STITCH ROUND Lavender sunflower granny square tote crochet pattern
Three rounds build each sunflower center; six squares join into this lavender tote.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Rounds
- 9 rounds
- Yarn weight
- Worsted/Aran
- Hook
- 5.0 mm
- Time
- 6-8 hours
Intermediate
What the original page called it. Nothing here is graded a second time.
9 rounds
Each one gets its own line, with a box beside it to tick as you go.
Worsted/Aran
What the sample was made in. Any weight works — the size moves with it.
About this pattern
This lavender tote starts as six identical granny squares, each one built from a three-round chocolate brown center, a round of mustard puff petals, and a lavender frame that squares it off. Work through each square one at a time, ticking off the center rounds before adding the sunflower texture. Once all six panels are stacked and counted, the squares join into a neat box-shaped bag with a flat base, structured sides, and two long straps worked separately in sturdy single crochet.
The shaping happens mostly at the corners, where the lavender background and corner stitches turn each flat square into a box rather than a flat panel. Slow down on the frame round, worked into the back loops left free behind the petals, since skipping that anchor row lets the puffs flop instead of standing forward. Take care, too, when joining squares and adding base and side reinforcement, keeping tension even so the finished tote holds its shape and the straps sit level across the top edge.
Skill Level: Easy to Intermediate. If you can work a magic ring and a double crochet, you're already most of the way there — the puff stitch takes a little practice but quickly becomes rhythmic, almost meditative.
Finished Size: Height 11.5 inches (29 cm); Width 11.5 inches (29 cm); Depth 4 inches (10 cm); Strap length 40 inches (102 cm) each; Strap drop approximately 9 inches (23 cm).
- Crochet six sunflower granny squares, each starting with a brown center ring that grows into mustard puff petals.
- Frame every square in lavender background stitches so each panel squares off into a clean, uniform block.
- Join the six finished squares together to form the tote's box shape, matching corners as you go.
- Reinforce the base and sides so the bag holds its shape once filled and carried.
- Finish the top edge, then crochet two matching straps worked lengthwise in firm single crochet.
- Sew the straps securely to the top edge to complete the tote.
What goes wrong
- Working petals into both loops Working the puff stitches into both loops flattens the sunflower texture. Work them into the front loops only so the petals stand forward.
- Magic ring left loose A loose magic ring leaves a visible gap at the sunflower's brown center. Pull the tail tight before working the first round, or substitute a chain-4 ring if the magic ring keeps slipping.
- Skipping the back-loop anchor round Skipping or misreading the frame round worked into the back loops behind the petals leaves the puffs unanchored and floppy. Work one stitch into each skipped-stitch space and puff base to lock them down.
- Squares joined with mismatched corners Joining squares without checking that corners align throws off the box shape. Lay all six squares out and match corners before whip stitching them together.
Yarn, hook and the rest
Copied from the source pattern's own materials list.
Yarn (Medium Weight 4, Worsted)
- Color Role Yardage
- Lavender Main color for squares, base, sides, and straps 330 yards (302 m)
- Mustard Yellow Sunflower petals 120 yards (110 m)
- Chocolate Brown Sunflower centers 55 yards (50 m)
- The total lavender yardage includes the squares, the reinforced base and sides, top edging, and both straps.
Crochet hook
- 5.0 mm (US H/8), or size needed for gauge
Optional
- blocking mat and pins to square up panels
Suggested Yarns
- Any smooth worsted or aran weight cotton or cotton blend works beautifully for this project. Here are a few excellent options:
- Lily Sugar’n Cream (100% cotton) offers crisp stitch definition, which is great for the structured shape.
- Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran has a huge color range with easy lavender, mustard, and brown matches.
- Scheepjes Stone Washed XL is a soft cotton blend with a gentle heathered look.
Substitution Note
- Cotton gives the firmest, most upright tote. If you prefer a softer drape, a cotton-acrylic blend works too. Just go down a hook size if needed to keep the fabric dense so the bag holds its shape and the petals stay puffy. Avoid very fuzzy or loosely plied yarns, which blur the 3D petal texture.
Tools
- Yarn needle for sewing in ends and whip stitch joins
- Stitch markers (6 to 8)
- Scissors and tape measure
Progress tracker
0 of the 9 rounds on this page are ticked.
The pattern, round by round
Kept in the order and the wording the source used. Tick a round as you finish it; the ticks stay on this device.
Center Section (Chocolate Brown)
Each square starts with a brown magic-ring center that grows through three rounds into a flat circle, ready to carry the mustard puff petals in the next section.
Round 1
Using brown, make a magic ring. Ch 1, work 8 sc into the ring, pull tail to close. Join with sl st to first sc. (8 sc)Step by step: Wrap the yarn around two fingers to form the magic ring, work the first round into that loop, then pull the tail tight to close the hole so the center stays neat with no gap. If magic rings feel tricky, chain 4 and slip stitch to join instead, then work your stitches into the center of that ring.
Round 2
Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (16 sc)
Round 3
Ch 1, [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] around. Join with sl st. Fasten off brown and weave in the tail. (24 sc)
Petals Section (Mustard Yellow)
The sunflower petals are built using puff stitches worked into the front loops only, which creates the dimensional 3D petal effect that makes the sunflowers pop forward from the background. Don't let the texture intimidate you — once you get the rhythm of the puff stitch down, it becomes almost meditative.
Round 4
Join mustard in any st. Working in FLO, *puff petal in next st, ch 1, skip next st*; repeat from * around. Join to top of first puff. (12 puff petals)Step by step: Work each puff petal as [yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull up a tall loop] 3 times in the same stitch (7 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through all 7 loops, chain 1 to close. Working into front loops only lets the stitches pop forward for the textured sunflower look — pull up tall, even loops so the petals look uniform and puffy.
Tip Tip: Gently push each puff petal forward as you go so the flower stays dimensional. This little nudge makes a big difference in how your sunflowers look.
Frame Section (Mustard Yellow Continued)
Working into only one loop of a stitch creates ridges and lets the petals sit proud of the background. This round works through the back loops left free behind the petals, anchoring each puff base and skipped-stitch space so the petals stay locked forward instead of flopping.
Round 5
Ch 1, working in the back loops left free behind the petals , sc in each st around (work 1 sc into each skipped-st space and each puff base) to anchor the petals. Join with sl st. Fasten off mustard. (24 sc)
Background and Corners (Lavender)
This section adds the lavender background and shapes the four corners, turning the flat sunflower circle into a square block with a clean, boxy outline ready for joining.
Round 6
Join lavender in any st. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st. *Dc in next 5 sts, then in next st work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) for the corner*; repeat from * to * to shape four corners, ending dc in last sts. Join to top of beg ch-3.
Round 7
Ch 1, sc evenly around, working (sc, ch 2, sc) into each ch-2 corner space to keep corners square. Join with sl st. Fasten off, leaving a long lavender tail if you plan to join as you go. Square should measure approximately 4 inches (10 cm).Make 6 squares total. Block each one to a flat, even 4 inch (10 cm) square. Crisp, matching squares make assembly so much easier and give the tote its clean box shape.
Make 2 Identical Straps
The straps are worked lengthwise in single crochet for a strong, non-stretchy handle.
Row 1
Foundation: With lavender, ch a length to measure about 40 inches (102 cm) (roughly 160 ch at gauge). Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
Rows 2–5
Rows 2 through 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. Repeat until the strap is 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) wide (about 5 rows). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.Make a second identical strap.
Join
Step 1Joining the Squares: Arrange the six squares flat in a 3 x 2 grid — this wraps around to form a front panel, a back panel, and the two narrow sides, with the middle squares folding to become the base. Lay two squares right-side up with edges touching; using lavender and a yarn needle, whip stitch through the back loops of both edges, one stitch at a time, from corner to corner, keeping tension even and matched stitch-for-stitch so seams stay flat. Join the three squares of the front in a row, then the three of the back, then join front-to-back along the two side edges and across the bottom to form an open box.
Step 2Join-as-you-go option: If you left long tails on Round 7, you can whip stitch each square to its neighbor as you finish it, instead of joining all the squares at the end. Either method gives the same result — choose what you enjoy.
Step 3Reinforced Base and Sides: To give the tote its firm, standing structure, reinforce the base and side seams. With lavender, sc along the inside of the base seam, working through both layers, to thicken and stiffen the bottom. Repeat along each side seam so the tote keeps its 4 inch (10 cm) depth and stands upright. Weave in any seam tails on the inside.
Step 4Top Edge: Join lavender at the top edge. Sc evenly all the way around the opening, keeping the count even on the front and back panels. Work 2 to 3 rounds of sc to create a firm, finished top band. Join with sl st but do not fasten off if you will add straps directly; otherwise fasten off and weave in. A firm top edge keeps the opening from stretching and gives a tidy line for attaching the straps.
Step 5Finishing Checklist: Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side. Block the finished tote: lightly mist or wet-block, then shape into the box form and let dry fully so panels sit square. Check that all six squares are evenly aligned and the petals sit forward. Give the straps a gentle tug to confirm the seams are secure.
Check your count
- Center Section (Chocolate Brown) · Round 1: 8 sts
- Center Section (Chocolate Brown) · Round 2: 16 sts
- Center Section (Chocolate Brown) · Round 3: 24 sts
- Petals Section (Mustard Yellow) · Round 4: 12 sts
- Frame Section (Mustard Yellow Continued) · Round 5: 24 sts
Finish
- Weave in every yarn tail on the wrong side, especially around the puff stitch bases where ends tend to hide.
- Mist or wet-block the joined squares, then shape the panels into the box form and let the tote dry fully.
- Tug gently on both straps to confirm the seams hold before giving the tote its first full load.
Bigger or smaller
- Smaller
- Drop down a hook size and use a lighter worsted cotton to tighten the gauge, producing smaller sunflower squares and a more compact tote overall.
- Gauge
- Gauge: 16 single crochet stitches x 16 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm) in single crochet. Exact gauge is not critical for this project, but a consistent, firm tension keeps the tote sturdy. One finished sunflower square should measure about 4 inches (10 cm) across after blocking.
FAQs
Asked and answered
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.
Can magic ring be replaced for the sunflower center?
Yes, chain 4 and slip stitch to join if magic rings feel tricky, then work the first round's stitches into the center of that ring. This keeps the brown center just as neat without the gap-closing step.
What yarn weight and fiber works best for this tote?
Any smooth worsted or aran weight cotton or cotton-blend works, since cotton gives the firmest, most upright shape and keeps the petals puffy. Avoid fuzzy or loosely plied yarns, which blur the dimensional petal texture.
Why do the straps feel stiff compared to the squares?
The straps are worked lengthwise in single crochet specifically for a strong, non-stretchy handle rather than a soft drape. That firmness is intentional, since it keeps the tote from sagging under weight.
How does blocking affect the finished squares?
Blocking squares them up to their finished size and keeps the six panels evenly aligned with petals sitting forward. Skipping this step can leave the box shape uneven once the tote is assembled.