How to Crochet a Sunflower Brooch Pattern for Every Skill Level

There is something undeniably cheerful about a sunflower. Its bold yellow petals, dark center, and unshakable association with warmth and summer make it one of the most beloved flowers to recreate in fiber arts. A crocheted sunflower brooch takes all of that joy and turns it into something wearable — a small handmade accessory that can brighten a coat lapel, a tote bag, a hat, or even a baby’s headband.

The best part? You do not need to be an advanced crocheter to make one. This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from choosing your yarn and hook to finishing and attaching your brooch pin. Whether you are picking up a crochet hook for the first time or you have been crocheting for years and want a satisfying weekend project, there is a version of this pattern here for you.

Why Crochet a Sunflower Brooch?

Before we dive into the pattern itself, it is worth talking about why this particular project is so popular and why it makes such a wonderful make.

Sunflower brooches are fast. Even at a leisurely pace, you can complete one in under two hours, which makes them deeply satisfying for crafters who want to see quick results. They are also very inexpensive to make, since they use only small amounts of yarn — perfect for using up scraps from other projects. A single brooch uses so little material that you could make a dozen from one skein of each color.

They also make incredible gifts. A handmade brooch feels personal and thoughtful in a way that a purchased accessory rarely does. You can customize the colors to suit the recipient — classic yellow and brown for a traditional sunflower, or rust and terracotta for an autumn version, or even white and lavender for a purely whimsical take. The pattern is forgiving enough to play with, and the result always looks polished.

Finally, crocheted brooches are a gateway skill. If you have been wanting to try working in the round, learning to change colors, or understanding how to add texture and dimension to flat crochet, this project teaches all of those things in a low-stakes, enjoyable way.

Materials You Will Need

You do not need much to get started. Here is a straightforward list of what to gather before you begin.

Yarn: You will need small amounts of yarn in at least two colors — a bright yellow or golden yellow for the petals and a medium brown or dark brown for the center. A third green yarn is optional if you want to add a leaf or two. Worsted weight yarn (size 4) is ideal for beginners because it is easy to see your stitches and works up quickly. If you want a more delicate or intricate brooch, fingering weight or sport weight will give you a finer, smaller result.

Crochet Hook: For worsted weight yarn, a 4.0 mm or 5.0 mm hook is a good starting point. As always, your gauge does not need to be precise for this project, since a small size difference in the finished brooch will not matter. Use whatever hook feels comfortable.

Yarn Needle: You will need a tapestry or yarn needle to weave in your ends and to join pieces if you choose a layered construction.

Brooch Pin: These are inexpensive and widely available at craft stores, fabric stores, or online. A standard 25 mm to 30 mm (about 1 inch) bar pin works well for most brooch sizes. You can sew it directly through the back of the finished flower using sewing thread, or use a small square of felt as a backing to make it more secure.

Felt (Optional): A small circle of felt in a coordinating color can be cut and glued or sewn to the back of your brooch before attaching the pin. This gives a clean finish and protects the back of your crochet work.

Scissors and Stitch Markers: Standard tools for any crochet project. Stitch markers are especially helpful when working in rounds so you do not lose your place.

Understanding the Basic Structure

A crocheted sunflower brooch is made in two main parts: the center disc and the petal layer. Some patterns add a second petal layer for extra fullness, or a leaf, but the core structure is always these two elements.

The center disc is worked in continuous rounds using brown yarn, starting with a magic ring or chain ring. It creates a small, flat circle that forms the dark seed head of the flower.

The petals are worked separately — either into the foundation chain loop of the center, or into a second ring of stitches added around the outside of the center disc. In most patterns, you will work your petals directly into stitches along the outer edge of the center disc, which creates a seamless, tidy construction.

Once you understand this logic, you can adapt any sunflower pattern to suit your preferred size, yarn weight, or complexity.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

The following abbreviations are standard US crochet terminology.

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet
MR — magic ring
st(s) — stitch(es)
rep — repeat
sp — space

Beginner Sunflower Brooch Pattern

This version uses only single crochet and chain stitches, making it accessible to anyone who has just learned the basics.

Finished Size: Approximately 6–7 cm (about 2.5 inches) in diameter using worsted weight yarn.

Center Disc

Using brown yarn, make a magic ring or ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring. Join with sl st to first sc. (6 sts)

Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc into each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. (12 sts)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st — repeat from to around. Join with sl st to first sc. (18 sts)

Fasten off and change to yellow yarn.

Petals

Round 4 (Petals): Join yellow yarn to any st on the outer round. Ch 6, sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 4 chs, sl st into the next st of the center disc — repeat from to around until you have worked one petal into each of the 18 stitches.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

This gives you 18 simple single-crochet petals that fan out evenly around the center. They are slightly raised and pointed at the tip, which gives a nice petal shape without requiring advanced stitches.

Finishing

Cut a small circle of felt roughly the same size as your center disc. Sew or glue it to the back of the brooch, then sew a brooch pin through the felt and into the back of your crochet work, positioning the pin about one-third of the way down from the top so the brooch sits at a slight upward tilt when worn — this is a small detail that makes it look much more intentional on a coat or bag.

Intermediate Sunflower Brooch Pattern

This version introduces double crochet petals and a slightly larger center, giving the flower more dimension and a more realistic appearance. It also includes an optional second layer of petals.

Finished Size: Approximately 8–9 cm (about 3.5 inches) in diameter using worsted weight yarn.

Center Disc

Using brown yarn, make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2, work 8 dc into the ring. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. (8 sts)

Round 2: Ch 2, work 2 dc into each st around. Join with sl st. (16 sts)

Round 3: Ch 2, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st — repeat from to around. Join with sl st. (24 sts)

If you want a slightly more textured center that resembles the seed pattern of a real sunflower, work Round 3 in back loops only (BLO). This creates a small ridge that adds a lovely tactile quality.

Fasten off. Do not cut the yarn yet if you want to add surface texture to the center — see the note below.

Optional Center Texture: With brown or a darker brown yarn and a smaller hook, you can work a few surface slip stitches across the center disc in a crosshatch pattern to suggest the seed arrangement of a real sunflower. This is a purely decorative step and entirely optional.

Fasten off brown and join yellow yarn.

First Petal Layer

Round 4: Join yellow to any st. Ch 1, dc in same st, dc in next st, ch 1, sl st into same st you just worked dc into, sl st in next st — this creates a paired petal shape. Alternatively, use the following simple approach:

Ch 8, hdc in second ch from hook, dc in next 4 chs, hdc in next ch, sl st in same base st, sl st in next st on center disc — repeat from to around, working one petal into every other stitch. (12 petals)

Second Petal Layer (Optional):

Fasten off yellow and rejoin in the skipped stitches from Round 4. Work the same petal repeat, offsetting the new petals to fill the gaps between the first layer. This gives a full, layered sunflower that looks incredibly lush and realistic.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Adding a Leaf (Optional):

Using green yarn, ch 10, sl st in second ch from hook, sl st in next ch, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, ch 1, rotate and work back along the other side of the chain: sl st, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st. Join to first sl st.

Sew the leaf to the back of the brooch, angling it so it peeks out from behind the flower on one side. This adds a beautiful finishing touch.

Advanced Sunflower Brooch Pattern

For experienced crocheters who want to push the technique further, this version incorporates treble crochet petals, a raised bobble texture in the center, and precise shaping for a more botanical, lifelike result.

Finished Size: Approximately 10–11 cm (about 4 inches) in diameter.

Center Disc with Bobble Texture

Using dark brown yarn, make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc into ring. Join. (6 sts)

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st. Join. (12 sts)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st — rep around. Join. (18 sts)

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st — rep around. Join. (24 sts)

Round 5 (Bobble Round): Ch 1, work a bobble st in next st (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops — repeat 4 times in same st, then yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on hook), sc in next 2 sts — rep around. Join. (8 bobbles and 16 sc)

The bobbles will pop toward the back of your work as you make them — simply push them through to the front as you go. This creates the characteristic raised, textured center of a sunflower.

Fasten off and join yellow.

Petal Construction

Round 6 (Foundation): Ch 1, sc into each st around. Join. (24 sts)

Round 7 (Back Petal Layer): Ch 1, tr in same st, 2 tr in next st, tr in next st, ch 1, sl st into same st, sl st in next 2 sts — rep around. (8 long petals)

Round 8 (Front Petal Layer): Working in the spaces between the back petals, rejoin yellow. Sc, hdc, 2 dc, tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc in a chain-5 arch, sl st in the gap between two back petals — adjust the arch length as needed to fill the spaces. This requires a bit of improvisation and spatial judgment, which is what makes this version satisfying for advanced crocheters.

Fasten off and weave in all ends carefully.

Customizing Your Sunflower Brooch

One of the best things about this pattern is how easily it adapts to different aesthetics. Here are some ideas to personalize your brooch.

Color Variations: A terracotta and cream sunflower has a dried-flower, cottagecore quality. Bright orange with a black center reads as autumn. Pale yellow with a honey-colored center is soft and romantic. Even a variegated yellow yarn can give the petals an interesting shaded effect.

Size Adjustments: Simply going up or down in yarn weight dramatically changes the finished size without altering a single stitch in the pattern. Fingering weight yarn with a 2.0 mm hook produces a delicate, almost jewelry-scale brooch. Bulky yarn with a 6.0 mm hook creates something bold and statement-making.

Adding Beads: A ring of yellow glass seed beads sewn around the inner edge of the petals catches light beautifully. You can also stitch a few beads into the bobble texture of the center for a subtle sparkle.

Embroidery Accents: A few straight stitches worked in a slightly darker yellow across the petals can simulate the veining of real sunflower petals and add a lot of visual interest.

Tips for a Professional Finish

The difference between a brooch that looks homemade and one that looks handcrafted often comes down to a few small finishing details.

Weave in your ends very thoroughly — at least two or three inches in both directions — and trim them close. For a brooch that will be handled and worn, security matters more than speed.

Block your finished flower if possible. Even a quick spritz of water and a gentle press between two towels, followed by pinning it flat to dry, will make the petals lie more evenly and give the center a crisper appearance.

Use a felt backing on every brooch. It conceals the messy back of your work, prevents the pin from tearing through the crochet, and makes the whole piece feel more substantial and finished.

If you are gifting the brooch, a small square of card stock or a piece of kraft paper backing with a thin ribbon to hang it gives it an artisan, shop-quality presentation.

Using Your Sunflower Brooch

A crocheted sunflower brooch is surprisingly versatile. The most classic use is pinned to a coat or jacket lapel, but consider attaching one to a crocheted or knitted hat, a canvas tote bag, a fabric headband, or the corner of a throw pillow. They also make charming package toppers when wrapped around a gift ribbon.

If you are making them for sale at a craft fair or market, consider making them in clusters — a trio of different sizes in coordinating colors, or a mixed set in autumn shades. They are consistently popular and fast enough to produce in quantity.

Final Thoughts

A crocheted sunflower brooch is the kind of project that reminds you why you started crocheting in the first place. It is small enough to finish in a single sitting, satisfying enough to feel like a genuine achievement, and beautiful enough to wear or give with real pride. The pattern scales elegantly from beginner to advanced, and every skill level produces something genuinely lovely.

Whether you are brand new to working in the round or you have been crocheting for decades, this is a project worth making more than once. Make one for yourself, one for a friend, one for your coat, one for your bag. Once you start, it is very hard to stop at just one.