Another Sunflower Block

Another Sunflower Block by Julie Yeager

Project Overview

Another Sunflower Block is a 12-inch crochet afghan square designed by Julie Yeager. This intermediate-level project creates a decorative motif suitable for blankets, afghans, or standalone decorative pieces. The design features a charming sunflower-inspired pattern worked in multiple coordinating colors that build upon each other through successive rounds.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single 12-inch square block intended for use in larger afghan projects. The finished motif showcases a dimensional, layered design that begins with a small center and expands outward through strategic increases and stitch placement. The block features a cupped center in early rounds that naturally flattens as the pattern progresses, creating an organic, three-dimensional effect typical of flower-inspired crochet designs.

Crochet Techniques Used

The pattern employs fundamental crochet techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. Key techniques include working in the round from a central point, managing yarn color changes between rounds, and executing increases to expand the motif. The design demonstrates how simple stitch combinations can create visual interest and dimension. Stitch markers are used throughout to help track the beginning of rounds and maintain consistent stitch placement.

Stitches Used

• Single Crochet (sc): Forms the foundation and appears throughout multiple rounds, providing structure and definition to the motif
• Double Crochet (dc): Creates height variation and visual texture when alternated with single crochet stitches
• Chain Stitch (ch): Used for foundation chains and transitional stitches; chains count as stitches within the stitch counts
• Slip Stitch (sl st): Joins rounds and secures color changes without adding height
• Long Double Crochet or Spike Double Crochet (spike dc): A special stitch technique where the hook inserts into a previous row rather than the current row, creating elongated stitches that add depth and visual interest to the design

Materials Required

The Another Sunflower Block pattern calls for worsted or aran weight yarn, with Vanna's Choice specifically recommended as a suitable option. Four yarn colors are needed: Aqua (Color A), Baby Aqua (Color B), White (Color C), and Scarlet (Color D). These colors work together to create the sunflower aesthetic, with the aqua tones forming the base, white providing contrast, and scarlet adding a pop of warm color.

A size I crochet hook (5.5 mm) is used throughout the pattern to work with the worsted and aran weight yarns. Eight stitch markers assist in tracking round beginnings and maintaining accurate stitch placement across the four rounds of the pattern.

Pattern Structure

The motif is constructed over four rounds, each building upon the previous. Round 1 establishes the center with 9 single crochets worked into a magic ring foundation. Round 2 doubles the stitch count to 18 by working two stitches into each stitch of the previous round using Color B. Round 3 introduces stitch variation by alternating double crochet and single crochet stitches, maintaining the 18-stitch count while creating textural interest. Round 4 continues the alternating pattern, completing the 12-inch square block.

The pattern notes that a chain 3 at the beginning of a round counts as a double crochet, a common convention in crochet patterns that affects stitch counts and should be observed carefully during construction.