The Sunburst Garden Granny Square: A Free Crochet Pattern for a 3D, Textured Floral Motif

Introducing the Sunburst Garden Granny Square

Elevate your next blanket, bag, or pillow with this stunning 3D granny square. Featuring a raised sunflower center and a textured, modern border, this free pattern guides you through creating a unique, dimensional motif that captures the warmth of a summer garden. The combination of a dense, dark brown center, eight raised golden yellow petals, and a soft sage green background worked in classic granny square clusters makes this square a true showstopper. Perfect for intermediate beginners looking to add a touch of nature-inspired texture to their projects, this pattern is designed to be clear, detailed, and easy to follow.

Materials Needed

To create your own Sunburst Garden Granny Square, you will need the following materials:

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton or acrylic yarn in three colors:
  • Color A (sunflower center): Dark brown
  • Color B (petals): Golden yellow
  • Color C (background): Soft sage green or cream
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
• Gauge: First 3 rounds = 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) diameter
• Notions: Stitch marker, yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes: This square is worked in continuous rounds (do not join or turn unless specified). Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. The pattern uses US crochet terminology.

Round 1 (Center)

With color A (dark brown), make a magic ring. Chain 1 (this does not count as a stitch). Work 8 single crochet (sc) into the ring. Pull the tail of the magic ring tight to close the circle. You should have 8 sc stitches. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of this round to mark the beginning.

Round 2 (Raised Center)

Chain 1. Work 2 sc in each stitch around. This means you will increase in every stitch, giving you a total of 16 sc. Move your stitch marker to the first stitch of this round.

Round 3 (3D Petal Base)

Chain 1. *Work a front post double crochet (fpdc) around the next sc from Round 2, then work a sc in the next sc from Round 2.* Repeat from * to * around. You will have 8 fpdc and 8 sc, alternating. This creates a raised ring of posts that will form the base for the petals. Move your stitch marker to the first stitch of this round.

Round 4 (Petals - Color B)

Join color B (golden yellow) with a slip stitch (sl st) in any sc from Round 3. Chain 1. *In the next fpdc from Round 3, work the following stitches: half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), treble crochet (tr), double crochet (dc), half double crochet (hdc). This cluster of 5 stitches forms one petal. Skip the next sc. Slip stitch in the next sc.* Repeat from * to * around. You will create 8 petals. End with a sl st in the first sc of this round. Fasten off color B and weave in the end.

Round 5 (Background - Color C)

Join color C (soft sage green) with a sl st in the space between any two petals (this is the skipped sc from Round 3). Chain 3 (this counts as a dc). Work 2 dc in the same space. *Chain 2, work 3 dc in the next space between petals.* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning chain-3. You will have 8 groups of 3 dc and 8 chain-2 spaces.

Round 6 (Corner Setup)

Slip stitch into the next 2 dc and into the chain-2 space. Chain 3 (counts as a dc). In the same chain-2 space, work (2 dc, chain 2, 3 dc) – this forms a corner. *Chain 1, work 3 dc in the next chain-2 space. Chain 1, in the next chain-2 space work (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc).* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning chain-3. You will have 4 corners and 4 side groups.

Round 7 (Final Border)

Slip stitch into the next 2 dc and into the chain-2 corner space. Chain 3 (counts as a dc). In the same corner space, work (2 dc, chain 2, 3 dc). *Chain 1, work 3 dc in the next chain-1 space. Chain 1, work 3 dc in the next chain-1 space. Chain 1, in the next corner space work (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc).* Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning chain-3. Fasten off and weave in all ends. Block the square to open up the petals and flatten the edges for a professional finish.