purlJam

# Flare Pants with Sun Granny Squares

A fun and retro pair of crochet flare pants featuring decorative granny square motifs with a cheerful sun design. The sun has 8 large rays alternating with 8 small rays for a starburst effect. Perfect for festival wear or making a bold fashion statement!

## Sizes
Medium (adjustable for Small and Large with notes provided)
- **Waist**: 28-32" (elastic, adjustable)
- **Hip**: 38-40"
- **Inseam**: 30"
- **Flare hem width**: 24" per leg

## Materials
- **Yarn**: Worsted weight yarn (#4)
  - Main Color (MC) for pants: approximately 1800-2000 yards
  - Color A (sun center): 50 yards
  - Color B (sun rays): 100 yards
  - Color C (granny square background): 100 yards
- **Hook**: US H/8 (5.0mm) for pants, US G/6 (4.0mm) for granny squares
- **Notions**: 
  - 1" wide elastic, 32" length
  - Tapestry needle
  - Stitch markers
  - Measuring tape

## Gauge
**For Pants** (with 5.0mm hook):
- 16 dc x 8 rows = 4" in double crochet
- Measure gauge over at least 4" square after blocking

**For Granny Squares** (with 4.0mm hook):
- Finished sun granny square = 6" x 6"

**IMPORTANT**: Gauge is critical for proper fit. Adjust hook size if needed.

## Abbreviations
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sp = space
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- MC = main color
- ( ) = repeat instructions within parentheses
- [ ] = stitch count at end of row/round

## Pattern Notes
1. Turning chain 3 counts as first dc throughout
2. Pants are worked flat in rows, then seamed
3. Granny squares are made separately and sewn onto leg flares
4. Make 4-6 sun granny squares (2-3 per leg) depending on desired coverage
5. Stitch count is provided at end of each row in brackets
6. Ch 3 at beginning of row counts as first dc unless otherwise noted

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## SUN GRANNY SQUARE (Make 4-6)

### Round 1 - Sun Center (with Color A):
With 4.0mm hook and Color A, ch 4, sl st to first ch to form ring (or use magic ring).

**Round 1**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 15 dc in ring, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. [16 dc]

**Round 2** - Large Rays (switch to Color B):
Join Color B in any st. 
*Ch 5, tr in same st, tr in same st, ch 5, sl st in same st (large ray made), sl st in next st; repeat from * 7 more times. [8 large rays]
Fasten off, leaving long tail.

**Round 3** - Small Rays (with Color B):
Join Color B in any sl st between large rays.
*Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in same st (small ray made), sl st in next sl st between large rays; repeat from * 7 more times. [8 small rays alternating with large rays]
Fasten off.

### Round 4 - Granny Square Border (with Color C):
Join Color C in the space after any large ray.
Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same sp, *ch 2, skip to space after next ray, 3 dc in sp; repeat from * going around, working (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in 4 corner spaces evenly spaced. The corners should be at 4 points around the circle.

**Adjustment for square shape**: Position 4 corners at compass points (N, S, E, W positions relative to rays). In corner spaces work: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).

**Round 4 revised**: Ch 3, 2 dc in sp, *[3 dc in next sp] 3 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner sp; repeat from * 3 more times to create 4 corners, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. [4 corners with ch-2 sps]

**Round 5** (with Color C):
Sl st to corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp, *3 dc in each sp across side to next corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner sp; repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch-3.

**Round 6** (with MC):
Repeat Round 5 with main pants color. Fasten off and weave in ends.

**Finished size**: Approximately 6" x 6"

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## PANTS CONSTRUCTION

### BACK PANEL (Make 1)

**Foundation**: With 5.0mm hook and MC, ch 77.

**Row 1** (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped chs count as first dc), dc in each ch across. [75 dc]

**Row 2**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, dc in each st across. [75 dc]

**Rows 3-10**: Repeat Row 2. [75 dc]

**Row 11** (Begin hip shaping - decrease): Ch 3, turn, dc in next st, dc2tog (decrease made), dc in each st across to last 4 sts, dc2tog, dc in last 2 sts. [73 dc]

**Rows 12-14**: Work even (repeat Row 2). [73 dc]

**Row 15**: Repeat Row 11. [71 dc]

**Rows 16-18**: Work even. [71 dc]

**Row 19**: Repeat Row 11. [69 dc]

**Rows 20-28**: Work even. [69 dc] — Crotch area

**DIVIDE FOR LEGS**:

**Row 29** (Right leg): Ch 3, turn, dc in next 33 sts. Leave remaining sts unworked. [34 dc]

**Rows 30-58**: Work even on these 34 sts. [34 dc] — This creates the straight part of the leg, approximately 14.5" long

**BEGIN FLARE**:

**Row 59**: Ch 3, turn, 2 dc in next st (increase made), dc across to last 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in last st. [36 dc]

**Row 60**: Work even. [36 dc]

**Row 61**: Repeat Row 59. [38 dc]

**Row 62**: Work even. [38 dc]

**Rows 63-70**: Continue increasing 2 sts every other row (on odd rows) 4 more times. [46 dc after Row 70]

**Rows 71-76**: Work even. [46 dc]

**Row 77**: Ch 3, turn, 2 dc in next st, dc across to last 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in last st. [48 dc]

**Row 78**: Work even. [48 dc]

**Row 79**: Repeat Row 77. [50 dc]

**Rows 80-84**: Work even. [50 dc]

Fasten off.

**LEFT LEG**:

**Row 29**: With RS facing, skip 1 st at center crotch (for seam allowance), join yarn in next st, ch 3, dc in next 33 sts. [34 dc]

**Rows 30-84**: Work same as Right Leg.

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### FRONT PANEL (Make 1)

Work same as Back Panel.

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## ASSEMBLY AND FINISHING

### Step 1: Block Pieces
Gently block both front and back panels and all granny squares to measurements.

### Step 2: Seam Pants
- With RS together, use tapestry needle and MC yarn to seam side seams from waist to hem
- Seam inseams from hem up to crotch on each leg
- Seam center front and center back from waist down to crotch
- Weave in all seam ends

### Step 3: Waistband
**Round 1**: With RS facing and 5.0mm hook, join MC at center back seam, ch 1, sc evenly around waist opening (approximately 120 sc), sl st to first sc.

**Rounds 2-3**: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st to first sc.

**Round 4** (Casing for elastic): Ch 1, working in back loops only, sc in each sc around, sl st to first sc.

**Rounds 5-6**: Ch 1, sc in each sc around (both loops), sl st to first sc.

Leave 3" opening. Thread elastic through casing, adjust to fit waist comfortably (28-32"), overlap ends by 1" and sew securely. Close opening with whip stitch.

### Step 4: Attach Sun Granny Squares
Position 2-3 sun granny squares on the flare portion of each pant leg (lower 10" of legs). Suggested placement:
- 1 square centered on outer leg seam, about 4" from hem
- Additional squares scattered artistically on flare

Pin in place and sew around all edges using tapestry needle and matching yarn. Make sure to catch only one layer of pant fabric (front or back, not both).

### Step 5: Hem Finishing (Optional)
If desired, work 1 round of sc around each leg hem opening for a finished edge:
- Join MC at inseam, ch 1, sc evenly around (approximately 100 sc), sl st to first sc
- Fasten off and weave in ends

### Step 6: Final Details
- Weave in all remaining ends
- Steam block gently if needed
- Try on and adjust elastic if needed

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## Sizing Adjustments

**For Small** (34-36" hip):
- Foundation chain: Ch 69 [67 dc]
- Begin with 67 dc and adjust all hip shaping accordingly
- Decrease to 61 dc by Row 28
- Each leg will have 30 dc instead of 34 dc

**For Large** (42-44" hip):
- Foundation chain: Ch 85 [83 dc]
- Begin with 83 dc
- Decrease to 77 dc by Row 28
- Each leg will have 38 dc instead of 34 dc

**Length adjustments**:
- For shorter inseam: Work fewer rows in the straight leg section (Rows 30-58)
- For longer inseam: Work more rows in the straight leg section
- For more/less flare: Adjust number of increase rows in flare section

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## Design Tips

1. **Sun granny square variations**: Feel free to use different colors for each sun ray round for a rainbow effect
2. **Coverage**: Make additional granny squares if you want more decoration
3. **Placement**: You can also place squares on the hip area or waistband for extra flair
4. **Comfort**: The elastic waistband makes these pants comfortable and adjustable
5. **Yarn choice**: Cotton blends work well for structure, while acrylic blends are more affordable

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## Yarn Requirements Breakdown

- **Main Color (pants)**: Approximately 1800-2000 yards
- **Color A (sun centers)**: 10 yards per square × 6 = 60 yards
- **Color B (rays)**: 15 yards per square × 6 = 90 yards
- **Color C (backgrounds)**: 15 yards per square × 6 = 90 yards

**Total**: Approximately 2040-2240 yards

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## Care Instructions

Hand wash in cool water, lay flat to dry. Do not bleach. Cool iron if needed.

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**Pattern designed for beginner to intermediate crocheters. The sun granny square motif adds a cheerful, vintage-inspired detail to these fun flare pants!**