If you love texture and colour you’ll love this cheerful sunburst granny square that features a circular motif with a burst of radiating colours. This style of granny square uses multiple colours and also can be customised to match any colour scheme, talk about being versatile!
granny square inspiration
Do you love granny squares as much as me? If so CLICK HERE for more inspiration and patterns to explore the possibilities of a granny square. Then if you want to turn your beautiful sunburst granny squares into a blanket CLICK HERE for all the details.
MATERIALS AND TOOLS NEEDED
- Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Baby DK is perfect for this project. I used Mint Green, Banana Cream, Baby Lilac and Champagne White
- Hook: 4mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Darning Needle
PATTERN NOTES: sunburst granny square
Written in UK terms
Video tutorial can be found at the base of the post.
TERMS and abbreviations
- Puff Stitch: *yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull through stitch* three times (7 loops on hook). Yarn over and then pull through all loops on hook. Then, chain 1 to lock into place.
- Cluster stitch: *yarn over, insert hook in next stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops* 4 times (5 loops on hook). Yarn over and then pull through all loops on hook.
- Half treble crochet (htc): yarn over, insert hook, yarn over pull through stitch (3 loops on the hook). Yarn over and finally pull through all 3 loops on hook.
- Treble crochet (tc): yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook (2 loops on the hook). Yarn over and then pull through 2 remaining loops on hook.
- Double treble crochet (dtc): Yarn over hook twice, insert hook into next stitch. Yarn over, pull through stitch (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through two loops (3 loops remaining on hook). Yarn over, then pull through two loops (2 loops remaining). Yarn over and finally pull through the last two loops on hook.
Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your stitches? In my ‘How to crochet: A handy reference guide’ EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. Learn more about the eBook here.
PIN FOR LATER
SUNBURST GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN
- Round 1. Using your first colour (I used Banana Cream), create slip knot, chain 5 and then join with a slip stitch. Chain 3 (this will count as your first treble crochet) Work 15 treble crochet stitches into the centre circle. Next, insert hook into the third chain from the hook (your original chain 3) slip stitch and then fasten off. You should have 16 stitches in total (including your chain 3).
- Round 2. Attach your next colour (I used Mint Green) into any chain space of the previous row. Chain one and work a puff stitch into that same chain space. Continue around, working a puff stitch into each treble chain space. Next, Slip stitch into first puff stitch and fasten off. As a result, you should have 16 puff stitches in total.
- Round 3. Then, attach your next colour (I used Baby Lilac) into any chain space of the previous round. Chain 2 and work a cluster stitch into the same chain space, chain 2. Next, continue around, working a cluster stitch into each puff stitch chain space chaining 2 between each stitch. Then, slip stitch into the first cluster stitch and fasten off. As a result, you should have 16 cluster stitches in total.
- Round 4. For this round we will be turning our circle into a square. Attach your next colour (I used Champagne White) into any chain space from the previous round.
first edge to your square
- Chain 4, work 2 double treble stitches into same chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 half treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 double treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 3 (for the corner).
second edge
- Working in the same chain space (that you have just completed 3 double trebles) work 3 double trebles.
- Chain 1, work 3 treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 half treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 double treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 3 (for the corner).
third edge
- Working in the same chain space (that you have just completed 3 double trebles) work 3 double trebles.
- Chain 1, work 3 treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 half treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 double treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 3 (for the corner).
fourth edge
- Working in the same chain space (that you have just completed 3 double trebles) work 3 double trebles.
- Chain 1, work 3 treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 half treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 1, work 3 double treble crochets into next chain space.
- Chain 3 (for the corner).
- Insert hook into forth chain from the hook (from the original chain 4 of this round and then fasten off.
Now it’s time to join your squares, if you need some help I have a video tutorial that shows two simple and neat methods. Alternatively, you can just sew them together with the same yarn you used for round 4.
VIDEO TUTORIALS
Loved this Granny Square? Why not try making a Not The Highstreet tote bag or check out our other granny square ideas!
41 Comments
Lynne
March 11, 2020 at 1:05 pmHi
How many balls of yarn did you use for the sunburst granny blanket?
Thanks
Lynne
BellaCocoTeam
April 9, 2020 at 11:28 amHi Lynne it’s really difficult to answer this question as it would depend on the yarn you use, your hook size and your tension. If you do a some squares you may then be able to work out how many balls you would need.:)
Alison Goadby
March 11, 2020 at 4:44 pmI love this fresh, springtime project.
BellaCocoTeam
March 11, 2020 at 7:38 pmThank you 🙂
Meas
March 15, 2020 at 8:00 amBeautiful pattern Sarah-Jayne I can’t wait to start.
I can’t seem to work out how many balls of yarn I need in each colour.
Sorry if I’m missing it somewhere, but I’d love to know how much I need to buy.
Thank you for the pattern and for generously sharing it.
Meas x
BellaCocoTeam
March 19, 2020 at 1:15 pmHi Meas
You’re very welcome, I’m so glad you like the pattern It does depend on which yarn you want to use and which hook size, but as a rule of thumb I would advise to get one ball of each colour and one or two balls of the main joining colour. You can always buy more but sometimes the dye lots differ and then you could end up with slightly different shades, so best to buy all together if possible.
Hope this helps.
Sarah-Jayne
denna
April 25, 2020 at 9:16 amI plan on using the same yarn you did and hook size, so how many balls of each color did you end up using please
BellaCocoTeam
June 9, 2020 at 9:54 amHi denna I used one ball of each and a 4mm hook size. However the amount of yarn you use will depend on how big you want the blanket to be and will also depend on your tension 🙂
Chris
May 1, 2020 at 7:48 amHi Sarah-Jayne,
In relation to “How many balls” used….how many did you use & how many squares did you end up with? And what size (dimensions) was your throw/blanket?
This will give me a bit of an idea (roughly) to how much more (if any main colour like your “champaign” to get)
Thx heaps
Chris
BellaCocoTeam
May 12, 2020 at 11:14 amHi Chris I can’t really answer these questions for you as it would totally depend on what yarn you use, your hook size and your tension. Maybe you could make a square measure it and then work out how much yarn and how many squares you will need from there. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Good luck with your project and let me know how you get on:)
Chris
May 1, 2020 at 7:48 amThx heaps
Chris
BellaCocoTeam
May 3, 2020 at 2:34 pmYou’re very welcome 🙂
Anna Cooper
June 11, 2020 at 4:16 amHello Sarah Jane I’m making the sunburst granny square blanket and wondering if I need to block the squares individually or the blanket as a whole unit?
I have really enjoyed crocheting using your pattern so thank you.
BellaCocoTeam
June 16, 2020 at 2:06 pmI’m really happy you liked this pattern I would recommend blocking each square individually as this will make it easier to line them up when you start joining them.
Sangita Mohandas Pai
July 3, 2020 at 7:23 pmHi Bella Crochet,you teach very beautifully and with patience I see all your videos. At present I’m working with sunburst granny squares and happened to visit this page for increases in size or rounds from 5 to 8 ,but while doing so I notice the written instructions for round 4 are missing.
Please check this and add it as it will help a lot of beginners like me..
Thank you and hoping to learn a lot from you..I have voted you in UK competition.
Sangita Pai
BellaCocoTeam
July 8, 2020 at 5:34 pmHi Sangita, thank you so much for your kind words and for voting for me I’ve had a look at the instructions on my website and it appears there are some errors with the formatting, so thanks for bringing this to my attention. The instructions that are listed as rounds 5 to 8 are actually the instructions for each side of round 4. I will have this edited now
Clare Pascoe
July 11, 2020 at 5:27 pmHi Sarah Jane. I’m making a little blanket for my granddaughter, she picked the design herself. How many squares do I need to complete the blanket? Thanks x
BellaCocoTeam
July 15, 2020 at 5:22 pmHi Clare this would obviously depend on how big you want the blanket to be along with the yarn you use, your hook size and your tension. Maybe you could do a few squares till you get to the width you want then work it out from their ? I wish you the best of luck 🙂
Carla
August 8, 2020 at 10:17 amHi..and thanks for this lovely well written pattern. I’m just wondering if the stitches in round three are all cluster stitches or all puff stitches? Am I reading it right if I do a cluster stitch to start the round and then puff stitches all the way round till the join?? I’m finding it a little confusing but I’m entirely sure it’s me and not your pattern !
BellaCocoTeam
August 10, 2020 at 6:48 pmHi Carla You’re very welcome The stitches in round three of the pattern should all be cluster stitches – it appears you’ve picked up on a typo in the pattern so I’m really sorry that I’ve caused you confusion! I’ll have this amended asap.
Cara
August 30, 2020 at 9:21 amAbout how long will this granny square be on all sides (in terms of cm)? Thank you!
BellaCocoTeam
August 30, 2020 at 8:48 pmThis will depend on your hook size and the yarn you are using 🙂
Di
September 1, 2020 at 6:22 pmHi, loving these squares but how have you done the finishing edge? Thanks in advance xx
BellaCocoTeam
September 17, 2020 at 9:06 amAll the details for the pattern can be found on my blog at bellacocococrochet.com 🙂
Mary Quigley
December 29, 2020 at 7:14 pmDo you have a written pattern that I can print out.
BellaCocoTeam
December 30, 2020 at 7:57 pmHi Mary have you tried to copy and paste ?
Mary Jones
January 14, 2021 at 10:58 amI couldnt find what border you put round the blanket in the printed pattern, can you help please? I love all your tutorials, for a newbie to crocheting a blessing!!
BellaCocoTeam
January 15, 2021 at 8:33 pmHi Mary Thank you and the border round the blanket is crab stitch 🙂
Victoria
January 15, 2021 at 6:51 amHi thank you Sarah-Jayne for this lovely pattern.
Just want to ask when I’m working on the corners of Round 4 where there are stitches of different height, I tend to have the corners more and more loose (like the last corner is much loosely-spaced than the first corner). I am struggling with how to manage the height of those different stitches…(how tall/loose should the golden loop or working loop be…)
Could you offer some tips on tension and height problems when crocheting consecutive stitches that have different height? I have tried to search on youtube and google but can’t seem to be able to find proper help.
Thank you in advance for your help!
BellaCocoTeam
January 16, 2021 at 3:05 pmYou’re welcome, I’m glad you like the pattern You can find some hints and tips for tension in my tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRVA_4uNsNw&t=1s but as with most things, the more you practise the better you will get and you should find that after completing a few squares, your stitches begin to look a lot more uniform. You can also try skipping the chain one in between each cluster of stitches as this can pull the stitches tighter and make them look neater.
In any case I would try not to overthink it too much, as you should find that blocking your squares once they are finished will sort it out anyway To do this you just need to stretch and pin out the squares into shape, and for acrylic use an iron held a couple of inches above to carefully blast steam to set the stitches into shape.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Victoria
January 16, 2021 at 6:14 pmthanks a bunch! i’ll gonna have to practise more 😛
Mary
January 15, 2021 at 9:37 amWhat border was used on the Sunburst Blanket? i cant find any description for this! Need help, thanks.
BellaCocoTeam
January 15, 2021 at 8:32 pmHi Mary it’s the crab stitch 🙂
Michon
January 21, 2021 at 1:04 amIs there a written instruction for the ‘join as you go’?
BellaCocoTeam
January 25, 2021 at 2:12 pmHi Michon I don’t have written instructions for the join as you go method only the tutorial 🙂
Nicole Allen
May 21, 2021 at 1:10 pmI just love this blanket and the colors are gorgeous. I found your site from one of the Le Petit Saint Crochet videos. I’ve been knitting and crocheting for over 40 years but am finding a lot more time… actually I’m MAKING at lot more time to do it so all these beautiful patterns are giving me tons of inspiration. Thank you!
BellaCocoTeam
May 21, 2021 at 6:13 pmYou are very welcome 🙂
Brenda
December 9, 2021 at 11:51 pmLove your patterns and am a follower on YouTube. However, I do wish you would let us know the finished size of this and other granny squares. I’m not only looking for unique granny squares but I’m often looking for particular sizes. It would be so helpful! Thank you!
BellaCocoTeam
December 13, 2021 at 7:23 pmThe size often depends on personal tension along with the type of yarn used and hook size so it’s really difficult to give specific sizes 🙂
Donna
January 15, 2022 at 10:09 amThanks so much for this! If I wanted to make the square bigger, i.e. add another round, how would I do that? Just using clusters of trebles like a traditional granny square? Thanks in advance for your help!
BellaCocoTeam
January 17, 2022 at 9:12 pmHi Donna You’re welcome! Yes, you would just need to work a round (or several rounds if you wanted) of treble clusters in exactly the same way as you would when making a traditional granny square.