Last fall, I was scrolling through photos of pumpkin patches and apple orchards when I realized something. Every single cozy autumn outfit I loved had one thing in common: sunflowers. Those cheerful golden faces just scream harvest season to me. I started sketching ideas for a cardigan that would capture that warm, nostalgic feeling of late September afternoons.
What came out of that creative spiral was this sunflower granny square cardigan and matching bucket hat set. The kind of project that makes you want to grab your warmest mug of cider and settle in for some serious crafting time. 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. I am walking you through every single step.
About This Crochet Pattern
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. No separate sleeve pieces to sew on later.
The color palette uses three shades that work beautifully together: golden mustard yellow, burnt orange rust, and dark chocolate brown. These colors create that authentic sunflower look with the dark center, bright petals, and warm background.
Skill Level: Advanced Intermediate
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. If you have made at least one garment and worked with granny squares before, you can absolutely handle this.
Time Estimate: 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.
Who can resist a cardigan that looks like a field of sunflowers?
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
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
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.
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.
Substitution note: 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.
FYI, smooth yarn is key if you want those petals to really stand out.
Gauge
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
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.
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
- bo: bobble stitch
- ch: chain
- ch-sp: chain space
- dc: double crochet
- dc2tog: double crochet two together
- FLO: front loop only
- FPdc: front post double crochet
- FPtr: front post treble crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- inc: increase
- PM: place marker
- rep: repeat
- rnd: round
- RS: right side
- sc: single crochet
- sc2tog: single crochet two together
- 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).
Step by Step Crochet Tutorial
Section 1: Sunflower Granny Square
Make 20 squares for the cardigan body and 7 for the hat. Total: 27 squares.
Work five rounds starting with a dark chocolate center, adding the raised petals in mustard, then the burnt orange ground, and finishing with a mustard border. Block each square to 5 inches.
The raised petal stitch is the star here—literally. Take your time pulling those long loops so the petals sit flat and dimensional.
Section 2: Cardigan Body Assembly
Lay out the squares: right and left fronts three wide by two tall, back four wide by two tall. Join with the flat join method in chocolate for clean decorative seams. Attach fronts to back at the sides, leaving the center front open and shoulders for later.
Section 3: Yoke and Shoulder
Pick up stitches across the top edges and work a few rows of single crochet with gentle neckline decreases. Seam the shoulders with the flat join.
Section 4: Neckband
Pick up around the neckline and work a few rows of front-post and back-loop ribbing in chocolate. Add the yarn tie and tassels for a soft closure.
Section 5: Sleeves
Pick up stitches around each armhole and work downward in the bobble stitch pattern, decreasing gently toward the cuff. Finish with a ribbed cuff and optional scallop edging.
Make the matching bucket hat from the remaining seven squares, shaping the crown and adding a brim. Block everything thoroughly so the petals pop and the seams lie flat.
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FAQ’s
Is the raised petal stitch difficult?
It looks fancy but is just a long front-post stitch worked two rounds down. Once you get the tension right for those long loops, it becomes second nature.
Can I make this in different colors?
Sure, but the mustard, rust, and chocolate combo really sells the sunflower look. Soft pastels would turn it into a different vibe entirely.
How do I keep the squares the same size?
Block every single one as soon as you finish it. Consistent tension and blocking prevent sizing headaches later.
Is this suitable for beginners?
Not really. You need solid granny square experience, comfort with post stitches, and garment assembly skills. Confident intermediates will do great.
How do I wash the finished set?
Follow the yarn care instructions. Most acrylic-wool blends can handle gentle machine washing and laying flat to dry.
Can I adjust the size?
Adding extra squares or rows changes the fit, but it takes careful recalculation of the yoke and sleeves. Stick to the written size for the first one.
Final Thought
There you have it—a warm, textured cardigan and matching hat that look like they walked straight out of a late-summer field. The three-dimensional petals, bobble sleeves, and rich autumn colors make this set pure harvest magic.
IMO, the moment those raised petals start stacking up is pure crochet joy. Take your time with the joins and the blocking, and enjoy every golden stitch.
When you finally slip on that finished cardigan (or gift it to someone special), every hour will feel completely worth it. Happy crocheting, friend—may your next project be full of sunshine!
