Part 1: Sunflower Motifs (Front) | Crochet Sunflower Granny Square Pillow Cover Step-by-StepTutorial

Описание: Materials and Tools
Yarn: Medium-weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn (light worsted/DK weight). You will need the following colors: dark brown (center of sunflower), light tan/beige (sunflower inner ring), yellow (petals), and a background color (white or green, as desired). You may also use contrasting colors for a fun look.
Hook: US Size E-4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook (or size needed for gauge).
Notions: Yarn needle (for weaving in ends), scissors, and a 16-inch (40 cm) square pillow insert. If you plan to close the pillow with a zipper, have a zipper approximately the length of one side of the pillow (14–16 inches) and a sewing needle & thread for attaching it.
Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms) and Techniques
Note: This pattern uses US crochet terminology. Below is a list of stitches and special techniques used, with explanations for beginners:
Chain (ch): Create a slip knot on your hook, yarn over (YO) and pull through the loop to form one chain. Repeat for additional chains. Chains create the foundation and connecting loops in crochet.
Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook into the target stitch, YO and pull through the stitch and the loop on your hook at once. Slip stitches are used to join rounds or move the working position without adding height.
Single Crochet (sc): Insert hook into the stitch, YO and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). YO again and pull through both loops to complete the single crochet. This is a short stitch.
Half Double Crochet (hdc): YO, insert hook into the stitch, YO and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). YO and pull through all three loops to finish the half double crochet. This stitch is slightly taller than a single crochet.
Double Crochet (dc): YO, insert hook into the stitch, YO and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). YO and pull through 2 loops, then YO and pull through the remaining 2 loops. A double crochet is taller than a half-double.
Treble Crochet (tr): YO twice, insert hook into the stitch, YO and draw up a loop (4 loops on hook). YO, pull through 2 loops (3 loops remain), YO, pull through 2 (2 loops remain), YO, pull through last 2 loops. A treble (also called triple crochet) is a very tall stitch.
Cluster (3-hdc cluster): A cluster is a set of stitches worked partially and closed together at the top. YO, insert hook into the indicated stitch or space, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops – this is an incomplete hdc (you have 2 loops left on hook). Work 2 more incomplete hdc in the same space (for each, YO, insert, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2). After doing three incomplete hdc, you will have 4 loops on your hook. YO and pull through all 4 loops to close the cluster. This creates a puffy, clustered stitch. In this pattern, the cluster of 3 half-double crochets is used to form a textured ring (it’s similar to a puff stitch).
Popcorn Stitch (pc): A popcorn creates a raised, popcorn-like bobble. Work 5 complete dc in the same stitch or space. Drop the loop from your hook, insert your hook into the first of the 5 dc (the first dc you made in that group), then grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull it through the stitch. This closes the 5 dc group into a popcorn. Chain 1 after a popcorn stitch to secure it. (The chain after the popcorn may be counted as a separation space in the pattern.)
Shell: In this pattern, a shell refers to working multiple stitches into one stitch or space. For the border, a shell of 7 dc is used, meaning 7 double crochets in the same stitch. This creates a fan or scallop shape.
Skip (sk): Skip over the next stitch, leaving it unworked, and move to the following stitch as indicated. Skipping creates spaces or prevents increases.

Pattern Overview
Front Panel: The front of the pillow is composed of 9 sunflower motif squares (3 motifs by 3 motifs). Each motif is worked in 6 rounds: beginning with a brown center, then a tan clustered round, a yellow popcorn-petal round, and finally turning into a square with background color. The 9 motifs are then joined together to form a large square. A simple border is added around the joined front. Back Panel: The back is worked as one large square in rounds. It starts similar to the motif (center in brown, etc.) but continues with additional rounds to enlarge it to the same size as the front. In this pattern, the back panel alternates colors every two rounds (white and green in the original), creating a striped effect, but you can use a single color if preferred. Assembly: Front and back panels are placed together and joined with single crochet stitches around three sides. The fourth side is left open and a zipper is sewn in for the pillow insert (you may also choose a different closure method if you prefer). Finally, a decorative shell edging is worked around all four edges of the pillow to complete the piece.