Five Easy Free Knitted Sunflower Patterns from The Knit Crew
Brighten up hats, blankets, little gifts, and home decor with sunflowers you knit yourself. Sunflowers are joyful, sturdy, and surprisingly forgiving for new knitters. In this post, The Knit Crew shares five easy, free knitted sunflower patterns you can try today. Each pattern leans into the sunny colorway—golden yellows, warm browns, and leafy greens—so you can mix and match with what you already have in your yarn stash. Whether you’re looking for a quick coaster, a cheerful applique, or a plush centerpiece, there’s a sunflower pattern here for you.
Before we dive in, a quick note on how we’ll format these patterns. Each one is labeled Pattern 1 through Pattern 5 and is designed to be beginner-friendly. We’ve listed the materials, gauge notes, finished size, and step-by-step instructions you can follow with basic knitting skills. The goal is to give you reliable, easy-to-follow patterns that yield satisfying, nice-looking sunflowers you’ll reach for again and again.
A little preparation for all patterns
– Yarn: You’ll see two main colors in most projects—a sunflower yellow and a center color (usually brown or dark orange). For some designs, a leaf green is used for stems or leaves.
– Weight: These patterns work well with DK weight or worsted weight yarns. If you’re using a lighter or heavier yarn, you can adjust the needle size and the number of stitches to keep the proportions similar.
– Needles: For DK, use a light needle (about US size 3-5, 3.25-3.75 mm). For worsted, use a medium needle (about US size 7-9, 4.5-5.5 mm). Circular needles or double-pointed needles are optional but useful for small-in-the-round techniques.
– Gauge: Gauge isn’t critical in many of these patterns, since you’re making decorative items rather than fitted garments. If you want a specific finished size, a quick gauge swatch is a good idea.
– Abbreviations you’ll see: CO (cast on), K (knit), P (purl), and often Kfb (knit front and back, which increases a stitch). Some patterns may use bind off (BO) or slip stitches; I’ll spell out steps where needed.
Pattern 1: Simple Sunflower Coaster
Finished size: About 5 inches in diameter.
Materials
– DK weight yarn in sunflower yellow (main color) and brown (center)
– About 120 yards total (60 yards yellow, 60 yards brown)
– US size 6-7 (4.0-4.5 mm) knitting needles or whichever size gives you a similar fabric
– Yarn needle for weaving in ends
Gauge
– Not critical, but a firm fabric helps the coaster hold its shape.
Pattern notes
– This coaster is knit flat, then the petals are added around the edge as small pinky-orange “petals” to create a sunburst effect.
– You’ll knit a circular center first, then attach petals around it.
Instructions
1) Center disk
– With brown, cast on 6 and join to knit in the round (or knit flat and seam later).
– R1: Knit around.
– R2: Increase in every stitch (Kfb in each stitch) to get 12 stitches.
– R3: K1, Kfb, repeat to end (18 stitches).
– R4: K2, Kfb, repeat (24).
– R5: K3, Kfb, repeat (30).
– R6: K4, Kfb, repeat (36).
– R7-R8: Knit around in brown to create a small disk of about 1.5 inches in diameter.
– Switch to yellow after these rounds and continue to knit even rounds until the yellow ring reaches roughly 4 inches in diameter. You’re aiming for a compact center with a bit of give so petals sit nicely.
2) Attach petals
– With yellow, you’ll add petals around the brown center. Around the circumference of the brown disk, evenly pick up and knit about 26-32 stitches (adjust for your circumference).
– For each petal, work a small elongated triangle. A simple method is to knit:
– Pick up a stitch, knit 1 row, cast off 3 stitches, knit 1 row, cast on 3 stitches, knit 1 row, and bind off loosely.
– Space the petals evenly around. You’ll end up with about 8-12 petals depending on how you place them. If you’d like a fuller look, do more petals or make them slightly longer.
3) Finishing touches
– Gently weave in ends. Block lightly if necessary to shape the petals.
– If you’re using the coaster on a damp surface, consider a clear separator (like a clear glass coaster) to keep the sunflower intact.
Tips
– If your petals seem too short, simply add more rows before binding off when you’re forming each petal.
– To vary the look, you can alternate petal lengths or use a two-tone petal color for a sunlit effect.
Pattern 2: Quick Sunflower Applique Pin
Finished size: About 2.5-3 inches across.
Materials
– DK or worsted weight in yellow and brown
– Small amount of green for a leaf if you want to add a stem
– US size 4-6 (3.5-4 mm) needles
– Safety pin or brooch back to attach
Gauge
– Not critical.
Pattern notes
– This is a small, decorative sunflower you can sew onto hats, scarves, tote bags, or blankets.
Instructions
1) Center
– With brown, CO 12 stitches and join to work in the round on a small circular needle or DPNs.
– R1: K around (12).
– R2: Kfb in each stitch (24).
– R3: K1, Kfb, repeat to end (36).
– R4: Knit around in brown for 4-6 rounds to form a compact center.
– Short tip: If you’re uncomfortable knitting in the round on small circumference, you can knit a 3-4 inch disk flat and sew it to the center later.
2) Petals
– Switch to yellow.
– Around the disk, pick up and knit 28-32 stitches evenly.
– Work 6-8 petals by knitting a petal motif: for each petal, knit a short elongated triangle as in Pattern 1, but smaller (cast on 6-8 stitches, knit 8-12 rows, bind off loosely). Sew petals around the center.
3) Leaf (optional)
– Pick up stitches on one side of the bloom and knit a simple leaf shape with green to add a touch of realism. Attach to the back with a pin.
4) Finishing
– Sew the pin back to the backside so it’s ready to wear. Weave in ends.
Pattern 3: Sunflower Plush Toy
Finished size: About 7-8 inches tall, depending on how you stuff.
Materials
– Worsted weight yarn: yellow for petals, brown for center, green for stem and leaves
– About 300-350 yards total
– US size 7-8 (4.5-5.0 mm) needles
– Polyester stuffing
– Fiberfill or stuffing for the body
– Optional: safety eyes or embroidered eyes
– Yarn needle for sewing parts
Pattern notes
– This cozy, friendly sunflower can be a child’s toy or a decor piece. It combines a circular center with a ring of petals, plus a simple stem.
Instructions
1) Petal ring
– With yellow, cast on a small number of stitches (for example, cast on 28 stitches on a circular needle or use DPNs to work in the round).
– Work in the round for about 8-10 rounds to form a large disk of petals. If you can, do short rows to form a scalloped edge that looks like petals.
2) Center
– Cast on brown and work a small circle or use a separate brown disk of about 2-3 inches in diameter. Attach the center to the petal ring so it sits in the middle.
3) Assembly
– Stuff the center lightly before closing. If you used a separate center piece, sew it to the petal ring in the middle.
– Add a stem: using green yarn, knit a simple i-cord (a long, thin tube) to the length you want (3-6 inches) and sew it to the bottom of the flower. Attach a couple of small leaves on the stem if you like.
4) Finishing
– Add eyes or embroider a face if desired. Secure all ends and weave in.
Pattern 4: Sunflower Wall Hanging
Finished size: Sunflower motif around 6-8 inches in diameter, with a hanging cord to attach to the wall.
Materials
– Worsted weight in yellow, brown, and a touch of green
– About 300-350 yards total
– US size 6-8 (4.0-5.0 mm) needles
– Cotton or decorative hanging cord or a loop to hang
Pattern notes
– This project uses a single large sunflower motif stitched onto a background piece with a stem and leaves. The colorwork can be done with intarsia or simple stranded color changes, depending on your comfort level.
Instructions
1) Build the sunflower motif
– Cast on a round number of stitches (for example, 60) and work in the round with yellow until you reach a disk about 5-6 inches in diameter.
– For the center, switch to brown for a few rounds to create a dense center. You can do a few rounds of brown in a contrasting color to create the edge of the petals.
2) Create petals
– After a few brown center rounds, switch back to yellow and work 8-10 rounds to form a ring around the center. You can create a petal-like edge by increasing a few stitches in alternating rounds or by picking up stitches around and building petal shapes that extend outward.
3) Attach leaves and stem
– Work a simple green stem by knitting a long i-cord that attaches to the sunflower, or knit a separate green strip and sew it to the back as a stem. Add small green leaves if you’d like.
4) Finishing and hanging
– Block the piece gently to shape the circle. Weave in all ends. Attach a loop or hanging cord at the top.
Pattern 5: Sunflower Mug Cozy
Finished size: Designed to fit a standard 12-ounce mug.
Materials
– DK weight or worsted weight yarn in sunflower yellow, brown, and a small amount of green
– Small amount of stuffing or a button for the center detail
– Knitting needles in the appropriate size for your yarn (usually US 4-6)
– A bit of fabric glue or a sewing needle for finishing
Pattern notes
– A mug cozy is a quick project you can do in an afternoon. You’ll knit a tube that goes around the mug and decorate the front with a sunflower applique.
Instructions
1) Make the cozy tube
– Cast on a number of stitches that fit around your mug with some ease (roughly 28-40 stitches depending on the yarn and needle size). Join in the round and knit in the round for about 7-9 inches, then bind off loosely.
2) Sunflower applique
– Knit a small sunflower using Pattern 2’s instructions but scaled to fit on the cozy. Sew it onto the front of the mug cozy.
3) Finishing
– Weave in ends. If you want a snug fit, you can add a little elastic at the top edge or a drawstring to keep it in place.
Design notes and tips for successful results
– Color choices: Sunflowers are iconic for their bright yellow petals and warm brown centers. You can switch the center color to orange, tan, or even a deep green for a fun twist, but classic yellow and brown will feel most like sunflowers.
– Petal options: The pattern ideas above keep petals simple. If you’d like a more classic look, consider a round center with eight to twelve evenly spaced petals. You can also experiment with longer petals by knitting an elongated triangle as a petal piece before attaching it to the center.
– Finishing and blocking: Light blocking helps the petals hold their shape and makes the pieces lie flat. Use a gentle steam over a towel or a low-heat iron with a pressing cloth to avoid flattening the texture.
– Personal touches: Add stems, leaves, or tiny buds for variety in your garland, wall hanging, or bouquet. You can also crochet a few coiled yarn leaves if you’d like a textured look; however, keep in mind that these patterns are designed for knit construction.
– Gauge and sizing: If your gauge is tighter or looser than expected, adjust by changing needle size accordingly. When you’re aiming for a specific finished size (for example, coasters or mug cozies), a quick swatch helps you scale the project to your preferences.
– Yarn substitutions: If you don’t have the exact color shades, choose a warm yellow or golden yellow, a brown or chocolate brown for centers, and a leaf-green for stems. You can mix and match from your stash to achieve your own sunflower colorway.
A few practical crafting tips
– Plan ahead. If you’re making several sunflowers for a project (garland or wall display), you can knit multiple petals in batches. It’s easier to keep color consistency when you prepare all the petals at once.
– Use a yarn needle with a blunt tip to weave in ends. A blunt tip helps reduce snagging on the yarn fibers.
– Keep your edges neat. When you sew petals onto a center piece or when you attach a sunflower to a mug cozy, use a running stitch around the base to keep them secure and flat against the surface.
– Don’t fear a little variation. Knitted sunflowers are handmade, and natural irregularities give them charm. The yarn texture and hand tension will create unique effects with every sunflower you knit.
Why knit sunflowers?
Sunflowers carry a universal warmth. They’re bright, optimistic, and work well in seasonal decor or everyday color palettes. Knitting sunflowers is a perfect way to practice colorful colorwork and shaping without committing to a large project. They make thoughtful gifts for gardeners, teachers, friends, or anyone who deserves a little sunshine. Whether you’re crocheting a sunflower motif for a small decorative panel or knitting a full-blown plush, these five easy patterns from The Knit Crew offer a range of projects that can be completed in a weekend or shorter, depending on how many you tackle at once.
How to adapt these patterns to your style
– For a wall hanging, you can combine the sunflower motif with a simple backdrop of knitted leaves and a green stem. Add a dowel or wooden rod at the top and a cord to hang.
– For a child’s blanket, consider using a repeating sunflower motif in a mosaic quilt-like layout. Alternate colors for a playful effect and pin the motifs into a larger blanket with a simple garter or seed stitch background.
– For home decor, make a set of sunflowers in varying sizes and frame them in a rustic wooden frame or mount them on a canvas board. This can create a sunny gallery wall that brings warmth to any room.
Where to customize your projects
– If you have young knitters in the family, you can incorporate sunflowers into a kid-friendly accessory line–a sunflower scarf, a cozy hat with a sunflower brim, or a plush sunflower toy. All of these patterns lend themselves to kid-friendly embellishments, including cute embroidered eyes and smiles on plush toys.
– For seasonal decor, try combining multiple sunflowers in a garland for a sunlit autumn or summer display. You can string the finished motifs on a cord or ribbon to create a cheerful door decoration or mantle piece.
– For practical gifts, turn a sunflower motif into a mug cozy, as described in Pattern 5, which makes a quick, ready-to-gift item.
A note on copyright and attribution
These five patterns come from the spirit of free, accessible crafting. They are designed to be beginner-friendly and easy to customize, and they’re published to share joy and skill-building opportunities with readers. If you draw inspiration from The Knit Crew and adapt patterns for your own shop or blog, consider giving credit to your source and linking back to the original post. If you’re making items to gift or sell, you can keep your designs personal while maintaining respect for the work that inspired you.
Closing thoughts
Knitting sunflowers is a joyful way to bring sunshine into everyday items. The five patterns above provide a range of options—from coasters and appliques to a plush toy and a wall hanging, plus a mug cozy you can use at home or gift to friends. Each project is designed with the beginner knitter in mind, while remaining flexible enough for more experienced crafters to adapt and customize. The Knit Crew hopes you’ll try one or more of these free patterns, and we’d love to see your sunflower projects. Share photos and notes about what you changed or learned along the way, and tell us which pattern was your favorite to knit.
If you’re looking for even more sunflower inspiration, don’t hesitate to explore variations in color combinations, petal shapes, or sizes. The beauty of knitted sunflowers is you can tailor them to any project, space, or gift idea. Thanks for joining The Knit Crew in celebrating light, warmth, and the simple joy of a handmade sunflower. Happy knitting, and may your sunny projects bloom with color and happiness.
