When I think of sunflowers, I usually don't associate them with fall. These beautiful sun worshipers bloom throughout the summer. However, they are truly incredible to see in the early autumn months. The rich golden yellow petals of this beautiful flower glow in the sunlight, providing not only a visually stunning display but also serving as a vital food source for visiting insects and spiders. Sunflowers symbolize gratitude, abundance, and longevity, all of which are significant themes in the autumn season.
Want to Save This Pattern for Later?
If you've made my Mini Plant Buddy pattern, then the Mini Sunflower Buddy will be a breeze to whip up! Just a little tip...pay close attention to the petal instructions! They're not as difficult as they look. I promise. This pattern, just like the plant buddy pattern, is also versatile and will bring you such joy and sunshine as we prepare for the colder weather!
By the way, you can also purchase the ad-free pattern of this MINI SUNFLOWER PLANT BUDDY!
Difficulty Level
Intermediate
Skills You Should Know
Basic crochet stitches, crocheting in the round, color changes, magic ring, decreasing and increasing
Finished Size
Approximately 8 in (20 cm) wide by 3 in (7.5 cm) tall
Materials
- Premier; Basix Worsted; size 4; [100% acrylic; 359 yards / 328 m per 7 oz / 200 g skein]; buff, leaf, mahogany, mustard, rose; 1 skein each
- F-5 (3.75mm) crochet hook
- Black crochet thread
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Scissors
- (2) 14 mm safety eyes
- Stitch marker
- Yarn needle
- (2) 12 in white pipe cleaner
Take a look at what I use when I crochet
https://tinyurl.com/FavoriteMaterials
Abbreviations
- BLO - back loop only
- ch - chain
- dc - double crochet
- FLO - front loop only
- hdc - half double crochet
- inc - increase
- invdec - invisible decrease
- mr - magic ring
- sc - single crochet
- sl st - slip stitch
- st(s) - stitch(es)
- tr - treble crochet
- [ ] - repeat the directions between [ and ] as many times as stated
- ( ) - the number of stitches at the end of each round
Gauge
30 sc by 5 rounds = 2 in (5 cm)
Work rounds 1-5 of pot and measure across diameter.
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is worked in continuous rounds.
- Mark 1st stitch of each round, moving marker up each round.
- Finished size may vary based on yarn, hook size, and tension.
- Using a "yarn under" method when working in rounds/rows creates a tighter stitch.
- Ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
Don't Like Written Instructions? Check Out My Video Tutorial!
Instructions
Pot
With buff
R1: 6 sc in mr (6)
R2: inc in each st around (12)
R3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
R4: 1 sc, inc, [2 sc, inc] 5 times, 1 sc (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
R6: 2 sc, inc, [4 sc, inc] 5 times, 2 sc (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times (42)
R8: in BLO, 42 sc (42)
R9-18: 42 sc (42) (10 total rounds)
R19: in FLO, 42 sc (42) (Tip: Place a stitch marker in the first BLO st from R19. This indicates where the soil will start at a later step.)
R20: in BLO, 42 sc (42)
R21: 42 sc (42)
Fasten off using the invisible fasten off. Weave in end.
Fasten off using the invisible fasten off (full picture tutorial in PAID VERSION of pattern. Weave in end.
Facial Details
Watch the step-by-step tutorial on how to create facial details HERE.
Safety Eyes
Insert safety eyes between R14-15 of the pot, 4-5 sts apart. Check placement before securing the safety eyes.
Mouth
Using black crochet thread and yarn needle, embroider a mouth between R12-14 centered between and just below the eyes.
Eyebrows
Using black crochet thread and yarn needle, embroider eyebrows between R17-18 at a slight angle and above each eye.
Blush
With rose and yarn needle, embroider blush between R12-13 under each eye.
Soil
With mahogany
R1: join with a sl st (does not count as st) to first BLO st from R19 of the pot, ch 1, 1 sc in same st as join, in BLO, 41 sc (42)
R2: [5 sc, invdec] 6 times (36)
R3: 2 sc, invdec, [4 sc, invdec] 5 times, 2 sc (30)
R4: [3 sc, invdec] 6 times (24)
Begin stuffing pot firmly
R5: 1 sc, invdec, [2 sc, invdec] 5 times, 1 sc (18)
R6: [1 sc, invdec] 6 times (12)
R7: [invdec] 6 times (6) Change color to leaf in last st of round.
Finish stuffing. Do not fasten off. Continue to stem.
Stem
With leaf
R1: in FLO, 6 sc (6)
Fasten off mahogany and weave in ends.
R2-11: 6 sc (6) (10 total rounds)
R12: in FLO, inc in each st around (12)
R13: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
R14: 1 sc, inc, [2 sc, inc] 5 times, 1 sc (24)
R15: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30) Change color to mahogany in last st of round
Leave the stem unstuffed. Fold 2 white pipe cleaners in half and insert into the opening at the top of the stem. Push the pipe cleaners through the stem until there is only a small amount showing outside the stem. Continue to center of sunflower.
Center of Sunflower
With mahogany
R1: in BLO, 30 sc (30)
Fasten off leaf and weave in ends.
R2: in BLO, [3 sc, invdec] 6 times (24) (Tip: Place a stitch marker in the last FLO st from R1 and R2. This indicates where the petals will start at a later step.)
R3: 1 sc, invdec, [2 sc, invdec] 5 times, 1 sc (18)
R4: [1 sc, invdec] 6 times (12)
Begin stuffing firmly
R5: [invdec] 6 times (6)
Finish stuffing. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15 cm) tail for closing. Weave tail through FLO of remaining 6 sts. Pull tight to close. Weave in end.
Petals
Petal = in same st as last sl st (ch 2, 1 dc, 1 tr), ch 2, 1 sl st in 2nd ch from hook, in next st (1 tr, 1 dc, ch 2, 1 sl st)
Purchase the PAID VERSION for more detailed instructions on the petals.
With mustard
R1: join with a sl st to last FLO st from R2 of the center of sunflower, starting in same st as join, [1 petal, 1 sl st in next 2 sts] 9 times, 1 petal, 1 sl st in next st (10 petals)
R2: continuing in last FLO st from R1 of the center of sunflower, 1 sl st, [1 petal, 1 sc, 1 sl st] 9 times, 1 petal, 1 sl st (10 petals)
Fasten off and weave in ends. You should have a total of 20 petals.
Leaves (make 2)
With leaf
R1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sl st, 1 sc, 2 hdc, 2 sc, on opposite side of foundation ch, 2 sc, 2 hdc, 1 sc, 1 sl st (12)
Fasten off leaving an 8 in (20 cm) tail for sewing.
Assembly
Using the 8 in (20 cm) yarn tail from leaf and yarn needle, weave tail to the bottom of leaf. Then sew each leaf to either side of the stem. Sew the 1st leaf to R1 of the stem and the 2nd leaf to R5-6 of the stem. Bend the stem so that the flower portion is facing forward.
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