purlJam

<pattern>
# Felted Sunburst Granny Square

*This charming sunburst granny square is perfect for adding a pop of colour and texture to your projects. Designed with beginners in mind, it uses simple stitches to create a beautiful, feltable fabric. The natural fibres of roving yarn will transform into a dense, sturdy piece once felted, ideal for coasters, appliques, or elements in larger felted creations.*

**Skill Level:** Beginner

**Finished Size:**
Approximately 12 cm (4.75 inches) square before felting.
Approximately 9-10 cm (3.5-4 inches) square after felting (size may vary slightly based on felting method and yarn).

**Materials:**
*   **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran weight in UK) 100% wool roving yarn. *Ensure yarn is non-superwash to allow for felting.*
    *   Colour A: Orange – approximately 10g
    *   Colour B: White – approximately 30g
    *   Colour C: Green – approximately 15g
*   **Hook:** 5.0 mm (UK: 6, US: H/8) crochet hook
*   Yarn needle (for weaving in ends)
*   Scissors

**Tension (Gauge):**
14 treble crochet (tr) stitches and 8 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) square using 5.0 mm hook before felting.
*It's important to check your tension to ensure your square will be the intended size and density for felting.*

**Abbreviations (UK Terminology):**
*   **ch:** chain
*   **ch-sp(s):** chain space(s)
*   **dc:** double crochet (US single crochet)
*   **sl st:** slip stitch
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **tr:** treble crochet (US double crochet)
*   **yrh:** yarn round hook
*   **beg:** beginning
*   **rep:** repeat
*   **sp:** space
*   **rnd:** round

**Special Stitches:**
*   **4-treble cluster (tr4tog):** Yrh, insert hook into indicated stitch/space, yrh and pull up a loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). [Yrh, insert hook into same stitch/space, yrh and pull up a loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops] 3 times (5 loops on hook). Yrh and draw through all 5 loops on hook.

**Notes:**
*   Ch 3 at the beginning of a round counts as 1 tr unless otherwise stated.
*   Colour changes are indicated at the start of the relevant round. To change colour, work the last yrh of the preceding stitch with the new colour.
*   Weave in ends after each colour change to keep the work tidy, especially important for felting.
*   The square will look slightly open and larger before felting; this is normal.

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### Instructions

**Start (using Colour A: Orange)**
Make a magic ring, OR ch 4 and join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring.

**Round 1 (Orange):**
Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), work 15 tr into the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. Fasten off Colour A. (16 tr)
*(Math Check: 1 ch-3 + 15 tr = 16 tr total)*

**Round 2 (White):**
Join Colour B (White) with a sl st in any tr from Round 1.
Ch 2 (does not count as a st), work 4-treble cluster (tr4tog) into the same st as join. Ch 1.
\*Skip next tr, work 4-treble cluster into next tr. Ch 1.\* Rep from \* to \* 6 more times. Join with a sl st to the top of the first 4-treble cluster. Fasten off Colour B. (8 x 4-treble clusters, 8 x ch-1 spaces)
*(Math Check: 16 tr from R1 / 2 (for skip 1 tr) = 8 clusters. Each cluster followed by ch1. Correct.)*

**Round 3 (Green):**
Join Colour C (Green) with a sl st in any ch-1 space from Round 2.
Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr into the same ch-1 space. (This is your first 3-tr group).
\*In next ch-1 space, work (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) – this forms a corner.
In next ch-1 space, work 3 tr.\* Rep from \* to \* 3 more times.
After the last 3 tr group (which is a side group), join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. Fasten off Colour C. (4 x (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) corners, 4 x 3 tr side groups = 36 tr, 4 x ch-2 spaces)
*(Math Check: (4 corners x 6tr) + (4 sides x 3tr) = 24 tr + 12 tr = 36 tr total. Correct.)*

**Round 4 (White):**
Join Colour B (White) with a sl st in the top of the first tr of any 3-tr side group from Round 3.
Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr into the space between the first 3-tr group of the current side and the corner ch-2 space.
\*In the next ch-2 corner space, work (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr).
In the next space between 3-tr groups, work 3 tr.
In the next space between 3-tr groups, work 3 tr.\* Rep from \* to \* 3 more times, omitting the final 3 tr group on the last repeat.
Join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. Fasten off Colour B. (4 x (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr) corners, 8 x 3 tr side groups = 48 tr, 4 x ch-2 spaces)
*(Math Check: (4 corners x 6tr) + (8 sides x 3tr) = 24 tr + 24 tr = 48 tr total. Correct.)*

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### Finishing

Weave in all remaining loose ends securely. Your square is now ready for felting!

**Felting Instructions (Washing Machine Method):**
*   **Preparation:** Place your crocheted square(s) in a zippered pillowcase or a lingerie bag. This prevents excessive fibre loss and protects your washing machine.
*   **Loading:** Add a few old towels or a pair of jeans to the washing machine with your square(s). The towels/jeans provide agitation and friction, which are key to felting.
*   **Washing:**
    *   Set your washing machine to a **hot water** wash cycle.
    *   Set the machine to a **cold rinse** cycle.
    *   Set the agitation to **heavy** (or the most vigorous setting available).
    *   Add a small amount of laundry detergent (liquid detergent is best).
*   **Monitoring:** Check your square periodically during the wash cycle (e.g., every 5-10 minutes). Once it has shrunk to your desired size and has a dense, non-stitch-defined texture, it is felted. For a small item like this, it may only take 10-20 minutes of agitation.
*   **Rinsing & Drying:**
    *   Once felted, remove the square from the machine.
    *   Rinse it thoroughly under cold water to remove any detergent.
    *   Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring harshly).
    *   Reshape the square as desired while damp. You can pin it to a foam mat or towel to help it keep its shape.
    *   Allow to air dry completely. This can take 24-48 hours.

*Note: Felting results can vary depending on yarn, machine, and water temperature. It's recommended to test a small swatch first if you're unsure.*