREATE A SUNFLOWER
AFGHAN
I wanted you to see what our
girls and I have been doing with all the yarn people give to us. This
is a wonderfully easy pattern called "Sunflowers." We've
used this and the traditional "Granny Squares" pattern to
make all sorts of shawls and afghans. Because we had so many small
balls of yarn, this particular pattern has come in handy. It is
easy...you only need to know how to single and double crochet--nothing
fancy.
SUNFLOWER GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN
This Sunflower Granny Square can be used
to make shawls, afghans, neck scarves, blankets, sweaters, pillow covers, etc.
You can use any color and make the square as large
as you desire by adding more rows around.
Using different sized crochet hooks and types of
yarn will also make a difference in your square size and design.
MATERIALS:
Sport Weight or Worsted Weight Yarn according to
your desire~ (I used Red Heart Worsted)
Choose the number of colors and amounts needed
according to your project.
You will need more of the last color as it will
use the most.
The Sunflower above is made with:
"coffee" brown
bright yellow
dark green
aran (off white)
paddy green
Crochet hook - F to J - your choice according to
your project. (I used H)
Yarn needle
SQUARE: (make as many as needed for your
project)
BEGIN:
With hook and first color (flower center), chain 4; join with slip stitch to
form a ring.
Round 1:
(right side) Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet (dc), now and
throughout), work 15 dc in ring; join with slip stitch to first dc,
finish off: 16 dc.
Note:
you will always be working with the right side. If you
do not know which side this is, loop a short piece of yarn around any stitch
to mark the last round as the right side.
Round 2:
With right side facing, join next color (petals) with slip
stitch in any dc; chain 4 (counts as first dc plus chain 1, now and
throughout), (dc in next dc, chain 1) around; join with slip stitch
to first dc, finish off: 16 chain-1 spaces.
Round 3:
With right side facing, join next color (green leaves in
photo) with slip stitch in any chain-1 space; chain 3 (2 dc, chain 1, 3 dc) in
same space, skip next chain-1 space, 3 dc in next chain-1 space, skip next
chain-1 space, * (3 dc, chain 1, 3 dc) in next chain-1 space,
skip next chain-1 space, 3 dc in next chain-1 space, skip next chain-1 space;
repeat from * around; join with slip stitch to first dc,
finish off: 36 dc.
Round 4:
With right side facing, join next color (aran in photo) with
slip stitch in any corner chain-1 space; chain 3, (2 dc, chain 1, 3 dc) in
same space, 3 dc in each space between 3-dc groups across to next corner
chain-1 space, * (3 dc, chain 1, 3 dc) in corner chain-1
space, 3 dc in each space between 3-dc groups across to next
corner chain-1 space; repeat from * around; join with slip
stitch to first dc, finish off: 48 dc.
At this point, you may add as many more colors as
desired following Round 4. My last color in the photo
was paddy green.
JOINING SQUARES:
With wrong sides together and
last color yarn used, and working through inside loops only,
using the yarn needle, whipstitch Squares together, forming as many strips of
Squares needed. Then, whipstitch the strips together to form your
project.
It's that easy. Now add a pretty border or
tassels. You can find patterns for these online or at stores selling
yarn and supplies. If you have trouble with any part of this pattern,
consider obtaining a book or material on crochet for beginners, either
online or at a store.
Kathie Palladino