It is incredibly common for beginners to panic when they realize they have made a mistake in the middle of a complex texture, fearing they must unravel hours of work. With the Sunburst Revival Afghan, that fear is unfounded. Because the sunburst center is worked in a single colorway and the subsequent rows follow a sturdy granny stitch structure, the pattern is incredibly forgiving. Even if you miscount a stitch or switch colors at the wrong moment, the bold texture and blocky layout mask minor errors, making this the perfect project to build confidence while enjoying the cozy rhythm of crochet.
Maker Notes
There is a specific satisfaction in working a scrap afghan that feels both nostalgic and modern. This design brings back the beloved sunburst granny square but gives it a fresh, cohesive twist by keeping the sunburst center in one color. This approach creates a calmer, bolder look that lets the stitch definition shine. The pattern is designed to be versatile; while the source uses a #6 super bulky yarn for a quick 13-inch square, the structure adapts beautifully to #4 worsted or #3 DK weights if you prefer a finer gauge. The beauty of this layout lies in its flexibility—you can use a different scrap color for every sunburst, or stick to a curated palette. It is a project that invites you to slow down and embrace the texture.
Project Overview
The Sunburst Revival Afghan is worked in a sunburst granny block with additional granny stitch rows. The blocks are joined with a modified slip stitch join. Then a border is added which consists of a single crochet round, followed by granny stitch rounds. The afghan is finished with a single round of a simple decorative stitch in the contrast color. The finished afghan measures 42.5” x 56.6” and is made of 12 squares (3 squares wide by 4 squares long).
Materials
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Yarn: Caron Anniversary Cake, size 6 super bulky, 100% acrylic, 285 yds/260 m per 8.8 oz/250 g skein.
- 3 Cakes Wave (Blue), 680 yards – Main Color
- 2 Cakes Cherry (Red), 425 yards – Accent Color
- 2 Cakes Playgroup (Variegated), 350 yards – Sunburst Color
- US K/6.50 mm crochet hook
- Stitch markers to keep track of rows
- Tapestry needle and scissors
Gauge and Finished Size
Afghan Square is 13” x 13” when using #6 weight yarn shown. The finished Afghan measures 42.5” x 56.6”.
Abbreviations
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- idc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch(es)
Pattern Notes
This pattern is designed to put you in charge and to work with your scrap yarn stash. You can add or subtract afghan squares to get a different size afghan. Add or subtract granny border rounds to further adjust the finished afghan size. If using a different weight yarn, you will need to calculate the yarn you need to purchase. The best way to do this is to crochet a square in your chosen color layout without weaving in any ends. Then unravel the square and measure the amount of yarn you used for each section. Multiply this by the number of squares in your layout to get the amount of yarn needed for the squares. Be sure to allow extra yarn for joining the squares and working the border. I often do a little border test on the tester square to estimate the border. I always recommend purchasing a bit extra of the main/background color yarn to account for any math errors or changes I make along the way (usually an extra ½ – 1 skein is sufficient).
Special Stitches
Puff Stitch
Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop to the height of a double crochet (3 loops on hook). Then yarn over again and insert hook into the same stitch and pull up another loop (5 loops on hook). Yarn over again, insert hook into the same space and pull up another loop. (7 loops on hook). Pull yarn through all loops. Chain 1 to lock in the stitch.
Bobble Stitch
Yarn over, insert hook into space between 2 puff stitches and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (this leaves 2 loops on hook). Make 3 more incomplete double crochet stitches. There are now 5 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops. Chain 2 to lock in the bobble stitch.
Pattern Instructions
Crochet Sunflower Square (make 12)
Make a magic ring with the yarn chosen for the sunburst.
R1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), make 15 dc into the loop. Sl st to top of 1st stitch in the row to join. (16 st)
R2: This row is comprised of puff stitches (described above). Ch 2. *Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch as joining and pull up a loop to the height of a double crochet (3 loops on hook). Then yarn over again and insert hook into the same stitch and pull up another loop (5 loops on hook). Yarn over again, insert hook into the same space and pull up another loop. (7 loops on hook). Pull yarn through all loops. Chain 1 to lock in the stitch. First puff stitch made. Then continue to work puff stitches (following the instructions in the special stitches section) into each stitch of the previous row. At end of round, sl st to top of 1st puff stitch. (16 puff stitches).
R3: This row is worked in bobbles into the spaces in between the puff stitches from the prior row. (described above). Sl st into next space, then ch 2 (counts as first ‘leg’ of bobble), yarn over, insert hook into space between 2 puff stitches and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (this leaves 2 loops on hook). Make 2 more incomplete double crochet stitches. There are now 4 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops. Chain 2 to lock in the bobble stitch. First bobble stitch made. Then continue to work bobbles (following the instructions in the special stitches section) across the row into the spaces in the previous row. At end of row, slip stitch to top of 1st bobble stitch. (16 bobble stitches). Fasten off yarn.
R4: Join main color yarn in any space in previous round. Chain 3 (counts as 1st dc). 2 dc in same space. *In next space, work all of the following: (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr). Corner made. 3 dc in next space, 3 hdc in next space, 3 dc in next space*. Repeat from * 3 more times. Then work 3 dc in next space, 3 hdc in last space and join with a slip st to 1st dc in row.
R5: Sl st to next space, ch 3 (counts as 1 st dc) and 2dc in same space, [3dc, ch2, 3 dc] in space for corner, 3dc in each space until next corner. Continue to work around, working 3dc in ea space on the sides and [3dc, ch2, 3 dc] in each corner. At end of round join with a sl st to the 1 st dc in the row. Fasten off main color yarn.
Continue to work in granny square stitch pattern. When starting a row with a new color, attach it with a sl st to a space and then ch-3 (counts as the 1st dc). When continuing with the same color as the previous row, slip stitch to the next space, then ch-3 (counts as the 1 st dc).
R6-7: Work in Accent Color.
R8: Work in Main Color.
Assembly
Use sunburst yarn color to join granny squares in a 3 square wide by 4 square long layout. I used a Modified Slip Stitch Join which you can find on my Crochet Owl Blanket. Or you can use another joining method. For more inspiration on joining techniques, you might also check out our easy crochet blanket ideas.
Join sunburst yarn color to any stitch on the side of the afghan with a sl st and ch 1.
R1: sc in ea st on each side of the afghan. Work 3-sc in each corner space. At end of round, join with a sl st to top of starting sc and fasten off yarn.
R2: With main color yarn, attach to any corner stitch with a sl st and ch 3 (counts as 1 st dc), work [2dc, ch-2, 3dc] in same stitch (corner made), *skip 2 stitches, work 3dc in next st, repeat from * until corner, then work [3dc, ch-2, 3dc] (2 nd corner made). Repeat from *around. At end of row, join to top of starting dc.
R3-4: Work in established granny square pattern (see blanket R5). Fasten off yarn at the end of R4.
R5: Join accent color yarn with a sl st in any corner space, work (sc, ch-3, sc) in same corner space, *skip next st, (sc, ch-3, sc) in the next stitch. Repeat from *around. Make sure that a (sc, ch-3, sc) is in each corner even if that means skipping an extra stitch (or not skipping a stitch at all) before working the corner. At the end of the row, join to top of starting sc and fasten off.
Weave in all ends.
Tips
If using a different weight yarn, you will need to calculate the yarn you need to purchase. The best way to do this is to crochet a square in your chosen color layout without weaving in any ends. Then unravel the square and measure the amount of yarn you used for each section. Multiply this by the number of squares in your layout to get the amount of yarn needed for the squares. Be sure to allow extra yarn for joining the squares and working the border. I often do a little border test on the tester square to estimate the border. I always recommend purchasing a bit extra of the main/background color yarn to account for any math errors or changes I make along the way (usually an extra ½ – 1 skein is sufficient).
FAQs
Can I use worsted weight yarn for this pattern?
Yes. If your stash is mostly worsted weight yarn, this pattern adapts beautifully. A #4 worsted weight yarn will make a 9.5” square (R1-8). You will need to calculate the yarn needed and add more squares to reach your desired size.
How do I join the squares?
The pattern suggests a Modified Slip Stitch Join, but you can use any joining method you prefer. Use the sunburst yarn color to join the granny squares.
Can I change the border colors?
Absolutely. The border consists of single crochet and granny stitch rounds. You can change the color scheme from block to block or use different colors for the border rounds to match your decor.
How many squares do I need?
The finished afghan measures 42.5” x 56.6” and is made of 12 squares (3 squares wide by 4 squares long). You can add or subtract squares to get a different size.
What is the difference between a puff stitch and a bobble stitch?
A puff stitch involves pulling up loops in the same stitch and pulling through all loops at once. A bobble stitch involves pulling up loops in the space between stitches and working incomplete double crochets before pulling through all loops.
I love seeing your finished projects! If you enjoyed making the Sunburst Revival Afghan pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo. If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook page or pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo!
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