Intermediate
What the pattern's own author called it. Nothing here is graded again.
Cardigans 75 Laid out for paper No account, no download
Rust and terracotta sunflower granny square cardigan
Long cardigan with a sunflower granny panel down the front. 4-round squares, J and I hooks.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Time
- 4-6 hours
- Yarn weight
- Worsted
- Hook
- 6 mm
- Rounds
- 75
Worsted
What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.
75
Each one is typed out whole and gets its own line.
This cardigan pairs a dense single crochet body with a column of sunflower granny squares down the center front. Sleeves start at the cuff and build upward; the body is shaped flat with armhole, shoulder, and V-neck shaping before everything is seamed. Have Color A, B, and C on hand, a J hook for the body and sleeves, an I hook for the squares and button bands, 9 wooden buttons, and stitch markers ready before the first chain.
Common mistakes and their fixes
- Losing buttonhole spacing on Row 3
- Mark all nine buttonhole positions along the band before working Row 3, since each buttonhole consumes 2 skipped stitches and uneven spacing will show once buttons are sewn on.
- Granny square won't lie flat
- Check that Round 4's corner spaces each hold a full ch-3 and that 5 sc are worked across each petal cluster; a short corner chain is the usual cause of a cupped square.
- Mismatched hook left in for wrong section
- The granny squares and button bands use the smaller I hook while the body and sleeves use the J hook; swapping back late in a row shows up as a visible gauge jump at the seam.
The materials list
- Color A (cream/off-white): Approximately 1,400 yards / 1,280 m of worsted weight yarn
- Color B (terracotta/burnt orange): 300 yards / 275 m of worsted weight yarn
- Color C (golden yellow): 150 yards / 137 m of worsted weight yarn
- Option 1: Lion Brand Pound of Love (100% acrylic, 1,020 yards per 16 oz skein). Color A in Fisherman gives excellent stitch definition and is machine-washable. Two skeins of Color A will cover the full body. Grab one skein each of Color B and Color C in coordinating autumn tones.
- Option 2: Paintbox Yarns Simply DK used doubled (100% acrylic, 137 yards per 50 g ball). Double the yarn throughout to achieve worsted gauge. You’ll need approximately 10 balls of Color A, 3 balls of Color B, and 2 balls of Color C.
- Option 3: WeCrochet Swish Worsted (100% superwash merino wool, 200 yards per 100 g skein). This gives a softer drape with slightly more stitch definition. You’ll need 7 skeins of Color A, 2 skeins of Color B, and 1 skein of Color C.
- Any smooth worsted weight yarn (weight 4) that achieves gauge will work beautifully. Avoid heavily textured, fuzzy, or bouclé yarns since stitch definition matters here.
- US size J / 6 mm for body and sleeves
- US size I / 5.5 mm for granny squares and button bands (keeps squares firm and even)
- 9 wooden buttons, approximately 3/4 in / 20 mm diameter
- Yarn needle for seaming and weaving ends
- Stitch markers
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Blocking mats and rust-proof pins
Listed by the pattern's own author, in their words.
Key to this pattern, 20 short forms
Special Stitch: Sunflower Granny Square
This is a 4-round granny square with a circular sunflower motif at the center, creating the radiating petal effect visible on the finished cardigan. Work in rounds without turning. Join each round with a slip stitch.
Round 1
Color C, golden yellow Make a magic ring (or ch 4, join with sl st to form ring). Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 11 more dc into ring, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (12 dc)
Round 2
Color C Ch 1, sc in same st. Ch 2, sk 1 st, sc in next st, rep (ch 2, sk 1, sc in next st) around, ending with ch 2, join with sl st to first sc. (6 sc, 6 ch-2 sps) Fasten off Color C.
Round 3
Color B, terracotta Join Color B in any ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 4 dc into same ch-2 sp (petal cluster begun), ch 1. Work 5 dc into next ch-2 sp, ch 1. Rep (5 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 1) around all 6 ch-2 sps, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (6 petal clusters of 5 dc each, 6 ch-1 sps)
Round 4
Color B This round transforms the circle into a square with corner chains. Sl st across to first ch-1 sp between petals. In this sp work: sc, ch 3 (corner), sc. This creates the first corner. Work sc evenly across the top of the next petal cluster: sc in each of the 5 dc of next petal = 5 sc. Work (sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch-1 sp (corner). Work 5 sc across next petal. Rep (corner, 5 sc across petal) two more times to complete all 4 sides, join with sl st to first sc. (4 corners each with ch-3 sp, 7 sc on each side between corners) Fasten off Color B. Weave in ends.
Round 5
Color A, cream, worked with J hook Join Color A in any corner ch-3 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 2 dc in same corner sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp (first corner shell complete). Work dc in each sc across to next corner sp (7 dc). In corner sp work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Rep dc across side and corner shells around all 4 sides. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off Color A. (Each side has 13 dc between corner ch-2 sps, 4 corner ch-2 sps)
After blocking, each square measures 4.5 in x 4.5 in / 11.5 cm x 11.5 cm.
Make 8 squares total.
Armhole Shaping
Round 1
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sl st across first 5 sts, ch 1, sc in same st, sc to last 5 sts, leave last 5 sts unworked. (64 sc) [72 sc]
Round 2
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (62 sc) [70 sc]
Round 3
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (62 sc) [70 sc]
Round 4
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (60 sc) [68 sc]
Round 5
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (60 sc) [68 sc]
Round 6
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (58 sc) [66 sc]
Round 7
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (58 sc) [66 sc] Work even on 58 sc [66 sc] until armhole measures 8 in / 20 cm from bind-off row. End on a WS row.
Shoulder and Back Neck Shaping
Mark center 20 sts [22 sts] for back neck.
Left shoulder: Ch 1, turn. Sc across first 19 sts [22 sts], leave remaining sts unworked. (19 sc) [22 sc]
Next row: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc across. (18 sc) [21 sc]
Next row: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Fasten off. (18 sc) [21 sc]
Right shoulder: Join yarn at inner edge of right shoulder, leaving the 20 [22] center neck sts unworked for back neck.
Round 1
Ch 1, sc across 19 sts [22 sts] to outer edge. (19 sc) [22 sc]
Round 2
Ch 1, turn. Sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (18 sc) [21 sc]
Round 3
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Fasten off. (18 sc) [21 sc]
Armhole Shaping
Round 1
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sl st across first 5 sts, ch 1, sc in same st, sc across to end. (32 sc) [36 sc]
Round 2
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (31 sc) [35 sc]
Round 3
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (31 sc) [35 sc]
Round 4
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (30 sc) [34 sc]
Round 5
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (30 sc) [34 sc]
Round 6
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (29 sc) [33 sc]
Round 7
of armhole: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (29 sc) [33 sc] Work 2 more rows even. (29 sc) [33 sc]
V-Neck Shaping
Round 1
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc to last 2 sts at center front edge, sc2tog. (28 sc) [32 sc]
Round 2
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (28 sc) [32 sc]
Round 3
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (27 sc) [31 sc]
Round 4
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (27 sc) [31 sc]
Round 5
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (26 sc) [30 sc]
Round 6
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (26 sc) [30 sc]
Round 7
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (25 sc) [29 sc]
Round 8
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (25 sc) [29 sc]
Round 9
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (24 sc) [28 sc]
Round 10
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (24 sc) [28 sc]
Round 11
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (23 sc) [27 sc]
Round 12
of V-neck: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (23 sc) [27 sc] Work even on 23 sc [27 sc] until armhole matches back armhole depth of 8 in / 20 cm total. End on a WS row.Shoulder: Work 18 sc [21 sc] for outer shoulder stitches. Fasten off. (18 sc) [21 sc]
Sleeve Cap Shaping
Round 1
Ch 1, turn. Sl st across 4 sts, ch 1, sc in same st, sc to last 4 sts, leave last 4 sts unworked. (36 sc) [40 sc]
Round 2
Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (34 sc) [38 sc]
Round 3
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (34 sc) [38 sc] Continue decreasing every other row until you have (20 sc) [24 sc] . Fasten off.
Left Front Button Band (buttons sewn here)
With RS of Left Front facing, Color A, and I / 5.5 mm hook, join yarn at hem edge of center front.
Round 1
Work sc evenly up the entire center front edge, approximately 1 sc per row end. (Approximately 110 sc for S/M, 114 sc for L/XL)
Rounds 2–4
Ch 1, turn. Sc in each sc across. Fasten off.
Sleeve Increase Section
Round 7
Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. (30 sc) [34 sc]
Round 8
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (30 sc) [34 sc]
Round 9
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (30 sc) [34 sc]
Round 10
Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. (32 sc) [36 sc] Continue this pattern (increase every 3rd row) until you have (44 sc) [48 sc] .Work even until sleeve measures 14 in / 35.5 cm from foundation. End on a WS row.
Waist Shaping: Decrease Section
Round 11
Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog over first 2 sts, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (72 sc) [80 sc]
Round 12
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (72 sc) [80 sc]
Round 13
Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (70 sc) [78 sc]
Round 14
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (70 sc) [78 sc]
Round 15
Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (68 sc) [76 sc]
Round 16
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (68 sc) [76 sc]
Round 17
Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (66 sc) [74 sc]
Round 18
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (66 sc) [74 sc]
Waist Shaping: Decrease Section
Round 11
Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc across. (36 sc) [40 sc]
Round 12
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (36 sc) [40 sc]
Round 13
Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc across. (35 sc) [39 sc]
Round 14
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (35 sc) [39 sc]
Round 15
Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc across. (34 sc) [38 sc]
Round 16
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (34 sc) [38 sc]
Round 17
Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc across. (33 sc) [37 sc]
Round 18
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (33 sc) [37 sc]
Waist Shaping: Increase Section
Round 19
Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. (68 sc) [76 sc]
Round 20
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (68 sc) [76 sc]
Round 21
Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. (70 sc) [78 sc]
Round 22
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (70 sc) [78 sc]
Round 23
Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. (72 sc) [80 sc]
Round 24
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (72 sc) [80 sc]
Round 25
Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. (74 sc) [82 sc]
Round 26
onwards: Ch 1, turn. Sc across even with no shaping. Continue until piece measures 24 in / 61 cm from foundation row hem edge. End on a WS row. (74 sc) [82 sc]
Waist Shaping: Increase Section
Round 19
Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc across. (34 sc) [38 sc]
Round 20
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (34 sc) [38 sc]
Round 21
Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc across. (35 sc) [39 sc]
Round 22
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (35 sc) [39 sc]
Round 23
Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc across. (36 sc) [40 sc]
Round 24
Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (36 sc) [40 sc]
Round 25
Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc across. (37 sc) [41 sc]
Round 26
onwards: Work even until piece measures 24 in / 61 cm from foundation. End on a WS row. (37 sc) [41 sc]
Assembly, in order
Step 11. Block all pieces to measurements
Step 22. Seam shoulders using mattress stitch or whip stitch
Step 33. Set in sleeves, matching center of sleeve cap to shoulder seam
Step 44. Seam sleeve underarms and side seams in one continuous line
Step 55. Attach granny square panel to center front, centering it over the button bands
Step 66. Add tie cuffs: Chain 30 with Color A, attach at each side edge of sleeve cuff
Step 77. Sew 9 wooden buttons to left front band, aligned with buttonholes
Step 8Weave in all remaining ends. Give the finished garment a final light steam blocking to set everything in place.
Check these before you start
- Color changes in the granny square happen at the start of a round, not mid-round — fasten off Color C after Round 2 and join Color B fresh into a ch-2 space for Round 3.
- The sc2tog decreases in armhole shaping and waist shaping rows remove two stitches per row from each edge; keep a running stitch count rather than relying on the pattern's parenthetical counts alone if you alter sizing.
- Buttonholes on Row 3 of the button band are spaced by chaining 2 and skipping 2 stitches nine times — mark those nine positions before you start the row so spacing stays even across the band.
On one line
| Rounds | 75 |
|---|---|
| Parts | 12 |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Time | 4-6 hours |
| Hook | 6 mm |
| Yarn | Worsted |
Set-up
- Confirm yardage split across all three colors before winding — Color A carries the bulk of the body, while Color B and C are concentrated in the granny squares and petal rounds.
- Set markers for the center 20 [22] back neck stitches ahead of the shoulder shaping rows so you are not counting mid-row.
- Work one Sunflower Granny Square first and check it lies flat with square corners; the ch-3 corner spaces in Round 4 are what square off the circle.
Finishing
- Weave in all ends from color changes in the granny squares and from both button bands before seaming.
- Block all pieces to measurements using rust-proof pins, paying attention to squaring off the granny square panel.
- Seam shoulders, set in sleeves at the shoulder seam, then seam underarms and side seams in one continuous line before sewing buttons and attaching the granny panel and tie cuffs.
Construction
The armhole and waist shaping rows both use sc2tog at the start and end of the row rather than a single center decrease, which pulls the stitch count in evenly from both edges over several rows (64 to 60, 62 to 60, and similar runs in the waist sections).
The granny square is worked in rounds and joined with a slip stitch at the end of each round, but the body and button bands are worked flat with a turning chain — the square's corner ch-3 spaces in Round 4 are what convert its circular Round 1-3 shape into a joinable square edge.
Time per section
| Sunflower Granny Square panel | about 45-60 minutes per square because each square runs 4 color-worked rounds with a fastened-off color change between Rounds 2 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Armhole and waist shaping on the body | about 1-1.5 hours because the armhole runs 7 rows and each waist decrease or increase section runs 8 rows of paired edge shaping |
| Seaming and finishing | about 1 hour because shoulders, sleeve caps, side seams, the granny panel, tie cuffs, and 9 buttons all attach in sequence |
Common questions
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.