Sunburst Granny Square Bedspread — Free Crochet Pattern

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted-weight (medium #4) acrylic or wool-blend yarn. Colour A: cream (approx. 1400 m); Colour B: deep burgundy (approx. 600 m). For a queen-size spread of ~90 squares, each square uses roughly 15 m cream and 7 m burgundy.
• Hook: 4.5 mm (US G/7) — or size needed to match gauge.
• Notions: tapestry needle for weaving ends, scissors, stitch markers (to mark first st of round), blocking mats and rustproof pins (essential for this project), row counter (optional but helpful).

Abbreviations

Instructions

Square Motif — cream and burgundy (make 90 for queen size)

1. Round 1 (burgundy centre): With burgundy, ch 4, sl st to first ch to form ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 15 dc into ring, join with sl st to top of ch-3. Fasten off burgundy. (16 dc)
2. Round 2 (cream sunburst — first rays): Join cream in any dc. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, *ch 2, sk 1 dc, 2 dc in next dc; rep from * around, ending with ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (8 groups of 2 dc, 8 ch-2 sps)
3. Round 3 (cream sunburst — cluster rays): Sl st into next dc and into ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 2 dc in same sp (first cluster made), *ch 3, cluster in next ch-2 sp; rep from * around, ending with ch 3, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (8 clusters, 8 ch-3 sps)
4. Round 4 (cream sunburst — ray tips): Sl st into next 2 dc of cluster and into ch-3 sp. Ch 1, sc in same sp, *ch 4, sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * around, ending with ch 4, join with sl st to first sc. (8 sc, 8 ch-4 sps)
5. Round 5 (cream sunburst — full rays): Sl st into ch-4 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 4 dc in same sp (first 5-dc shell made), *ch 1, 5 dc in next ch-4 sp; rep from * around, ending with ch 1, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (8 shells of 5 dc, 8 ch-1 sps)
6. Round 6 (burgundy frame — inner edge): Join burgundy in any ch-1 sp. Ch 1, sc in same sp, *sc in next 5 dc, sc in ch-1 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (48 sc)
7. Round 7 (burgundy frame — corners): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 5 sc, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next sc (corner made), dc in next 11 sc; rep from * 3 more times, ending with dc in last 5 sc, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (60 dc + 4 ch-2 corner sps)
8. Round 8 (burgundy frame — outer edge): Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each dc around, working (sc, ch 2, sc) in each ch-2 corner sp, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off burgundy. (68 sc + 4 ch-2 sps)
9. Round 9 (cream picot edging): Join cream in any sc. Ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 3, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc; rep from * around, working (sc, ch 3, sc) in each corner ch-2 sp, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off, leaving a 20 cm tail for joining. (approx. 44 ch-3 sps)

Each finished square measures about 25 cm. Block firmly to size before joining — this opens up the sunburst rays and evens the picot edge.

Joining the Squares

1. Lay out motifs in a 9 × 10 grid (or your preferred arrangement), alternating the direction of the sunburst rays if desired for extra texture.
2. Place two squares RS together. Whipstitch through the back loops of the sc stitches along one edge, using the long cream tails. Alternatively, use a flat slip-stitch join through both loops for a firmer seam.
3. Join in strips first, then join the strips. Weave in all ends as you go — with 90 motifs this step is much easier before the full spread is assembled.

Finishing

1. Once all motifs are joined, check the outer edge. If any gaps appear at the outer corners, work one round of sc around the entire bedspread in burgundy, working 3 sc in each outer corner.
2. For a finished edge, add a final round in cream: *sc in next sc, ch 3, sk 1 sc; rep from * around, with (sc, ch 3, sc) in each corner.
3. Weave in every remaining end on the WS.
4. Wet-block or steam-block the finished bedspread on blocking mats, pinning the picots open and squaring each motif. Allow to dry completely before moving.

Tips for Success

• Block every motif before joining. Unblocked squares can vary by 1–2 cm, and that difference multiplies across 90 motifs into a visibly wavy spread.
• Count the ch-2 and ch-3 spaces in every round — losing or adding a space is the most common error and throws off the sunburst shape.
• Keep your cluster stitches loose; tight clusters make the sunburst rays curl inward and the squares harder to join flat.
• Weave ends in as you finish each square, not at the end. You’ll thank yourself after motif 50.
• Use a kitchen scale to weigh your yarn periodically; each square should weigh roughly the same, which is an early warning for tension drift.
• When joining, match squares by size — pair the slightly smaller ones in the centre of the spread where weight will stretch them even.
• Rotate the direction of the sunburst rays on alternating squares for a dynamic, woven effect.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sunburst centre that twists — usually caused by inconsistent ch-2 tension in Round 2. Keep chain loops loose and consider going up 0.5 mm hook size for the centre rounds only.
• Squares that ruffle at the frame — too many stitches in Round 6. Count your sc around each side; each side of the frame should have the same number.
• Curled picot edges — picots worked too tightly or too few chains in the ch-3 loops of Round 9. Loosen up and check you have a loop in every space.
• Uneven joining seams — catching different loops on each square. Always join through the same loop (back loop or both loops) on every motif.
• Running out of yarn mid-project — dye lots vary. Buy all your yarn at once and alternate skeins every few squares to blend any slight colour differences.
• Skipping the final block — the spread looks lumpy after joining even if every motif was blocked. One final wet-block transforms it.

Ways to Customize This Pattern

• Size it your way: each motif is ~25 cm, so a throw of 6 × 7 motifs is about 150 × 175 cm; add a column or row for a king-size spread.
• Colour play: swap the burgundy for forest green, navy, or charcoal for a different mood; or reverse the colours with a cream centre and burgundy rays for a lighter look.
• Seasonal version: use soft pastels for a spring baby blanket, or rich jewel tones for a luxurious winter throw.
• Heavier fabric: use chunky yarn and a 6.0 mm hook for a super-cosy, quick-to-make blanket — motifs will be ~35 cm, so recalculate your motif count.
• Pillow covers: make 4 extra squares, join 2 × 2 for the front, add a plain back, and you have matching cushion covers like the ones on the bed in the photo.