Sunburst Revival Scrap Afghan

If you love projects that feel comforting, familiar, and just a little bit new, you’re going to love the Sunburst Revival Afghan. This year’s scrap afghan brings back the beloved sunburst granny square — but with a twist. By working each sunburst entirely in one yarn color way, the design feels calmer, bolder, and beautifully cohesive, whether you’re using scraps or planning your colors ahead of time.

There’s something deeply satisfying about a scrap afghan — the kind of project that invites you to slow down, grab what you already have, and simply enjoy the rhythm of your stitches. This year’s design puts a fresh spin on a familiar favorite. The classic sunburst granny square takes center stage, but instead of changing colors within the motif, each sunburst is worked in a single color and then then we fully embrace the granny stitch vibe and add a simple, but beautifully decorated border

The result feels both nostalgic and modern — a gentle nod to traditional crochet with a cleaner, more updated look that lets texture and stitch definition shine.

The pattern itself is very versatile and can be made in different weights of yarn. I made my afghan using Caron Anniversary Cake yarn which is a #6 bulky weight yarn. I used a variegated color way for the sunbursts (R1-3 of the square) and two solid colors for the main and accent colors.  Each square measures 13” x 13” and the finished afghan is 3 squares wide by 4 squares long and has a border.

You can, however, use different weights of yarn. If your stash is mostly worsted weight yarn, this pattern adapts beautifully. A #4 worsted weight yarn will make a 9.5” square (R1-8).  You could even use a #3 DK weight yarn, if you wish. You’ll simply need to add more squares and do a little math. Just remember to stick to the same weight yarn throughout your afghan.

The pattern adapts to a variety of color options. Use scrap yarn for the sunbursts in a variety of colors. Use a different color for the stripe, or even change the striping pattern (or eliminate altogether). You can change the color scheme from block to block.  This pattern is designed to put you in charge and to work with your scrap yarn stash.

You can add or subtract afghan squares to get a different size afghan.  Add or subtract granny border rounds to further adjust the finished afghan size.

If using a different weight yarn, you will need to calculate the yarn you need to purchase.  The best way to do this is to crochet a square in your chosen color layout without weaving in any ends.  Then unravel the square and measure the amount of yarn you used for each section.  Multiply this by the number of squares in your layout to get the amount of yarn needed for the squares.  

Be sure to allow extra yarn for joining the squares and working the border.  I often do a little border test on the tester square to estimate the border.  I always recommend purchasing a bit extra of the main/background color yarn to account for any math errors or changes I make along the way (usually an extra ½ – 1 skein is sufficient).

For example, in the photo of the squares below, the square was worked in a #4 worsted weight yarn.  The center sunburst yarn is a Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cake (In Strawberry Swirl and Berry Twist).  The coordinating stripes were solid colors from my stash.  The main/background color is a Caron Cake in Powdered Sugar color.

Let’s dive into the pattern:

Sunburst Revival Afghan

Materials

• Caron Anniversary Cake, size 6 super bulky, 100% acrylic, 285 yds/260 m per 8.8 oz/250 g skein 
  • 3 Cakes Wave (Blue), 680 yards – Main Color
  • 2 Cakes Cherry (Red), 425 yards – Accent Color
  • 2 Cakes Playgroup (Variegated), 350 yards – Sunburst Color
• US K/6.50 mm crochet hook
• Stitch markers to keep track of rows
• Tapestry needle and scissors

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart.  Find links to stitches on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches used in many patterns and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.

Gauge:

Afghan Square is 13” x 13” when using #6 weight yarn shown.

Resources and crochet tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart.  Find links to stitches and basic crochet skills on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches such as the slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet stitch and chain stitch used in many patterns and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.

Crochet Abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• idc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st = stitch(es)

Special Stitches:

Puff Stitch:  Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop to the height of a double crochet (3 loops on hook).  Then yarn over again and insert hook into the same stitch and pull up another loop ( 5 loops on hook).  Yarn over again, insert hook into the same space and pull up another loop.  (7 loops on hook).  Pull yarn through all loops.  Chain 1 to lock in the stitch.

Bobble Stitch:  Yarn over, insert hook into space between 2 puff stitches and pull up a loop.  Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (this leaves 2 loops on hook).  Make 3 more incomplete double crochet stitches.  There are now 5 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops.  Chain 2 to lock in the bobble stitch.  Here’s a detailed bobble stitch tutorial.

Finished Scrap Afghan Size

Afghan measures 42.5” x 56.6”

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Crochet Sunburst Afghan Pattern

The Sunburst Revival Afghan is worked in a sunburst granny block with additional granny stitch rows. The blocks are joined with a modified slip stitch join. Then a border is added which consists of a single crochet round, followed by granny stitch rounds. The afghan is finished with a single round of a simple decorative stitch in the contrast color.

Crochet Sunflower Square (make 12)

Make a magic ring with the yarn chosen for the sunburst.

R1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), make 15 dc into the loop. Sl st to top of 1st stitch in the

row to join. (16 st)

R2: This row is comprised of puff stitches (described above).  Ch 2.  *Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch as joining and pull up a loop to the height of a double crochet (3 loops on hook).  Then yarn over again and insert hook into the same stitch and pull up another loop (5 loops on hook).  Yarn over again, insert hook into the same space and pull up another loop.  (7 loops on hook).  Pull yarn through all loops.  Chain 1 to lock in the stitch.  First puff stitch made.  Then continue to work puff stitches (following the instructions in the special stitches section) into each stitch of the previous row.  At end of round, sl st to top of 1st puff stitch.  (16 puff stitches).

R3: This row is worked in bobbles into the spaces in between the puff stitches from the prior row. (described above). Sl st into next space, then ch 2 (counts as first ‘leg’ of bobble), yarn over, insert hook into space between 2 puff stitches and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (this leaves 2 loops on hook). Make 2 more incomplete double crochet stitches. There are now 4 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops. Chain 2 to lock in the bobble stitch. First bobble stitch made. Then continue to work bobbles (following the instructions in the special stitches section) across the row into the spaces in the previous row. At end of row, slip stitch to top of 1st bobble stitch. (16 bobble stitches). Fasten off yarn.

R4: Join main color yarn in any space in previous round. Chain 3 (counts as 1st dc). 2 dc in same space. *In next space, work all of the following: (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr). Corner made. 3 dc in next space, 3 hdc in next space, 3 dc in next space*. Repeat from * 3 more times. Then work 3 dc in next space, 3 hdc in last space and join with a slip st to 1st dc in row. 

Here’s an example showing the 4^th row of a sunburst granny square for reference:

R5: Sl st to next space, ch 3 (counts as 1^st dc) and 2dc in same space, [3dc, ch2, 3 dc] in space for corner, 3dc in each space until next corner.  Continue to work around, working 3dc in ea space on the sides and [3dc, ch2, 3 dc] in each corner.  At end of round join with a sl st to the 1^st dc in the row.  Fasten off main color yarn.

Continue to work in granny square stitch pattern.  When starting a row with a new color, attach it with a sl st to a space and then ch-3 (counts as the 1st dc).  When continuing with the same color as the previous row, slip stitch to the next space, then ch-3 (counts as the 1^st dc).

R6-7: Work in Accent Color.

R8:  Work in Main Color.

Join Granny Squares

Use sunburst yarn color to join granny squares in a 3 square wide by 4 square long layout.  I used a Modified Slip Stitch Join which you can find on my Crochet Owl Blanket. Or you can use another joining method.

Afghan Border

Join sunburst yarn color to any stitch on the side of the afghan with a sl st and ch 1.

R1:  sc in ea st on each side of the afghan.  Work 3-sc in each corner space.  At end of round, join with a sl st to top of starting sc and fasten off yarn.

R2:  With main color yarn, attach to any corner stitch with a sl st and ch 3 (counts as 1^st dc), work [2dc, ch-2, 3dc] in same stitch (corner made), *skip 2 stitches, work 3dc in next st, repeat from * until corner, then work [3dc, ch-2, 3dc] (2^nd corner made).  Repeat from *around.  At end of row, join to top of starting dc.

R3-4:  Work in established granny square pattern (see blanket R5).  Fasten off yarn at the end of R4.

R5:  Join accent color yarn with a sl st in any corner space, work (sc, ch-3, sc) in same corner space, *skip next st, (sc, ch-3, sc) in the next stitch.  Repeat from *around.  Make sure that a (sc, ch-3, sc) is in each corner even if that means skipping an extra stitch (or not skipping a stitch at all) before working the corner.  At the end of the row, join to top of starting sc and fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

I love seeing your finished projects! If you enjoyed making the Sunburst Revival Afghan pattern,  I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo.  If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook page or pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo!  I’d love to see your work!