Here is the Sunburst Granny Square Blanket I have mentioned 2 weeks ago in the color combination tutorial. Wow…. finally, I have finished this blanket after the took off last year!!! Not that it took me a year to complete it, it is because I stopped after I have finished all the squares. The reason behind this was because I couldn’t make up my mind which type of joining technique should I use to join the granny squares.
In my previous granny projects, I have used the “join-as-you-go” method (in this pattern) and “back-loop-join” (in this pattern). Now, I wanted to explore a new join method, so I finally decide to use “flat-slip-stitch-join” (tutorial here) for this Sunburst Granny Square Blanket. Love the flat seam line created by this joining method. Click here to find out other methods you could use.
The yarns I used in this blanket are Lion Brand’s BabySoft Acrylic Yarn
If you are not into a huge blanket, you may adapt this method to crochet a smaller granny square blanket. It is great as a gift to the newborn during a baby shower, or as a throw on the couch or cover for pillow, etc. For the smaller blanket, you need fewer yarn colors to crochet. Read this tutorial to check on how many colors to use to make your desire number of squares.
Sunburst Granny Square Blanket
Dimension: 66″ (W) x 86″ (L) [16 squares x 21 squares], suitable for Super Single Bed. You may adapt the method to make a different size to suit your needs.
Read these tips and tutorials on how to plan & crochet non-repetitive granny colors, and how many squares you will get with the yarn colors of your choice.
Gauge / Tension: 1 square = 4″ x 4″
Material & Tool:
1. Yarns, multiple colors. I used 8 colors plus a white. View yarn details in the first picture below.
2. Crochet hook, G / 4mm
Abbreviations: (in USA terms)
sl knot = slip knot
st = stitch
slst = slip stitch
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
fo = fasten off
Rnd = round
Sunburst Granny CROCHET PATTERN
Rnd 1 – [with yarn color A] sl knot, ch4, dc 11 on the 4th ch from the hook. slst to the ch at the beginning of the round. fo.
Rnd 2 – [with yarn color B] sl knot, insert hook into a st, slst to fasten the new yarn on the round (this count as ch1), ch2, dc into same st , ch1, *2dc into next st, ch1, repeat * for 11 times. slst to the ch at the beginning of the round. fo.
Rnd 3 – [with yarn color C] sl knot, insert hook into a chain space, slst to fasten the new yarn on the round (this count as ch1), ch2, 2dc into same space, ch1, *3dc into next chain space, ch1 , repeat * for 11 times. slst to the ch at the beginning of the round. fo.
Rnd 4 – [with yarn color white] sl knot, insert hook into a chain space, slst to fasten the new yarn on the round (this count as ch1), ch3, 1 granny cluster, *1 granny corner, 2 granny clusters repeat * for 3 times, 1 granny corner, 2dc into next chain space. slst to the 4ch space at the beginning of the round. fo.
Rnd 5 – ch3, 2dc into next chain space, ch1, 1 granny cluster, ch1, *1 granny corner, 3 granny clusters, repeat * for 3 times, 1granny corner, 1 granny cluster. slst to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the round. fo.
Note:
Granny cluster pattern : 3dc into next chain space, ch1
Granny corner pattern : 3dc into next chain space, ch2, 3dc into the same chain space, ch1
The yarns I used are Lion Brand’s BabySoft Acrylic Yarn
Pick 3 colors of your choice plus a white to make a sunburst granny square.
Refer above crochet pattern to crochet the Sunburst Granny Square. Refer to the photos below for the progress and tip on how to hide yarn ends while you crochet.
Crochet round 1 of the granny square.
You will come to the slit knot area after you have crochet about 6 dc, guide the yarn end around the ring, and crochet to hide it in between the stitches.
Bring the yarn end up, lay between the yarn and the hook when you do the last stitch. This will latch the yarn end in between the stitch.
You will have 2 yarn ends at the top of the round after you have finished this round.
Crochet round 2 of the granny square.
After the ch3, bring the yarn end up, lay between the yarn and the hook just like the previous round, continue with your dc stitches, this will latch the yarn end on the top of the round.
As you crochet, guide the round 1 yarn ends along the top of the round 1, crochet as usual and the yarn ends will be hidden between the stitches.
Crochet round 3 of the granny square.
Repeat the same on hiding the yarn ends of round 2 when you crochet round 3.
Crochet round 4 of the granny square. Repeat the same on hiding the yarn ends of round 3 when you crochet round 4.
In order to make the pattern easier to read, I used the terms Granny Cluster and Granny Corner (refer to the above note for the pattern) for the white part.
Crochet round 5 of the granny square.
Since there is no change in yarn color, place the white yarn end on top of the round 4 and crochet to hide it in the stitches.
As you can see that there is only 1 yarn-end after you have finished the granny square. Pic 3 is the back of the square.
Pull the diagonal corners of the square to make them squarish. You may block them in batches with the wet-blocking method if the dry pull method is not working for your squares.
Since this project is going to take a while to finish (big blanket), store your squares neatly in a covered container, avoid sunlight, moisture, and dust.
With 8 colors plus a white as the base, I was able to crochet a total of 336 non-repetitive granny square, a total of 56 stacks with 6 squares on each stack.
Read more on how to plan your squares.
Randomly place the squares on the floor with 16 x 21 squares. You may alter the squares to make a more even color spread or leave it really random.
Pick up row by row and stack them up in order with 21 squares in 1 stack.
Tie them up and label them 1 to 16.
At the beginning of joining, take 2 stacks of the squares and start joining.
I used the flat slip stitch joint method (tutorial, here) to join up my squares.
After you have finished joining the first 2 rows continue the same method to add in the 3rd stack.
This is how it looks like after a few rows of joining.
Note that it is just a horizontal line, you will need to do the cross line after that to finish the whole blanket.
After all the granny squares have been joined up.
A closer look at the granny square after joining up.
Proceed to make the border with single crochet on the back loop only, crochet 5 rounds.
Every time you come to the corner of the blanket, 2sc in each st on the 2 corner stitches of the blanket.
Wash the blanket according to the instruction on the yarn label before the first use. You may lightly press it with a warm iron if needed.
Such a beautiful pattern, I have learned to crochet in lockdown and am going to try 24 squares for a baby blanket but I’m sure it won’t be as even and neat as yours. Thank you for publishing this
Hi! I am just learning how to crochet, I am doing a cardi with a base pattern which is so similar to this. Actually, te granny squares are the same, except from the last white round… Now, I joined them placing two squares face-to-face or back-to-back (depending on if I wanted to have an embossed or debossed border) joining the inner loop only. When I need to do the border, it ruffles in correspondence of these joins, and the finish is more curvy than flat. Looking at your pics, it looks like yours starts as a wavey edge too, then turns flat on the last rows… Not sure though, do u maybe have any tips? How many stitches do I need to consider in the joining seam between two rows of squares? Hopefully I managed to give you an idea, I am not a native English speaker! Thank you a lot!
Hi Daphne,
Regarding your question, firstly, you need to block all granny squares before joining them up if they don’t hold the shape in a square. Secondly, when you join the granny squares, just crochet 1 stitch for a stitch. Thirdly, the tension of your stitches must be consistent throughout the border, however, if it starts to distort, adjust your tension to either tighten or loosen so that you can get it even out. Hope these tips help.
I have a similar problem when crocheting also, your English is quite impressive!
I finally finished my blanket, it is full single bed size and being used by my 2 year old granddaughter. Thanks for the pattern! How do I post a photo?
Hi Katrina,
You may share it via social media and tag us, or you may send the photos via the form at the Contact Us
Thank you for your inspiring ideas . Your work is beautiful. I am using your pattern to try and crochet my own bed – blanket 150 x 200 cm. A lot of work, but in the end I think it will be just what I want
Hello, I just love your blanket but I must admit I am having difficulty crocheting in the strands of yarn at the top of the round so I don’t have to sew them in later. You would’nt be a darling and have done a video tutorial on it would you. I would find it so helpful.
Ps I am a very (no reasonably old) crocheter from way back and love all the tips and ideas that you young guns are inspiring me with. Whoever said an old dog can’t learn new tricks. Thankyou so much for your ideas
Good suggestion, Davina. I will try to make simple videos for my future projects, hopefully they don’t take up bunch of my time. Happy crochet 🙂
Hello! I’m currently working on my squares but I was looking ahead to the joining. I think I get it, but can I ask what the outside edge stitch is? That is, the one all the way around the outside edges… love it!
Hi Sara,
the stitch I used for the border is “single crochet on back loop “.
I am a bit confused that you say you only needed 9 balls of white to do 336 squares, rounds 4 and 5 plus joining and border?
I have started the white, and after 9.5 squares had to start a new ball.
Bit confused!
If you are using the same yarn from Lion Brand as I’d used, the amount stated as 9 balls (1 ball is 140gram, 420 meter) is correct. If you are not using the same yarn, you will need different quantity of ball as stated above.
Ah! Mine are only 50g! Thanks.
I finally finished my blanket, it is full single bed size and being used by my 2 year old granddaughter. Thanks for the pattern! How do I post a photo?
Hello,
Thank you so much for all these instructions and charts. I have ordered my yarn and am anxious to begin. Will keep you abreast of my efforts!
Sincerely,
Linda
I am very new to crochet and very confused by your pattern, but determined to hgave a go, it is so pretty. I am taking DC to mean USA double crochet or in other words UK treble, also you start with a slip knot not a loop yet you have no hole in the middle but I do. Also when you do a slip stitch at end do I have to do another to fasten off or will the slip stitch in the pattern keep it secure? I am using 5 colours and reckon if I do 360 squares that woulkd be okay for a single bed 3’6″ wide? Thanks!!
Hi Katrina, I used the first chain to be the “ring” for the entire first round. Since there are 12 dc (including the chains at the beginning of the round) in the chain, it is so packed that you will not have any hole.
You just need to pull the slip stitch tight enough so that it won’t come loose. Keep the yarn tail long to prevent it from unravel just in case the yarn really come loose.
Since everyone’s square comes in different sizes, I can’t be sure if your blanket will come out according to the size you want. In order to make sure what size of blanket you will get, crochet a square and measure the dimension, multiple with the number of squares you intend to crochet for row and column, you will get the dimension of your blanket. Add at least 6″ at each side of the 3’6″ bed to get the size of the blanket. You may use the border to make up a small additional width and length for your blanket.
Hope these info help.
Thank you so much. I am well into the blanket now. I have done 216 rounds 1,2&3, another 144 to go. I worked out that there are 60 unique colour combinations, six of each will make 360.
I hope to finish the rounds by next week then start on rounds 4 & 5. The blanket is for my 14th month old grandaughter who is still in a cot but will probably be i a bed by the time I finish!
Hi!!!
Very pretty balnkets.
Can we order from u?
As i failed to find the contact, it would b much appreciated if u can get back to me.
[email protected]
+959420076492
This is a new sunburst granny square I learned another. Cant wait to master this one as well, thank you!!
As a newbie to crochet, should I block each square or should I block the finished blanket? Does this need to be blocked? Thank you!
Hi Julie, I didn’t wet block it, instead, I pull the diagonal corners of the square to make them squarish. You may block them in batches with wet-blocking method if the dry pull method is not working for your squares.
As a newbie to the crochet world I am wondering about blocking. Should I block each square after I make it? Or should I block the blanket after it is finished? Does it need to be blocked?? Thank you.
Hi. I followed your pattern to make my first ever crochet project, thank you. Yours is beautiful, I would never have enough pAtience for a blanket that big. I did 30 squareS to make a baby blanket. I’m disappointed with my border though. Yours is lovely and flat, mine has ruffled like there it is too wide for he sides. Can you shed any light on where I went wrong? Thanks.
Dear Caroline.
The wavelike ruffle was due to different tension of your blanket compare to mine. Depending on how serious the wave is, you may skip picking up a stitch evenly through out the border. On the other words, it means you need less stitches on the border if it ruffled up.
Hope this help.
I love this Suburst blanket. It is definitely my next project. Can’t wait to start it. Also love the way you connected the squares. It is so neat looking.
Thank you, Jackie 🙂
This is the most beautiful blanket I’ve seen to date. Do you happen to have a video on making the granny squares and the joining of the squares? If not do you have a visual reference?
Hi Catherine,
There are written instruction and steps photos at the page 2 of this blanket, you may find it here.
What colors have you used? Couldn’t find all of them at Lions Brand Store. Thank you!
Most of the colors stated in the pattern page has obsoleted but you can always match with other colors to come out with your own color range 🙂
Beautiful — so cheerful and fresh! Think I’ll do a much smaller version for a new baby! Your instructions and pictures are very thorough and professional — great job!
Glad that you are going to list it in your to-do list 🙂 Hope to see your smaller version soon 🙂
Thank you for the sunburst granny square pattern. Love Jacqui
Thank you, Jacqui 🙂
I crochet afghans. I have always used redheart yarn but I am getting disappointed with how fast the yarn gets scratchy. Are there any suggestions of brands that would work better ?
How can I access free pattern for sunburst granny square…thankyou
Hi jenni, the pattern is at page 2 of the tutorial. Each and every tutorial in here is split into 2 pages.
Great blanket. Great colors.
Thanks for you help
Dear Joanne,
Can i ask you a question? I would like to know how to mix the other combinaison in order to reach the 336 squares. Just to let you know that i’m using 8 differnts yarn + white.
Thanks for response.
Hi Nabihah, I have a tutorial on how to mix it, here is the link.
I am a bit confused on the chart for the 8 yarns. I understand the chart showing 56 non-repeat color combinations but where you go from there is where I get lost. If 8 yarns make 336 different combinations how do I proceed after the 56 shown on the chart? Thanks
Beautiful blanket. If you wanted to make it so the flat stitch joining the squares and the blanket edging were in a different colour to white, how much white would you need & how much of the other colour would you need?
Many thanks Lucinda
Hi Lucinda, I think the edge will probably take about half to 1 ball of 100g yarn. I am not sure as I didn’t note it down, this is just an estimate. Always spare more yarns, it is better than don’t have enough when you are about to finish it.
How much yarn did you use?
Hi Karen, The yarns I used are Lion Brand’s BabySoft Acrylic Yarn, 8 colors (3/4 ball each) and white (9 balls) as stated in the first tutorial pictures.
Thank you!!
Wow, preatty work.
I have pictures of the second finished blanket now and would like to post them as asked but can’t find where to upload the pics to?
Georgie
Hi Georgie, Please send it through the contact form. Can’t wait to see it 🙂
Craft Passion I’m currently in the process of making a second SunBurst Blanket, also for raffle, which should be finished in another three to four weeks. I will send you pictures of both blankets at that time as both are very different in their approaches to this beautiful pattern.
Thank you for the invite to share.
Georgia, I can’t wait to see them both!!!
This is beautiful, I’ve already started mine with Red Heart Super saver and I’m planning on selling it to get my best friend a plain ticket to Mexico (where I live).
I was just wondering how long it took you to finish this project. I was exploring around tumblr and there were projects that took 2.5 years.
Thank you
Hi Feerci, I can’t give you an exact date it takes to finish the whole blanket since I paused half way through out the process. Not only that I paused half way, I also did the project “part-timely” while having other projects in the same time line. However, I do estimated that you probably need at least 4 to 6 months to finish it if you are working on it solely. Hope this helps and happy crochet!!!
My squares I worked 16 of the same colors and graduated from darkest to lightest on the outer circle of every row, with each square trimmed in white. So in all I have 21 different starburst graduating in dark to light up the blanket. My squares came out 5″ square making my blanket 80×126″ Perfect for a queen sized bed. I used I Love this Cotton from Hobby Lobby as I’m allergic to acrylic yarn. We actioned this blanket for a raffle fundraiser for Georgie’s Breast Friends – Free Crochet Breast Forms for Mastectomy Patients, and raised 10,500.00!!! and sold tickets 3 for 20.00. 2nd place was a sweater, and 3rd was a throw. The winner of the Starburst Blanket was thrilled beyond words! Thank you for helping make our fundraiser a roaring success!
OMG!!! Congratulations, Georgie!!!! This is awesome, I am so happy beyond words can described!!! Do you mind to show us your blanket? Please send through the contact form and I will have it posted in Craft Passion’s social media. Please say yes!!!
hello Pretty, is amazing work blanket!! is beautiful! thank you by share.
Hi I wanted to try your pattern but I would like to try an throw on a smaller scale first. I was wondering how many squares I should across?
Hi Rachel, the quantity of squares you need to make a throw is all depending on how big you want your throw to be, also, how big is your square comes out. Let say, each of your square is 4″ x 4″ and you want your throw to be 54″ x 38″, then you need to prepare 13 x 9 = 117 squares up front. Join them up in 13 x 9 squares then add 1″ border to it. Hope this helped 🙂
Given pictures it looks like you slipstiched the back loops from the front. It’s my favorite join I think. Sits completely flat, and it looks very nice as it frames the square!
This is just the pattern I was looking for. Thanks for posting!! Looking forward to making this at the lake this summer. Any chance for your flat slip stitch joint method tutorial by the 1st of July?
Hi Melulo, I am preparing the flat slip stitch joint tutorial now, should be up by this week or latest early next week 🙂
Ameizing work! Please,tell me-how to You are going to put all the pieces of granny squares together?E mail me link,please:)
I will prepare a post on the joining method soon, please stay tuned. You may subscribe to email update or join Craft Passion on the social network to get the first hand update 🙂
Hi, this is wonderful and so clever! Please can you tell me the yarn you use, as I am from the uk, is it what we would call 4ply or is it double knit?
Many many thanks
Karen
I used Lion Brand’s BabySoft yarn and it Light Worsted Yarn, with 4mm crochet hook. I read the yarn info and yes it is DK equivalent. Here is the link for more info about the yarn, http://www.lionbrand.com/yarns/babysoft.htm.
Beautiful and sooooo much work!
Love love love! How big did yours turn out? I’m just looking for a new granny project… think I just found it! And thanms for doing the maths too, no way could I have done that!
The size is 66″ x 86″ (as written in the pattern page), quite a huge blanket 🙂 Hope you have great fun working on it!!!