77. Ukrainian sun earrings

Ukrainian Sun Earrings by Oksana Volytska

What is Being Made

These are delicate crocheted earrings inspired by Ukrainian sun motifs. The design features two matching circular crocheted pieces that measure approximately 1.77 inches in diameter. Each earring is constructed around a metal or wooden ring base and finished with a glass bead and jewelry hook for wearing. The finished pieces create a striking sun-like appearance through the use of openwork crochet stitches and strategic stitch clustering.

Craft and Technique Overview

This project uses crochet as the primary craft technique. The earrings are classified as a beginner-level project, making them accessible to those new to crochet while still producing professional-looking results. The technique involves working in rounds around a central metal or wooden ring base, building outward with increasing stitch patterns to create the characteristic sun-like shape. The use of decreasing stitches (stitches worked together) creates dimensional texture and helps define the earring's form.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs several fundamental crochet stitches:

• Chain stitch (ch) – Used to create the foundation and spacing between stitch groups
• Single crochet (sc) – Forms the base round worked directly onto the metal ring, creating 32 or more stitches depending on ring size
• Double crochet (dc) – Used in combination with other stitches to build height and texture
• Double crochet 2 together (dc2tog) – A decrease stitch that combines two double crochets into one, creating shaping and definition
• Double crochet 3 together (dc3tog) – A decrease stitch that combines three double crochets into one, used for more pronounced shaping
• Slip stitch (slst.) – Used to join rounds and create seamless transitions between pattern rows
• Skip (sk.) – Allows for spacing and openwork effects within the pattern

Materials and Tools

The earrings are constructed using lace-weight cotton yarn in a fine gauge. The recommended yarn has a yardage of approximately 169 meters per 50 grams (185 yards per 1.76 ounces). A steel crochet hook in size 1.5 mm is used to work with this delicate yarn, creating precise, intricate stitches. Additional materials include two metal or wooden rings approximately 0.8 inches in diameter to serve as the central base structure, two glass beads (or alternative beads of your choice) for embellishment, two 1-inch eye-pins for jewelry assembly, and jewelry hooks for wearing. Round pliers are needed to manipulate and secure the eye-pins and jewelry components.

Pattern Structure and Gauge

The pattern works in rows around the central ring base. Row 1 establishes the foundation by working 32 single crochet stitches around the metal ring (this count can be adjusted by increments of 3, 6, or 9 stitches if using a larger ring). The pattern then progresses through subsequent rows using combinations of chain stitches and decrease stitches to create the radiating sun effect. The finished gauge should produce a circular piece measuring 1.77 inches in diameter when using the specified materials and following the pattern as written. The openwork created by the stitch combinations and spacing produces an airy, lacy appearance characteristic of traditional Ukrainian sun symbolism.