The sunflower potholder had been in my wish list for a long time. I found the original vintage pattern here. I don't know if any of you have tried it, but I found it very difficult. The pattern simply didn't make any sense to me. I gave up after a few unsuccessful attempts. I surfed the net for an alternate sunflower pattern but since this was the one that I wanted to make I tweaked it and made it easier. If you wish to make one for yourself go ahead and make use of the pattern given below.
I used sport weight yarns in brown and yellow and size H/5 mm crochet hook. I have written the pattern using American terms. My finished potholder measured approximately 7.5 inches from end to end.
Abbreviations used:
ch - chain
st/sts - stitch/stitches
sl st - slip stitch (UK term - single crochet)
sc - single crochet (UK term - double crochet)
dc - double crochet (UK term - treble)
puff stitch - 5 dc stitches worked together in the same stitch
Using brown make a magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc into ring. Join (6 sts)
Round 2: Ch 1, in each sc make 1 sc and 1 puff stitch. Join. You will have 6 sc and 6 puff stitches, so totally 12 sts in this round.
Round 3: Make 2 sc in each st (2 sc in each sc and 2 sc in each puff stitch). Join. You will have 24 sc.
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in same st, **puff stitch in next st, sc in next st** Repeat from ** to ** around. (12 sc and 12 puff stitches - 24 sts in total)
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in same st, **2 sc in next st, sc in next st** Repeat from ** to ** around. Join (36 sc)
Round 6: Ch 1, sc in same st, **puff stitch in next st, sc in next st** Repeat from ** to ** around. Join (18 sc and 18 puff stitches - 36 sts in total)
Round 7: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, **2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts** Repeat from ** to ** around. Join (48 sc)
Round 8: Ch 1, sc in same st, **puff stitch in next st, sc in next st** Repeat from ** to ** around. Join (24 sc and 24 puff stitches - 48 stitches in total). Cut off brown.
Petals:
Join yellow in the sc between 2 puff stitches, ch 9, sc in the 3rd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 5 ch, skip next puff stitch and sl st in next sc, turn.
**ch 1, sc in front loops of 5 dc, ch 4, turn.
sc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in the back loops of next 5 dc, skip next puff stitch and sl st in next sc. Turn.**
Repeat from ** to ** around.
To join the first and last petals together turn the potholder and sc into the back loops of 5 dc of both the petals. Weave in all the loose ends.
I hope I have written the pattern without any errors. If you come across any, please do let me know.
Have a happy day!