Sunburst Granny Square – Free Crochet Pattern

Sunburst Granny Square

Learn how to crochet a granny square with this Sunburst Granny Square Crochet Pattern. It’s a quick and easy crochet granny square that you can turn into a bag, blanket, pillow and more.

With easy-to-follow written instructions with diagrams as well as a step-by-step video tutorial, it’s a perfect granny square pattern for beginners or experienced crocheters looking for a relaxing pattern.

I’ve called this granny square pattern a “sunburst” granny square as it reminds me of sunshine peaking through trees. It’s a simple pattern without any complicated stitches. It’s also a great scrap-busting project as it requires very small amounts of yarn.

Looking for ideas for what to make after making this sunburst granny square?

Make a Granny Square Bag!

Learn how to turn the squares into a beautiful modern bag with this Sunburst Granny Square Bag Crochet Pattern! This bag pattern includes instructions for making the squares as well as assembling the squares, joining the squares and adding the border and straps.

Make a Granny Square Blanket!

Make your desired number of sunburst granny squares and follow the instructions for my Flower Granny Square Blanket starting at the assembly section.

First, let’s learn how to make these sunburst granny squares…

Use the Table of Contents below to jump to any section of the pattern or keep scrolling down for all the details, the video tutorial and the written instructions.

---

---

---

Pattern Details

Skill Level

Easy

Size

The pattern creates a square that is approx. 4.5” x 4.5” (6” diagonally).

Materials

Yarn: Any size 4 (medium) yarn in 3 colors. I used Impeccable by Loops & Threads. This yarn is size 4 (medium) and 100% acrylic. A skein is 285 yds / 260 m and 4.5 oz / 127.5 g.

For each square, you will need: 

• Color A – I used “Butterscotch” (yellow): Approx. 8 yds.
• Color B – I used “Fern” (green):
  Approx. 7 yds.
• Color C – I used “Misty Blue” (blue): Approx. 10 yds.

Crochet Hook Size: I/9 (5.50 mm).

Other Materials: Yarn needle, scissors and a measuring tape. 

Terminology

This pattern is written for right-handed crochet using standard US terminology. If you’re more familiar with UK terms, here’s my US to UK Conversion Chart. 

Abbreviations

• ch/chs = chain/chains
• st/sts = stitch/stitches
• sp/sps = space/spaces
• sl st = slip stitch 
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• dc2tog = double crochet two together 
• ch-2 sp = chain 2 space 

Gauge

• After Round 2 = 2.75” across
• After Round 3 = 3.5” across
• After Round 4 = 4.5” x 4.5” (6” diagonally)

Exact sizing is not important for this pattern.

Pattern Notes

• Chains never count at stitches.
• This pattern is made in the round. Never turn at the start or end of any round. 
• Your work may curl during the first few rounds but will lay flat after Round 4.
• Whenever making a dc2tog stitch, always make it in the same stitch (it is not a decrease in this pattern).
• When the pattern has instructions in square brackets followed by a “x 2” or “x 3”, this means to repeat the instructions in the square brackets as indicated. For example, “[Ch 2. In the next ch-2 sp, 3 hdc.] x 2” means to: Ch 2. In the next ch-2 sp, make 3 hdc. Ch 2. In the next ch-2 sp, make 3 hdc. 
• When the pattern has instructions in round brackets, it means to crochet those instructions in the round brackets in the same stitch or space. For example, “In the next ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc)” means to: make 2 dc, ch 2 and 2 dc, all in the same chain two space. 
• The pattern references “clusters.” A cluster is a group of either two or three stitches. 
• Fasten off means to cut the yarn and pull the end through the loop that was on your hook. 
• When changing colors and the instructions say to attach the new color, it means to insert your hook into the designated space. Place the new color on your hook and pull it through the space. 

Stitch Explanation

In Round 2, you will be making a double crochet two together in the same stitch. If this stitch is new to you, here’s how to make it:

Double Crochet Two Together (dc2tog)

Yarn over (YO). Insert your hook into the designated sp. YO and pull through a loop (3 loops on your hook). YO and pull the yarn through 2 loops on your hook (2 loops on your hook). YO and insert your hook into the same stitch or space. YO and pull through a loop (4 loops on your hook). YO and pull the yarn through 2 loops on your hook (3 loops on your hook). YO and pull the yarn through the 3 loops on your hook. This completed dc2tog counts as 1 st.

---

Video Tutorial

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial below or keep scrolling down for the written instructions.

---

---

Pattern Instructions

Start: With color A (I used yellow), make a Magic Circle.

Continue using color A for Rounds 1 & 2. 

Round 1: Ch 1. 

Make 12 dc into the Magic Circle. 

Pull the Magic Circle tight to close. 

(12 sts. Reminder: chs never count as sts). 

Sl st into the top of the first dc to join.

Round 2: Ch 2. Reminder: never turn. 

In the first st (the same st as the sl st), dc. 

*Ch 2. In the next st, dc2tog.*  

Repeat from * to * around. 

(12 sts). 

Ch 2.

Sl st into the top of the first dc to join.

Round 3: Fasten off color A. 

Attach color B (I used green) to the first ch-2 sp. 

Ch 1. In the same (the first) ch-2 sp, 2 hdc. 

In the next ch-2 sp, 3 hdc.

In the next ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) – first corner made.

*[In the next ch-2 sp, 3 hdc.] x 2.

In the next ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) – next corner made.*

Repeat from * to * around. 

(39 sts).

Sl st into the top of the first hdc to join. 

After Round 3, there are now 16 sps that you will work into on Round 4. There are 12 cluster sps and 4 corner ch-2 sps. Cluster sps are the sps in between groups of sts (groups of either 2 or 3 sts). There are 3 cluster sps in between each corner ch-2 sp. 

Round 4: Fasten off color B. Attach color C (I used blue) to the first cluster sp (see image below). 

Ch 2. In the same (the first) cluster sp, 2 dc. 

In the next cluster sp, 3 dc.

In the corner ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).

*[In the next cluster sp, 3 dc.] x 3.

In the corner ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).*

Repeat from * to * around until there is 1 cluster sp left. 

In the last cluster sp, 3 dc. 

(59 sts.)

Proceed to the finishing directions to join.

FINISHING

Use the invisible join technique to finish your square so you don’t have a noticeable bump that you see when making a sl st to finish a round. Since this technique resembles a stitch, you will have the same number of stitches on each side of the square, which is helpful when joining granny squares together. 

HOW TO DO THE INVISIBLE JOIN TECHNIQUE: 

1. After finishing the last stitch in the round, cut the yarn that’s attached to the skein, leaving an 8” long tail. 
2. Pull the tail through your last stitch (don’t worry, your work won’t come undone). 
3. Put the tail in the eye of your yarn needle.
4. Insert your yarn needle into both loops of the top of the first stitch made in the round and pull your tail through. 
5. Next, you’ll be working into the last stitch made in the round. Insert your yarn needle from top to bottom through the back loop of the last stitch. Insert your needle into the horizontal line on the back of that stitch (the small line that is parallel to the back loop). Pull the tail through both the back loop and the horizontal line on the back of the stitch. Be careful not to pull too tightly. 
6. The tail has now created two lines that are connecting the first and last stitches and resembles a stitch. 
7. Still with your yarn needle, weave the tail into stitches on the back of your work, being careful not to pull too tight. Once the tail is secure and hidden, cut any remaining yarn. 

After finishing, weave in all other loose ends.

BLOCKING (OPTIONAL)

Blocking can help correct any curling and help shape your work. To block your finished square, pin it on a blocking board with rust-proof pins (or use a granny square blocking board), spray it with water and leave it to dry. 

---

And now you have a new sunburst granny square!

---

More Granny Square Patterns

---