A small make meant to light up your day.
This beautiful 8-round sunny crochet granny square is sure to catch anyone's eye. Bold color, a little texture, and a whole lot of warmth worked into every round.
I designed this square as part of my Sunshine Sampler Blanket, a larger project worked in panels of different stitches connected by these sunny squares down the middle. But I knew they needed their own moment.
My daughter is my little sunshine, and the inspiration for the blanket. Her personality is a ray of laughter, covered in princess dresses and sparkles. There is nothing that brightens my world like her smile. This square was made with her in mind. With the kind of intention that makes a handmade thing feel different from anything you could ever buy.
This pattern is paired with a mindfulness exercise focused on finding the small lights in your everyday life. If you ask me, slow making is always better with a little intention behind it, but that might just be me.
If you are new here, I have a whole collection of free mindful crochet patterns waiting for you. Every single one comes with a mindfulness exercise because that is just how we do things around here.
Difficulty:
Intermediate with knowledge of Front Post Stitches
Gauge:
The completed square measures 6 in x 6 in
Stitches (US Terms):
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- st = stitch(es)
- sp = space
- FPdc = front post double crochet
- fpdc* = special front post double crochet working around 2 hdc posts as one. See special stitch below
Hey, I’m Abby!
The hands and heart behind Yarnful Mind. I’m a stay-at-home mom, wife, and longtime lover of yarn. I turn to crochet not just for creativity, but for calm. What started as a way to quiet my depressingly anxious mind has grown into something much bigger: a gentle space where I can share patterns, mindful moments, and the slow magic of making.
Stitch slow, breathe deep, stay mindful.
Special Stitch
fpdc*: This front post double crochet is worked around both posts for the next two hdc. Meaning you insert your hook to the right of the first hdc post and come out to the left of the second. See image below
Yarn
Yarn A: Caron One Pound in Sunflower (approx 5 grams or 9 yards)
Yarn B: Hobbi yarn, Amigo XL, DK weight in Bright Orange (approx 0.5g or 1 yard)
Yarn C: Hobbi yarn, Amigo XL, DK weight in Verdigris (approx 1.5g or 3 yards)
Yarn D: Hobbi yarn, Amigo XL, DK weight in Ecru (approx 10g or 22 yards)
Chart
See the chart below for a visual of the written pattern. The written pattern will follow.
Pattern
Start with magic ring
Round 1:
In Yarn A, 8 hdc into ring. FO with invisible join. [8hdc]
Round 2:
Using a standing sc to attach Yarn B (counts as 1st st), work another sc into the same stitch. 2sc in each st around. FO with invisible join. [16 sc]
Round 3:
Using a standing hdc to attach Yarn A (counts as 1st st), work another hdc into the same stitch. 1 hdc in the next st. (2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next st) repeat around 7 times. Sl st to 1st st to join the round. [24 hdc]
Round 4:
Ch 1 (doesn't count as st), (hdc, hdc, ch 2, sk 1 st) repeat around 7 times. Sl st to 1st true hdc. [16 hdc, 8 ch sp]
Light and gratitude
Between rounds, pause and name one thing that brought you light today.
It doesn't have to be big. The way the sun came through a window, a good cup of coffee, a quiet moment. Let the square be a record of small lights.
Round 5:
Ch 2, work a fpdc* around the next 2 hdc st. On the last pull through, change the color to Yarn C. 4 dc in the ch sp, change to Yarn A on the last pull through of the 4th dc. (Fpdc* around next 2 hdc, 4dc in chain space) Repeat 7 times. Don't change color on the last dc. Just sl st to the 1st fpdc* [8 fpdc*, 32 dc]
Round 6:
Ch 2 color change to Yarn A on the 2nd chain. (Fpdc around previous fpdc* from round 5, color change to Yarn D on last pull through, hdc, 2 hdc increase, hdc, hdc color change to yarn A on last pull through) repeat around. Sl st to ch sp [8 fpdc, 40 hdc]
Note: On the last pull through of the last hdc, change to Yarn D.
Round 7:
In Yarn D, ch 4 (counts as 1st dc and 2ch) 2dc in same st. In the next 11 sts work dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc. 2dc-2ch-2dc (corner made) into the next st. (dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, 2dc-2ch-2dc) repeat 2 times. dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc. 1 dc in 1st corner ch sp. Sl st into 2nd ch in starting ch4. [60 st, 4 ch2 sp]
Sides are: dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc
Corners: 2dc-2ch-2dc
Round 8:
Ch 3 (counts as 1 hdc and ch 2 corner space). Work 3 hdc into the same corner space. (Ch 1, sk 2, 3 hdc in next st) repeat 3 times. Work 3 hdc-ch 2-3 hdc into next corner space. Repeat this sequence 2 more times.
For the last side work (ch 1, sk 2, 3 hdc in next st) 3 times, ch 1, sk 2, then 2 hdc into the starting corner space to complete it. Fasten off. Join with an invisible join. [16 hdc clusters total, 4 corners total]
Note: The ch 3 at the start acts as your first hdc and the ch 2 corner space. You will work your invisible joint (or you can choose to sl st) to the 3rd chain of this starting ch 3 to close the round.
Thank you so much for being here.
This pattern means a lot to me, and I hope it brings a little sunshine into your day too. If you loved this square, it is also part of my Sunshine Sampler Blanket, so stay in touch for that big reveal. And if you make it, I would love to see it 
Please do not copy, repost, or distribute this pattern as your own. You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern, but please credit Yarnful Mind as the designer. Thank you for supporting my work and honoring creative boundaries.