This bright and cheery sunflower pattern is extremely versatile! The leaflet has instructions for various pieces, and instructions for assembly to make:

Small table mat/doily; door decoration
Large table mat/doily/chair mat; door decoration
Small pillow

It is a fundamental pattern, that relies on mixing and matching pieces and finishing styles to make the items above (included), or create your own!

Petals are worked directly onto the center. You can choose whether you want a 17” finished size by working with only one strand of Yellow, or 22” by working with two strands. Add the jumbo leaves and the large size is a whopping 30” of brightness! Two styles of leaves are provided. One is worked directly onto the center backing, then sewn to the front center. The second style is a jumbo leaf. Each jumbo leaf is worked separately, they are sewn together at the middle, covered with a small version of the back, then sewn to the front center.

All petals and leaves are blocked with stiffener for additional firmness, but you choose whether you want to leave them softer or not. This can be done with spray starch, hairspray or commercial liquid fabric stiffener.

Try changing the surface of the center to personalize the look… nature gives us so many different varieties it’s fun to experiment and make it your own! In the examples shown, optional seeds are worked in a spiral on the surface of the center front for a three dimensional look…. or not. You choose!

Stuff the smaller version plump, make several and use them as a group of small pillows to decorate for a late summer, early fall feel. Stiffen the petals and leaves, add a small hook, and decorate your door! Try making it jumbo sized and everyone who drives by won’t miss your special entranceway!

Try making it small or large to decorate the center of your table!
Make the larger size and add some vivid color to that special chair on your front porch! You know – the one you sit in to crochet!

So many options – mix and match the combinations to make it your very own style.

Here are some other suggested variations:
-Try working the seeds all in brown to give the center some additional volume only. This also makes it look like all the seeds have been picked.
-Don’t work the seed section at all, leaving the bare brown center exposed.
-Instead of the picot stitch seeds, try embroidering French knots in gold randomly over the surface. If you opt to do this, complete the French knots BEFORE assembling your Ultimate Sunflower. (see picture for suggested placement idea)
-Try making an incomplete criss cross (see picture for embroidery suggestion)
-Starting at the center, try working several rows of dark green seeds, then several rows of light green seeds, and finish with the last few rows in gold seeds. It will look like an early sunflower just starting to bloom and make seeds.
-Try working the first row of the petals in a darker yellow or orange for a little bit of a variegated look.
-Don’t block the petals at all (unless hanging it). Instead leave them droopy and it will look more like a dried sunflower.

All information is included in the leaflet!

Depending on which item you want to make, you will need:
Your choice of 4 Ply acrylic. See each Piece below for suggested yarn brands, and quantities.

Per (1) Sunflower Basic Center: Red Heart, #0365 Coffee, .9 oz.
Petals (using 1 Strand, double quantity if using two strands): I Love This Yarn, #330 Yellow, 2.3 oz.
Seeds (Pillow example): I Love This Yarn, #156 Sungold, 1.6 oz.
Seeds (Rocker example): Vanna’s Choice #135 Rust 1.6 oz.
Back and Leaves (one piece): Red Heart, #0406 Med. Thyme, 1 oz.
Small Back Center Circle: Red Heart, #0406 Med. Thyme, .9 oz.
Per (1) Jumbo Leaf: Red Heart, #0406 Med. Thyme .8 oz.
OR Vanna’s Choice #173 Dusty Green .8 oz

Hook is U.S. G/6 4.25 MM used in the leaflet examples/sizing but you can really use any yarn you like, and an appropriate hook size.

It is all up to you colors, combinations and size…

This is considered an Intermediate Pattern. You should be familiar with:

Magic Circle
BLO – Back Loop Only
Blocking
CH – Chain
DC – Double Crochet
DTR – Double Treble Crochet
Embroidery – French Knots, Running Stitch
FO – Fasten Off
FLO – Front Loop Only
HDC – Half Double Crochet
Invisible Join
Picot
Puff stitch
SC – Single Crochet
SCDec – Single Crochet Decrease
SS – Slip Stitch
TC – treble crochet

If you have any questions, please email me at baileysmountaincrafts@gmail.com; or message me, see and like my facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/BaileysMountainCrafts

I hope you enjoy my pattern! I would love to see pics of YOUR Ultimate Sunflower posted on my facebook page - please share!

Regards,
Mary L. Wise, for
Bailey’s Mountain Crafts