Easy Sunflower Granny Square Cardigan Set

There is something undeniably nostalgic about the golden hues of late September, and that feeling of crisp air and harvest abundance is what inspired this design. I was scrolling through photos of pumpkin patches and apple orchards when I realized that every cozy autumn outfit I loved shared one common thread: sunflowers. Those cheerful faces scream harvest season to me. I started sketching ideas for a cardigan that would capture that warm, nostalgic feeling, and what came out of that creative spiral was this sunflower granny square cardigan and matching bucket hat set. It is the kind of project that makes you want to grab your warmest mug of cider and settle in for some serious crafting time.

Yarn and Color Notes

The color palette for this set is intentional and essential to the sunflower aesthetic. It relies on three specific shades working in harmony: a golden mustard yellow, a burnt orange rust, and a dark chocolate brown. These colors create the authentic look of a sunflower with its dark center, bright petals, and warm background. I designed it with three-dimensional petals that actually pop off the fabric, bobble stitch sleeves that add gorgeous texture, and a scalloped hem that gives it that perfect vintage finish. Fair warning: this is not a weekend project. But if you have been crocheting for a while and want something that will genuinely impress everyone who sees it, keep reading.

Project Overview

This coordinating set features a drop-shoulder cardigan with a granny square body panel, textured bobble sleeves, a ribbed neckband, and a matching bucket-style hat. The body is constructed from individual sunflower granny squares that get seamed together using the flat join method for clean, decorative seams. The sleeves are picked up directly from the armhole opening and worked downward, meaning there are no separate sleeve pieces to sew on later. This is an advanced intermediate project that feels like a significant accomplishment when finished.

Finished Measurements

This crochet pattern is written for one size with the following finished measurements:

• Cardigan: Chest circumference: 42 in / 107 cm; Body length (shoulder to hem): 24 in / 61 cm; Sleeve length (shoulder to cuff): 22 in / 56 cm; Upper arm circumference: 16 in / 40.5 cm.
• Hat: Circumference: 22 in / 56 cm; Height: 9 in / 23 cm.

Materials Needed

Yarn (Worsted Weight)

• Color A (golden mustard yellow): 1,000 yards / 915 meters
• Color B (burnt orange rust): 400 yards / 366 meters
• Color C (dark chocolate brown): 200 yards / 183 meters

Yarn Suggestions: Option 1: Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Golden Yellow (Color A), Pumpkin (Color B), and Chestnut (Color C). This yarn is 80% acrylic and 20% wool, giving you warmth with easy care (197 yards / 180 meters per 3 oz / 85 g skein). Option 2: Cascade 220 Superwash in Lemon Yellow (Color A), Burnt Orange (Color B), and Chocolate (Color C). This wool-based yarn blocks beautifully and gives excellent stitch definition for those raised petals (220 yards / 201 meters per 3.5 oz / 100 g skein). Any smooth worsted weight yarn with good stitch definition will work. Avoid highly textured, mohair, or fuzzy yarns as they will hide the three-dimensional petal detail.

Hooks

• US size J-10 / 6.0 mm for main fabric
• US size I-9 / 5.5 mm for ribbing and neckband

Notions

• Yarn needle for seaming and weaving ends
• Scissors
• Stitch markers
• Measuring tape
• Two tassels made from Color B and Color C held together, approximately 3 in / 7.5 cm long
• One length of Color B yarn approximately 20 in / 51 cm long for tie closure

Gauge

Gauge matters here. Make and block at least two swatches before you begin: one in single crochet and one sunflower square. Adjust hook size as needed.

• With J-10 / 6.0 mm hook: One sunflower granny square = 5 in x 5 in / 12.7 cm x 12.7 cm after blocking
• 14 single crochet (sc) x 16 rows = 4 in x 4 in / 10 cm x 10 cm
• In bobble stitch pattern: 12 sts x 10 rows = 4 in x 4 in / 10 cm x 10 cm

Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions

Let me walk you through every stitch abbreviation you will encounter. I am defining them all here so you can reference back easily.

• beg: beginning
• BLO: back loop only (inserting your hook under just the back loop of a stitch instead of both loops)
• bo: bobble stitch (defined below in Special Stitches)
• ch: chain
• ch-sp: chain space (the gap created by a chain in the previous row)
• dc: double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice)
• dc2tog: double crochet two together, a decrease that combines two stitches into one
• FLO: front loop only
• FPdc: front post double crochet (working around the post of a stitch from the front)
• FPtr: front post treble crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• inc: increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• PM: place marker
• rep: repeat
• rnd: round
• RS: right side
• sc: single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over and pull through both loops)
• sc2tog: single crochet two together, a decrease
• sk: skip
• sl st: slip stitch
• sm: slip marker
• sp: space
• st(s): stitch(es)
• tch: turning chain
• WS: wrong side
• yo: yarn over

Special Stitches

These are the techniques that give this set its distinctive look. Take your time learning them before diving in.

Bobble Stitch (bo)

This creates those bumpy, textured sleeves. Yarn over, insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (you now have 1 incomplete double crochet on your hook). Repeat this step 4 more times in the same stitch, for a total of 5 incomplete double crochets on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops on hook. One bobble made. Always push the bobble to the right side of your work.

Sunflower Raised Petal (srp)

This is what creates those gorgeous three-dimensional petals. Yarn over twice. Insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the corresponding stitch two rounds below. Yarn over and pull up a long loop (pull up enough slack so the stitch lies flat without bunching). Yarn over and pull through 2 loops, three times. One srp made. The hook literally goes down and under stitches already worked, and the long stitch folds upward to sit on top of your current round, forming a petal.

Scallop Edging

Skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st (this forms a shell), skip 1 st, sl st in next st. Repeat across.

Flat Join

This seaming method creates a decorative ridge on the outside of your work. Hold two squares with wrong sides together. Insert hook through the outer loop of the edge stitch on the front square and the outer loop of the corresponding edge stitch on the back square at the same time. Yarn over and pull through both loops. Yarn over and pull through the loop on hook (slip stitch seam).

Pattern Instructions

Section 1: Sunflower Granny Square

Make 20 squares for the cardigan body. Make 7 squares for the hat. Total squares: 27. Use Color C for Rounds 1 and 2 (center and petal base). Use Color A for Round 3 (petals). Use Color B for Round 4 (background). Use Color A for Round 5 (outer border).

Round 1 (center ring): With Color C and J-10 hook, make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Work 11 dc into ring. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. Pull ring tail to close center hole. (12 dc)

Round 2 (petal base round, Color C): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in same stitch as join. 2 dc in each remaining st around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. Do not fasten off yet. (24 dc)

Round 3 (petal round, Color A): Fasten off Color C. Join Color A with sl st to any stitch of Round 2. Ch 1. Work 1 srp (sunflower raised petal) around the post of the corresponding stitch in Round 1 below, ch 1, skip the current Round 2 stitch, sc in next Round 2 stitch, ch 1. Repeat from * 11 more times, working 12 srp total with sc between each petal.

Note: The source text ends abruptly here. Please refer to the original source for the completion of Round 3 and subsequent rounds for the square.

Section 2: Cardigan Body Assembly

Lay out your 20 granny squares as follows:

• Join back panel (4 squares wide, 2 squares tall).
• Join right front panel (3 squares wide, 2 squares tall).
• Join left front panel (3 squares wide, 2 squares tall).

Join squares in horizontal rows first, then join rows to each other. Hold two adjacent squares with wrong sides facing. Using Color C and the flat join method, sl st through the outer loop of each corresponding edge stitch along one full side (18 sts per side). At the corner ch-2 sp, work 1 sl st through both corner sps together.

Attach front panels to back panel at side seams. Do not join shoulder seams yet. Leave center front edges open for the cardigan opening.

Section 3: Yoke and Shoulder

Note: Specific instructions for the yoke and shoulder seaming were not provided in the source excerpt. Please refer to the original source for these details.

Section 4: Neckband

Note: Specific instructions for the neckband were not provided in the source excerpt. Please refer to the original source for these details.

Section 5: Sleeves (Make 2)

Note: Specific instructions for the sleeves were not provided in the source excerpt. Please refer to the original source for these details.

Section 6: Lower Hem and Scallop Border

Note: Specific instructions for the lower hem were not provided in the source excerpt. Please refer to the original source for these details.

Section 7: Cardigan Finishing

Weave in all ends. Wet block the entire cardigan. Pin to measurements and allow to dry completely.

Section 8: Hat

Note: Specific instructions for the hat were not provided in the source excerpt. Please refer to the original source for these details.

Blocking and Care Instructions

Wet blocking is essential for this set. Soak both pieces in lukewarm water with a splash of wool wash. Gently squeeze out excess water without wringing. Lay flat on blocking mats and pin to the stated measurements. Allow to dry completely before unpinning. This opens up the granny squares beautifully and evens out the bobble texture on the sleeves. The raised petals will really pop after blocking.

For ongoing care, hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry. If using a superwash wool, you can machine wash on gentle, but I recommend hand washing to protect those dimensional petals.

Size Customization Notes

To make this cardigan larger or smaller, you will need to adjust the number of squares. Each square adds approximately 5 inches to your measurements. For a smaller chest circumference, reduce the back panel to 3 squares wide. For a larger size, add one square to each section width. Keep in mind that changing the square count affects your yardage requirements. Add approximately 50 yards of Color A and 20 yards each of Colors B and C for every additional square.

Tips

I really hope you love making this sunflower granny square cardigan set as much as I loved designing it. It is the kind of project that feels like an accomplishment when you finish, and you will get compliments every single time you wear it. Thank you so much for choosing this pattern for your next crochet adventure. If you want to find this pattern easily later, go ahead and save it to your Pinterest boards. And please, if you make this set, drop a comment below or tag me on social media. I would absolutely love to see your finished cardigans and hats in all the beautiful autumn colors you choose.

FAQs

What is the skill level for this pattern?

This is an advanced intermediate project. You should feel comfortable with granny square construction, working stitches into rounds below your current working round, bobble stitches, and basic garment assembly including shoulder seaming and picking up stitches for neckbands.

How long does it take to make this set?

The cardigan takes approximately 30 to 40 hours. The hat adds another 6 to 8 hours. Plan for 36 to 48 total hours depending on your working speed.

Can I use a different yarn weight?

The pattern is designed for worsted weight yarn. While you can substitute any smooth worsted weight yarn with good stitch definition, avoid highly textured, mohair, or fuzzy yarns as they will hide the three-dimensional petal detail.

How do I adjust the size of the cardigan?

You can adjust the size by changing the number of squares. Each square adds approximately 5 inches to your measurements. For a smaller chest, reduce the back panel to 3 squares wide. For a larger size, add one square to each section width.

Why is blocking so important for this project?

Wet blocking is essential to open up the granny squares, even out the bobble texture on the sleeves, and make the raised petals pop. It ensures the final garment lays flat and matches the finished measurements.