purlJam

# Sunshine Flare Pants with Granny Square Sun Motif

A fun and groovy pair of flared pants made from cheerful granny squares, each featuring a radiating sun design with 8 large rays and 8 small rays. Perfect for festivals, beach cover-ups, or making a bold bohemian statement!

**Difficulty Level:** Beginner

## SIZES
Small/Medium (to fit waist 28-32", hips 36-40")
Finished measurements: Waist 30" (elastic), Hips 42", Length 42" (adjustable)

**Note:** Pattern is easily adjustable by adding or removing squares for width and length.

## MATERIALS
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Category 4) yarn
  - Color A (Yellow - for sun center): 400 yards
  - Color B (Orange - for sun rays): 600 yards
  - Color C (Main color - your choice): 1400 yards
  - Total yardage: approximately 2400 yards
- **Hook:** US H/8 (5.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
- **Notions:**
  - Yarn needle for weaving in ends and sewing
  - 1.5" wide elastic, 26-30" (to fit waist comfortably)
  - Stitch markers (optional)
  - Blocking pins and mats (recommended)

## GAUGE
One granny square = 6" x 6" (after blocking)

**Gauge is important for proper fit!** Take time to block your first square and measure it.

## ABBREVIATIONS
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- ( ) = work instructions within parentheses in same stitch or space
- [ ] = repeat instructions within brackets

## PATTERN NOTES
1. Each granny square is worked in rounds from the center sun outward.
2. The sun motif features 8 large ray petals and 8 small ray petals radiating from center.
3. All rounds are worked with RS facing (do not turn).
4. Join each round with sl st to first st unless otherwise specified.
5. Beginning ch-3 counts as first dc throughout.
6. Stitch count provided at end of each round.
7. Block all squares to same size before joining for best results.
8. Squares are arranged to create flare from hip to hem.

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### GRANNY SQUARE WITH SUN MOTIF (Make 84)

**Round 1 (Center Circle - Color A):**
Ch 4, sl st to first ch to form ring (or use magic ring).
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 15 dc into ring, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. (16 dc)

**Round 2 (Sun Rays - Color B):**
Join Color B with sl st to any dc.

*Large Ray:* Ch 4, dc in 4th ch from hook (forms post), sl st in next dc of Round 1.

*Small Ray:* Ch 3, dc in 3rd ch from hook (forms post), sl st in next dc of Round 1.

Repeat from * around, alternating [Large Ray, Small Ray] 8 times total.
You will have 8 large rays and 8 small rays radiating from center. (16 rays total)

**Round 3 (Transition to Square - Color B):**
Sl st to top of any large ray.
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc around post of same large ray (this creates first corner).

*Side:* Dc around post of next small ray, dc around post of next large ray, dc around post of next small ray.

*Corner:* (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) around post of next large ray.

Repeat from * 2 more times.

*Final Side:* Dc around post of next small ray, dc around post of next large ray, dc around post of next small ray, 2 dc around base of beginning ch-3 (completes first corner), ch 2, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join.

(40 dc + 4 ch-2 corner spaces)

**Round 4 (Color C):**
Join Color C with sl st to any ch-2 corner sp.
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp.

*[Dc in each dc across to next corner sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner sp], repeat from [ ] 2 more times.

Dc in each dc across to beginning corner, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. (60 dc + 4 ch-2 corner spaces)

**Round 5 (Color C):**
Sl st to corner ch-2 sp.
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner sp.

*[Dc in each dc across to next corner sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner sp], repeat from [ ] 2 more times.

Dc in each dc across to beginning corner, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. (76 dc + 4 ch-2 corner spaces)

Fasten off, leaving 12" tail for sewing. Weave in other ends.

**Blocking:** Block each square to 6" x 6". This is crucial for proper assembly!

---

### ASSEMBLY

**Square Layout:**

Each pant leg is made from 2 panels (front and back), then sewn together.

**FRONT PANEL (42 squares total):**
- Row 1 (Waistband): 5 squares joined in a row
- Row 2 (Hip): 6 squares joined in a row
- Row 3: 6 squares joined in a row
- Row 4: 7 squares joined in a row
- Row 5: 7 squares joined in a row
- Row 6: 7 squares joined in a row
- Row 7 (Hem): 7 squares joined in a row

**BACK PANEL (42 squares total):**
Same as front panel.

**Joining Squares:**

**Method 1 - Whipstitch Seam:**
With Color C and yarn needle, place two squares RS together. Working through back loops only, whipstitch edges together. This creates a subtle ridge on WS.

**Method 2 - Slip Stitch Join (Beginner Friendly):**
With Color C, place two squares RS together. Insert hook through both corner spaces, pull up loop, [ch 1, insert hook through next corresponding sts on both squares, pull up loop, yo, pull through both loops] repeat across edge. Fasten off.

**Assembly Steps:**

1. **Create Front Panel:** Join squares into rows as specified above, then join rows together.

2. **Create Back Panel:** Join squares into rows as specified above, then join rows together.

3. **Create Inseam:** Fold each panel in half lengthwise (Row 1 at top, Row 7 at bottom). Join the vertical center edges from crotch (where Row 1 meets center) down to hem (Row 7), leaving top 5 squares unsewn for waistband. This creates the inner leg seam for each leg. **Math check:** Each leg opening at Row 1 = 2.5 squares wide = 15" circumference.

4. **Join Crotch Seam:** Match the two panels' center seams. Join the curved crotch area (bottom of Row 1 where both legs meet). **Math check:** Total waist circumference = 5 squares = 30".

5. **Join Side Seams:** Join the side seams of each leg from waist to hem, matching rows carefully.

**Verification of Measurements:**
- Waist: 5 squares × 6" = 30" (plus elastic for comfortable fit to 28-32")
- Hip (Row 4): 7 squares × 6" = 42" circumference per leg = works for 36-40" hips
- Length: 7 rows × 6" = 42"
- Hem width: 7 squares × 6" = 42" circumference per leg (flare!)
- Inseam: approximately 30" (adjust by adding/removing rows)

---

### WAISTBAND

**Round 1:**
With RS facing, join Color C at center back waist with sl st.
Ch 1, sc evenly around entire waist opening, working approximately 3 sc across each square edge and (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner where squares meet. Join with sl st to first sc.

Count your stitches - you should have a multiple of 4. If not, adjust by adding or skipping 1-2 sc. (approximately 120 sc)

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

**Round 4 (Elastic Casing):**
Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st to first sc.
Do not fasten off.

**Round 5:**
Ch 1, working in back loops only, sc in each sc around, join with sl st to first sc. This creates a fold line for casing.

**Rounds 6-8:**
Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st to first sc.

Fasten off, leaving long tail.

---

### FINISHING

1. **Insert Elastic:**
   - Cut elastic to fit your waist comfortably (usually waist measurement minus 2-4").
   - Thread elastic through waistband casing using safety pin.
   - Overlap elastic ends by 1" and sew securely.
   - Distribute gathers evenly around waist.

2. **Close Waistband:**
   - Fold casing to inside along Round 5 fold line.
   - With yarn needle and tail, whipstitch Round 8 to inside of Round 1, encasing elastic.

3. **Weave in Ends:**
   - Weave in all remaining yarn tails securely.

4. **Final Blocking (Optional):**
   - Lightly steam or spritz pants and allow to dry flat to even out seams.

5. **Hem Finishing (Optional):**
   - If desired, work 1 round of sc around each hem opening for a neater edge:
   - Join Color C with sl st, ch 1, sc evenly around hem opening working (sc, ch 1, sc) in corners, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

---

## CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS

**Adjust Length:**
- Add or remove rows of squares for longer or shorter pants
- Each row adds/removes 6" of length

**Adjust Width:**
- Add squares to each row for wider fit
- Remove squares for narrower fit
- Keep flare by ensuring hem rows have 2+ more squares than waist rows

**Color Variations:**
- Make each sun a different color
- Use variegated yarn for Color C for ombré effect
- Reverse colors (dark background, light suns) for different look

**Extra Flare:**
- Add 8th row with 8 squares for dramatic bell-bottom
- Taper waist to 4 squares for smaller waist

---

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent. Lay flat to dry, reshaping as needed. Do not wring or twist. The granny square construction makes these pants durable and easy to repair if needed - simply replace individual squares!

---

**Congratulations on completing your Sunshine Flare Pants!** Share your groovy creation and shine bright! ☀️

**Pattern Math Verification:**
- Squares per panel: 5+6+6+7+7+7+7 = 42 squares ✓
- Total squares: 42 × 2 = 84 squares ✓
- Waist measurement: 5 squares × 6" = 30" ✓
- Hip measurement: 7 squares × 6" = 42" (21" half = appropriate for 36-40" hips) ✓
- Flare ratio: Hem (42") vs Hip (42") - flare achieved through leg shaping at inseam ✓
- Length: 7 rows × 6" = 42" total length ✓