Bring a little sunshine everywhere you go with this Sunflower Granny Square Bucket Bag free crochet pattern.
This cheerful handmade bag combines six textured sunflower granny squares with a sturdy circular crochet base, a drawstring closure, and a comfortable crochet shoulder strap.
Each sunflower motif features a rich brown center surrounded by dimensional golden petals before being squared off in warm honey or cream yarn. Once joined together, the motifs form the colorful body of the bucket bag.
The finished result is structured enough for everyday essentials while still keeping the cozy handmade character that makes granny-square bags so popular.
Use classic sunflower colors for a warm cottagecore look, or change the background and petals to create your own version.
Sunflower Bucket Bag Pattern at a Glance
| Pattern Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Skill Level | Intermediate |
| Crochet Terms | US terminology |
| Yarn Weight | Worsted / Medium #4 |
| Hook Size | 4 mm |
| Construction | 6 sunflower squares + circular base |
| Approx. Height | 9 in / 23 cm |
| Approx. Diameter | 8 in / 20 cm |
| Motifs Needed | 6 |
| Closure | Crochet drawstring |
| Strap | Long crochet shoulder/crossbody strap |
| Main Techniques | Puff stitches, granny-square shaping, joining, working in rounds |
Finished measurements may vary depending on yarn, hook size, blocking, and crochet tension.
Why You’ll Love This Sunflower Crochet Bag
Sunflower granny squares are already beautiful on their own, but turning them into a functional bucket bag makes the motif even more fun to use.
The six-panel construction gives the bag a rounded shape rather than the flatter silhouette of a traditional granny-square tote.
A circular crochet base helps the bag stand upright, while the drawstring closure keeps the opening easy to use.
The sunflower colors are also extremely customizable.
Try:
- Golden yellow + chocolate brown + cream
- Mustard + rust + oatmeal
- Pale yellow + sage green
- Terracotta + cream
- Dusty pink + brown
- Cream flowers + olive background
- Sunflowers on a black background

Materials
For one medium-sized bag:
- Approximately 350–400 yards / 320–365 m main-color worsted cotton yarn
- Approximately 70–90 yards / 64–82 m golden-yellow yarn
- Approximately 40–50 yards / 36–46 m dark-brown yarn
- 4 mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Measuring tape
- Blocking mat and pins, optional
Optional:
- Cotton fabric for lining
- Magnetic snap
- Two small metal rings for a detachable strap
A firm cotton or cotton-blend yarn is ideal because it helps the bag maintain its shape.
Suggested Color Palette
For the classic sunflower version:
Flower Center
Dark chocolate brown
Petals
Golden yellow or warm mustard
Granny Square Background
Honey, oatmeal, warm cream, or caramel
Drawstring and Strap
Match the square background
Using one main background color across all six squares gives the finished bag a cohesive appearance.
Gauge
Exact stitch gauge is less important than matching the finished motif measurement.
Each blocked sunflower granny square should measure approximately:
4.25 × 4.25 inches / 11 × 11 cm
Make and block one square before crocheting the remaining five.
All six squares should be approximately the same size.
Crochet Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | Magic ring |
| ch | Chain |
| sc | Single crochet |
| hdc | Half double crochet |
| dc | Double crochet |
| sl st | Slip stitch |
| st / sts | Stitch / stitches |
| sp | Space |
| puff | Puff stitch |
| inc | Increase |
| BLO | Back loop only |
| RS | Right side |
Special Stitch: Puff Stitch
Yarn over.
Insert the hook into the indicated stitch or space.
Yarn over and pull up a loop.
Repeat this sequence three more times.
Yarn over and pull through all loops on the hook.
Ch 1 to secure the puff.
The puff stitches form the raised sunflower petals.
Pattern Notes
This version uses 6 sunflower granny squares.
The squares are joined side by side to create one long strip.
The first and last squares are then joined together, creating a six-sided tube.
A circular crochet base is attached underneath.
A top band is worked around the upper edge.
The drawstring passes through evenly spaced eyelets.
The shoulder strap is crocheted separately and sewn securely to both sides.
Part 1: Crochet the Sunflower Center
Make 6 motifs.
Using dark-brown yarn:
Round 1
Create a magic ring.
Ch 2.
Work:
12 dc into the ring
Join with a sl st.
Pull the magic ring closed.
Fasten off.
You should now have a small round brown sunflower center.
Part 2: Crochet the Petals
Join golden-yellow yarn in any stitch.
Round 2
Work one puff stitch into each stitch around.
Ch 1 after every puff.
Join to the first puff.
You should have:
12 puff petals
Fasten off.
Part 3: Add the Second Petal Round
Join yellow yarn into the space between any two puff stitches.
Work:
3-dc cluster, ch 1
in every space around.
Join.
Fasten off.
This creates a fuller second layer around the flower.
Part 4: Turn the Sunflower into a Square
Join the main background color in any space.
The twelve spaces around the flower divide naturally into four groups of three.
Square Round
In the first space work:
3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc
This creates the first corner.
Work:
3 dc
in each of the next two spaces.
In the next space work another corner:
3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc
Repeat this sequence around.
You should finish with four clear corners.
Join.
Part 5: Build the Granny Square Border
Border Round 1
Sl st into the first corner.
Ch 2.
Work:
hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc
in the corner.
Hdc in every stitch across the side.
At each remaining corner work:
2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc
Continue around.
Join.
Border Round 2
Repeat the same construction:
Hdc in every stitch along each side.
Work:
2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc
inside every corner.
Fasten off.
If your square still measures smaller than approximately 4.25 inches, add one additional sc or hdc border round.

Block the Sunflower Squares
Lightly dampen each motif.
Shape it into a neat square measuring approximately:
4.25 × 4.25 inches
Pin the corners.
Allow the squares to dry completely before assembly.
Blocking makes the edges much easier to align.
Part 6: Join the Six Sunflower Squares
Arrange all six squares in one horizontal row.
Make sure every sunflower faces the same direction.
The arrangement should look like:
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Join adjacent square edges using one of these methods:
- Flat slip-stitch join
- Mattress stitch
- Whip stitch
A flat slip-stitch seam works especially well because the slightly raised joins add structure.
Once all six squares are connected, join Square 6 to Square 1.
The strip will now form a tube.
Check the Bag Body
The circumference should be approximately:
25–26 inches / 63–66 cm
Do not worry if it varies slightly.
The circular base can be adjusted during assembly.
Part 7: Crochet the Circular Base
Use the main background color.
Round 1
Create a magic ring.
Work:
8 sc into MR
Round 2
Work:
2 sc in every stitch
16 sts
Round 3
Repeat:
1 sc, inc
around.
24 sts
Round 4
Repeat:
2 sc, inc
around.
32 sts
Round 5
Repeat:
3 sc, inc
around.
40 sts
Continue increasing in this pattern.
Each new round adds one additional sc between increases.
Continue until the circle measures approximately:
8 inches / 20 cm across
Rather than relying only on stitch count, compare the outer edge of the circle with the circumference of the sunflower panel tube.
Create the Bottom Wall
Once the base reaches the correct size:
Work one round of:
sc BLO around
This creates a turning ridge.
Then work:
2 regular sc rounds
without increasing.
Fasten off.
The short wall makes the transition between the circular base and square panels smoother.

Part 8: Attach the Body to the Base
Place the circular base underneath the sunflower-square tube.
Align them carefully.
Use stitch markers to divide the base circumference into six approximately equal sections.
Align one square with each section.
Pin or clip the pieces together.
Using the main-color yarn, work slip stitches or whip stitches around the entire connection.
Distribute stitches evenly.
Avoid pulling the joining yarn too tightly because this can make the bottom pucker.
Fasten off.
Turn the bag right side out.
Part 9: Crochet the Top Band
Join the main-color yarn anywhere along the upper edge.
Round 1
Ch 1.
Work sc evenly around the entire upper edge.
Place stitches consistently across each sunflower square.
Join.
Round 2
Sc around.
Join.
Create the Drawstring Eyelets
Round 3
Work:
sc in next 4 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts
Repeat around.
If your stitch count does not divide perfectly, adjust the final spacing slightly.
The eyelets should look evenly distributed.
Round 4
Sc in every sc.
Work:
2 sc into each ch-2 space
Continue around.
Rounds 5–6
Sc around.
Fasten off.
The finished top band should feel firm but flexible.
Part 10: Crochet the Drawstring
Using the main-color yarn:
Ch until the cord measures approximately:
50–55 inches / 127–140 cm
Slip stitch into the back bump of each chain across.
This creates a rounded crochet cord.
Fasten off.
Weave the cord through the eyelets.
Start and finish at the center front.
Tie into a bow.
Optional Tassels
Make two small tassels using yellow, cream, or main-color yarn.
Attach one tassel to each drawstring end.
This gives the bag a softer boho appearance.
Part 11: Crochet the Shoulder Strap
Using the main-color yarn:
Ch 8.
Row 1
Sc in the second chain from the hook and across.
7 sc
Turn.
Row 2
Ch 1.
Sc across.
Turn.
Repeat Row 2 until the strap measures approximately:
40–44 inches / 102–112 cm
For a crossbody version, continue until the strap fits comfortably.
Fasten off with a long yarn tail.
Reinforce the Strap
To reduce stretching, work one round of sc around the entire outer edge of the strap.
Work 3 sc in each corner.
Fasten off.
For additional reinforcement, sew a narrow strip of cotton ribbon to the underside of the strap.
Attach the Strap
Position one strap end at one side seam of the bag.
Place the second end directly opposite.
Pin them temporarily.
Check that the strap is not twisted.
Sew each end firmly through several rows of the top band and granny-square border.
Create several passes with the yarn needle.
Because the strap carries the weight of the bag, this area should be heavily reinforced.

Optional Fabric Lining
A lining helps prevent small objects from slipping through the granny-square openings.
Measure the interior after the bag has been assembled.
Cut a fabric rectangle large enough to wrap around the inner walls.
Cut a circular piece matching the bottom.
Sew the fabric pieces together.
Insert the lining into the bag.
Fold the upper fabric edge inward.
Hand stitch it just below the drawstring band.
An interior pocket can also be added before installing the lining.
Optional Magnetic Closure
The drawstring is usually enough for casual use.
For extra security, a small magnetic snap can be sewn into a fabric lining.
Avoid attaching heavy hardware directly through delicate granny-square stitches.
Sunflower Bucket Bag Color Ideas
Classic Sunflower
Dark brown center
Golden petals
Honey background
Cottagecore Cream
Brown center
Mustard petals
Warm cream background
Autumn Sunflower
Chocolate center
Burnt-orange petals
Camel background
Sage Sunflower
Brown center
Cream petals
Sage-green background
Vintage Sunflower
Deep brown center
Muted mustard petals
Dusty beige background
Dramatic Black
Dark brown center
Bright golden petals
Black square background
How to Make the Bag Larger
There are two simple ways.
Option 1: Make Larger Squares
Add one or two additional border rounds to every sunflower square.
Remember that the circular base must also be enlarged.
Option 2: Use More Panels
For a larger bucket-style bag, use seven or eight smaller motifs around the circumference.
You will need to adjust the base diameter accordingly.
How to Make a Mini Sunflower Bag
Use DK-weight yarn and a 3–3.5 mm crochet hook.
Keep the same six-panel construction.
The smaller motifs will automatically create a more compact bucket bag.
A shorter strap can turn it into a child's bag or small shoulder purse.
Tips for a Structured Crochet Bucket Bag
Cotton yarn usually creates better structure than very soft acrylic.
Block all six squares before joining.
Keep all square measurements consistent.
Do not make the strap too stretchy.
Reinforce strap attachment points thoroughly.
A lining can dramatically improve the finished shape.
For even more structure, a flexible plastic canvas circle can be placed inside the lined base.
Washing and Care
Hand wash the bag in cool water.
Use mild detergent.
Do not wring or twist.
Press excess water out gently with a towel.
Reshape the square panels and circular base while damp.
Lay flat to dry.
Avoid hanging a wet cotton bag because the additional weight can stretch the strap.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Sunflower Granny Square Bucket Bag beginner friendly?
The individual stitches are approachable, but the project includes puff stitches, granny-square shaping, circular crochet, seaming, a drawstring band, and strap construction.
It is best for a confident beginner or intermediate crocheter.
How many sunflower granny squares are needed?
This version uses 6 sunflower squares.
What yarn works best?
Firm worsted-weight cotton or cotton blends are excellent because they provide structure and clear stitch definition.
Can acrylic yarn be used?
Yes.
However, a soft acrylic bag may stretch more.
Adding a lining can help.
Can I make the bag without a drawstring?
Yes.
Simply skip the eyelet round and work several regular sc rounds around the top.
Can I add metal strap hardware?
Yes.
Crochet two small reinforced tabs and attach D-rings or O-rings before adding a detachable strap.
Can the bag be lined?
Yes.
A cotton lining is especially useful for keys, cosmetics, and other small objects.
How large is the finished bag?
This version should measure approximately 9 inches tall and 8 inches across, depending on yarn and tension.
More Free Crochet Bag Patterns
Related future articles can include:
- Sunflower Granny Square Tote
- Daisy Granny Square Bag
- Strawberry Crochet Tote
- Floral Crochet Market Bag
- Granny Square Crossbody Bag
- Crochet Bucket Bag
- Cottagecore Crochet Purse
This type of internal linking can help create a strong content cluster around free crochet bag patterns.
Save This Sunflower Bucket Bag on Pinterest
Save this Sunflower Granny Square Bucket Bag free crochet pattern for your next handmade accessory project.
The textured sunflower motifs, rounded bucket shape, drawstring top, and customizable colors make it a beautiful project for spring, summer, autumn, and handmade gifts.
