Garment crochet intimidates a lot of people. I hear it all the time. "I can make blankets and scarves, but clothes? That’s too advanced." Here’s the truth: if you can crochet a granny square, you already have the main skill you need for this project. This sunflower romper looks incredibly impressive, but it breaks down into manageable pieces. Squares. Mesh panels. Simple seams. That’s really it.
This pattern uses classic granny square construction with a gorgeous sunflower motif worked in golden yellow, burnt orange, and deep brown against a creamy background. The body panels are basic granny mesh, which is just clusters and chains repeated over and over. If you’ve ever made a traditional granny square blanket, you’ve done this stitch before.
I won’t pretend this is a weekend project. Plan for 20 to 30 hours of work depending on your experience level. But those hours are filled with repetitive, meditative stitching rather than complicated techniques. Advanced beginners can absolutely tackle this with patience. Let me walk you through every single step.
About This Sunflower Romper Pattern
This toddler romper features that beloved boho-vintage aesthetic with an open, airy texture throughout the torso and wide-leg silhouette. The construction method is straightforward: you’ll make individual sunflower granny squares first, then work flat mesh panels for the body, and finally join everything together with simple slip stitch seams.
The sunflower motif squares appear at the bib front, bib back, and at the hem of each leg. These create beautiful decorative borders that frame the garment. The squares are worked in the round using four colors, building from a dark brown center outward through orange, yellow, and finally cream for the granny border.
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced. You should be comfortable with joining granny squares, working in the round, making color changes, and assembling garment pieces. The dimensional petal technique requires some attention, but I’ll explain it thoroughly.
Finished Measurements
This pattern fits toddlers size 2T to 3T, approximately 20 to 21 inches (51 to 53 cm) chest measurement.
Key dimensions:
Materials Needed
Yarn (Worsted Weight, CYCA 4):
Recommended Yarns:
Hooks:
Notions:
Gauge
With G-6 / 4.00 mm hook and Color A:
One completed Sunflower Granny Square = 4 inches x 4 inches / 10 cm x 10 cm after blocking.
In standard granny mesh (clusters of 3 double crochet separated by chain-1 spaces):
Gauge matters here. If your square is larger than 4 inches, go down a hook size. If smaller, go up a hook size. The garment dimensions depend entirely on matching these specifications.
Abbreviations
Before we dive in, here are all the abbreviations you’ll encounter. I always define these upfront so you’re never left guessing mid-project.
Special Stitches and Techniques
Granny Cluster (dc-cl)
Work 3 double crochet stitches into the same stitch or chain space. This forms one cluster unit. When the pattern says dc-cl, always work all 3 dc into the indicated space unless noted otherwise.
Granny Square Join (Flat Slip Stitch Seam)
Hold two squares with right sides facing each other. Insert hook through the outermost loops of both pieces at the same time. Draw up a loop of Color A and slip stitch through both layers across the entire edge. This creates a flat, low-profile seam on the wrong side.
Sunflower Petal (Worked in Round 5)
This is the technique that creates those beautiful dimensional petals. Don’t let it intimidate you. Here’s exactly how it works:
Step 1: With Color B, insert hook into the skipped chain space from Round 4 that sits behind the Round 4 dc-cl.
Step 2: Yarn over and pull up a loop to a height of approximately 0.75 inch / 2 cm (a tall loop).
Step 3: Yarn over and draw through both loops on hook. This creates one raised petal post anchored to the lower round.
Step 4: Repeat Steps 1 through 3 in the same space for a second petal post.
Step 5: Yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook to close both petal posts together into one joined petal.
You’ll work one joined petal into each skipped chain space around.
Pattern Instructions
Construction Overview
You’ll work this romper in the following order:
1. Make all Sunflower Granny Squares (8 total)
2. Make Plain Granny Squares (4 total for bib structure)
3. Work front and back torso mesh panels
4. Assemble bib panels
5. Join panels at side seams
6. Create crotch seam and leg openings
7. Work leg panels
8. Attach leg hem squares
9. Add straps and finishing
Sunflower Granny Square (Make 8)
The square is worked in 7 rounds. Rounds 1 through 3 use Color D and Color C for the flower center. Rounds 4 through 5 use Color B and Color C for petals. Rounds 6 through 7 use Color A for the granny square border.
Round 1 (Color D):
Make a magic ring (or ch 4, join with sl st to form ring).
Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout). Work 11 more dc into the ring. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
(12 dc total)
Round 2 (Color C):
Join Color C with sl st to any st. Ch 1 (does not count as st). Sc in same st. Ch 2. [Sc in next st, ch 2] around. Join with sl st to first sc.
(12 sc, 12 ch-2 sps)
Round 3 (Color D):
Join Color D with sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 2 more dc into same sp (first dc-cl made). Ch 2. [Dc-cl in next ch-2 sp, ch 2] around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off Color D.
(12 dc-cls, 12 ch-2 sps)
Important: Do NOT work into the ch-2 sps in Round 5. These are the "petal anchor" spaces. Keep them open.
Round 4 (Color C):
Join Color C with sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 1. Sc in same sp. Ch 3. Sk next ch-2 sp (this is a petal anchor sp, leave open). [Sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 3, sk next ch-2 sp] around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off Color C.
(6 sc, 6 ch-3 sps, 6 skipped petal anchor sps)
Round 5 (Color B, Petals):
Join Color B with sl st into first skipped ch-2 sp from Round 3 (the petal anchor sp behind Round 4).
Work one 2-post joined petal (see Special Stitches) into each of the 6 skipped anchor sps from Round 3. Between each petal, sl st into the Round 4 sc that sits between that petal anchor sp and the next. Continue around until all 6 petal positions have a petal worked.
After the last petal, sl st into the first petal to join the round.
For fuller petals: After completing the 6 double petals, join Color B again and work a second set of 6 petals into the 6 ch-3 sps from Round 4 as follows: [insert hook into ch-3 sp, pull up tall loop, yo, draw through both loops] twice, yo, draw through all 3 loops. This creates 12 total petals giving the full dimensional petal ring visible in the design. Fasten off Color B.
(12 joined petal units total around the center)
Round 6 (Color A, Granny Border Round 1):
Join Color A with sl st to any ch-3 sp from Round 4 (these are now visible between petals).
Ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 2 more dc in same sp (dc-cl). Ch 1.
[Dc-cl in next ch-3 sp, ch 1] around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
(12 dc-cls, 12 ch-1 sps)
Round 7 (Color A, Square Formation):
Sl st into next ch-1 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc-cl in same sp. Ch 2 (corner). Dc-cl in same sp. This is Corner 1.
Ch 1. Dc-cl in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1. Dc-cl in next ch-1 sp. Ch 2 (corner). Dc-cl in same sp. This is Corner 2.
Ch 1. Dc-cl in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1. Dc-cl in next ch-1 sp. Ch 2 (corner). Dc-cl in same sp. This is Corner 3.
Ch 1. Dc-cl in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1. Dc-cl in next ch-1 sp. Ch 2 (corner). Dc-cl in same sp. This is Corner 4.
Ch 1. Dc-cl in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off Color A.
(4 corner ch-2 sps, 8 side dc-cls + 4 corner dc-cls = 12 dc-cls total)
After blocking, this square measures 4 x 4 inches / 10 x 10 cm.
Plain Granny Square (Make 4)
These squares are made entirely in Color A for bib structure.
Round 1 (Color A):
Magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 11 dc into ring. Join with sl st to top of ch-3.
(12 dc)
Round 2 (Color A):
Sl st into space between any two dc. Ch 3. 2 dc in same sp. Ch 2. [3 dc in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next sp, ch 2] 3 times. 3 dc in same sp. Ch 1. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
(4 corner ch-2 sps, 4 side ch-1 sps, 8 dc-cls total)
Round 3 (Color A):
Sl st to corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3. 2 dc in same sp. Ch 2. 3 dc in same sp. [Ch 1. 3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1. In corner ch-2 sp: 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] 3 times. Ch 1. 3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
(4 corner ch-2 sps, 12 dc-cls total)
Round 4 (Color A):
Sl st to corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3. 2 dc in same sp. Ch 2. 3 dc in same sp. [Ch 1. (3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1) twice. In corner ch-2 sp: 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] 3 times. Ch 1. (3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1) twice. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off.
(4 corner ch-2 sps, 16 dc-cls total)
This square measures 4 x 4 inches / 10 x 10 cm after blocking.
Torso Front Panel
The torso is worked in granny mesh stitch in flat rows. Each panel is 10 inches / 25 cm wide and 8 inches / 20 cm tall.
Foundation: Ch 44.
Row 1 (RS, Color A):
Dc-cl in 5th ch from hook (ch 4 counts as dc + ch 1). [Ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc-cl in next 3 ch] 9 times. Ch 1. Sk 1 ch. Dc in last ch. Turn.
(10 dc-cls, 10 ch-1 sps)
Row 2 (WS, Color A):
Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). Dc-cl in first ch-1 sp. [Ch 1, dc-cl in next ch-1 sp] 9 times. Ch 1. Dc in top of t-ch. Turn.
(10 dc-cls, 10 ch-1 sps)
Rows 3 through 8: Repeat Row 2.
(10 dc-cls, 10 ch-1 sps each row)
After Row 8, the mesh panel measures approximately 8 inches / 20 cm tall x 10 inches / 25 cm wide. Do not fasten off.
Torso Back Panel
Work exactly as Torso Front Panel.
Bib Panel Assembly
Each bib panel uses 2 Sunflower Squares joined side by side.
Hold the two sunflower squares RS together. Using Color A and F-5 hook, sl st seam along one shared edge from corner to corner. Open flat. This gives you an 8 x 4 inch / 20 x 10 cm rectangle.
Make two bib panels (one for front, one for back).
Side Seam Joining
Attach the bib squares to the top of each mesh panel. Center the 8-inch bib across the 10-inch panel, leaving 1 inch of mesh panel visible at each side edge. Join using sl st seam along the bottom edge of the bib squares, working through both the bib edge and the top row of the mesh panel.
Hold front and back panels RS together. Using Color A and F-5 hook, sl st seam along both side edges (approximately 8 inches / 20 cm each side). After seaming, the body forms a tube open at top and bottom.
Crotch and Leg Division
The bottom edge has 20 dc-cls + 20 ch-1 sps total (10 clusters front + 10 clusters back).
Mark the center 2 cluster units of the front and the center 2 cluster units of the back. Using Color A and G-6 hook, attach yarn to center of front bottom edge. Sc across the 4 center crotch clusters (approximately 12 sc across the crotch), connecting front to back at center. This closes the crotch seam.
You now have two leg openings, each with 16 cluster units around (16 inches circumference per leg).
Leg Panels
Each leg is worked in the round.
Leg Setup Round:
Join Color A with sl st to the outermost ch-1 sp of the front mesh at the leg opening.
Ch 3. Dc-cl in same sp. Ch 1. [Dc-cl in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] around the leg opening. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
(16 dc-cls, 16 ch-1 sps)
Leg Rounds 1 through 6:
Ch 3. Dc-cl in same joining sp. Ch 1. [Dc-cl in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1] 15 times. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
Repeat 6 times total.
(16 dc-cls, 16 ch-1 sps each round)
After 6 rounds, leg measures approximately 6 inches / 15 cm.
Attach Sunflower Squares to each leg hem using sl st seam, placing one square on the outer front and one on the outer back of each leg.
Straps
Work straps as crocheted chains finished with a row of sc worked back along the chain, creating double-thickness. The back strap includes a button loop at one end for the closure.
Finishing Your Sunflower Romper
Blocking is essential for this project. Wet block all granny squares before assembly by spraying with water, pinning to blocking mats at 4 x 4 inches, and allowing to dry completely. This step is not optional for garment construction.
Weave in all ends securely. For a garment that will be washed frequently, weave ends in multiple directions to prevent them from working loose.
Attach your button to the back strap, or thread ribbon through for a tie closure.
Tips for Success
Take your time with the petals. The sunflower petal technique is the trickiest part of this pattern. Practice on one square before committing to all eight. Once you get the rhythm, it becomes second nature.
Block as you go. I recommend blocking squares in batches as you complete them. This saves time at the end and lets you verify your gauge early.
Use stitch markers generously. Mark your corners during the square formation round. Mark your crotch center points before seaming. These small steps prevent big mistakes.
Check your work frequently. Count your stitches at the end of each row and round. Catching an error early is much easier than frogging multiple rows.
I hope this pattern brings joy to your hook and creates something beautiful for a special little one in your life. These sunflower details really do photograph beautifully, so please save this pattern to your Pinterest boards if you want to find it again later. And if you make this romper, I would absolutely love to see it. Drop a comment below with your experience or tag me when you share photos. Happy crocheting!
