Sunflower Crochet Pattern (Free Amigurumi)

A sunflower crochet pattern that makes a soft, cheerful amigurumi flower is one of the sweetest small projects you can make. Bright yellow petals, a round brown center, and a sturdy green stem turn a few balls of yarn into a sunflower that never wilts.

This is an original Little Loop Finds design, written in US terms and completely free. The sunflower is worked in the round in single crochet, with the petals worked in joined rounds around the flower head, and the stem worked as a simple tube with two leaves. If you can crochet a chain, a single crochet, and a double crochet, you can crochet this sunflower.

A quick note on scope: this post is about one specific amigurumi sunflower, a plush flower head on a stem with leaves, made to stand in a pot or a vase. It is not a sunflower granny square and not a sunflower blanket. If you want those, our sunflower granny square crochet pattern makes a square motif, and our crochet sunflower blanket pattern makes a full throw.

Key Takeaways

• Free original pattern: this sunflower crochet pattern is a Little Loop Finds original design, written in US terms, and completely free.
• A cheerful amigurumi flower: a plush sunflower head with petals, a stem, and leaves, about 12 inches tall.
• Beginner friendly: single crochet in the round, with the increases and petal rounds explained step by step.
• A quick afternoon project: one sunflower takes about 4 hours, including the stem and leaves.
• Three ways to use it: stand it in a pot on a windowsill, add it to a handmade bouquet, or give it as a sunny gift.

Table of Contents

• Why You Will Love This Crochet Sunflower
• Finished Size, Skill Level, and Time
• Materials You Need
• Abbreviations (US Terms)
• Gauge and Sizing Notes
• Part 1: The Flower Head
• Part 2: The Stem and Leaves
• Part 3: Assembly and Finishing
• Variations: Colors, Sizes, and Uses
• Troubleshooting Petals and Stems
• Care Instructions
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why You Will Love This Crochet Sunflower

There is something about a sunflower that lifts a room. The bright yellow petals, the warm brown center, and the fresh green stem look like a small piece of summer, even in the middle of winter. A crochet sunflower brings that cheer to a windowsill, a desk, or a bedside table, and it never needs water.

Finished Size, Skill Level, and Time

• Finished size: about 12 inches tall from the bottom of the stem to the top of the petals, with a flower head about 5 inches across. The stem is about 8 inches long.
• Skill level: Easy. You need chains, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and the increases explained in Part 1.
• Time: about 4 hours per sunflower: 2 hours for the flower head, 1 hour for the stem and leaves, and 1 hour for assembly and finishing.

Materials You Need

Worsted weight yarn is the best choice for an amigurumi sunflower because it works up quickly, the petals hold their shape, and the finished flower is sturdy enough to stand. A smooth acrylic or cotton blend works well, because it shows clean stitch definition and holds up to handling. Choose a bright, sunny yellow for the petals, a warm brown for the center, and a fresh green for the stem and leaves.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• inc = increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec = decrease (sc2tog)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• MR = magic ring

Gauge and Sizing Notes

Gauge for an amigurumi sunflower matters, because the stitches need to be tight enough that the stuffing does not show through. Work a swatch of 12 sc stitches and 12 rows in color B, and measure it. It should be about 3 inches wide and 3 inches tall. If your swatch is wider than 3 inches, go down a hook size. If it is narrower, go up a hook size.

The flower head in this pattern is worked over 48 stitches at its widest, which makes a flower about 5 inches across at the gauge above. Stuff the flower head firmly but not so hard that the stitches stretch open and the stuffing peeks out.

To make a smaller sunflower, use a 3.5 mm hook and the same stitch counts, for a flower about 4 inches across and 10 inches tall. To make a larger sunflower, use a 5.0 mm hook and bulky weight yarn, for a flower about 6 inches across and 14 inches tall.

Part 1: The Flower Head

The flower head is the heart of the sunflower, and it is worked in two parts: a brown center worked in the round, and two layers of yellow petals worked in joined rounds around the edge of the center. Work the center first, then add the petals, then stuff the head lightly before you close it.

The Brown Center

With color B, make a magic ring.

• Round 1: 6 sc in the ring. (6 sc)
• Round 2: inc in each st around. (12 sc)
• Round 3: (sc in the next st, inc in the next st) 6 times. (18 sc)
• Round 4: (sc in each of the next 2 sts, inc in the next st) 6 times. (24 sc)
• Round 5: (sc in each of the next 3 sts, inc in the next st) 6 times. (30 sc)
• Round 6: (sc in each of the next 4 sts, inc in the next st) 6 times. (36 sc)
• Round 7: (sc in each of the next 5 sts, inc in the next st) 6 times. (42 sc)
• Round 8: (sc in each of the next 6 sts, inc in the next st) 6 times. (48 sc)
• Rounds 9-10: sc in each st around. (48 sc)

After round 10, the center should be a flat disc about 4 inches across. The right side faces out, and the stitches should be tight and even. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round, and move it up as you work, so you always know where the round begins.

The Back of the Flower Head

The back of the flower head is a second disc in green, worked the same way as the center, but one round shorter. It covers the back of the flower and gives you a place to attach the stem.

With color C, make a magic ring, and work rounds 1 through 7 exactly as above, ending with 42 stitches. Then work 2 rounds of sc in each stitch around, for a total of 9 rounds. Do not fasten off yet, because the back will be joined to the front in Part 3.

The Petals, Back Layer

The petals are worked in color A, in joined rounds around the edge of the brown center. The back layer has 12 large petals, and it is worked first, so it sits behind the front layer.

Join color A with a sl st to any stitch on round 10 of the brown center. Then work the back petal round like this:

• Back petal round: (sl st in the next st, ch 2, dc in the next st, dc in the next st, ch 2, sl st in the next st) 12 times around the edge of the center. Join with a sl st to the first sl st. Fasten off, leaving a 6 inch tail.

Each repeat of that round makes one petal: the chains lift the petal up, the two double crochets give it width, and the slip stitches anchor it at each side. Work the round loosely, because tight petals curl inward.

After the back layer, you should see 12 petals ringing the brown center, each about 1 inch long. Count them before you move on, because a missing petal is easy to fix now and hard to fix later.

The Petals, Front Layer

The front layer has 12 smaller petals, worked in the same way, but sitting in front of the back layer and offset by half a petal, so the two layers overlap like a real sunflower.

Join color A with a sl st to a stitch on round 10 of the brown center, one stitch to the side of a back petal, so the front petals fall between the back petals. Then work:

• Front petal round: (sl st in the next st, ch 2, dc in the next st, ch 2, sl st in the next st) 12 times around the edge of the center. Join with a sl st to the first sl st. Fasten off, leaving a 6 inch tail.

The front petals are shorter than the back petals, because they have only one double crochet instead of two, and that size difference is what makes the flower look full and layered.

Part 2: The Stem and Leaves

The stem is a narrow tube of green single crochet, worked in the round, with a pipe cleaner or a wooden skewer inside to keep it straight. The leaves are small flat ovals, worked in rows, and sewn to the sides of the stem.

The Stem

With color C, make a magic ring.

• Round 1: 6 sc in the ring. (6 sc)
• Round 2: (sc in the next st, inc in the next st) 3 times. (9 sc)
• Rounds 3-24: sc in each st around. (9 sc)

Work rounds 3 through 24 without increasing or decreasing, and the tube will grow straight and even. At the gauge above, 22 rounds measure about 8 inches long.

Before you fasten off, slide a pipe cleaner or a short wooden skewer into the tube, and trim it so it sits just below the top of the stem. The pipe cleaner gives the stem enough stiffness to hold the flower head up, and it lets you bend the stem slightly for a natural look. Stuff a little polyester stuffing around the pipe cleaner at the top and bottom of the tube, so the stem feels full and smooth. Fasten off, leaving a long tail of about 12 inches for sewing the stem to the flower head in Part 3.

The Leaves (Make 2)

Each leaf is worked flat in rows, starting with a chain, then worked down one side of the chain and back up the other side, which makes a pointed oval.

With color C, ch 11.

• Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in the next ch, dc in each of the next 6 ch, hdc in the next ch, sc in the last ch, then work down the other side of the chain: sc in the next ch, hdc in the next ch, dc in each of the next 6 ch, hdc in the next ch, sc in the last ch. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off, leaving a 6 inch tail.

Each leaf should be about 3 inches long and 1 inch wide, with a point at each end. The double crochets in the middle make the leaf wide, and the single crochets at the tips make it pointed.

Make a second leaf exactly the same way. The two leaves will sit on opposite sides of the stem, about halfway up, like a real sunflower. Our crochet flower pattern free collection has more leaf shapes if you want to try a different one.

Part 3: Assembly and Finishing

Assembly is where the separate pieces become a sunflower. Take your time here, because careful sewing is what makes the flower look neat and professional. Pin the pieces in place before you sew.

Joining the Flower Head

Place the green back disc behind the brown center, with the wrong sides facing each other, and the petals sticking out around the edge. If you like the face in the photos, embroider two small eyes, a smile, and pink cheeks on the brown center with black and pink yarn before you join the discs. Stuff a small handful of polyester stuffing between the two discs, just enough to give the flower head a gentle puff, about half an inch thick.

Using the yarn still attached to the green back disc, whip stitch the two discs together around the edge, working one stitch through both layers in each stitch around. Work loosely around the petals, so the stitches do not pull the petals inward. When you reach the start, weave in the tail and trim it close.

Attaching the Stem

Hold the stem upright against the center of the green back disc, with the top of the stem touching the middle of the disc. Using the long tail left on the stem, sew around the top of the stem where it meets the disc, working small stitches through the stem and the disc, all the way around. Make at least two rounds of stitches, so the join is strong enough to hold the flower head up.

Attaching the Leaves

Sew one leaf to each side of the stem, about 4 inches up from the bottom. Work a few small stitches through the base of each leaf and the side of the stem, and pull the leaf so it angles slightly upward, like a real sunflower leaf. Weave in the tails and trim them close.

Stand the sunflower in a small pot filled with pebbles or dry rice, or in a vase with other crochet flowers. Our crochet flowers bouquet pattern free shows how to arrange a full bouquet. To give it as a gift, tie a ribbon around the stem.

Variations: Colors, Sizes, and Uses

• Classic sunflower: work the flower in bright yellow, brown, and green, the colorway in the photos. Our amigurumi doll free pattern uses the same yarn and hook.
• Mini sunflower: use a 3.5 mm hook and the same stitch counts, for a flower about 4 inches across and 10 inches tall, perfect for a desk or a car dashboard.
• Sunflower bouquet: make 3 or 5 sunflowers in different heights, and stand them together in a jar for a bouquet that never wilts.
• Sunflower brooch: leave off the stem and leaves, sew a pin back to the green disc, and wear the flower head as a brooch on a coat or a bag.

Troubleshooting Petals and Stems

• My flower head curls like a bowl. Increases were missed in the center rounds. Count the stitches at the end of every round, and the count should grow by 6 each round through round 8.
• My petals curl inward. The petal round was worked too tightly. Work the chains and double crochets loosely, and block the petals by pressing them flat with your fingers.
• My stem bends over. The pipe cleaner is missing or too short, or the flower head is too heavy for the stem. Use a wooden skewer for a stiffer stem, and stuff the flower head lightly.

Care Instructions

Spot clean a crochet sunflower with a damp cloth and a tiny amount of mild soap, and let it air dry. If the whole flower needs washing, hand wash it gently in cool water, press the water out without wringing, and reshape the petals while it is damp. Do not put a crochet sunflower in the washing machine or the dryer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this sunflower crochet pattern good for beginners?

Yes, it is a great first amigurumi project. You need chains, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet, and every round ends with a stitch count. One sunflower takes about 4 hours, and the pieces are small and quick to finish.

What yarn is best for a crochet sunflower?

Worsted weight yarn is the best choice, because it works up quickly and the petals hold their shape. Bright yellow, warm brown, and leaf green give the classic look in the photos, but any sunny yellow with a brown center will read as a sunflower.

How big is the finished sunflower?

About 12 inches tall from the bottom of the stem to the top of the petals, with a flower head about 5 inches across. The stem is about 8 inches long, and the leaves are about 3 inches long.

How many petals does the sunflower have?

24 petals in total: 12 large petals in the back layer and 12 smaller petals in the front layer. The two layers overlap, which is what makes the flower look full and layered like a real sunflower.

Can I make the sunflower without a stem?

Yes, leave off the stem and leaves, and use the flower head on its own as a brooch, a hair clip, or a decoration on a hat or a bag. Sew a pin back or a clip to the green disc on the back of the flower head.

Can I sell sunflowers made from this pattern?

Yes, you may sell finished sunflowers made from this free pattern, with credit to Little Loop Finds. Please do not sell or republish the pattern text itself. A bunch of three sunflowers in a small pot makes a sweet gift bundle.

Happy stitching, and may your little sunflower bring a bright, cheerful summer to whoever receives it.