Are you needing a little sunshine in your year? I know 2020 has been a rough one but hopefully, this fun crochet pattern will help brighten it a little! This pattern which is available to purchase and download in my Ravelry and Etsy shop comes with not one, not two, not three, but four patterns all in one!
There are so many things you can do with this fun pattern! You can use it as wall decor in a child's bedroom, you could apply the Sunflower to a piece of burlap and decorate your front door/porch, or like one of my testers you could turn the sun into a hanging porch ornament/chime!
There are just so many ideas and options that I can't wait to see what you do with yours!
So I know its almost the end of summer here in the United States and you might be asking why I am uploading this pattern to my blog when Fall/Winter is just about to be knocking on our doors ha ha!
Well, I will tell you why - the Orchid and Bee's VIP's took a vote and this pattern won out! Don't believe me, just check out the screenshot from the poll/vote in our Facebook Group! Out of 41 total votes, 33 of the votes were for the Sunshine and Sun Flowers Pack! So here we are!
As usual, I am not going to waste too much of your time getting to the pattern so let's work our way to the first section! First I am going to give you the pattern instructions for how to crochet the "Sun of Belize" which was named in honour of one of my first Facebook VIP Group Members and one of my first testers on my testing team!
Her name is Laura G. and she is from Belize! I know you probably had already guessed that but I had to give her a shout out! She has been with me since I started in July 2019! She made this into a chime by hanging bells on the ends of her sun rays and used a stiffening agent to strengthen it! She is so creative!
Sorry, I got a little sidetracked with some backstory notes ha ha. After I have given you instructions for the Sun I'll give you the pattern instructions for the "Sunflower" and then last I'll give the instructions for how to add facial features if you want to make the children's version!
To begin, here are some special notes for this pattern:
Skill level/Language:
5Beginner/Intermediate. If you are unsure of any stitches Youtube will be your best friend! There are great tutorials on the different stitches and on crocheting in rounds. American Standard Terms
Assembly Note:
I assemble my appliques with hot glue, which is a fast and safe method. The glue adheres to the fibers quite well and the applique is very secure. The hot glue packaging that I use says non-toxic so it is safe, in my opinion, as well. In addition, you can machine wash on cold, and lay flat to dry or tumble dry/lowest heat setting. You may also use other fabric-safe glue or use the traditional method of sewing your pieces together.
Other Notes:
leave long tails if sewing, or weave in ends if glueing
turning chs do not count as stitches in this pattern
The materials you will need for this pattern are:
Materials:
Yarn - worsted weight 4 (Yellow, Orange, Light Green, Dark Green, Light Pink, Dark Pink Black, White, Aqua Blue)
Hook - H 5mm & K 6.5mm (*optional G 4mm)
Needle - if you prefer to sew your applique
Hot Glue - if you prefer to glue your applique on/together
Scissors
Stitches:
Sc - single crochet
Sl st - slip stitch
Hdc - half double crochet
Tr - triple crochet
Sc2tog - single crochet two stitches together
Dc2tog - double crochet two stitches together
* * - repeat *to*
To make the sun:
“The Sun of Belize”
Crochet Pattern Instructions
Sun Center - Yellow - H hook
Begin: MR
Round 1: Ch 2, 10 hdc in magic ring, sl st to join. (10 st)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st, sl st to join. (20 st)
Round 3: Ch 2, 1 hdc same st as ch, 2 hdc in next st, *1 hdc, 2 hdc* around, sl st to join. (30 st)
Round 4: Ch 2, 1 hdc same st as ch, 1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next, * 1 hdc in 2 st, 2 hdc in next* around, sl st to join. (40 st)
Round 5: Ch 2, 1 hdc same st as ch, 1 hdc in next 2 st, 2 hdc in next, * 1 hdc in 3 st, 2 hdc in next* around, sl st to join (50 st)
Round 6: Ch 2, 1 hdc same st as ch, 1 hdc in next 3 st, 2 hdc in next, * 1 hdc in 4 st, 2 hdc in next* around, sl st to join, fasten off. (60 st)
Sun Rays -Yellow & Orange - H hook
Begin: Join 2 strands together, one of each color at any ch around sun center, ch 1.
Row 1: Sc in same st of ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join, ch 1. (60st)
Row 2: Sc in next 5 stitches, ch 1. (5st)
Row 3 - 4: Turn, sc 5, ch 1. (5st)
Row 5: Turn, sc2tog, sc 3, ch 1. (4st)
Row 6: Turn, sc2tog, sc 2, ch 1. (3st)
Row 7: Turn, sc2tog, sc 1, ch 1. (2st)
Row 8: Turn, sc2tog, fasten off. (1st)
Repeat: Row 2 - 8 nine more times around the sun, joining at the next available st.
You have successfully completed the sun!
Now let's go make the Sunflower!
“Sunflower”
Crochet Pattern Instructions
Sunflower Center - Yellow - H hook
Begin: MR
Round 1: Ch 2, 10 hdc in magic ring, sl st to join. (10 st)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st, sl st to join. (20 st)
Round 3: Ch 2, 1 hdc same st as ch, 2 hdc in next st, *1 hdc, 2 hdc* around, sl st to join. (30 st)
Round 4: Ch 2, 1 hdc same st as ch, 1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next, * 1 hdc in 2 st, 2 hdc in next* around, sl st to join. (40 st)
Round 5: Ch 2, 1 hdc same st as ch, 1 hdc in next 2 st, 2 hdc in next, * 1 hdc in 3 st, 2 hdc in next* around, sl st to join (50 st)
Round 6: Ch 2, 1 hdc same st as ch, 1 hdc in next 3 st, 2 hdc in next, * 1 hdc in 4 st, 2 hdc in next* around, sl st to join, fasten off. (60 st)
Sunflower Petals -Yellow & Orange - H hook
Begin: Join 2 strands together, one of each color at any ch around sun center, ch 1.
Row 1: Sc in same st of ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join, ch 1. (60st)
Row 2: Sc in next 5 stitches, ch 1. (5st)
Row 3 - 4: Turn, sc 5, ch 1. (5st)
Row 5: Turn, sc2tog, sc 3, ch 1. (4st)
Row 6: Turn, sc2tog, sc 2, ch 1. (3st)
Row 7: Turn, sc2tog, sc 1, ch 1. (2st)
Row 8: Turn, sc2tog, fasten off. (1st)
Repeat: Row 2 - 8 nine more times around the sun, joining at the next available st.
Optional Extra Sunflower petals -Yellow & Orange - H hook
*If you would like to add extra sunflower petals like Orchid and Bee’s VIP Facebook Group Member Julie Lee you can do the following:
Begin: With 2 strands together, ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 4, ch 1. (5st)
Row 2 - 4: Turn, sc 5, ch 1. (5st)
Row 5: Turn, sc2tog, sc 3, ch 1. (4st)
Row 6: Turn, sc2tog, sc 2, ch 1. (3st)
Row 7: Turn, sc2tog, sc 1, ch 1. (2st)
*Sew or hot glue extra petals to the back of the sunflower positioned between the points of the petals on the current sunflower. Ten extra petals were made for the sunflower pictured by Julie Lee
Sunflower Stem - H hook - Light Green
Begin: Ch 7
Row 1: Sc in 2nd st from hook, sc in next 5, ch 1. (6st)
Row 2 - 41: Turn, Sc 6, ch 1. (fasten off after row 41 is complete). (6st)
Stem leaves - H Hook - Light Green and Dark Green - make 2
Begin: Using 2 strands together, one of each color , Ch 13
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc 2, dc 2, 2tr, dc 2, hdc 2, sc 2, continue around to unworked side of ch, sc 2, hdc 2, dc 2, 2tr, dc 2, hdc 2, 1 sc, sl st to join to first sc of this row, fasten off. (26st)
Blades of grass - H Hook - Dark Green
Note: each new chain will form the next blade of grass connected to the prior blade.
Begin: Ch 11
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in 4, hdc 5, ch 12, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in 5, hdc 6, ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in 4, hdc 5, ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 4, hdc 4, ch 2, turn and hdc a row across the bottom of the 4 blades of grass to give the grass a base. You can add an extra row of hdc if you want the grass bottom to be thicker.
Water Can - K Hook - 2 colors of choice
Begin: Using 2 strands together in colors of choice, Ch 18
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 16, ch 1. (17st)
Row 2: Turn, sc in each st, ch 3. (17st)
Row 3 - 5: Turn, dc in each st, ch 3. (17st)
Row 6: Turn, dc2tog, dc 15, ch 3. (16st)
Row 7: Turn, dc2tog, dc 14, ch 3. (15st)
Row 8: Turn, dc2tog, dc 11, dc2tog, ch 3. (13st)
Row 9: Turn, dc2tog, dc 9, dc2tog, ch 3. (11st)
Row 10: Turn, dc 11, ch 3. (11st)
Row 11: Turn, dc 11, ch 1. (11st)
Row 12: Turn, sc 11, continue to sc around the border, sl st to join, fasten off.
Water Can Handle - K Hook - 2 colors of choice
Begin: Using 2 strands together of colors of choice, Ch 25
Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc 23, fasten off. (24st)
Sew: Sew to side of watering can at the height / position you desire.
Water Can Spout - K Hook - 2 colors of choice
Begin: Using 2 strands together, join at row 8 on the rounded side of the watering can. See picture for reference
Row 1: Sc 5, ch 1. (5st)
Row 2 - 6: Turn, sc 5, ch 1. (5st)
Row 7: Turn, sc2tog, sc 3, ch 1. (4st)
Row 8: Turn, sc2tog, sc 2, ch 1. (3st)
Row 9: Turn, sc2tog, sc 1, ch 1. (2st)
Row 10: Turn, 3dc in 1st st, 3dc in 2nd st. fasten off. (6st)
Water Drops - H Hook - Light Blue - make 3 or as many as desired
Begin: Ch 5
Row 1: Hdc in 2nd st from hook, hdc next 3, ch 2. (4st)
Row 2: Turn, Hdc in each st, ch 2. (4st)
Row 3: Turn, hdc2tog, hdc 2, ch 2. (3st)
Row 4: Turn, hdc2tog, hdc 1, ch 2. (2st)
Row 5: Turn, hdc2tog, ch 1. (1st)
Row 6: Sc around the border of water drop, sl st to join, give it a slight tug at the top to accentuate the pointy top, fasten off.
Assembly
Sew/Glue stem to back of sun and then attach leaves to the desired position.
Line bottom of grass up with the bottom of the stem and sew/glue on.
Position your watering can and water drops on the background of choice (blanket, burlap, etc).
You have successfully completed the sunflower!
Now if you would like to make the children's sun or sunflower you will need to make the following facial features to add to your sun and/or sunflower!
Note: if you would like your facial features to be a little "tighter/thinner/more defined" you can go down to a G 4mm hook.
Outer Eyes - White - H hook - make 2
Begin: MR
Round 1: Ch 2, 10 hdc in magic ring, sl st to join. (10 st)
Round 2: Ch 1, Sc in each st around, sl st to join, fasten off. (10st)
Inner Eyes - Black - H hook - make 2
Begin: MR
Round 1: Ch 1, 4 sc in magic ring, sl st to join, fasten off. (4st)
Blushing Cheeks - Pink - H hook - make 2
Begin: MR
Round 1: Ch 1, 7 sc in magic ring, sl st to join, fasten off. (7st)
Smile - Black
Begin: Ch 13
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in 11, fasten off. (12st)
Assembly
Suggested Assembly Steps:
Attach blacks of inner eyes to whites of outer eyes and position on the sun to your desire. Sew/Glue to sun.
Attach black smile at approximately the 4th row and attach blushing cheeks to ends of smile
Once you have added your facial features you will have something that looks similar to the following:
Congratulations on finishing your project! Now you can use it to decorate your blankets or signs and more!
If you need help with ideas, here is a photo of a work in progress! This person (ok ok that person was me ha ha) was using burlap to design a hanging sign for their porch! I told them to be sure to share the final photo when they are finished lol! Anyone else infamous for starting projects and then getting distracted by starting 10 other great ideas only to end up with a huge pile of "I need to finish those projects!" Oh good, I knew I wasn't alone ha ha!
I hope you enjoyed making this pattern as much as did! Appliques are my favorite thing to design and I absolutely love seeing how you use them so please show off your photos in the Orchid and Bee's VIP Facebook group where we do contests and giveaways!
You can also use the comment section of this post to share your creations and share your stories of who you blessed with this creation! I absolutely love hearing all your stories!
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Thank you again for visiting Orchid and Bee's and I appreciate you so much! I look forward to seeing you next time for another great free pattern! Don't forget that if you would like a downloadable pdf that you can print off you can grab this pattern from my Etsy or Ravelry Shop!
You guys have a wonderful day! Take care, stay safe, and be well!
Blessings to each of you,
Karen E.