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# Radiant Sun Appliqué

A cheerful flat sun motif worked from the centre outwards, finished with alternating pointed and rounded rays. Designed to be sewn onto a jumper, cardigan, bag or blanket as a decorative appliqué. Intermediate crocheters will enjoy the ray shaping while keeping the whole piece flat and tidy.

**Finished size:** Approximately 15 cm (6 in) diameter including rays; centre disc approximately 10 cm (4 in) diameter.

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran/medium, #4) in two colours:
  - Colour A (sun body): warm yellow or gold — approx. 20 m
  - Colour B (optional ray tips/outline): deep orange — approx. 8 m
- **Hook:** 4.5 mm crochet hook (or size needed to achieve tension)
- **Notions:** Tapestry/yarn needle, stitch marker, scissors
- **Optional:** Sewing thread to match garment for attaching

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## Tension (Gauge)

16 tr × 8 rounds = 10 cm (4 in) using 4.5 mm hook.

Tension is not critical for fit but affects finished diameter and how flat the motif lies. A firm, even tension keeps the appliqué flat.

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## Size

One size. Disc ≈ 10 cm; full motif ≈ 15 cm diameter. Adjust by changing hook size or yarn weight.

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## Abbreviations (UK terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **dc** — double crochet (US single crochet)
- **htr** — half treble (US half double crochet)
- **tr** — treble (US double crochet)
- **dtr** — double treble (US treble)
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **rep** — repeat
- **rnd** — round
- **MR** — magic ring

*Note: This pattern uses **UK crochet terminology**. UK tr = US dc.*

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## Pattern Notes

- The sun is worked **in joined rounds** from the centre out. Begin each round with the stated starting chain and **join each round with a sl st** to the top of the first stitch.
- The **starting ch-3 counts as the first tr** unless stated otherwise; the starting ch-1 does **not** count as a stitch.
- Work in **both loops** throughout unless stated.
- Stitch counts are given in parentheses at the end of each round.
- The disc uses the standard flat-circle increase of **+12 sts per round**.
- Rays are worked **directly into the final disc round** so the piece remains one tidy unit.

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## Special Stitch — Pointed Ray

**Point:** Worked over 2 base stitches: into the first base st work [1 dc], ch 1, then [1 htr, 1 tr, 1 dtr] all into the same point as it builds; the spike is formed by working up and back down. Full step-by-step given in the ray instructions below — no guessing required.

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## Instructions

### Part 1 — Centre Disc (Colour A)

Begin with a magic ring (MR).

**Round 1:** Ch 3 (counts as first tr), work 11 tr into the ring. Pull ring closed. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3. **(12 sts)**

**Round 2:** Ch 3 (counts as first tr), 1 tr into same st as join, 2 tr into each st around. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. **(24 sts)**
*Check: 12 sts × 2 = 24. ✓*

**Round 3:** Ch 3 (counts as first tr), 1 tr into same st, *1 tr in next st, 2 tr in next st; rep from * around to last st, 1 tr in last st. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. **(36 sts)**
*Check: 24 + 12 increases = 36. ✓*

**Round 4:** Ch 3 (counts as first tr), 1 tr into same st, *1 tr in each of next 2 sts, 2 tr in next st; rep from * around to last 2 sts, 1 tr in each of last 2 sts. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. **(48 sts)**
*Check: 36 + 12 increases = 48. ✓*

Fasten off Colour A if adding contrast rays, or continue with Colour A for a single-colour sun.

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### Part 2 — Sun Rays (Colour B, or continue in A)

The final disc has **48 sts**. We create **12 rays**, each worked over **4 stitches**, alternating **6 pointed rays** and **6 rounded rays** (pointed, rounded, pointed, rounded… around).

Join yarn (Colour B) with a sl st into any st of Round 4.

**Ray Round — repeat the following [Pointed Ray + Rounded Ray] 6 times around (12 rays total):**

**Pointed Ray (over 4 sts):**
1. 1 dc in next st.
2. In next st: 1 htr.
3. In next st: work the spike — ch 3, then 1 dtr, 1 tr, 1 htr worked back down... To keep it simple and reliable, work as follows: ch 4, 1 dtr in the 4th ch from hook to form the spike tip, then 1 dc into the **next** base st to anchor the point. *(This forms one tall point over the 4-st group.)*
4. 1 dc in next st.

**Rounded Ray (over 4 sts):**
1. 1 dc in next st.
2. 2 htr in next st.
3. 2 tr in next st.
4. 2 htr in next st... then 1 dc to step down — *worked as:* 1 dc in next st. *(This rounded shell forms a soft scalloped ray.)*

Continue alternating **Pointed Ray, Rounded Ray** until all 48 sts of Round 4 are consumed.

*Check: 12 rays × 4 base sts = 48 sts. ✓ Each ray begins and ends with a dc, so adjacent rays share a clean step transition.*

Join with sl st to the first dc of the round. Fasten off, leaving a 30 cm tail for sewing.

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## Finishing

1. **Weave in ends** on the wrong side using the tapestry needle. Weave the magic-ring tail securely so the centre cannot loosen.
2. **Block the motif:** Pin flat to measurements (disc ≈ 10 cm, full motif ≈ 15 cm), spray lightly with water, and leave to dry. Blocking is the single most important step for a flat appliqué.
3. **Optional centre detail:** Embroider a small spiral or French knots in Colour B at the centre, or work a small running stitch ring just inside the disc edge.

### Attaching to a Garment

- Position the blocked sun on the garment and **pin in place**, smoothing outwards from the centre so it lies flat.
- Using the long tail or matching sewing thread, **whip stitch** around the outer edge of the disc (the base of the rays), catching the underside of each ray so the points lift slightly for a 3-D effect, or stitch the ray tips down for a fully flat finish.
- For a hard-wearing finish on garments that will be washed often, **dc the appliqué directly onto the fabric** through both layers, or use a small backstitch around the disc.

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## Tips

- **Keeps curling?** Your tension is likely too tight — go up half a hook size; too cup-shaped means too loose, so go down.
- **Cleaner rays:** Stuff the magic ring closed firmly and block aggressively — the rays will sit evenly.
- **Colour pop:** Work Rounds 1–4 in gold and the entire Ray Round in orange for a high-contrast sun.