Last summer, my sister hosted a garden party that I still think about. The food was simple, the company was wonderful, but what I remember most clearly is walking up to her table and seeing these gorgeous sunflower placemats at every seat. She had made them herself, and I spent half the afternoon turning mine over, studying the petals, and asking her approximately one thousand questions about the construction.
I finally sat down and worked out my own version, and honestly, I am so proud of how it turned out. The dimensional petals, the textured popcorn center that looks like real sunflower seeds, the little olive leaves peeking out around the edges. It is the kind of project that looks incredibly impressive on a table but is actually built from familiar stitches worked in a clever way.
Whether you are decorating for a late summer dinner party, making a set for your own breakfast nook, or putting together a handmade housewarming gift, this sunflower table set delivers major wow factor. The matching napkin ring ties the whole look together, and once you make one, you will want a full set for every seat at your table.
What You Will Make
This sunflower table set crochet pattern includes two coordinating pieces that work beautifully together or separately.
The Placemat measures approximately 16.5 to 17.5 inches (42 to 44.5 cm) in diameter. It features a textured cocoa brown popcorn center, a broad cream disk, two tiers of golden yellow petals, and an olive green leaf scallop border. The construction keeps everything flat enough for practical table use while still giving you that gorgeous dimensional botanical look.
The Napkin Ring Flower measures approximately 4.75 to 5.25 inches (12 to 13.5 cm) across. It repeats the same color palette in a compact layered flower attached to a simple band. The brown popcorn center, two layers of golden petals, and two olive leaves create a miniature version of the placemat design.
A complete one place setting takes approximately 8 to 12 hours depending on your pace. The placemat alone runs about 6 to 9 hours, while the napkin ring flower takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Skill Level
This is an intermediate level crochet pattern. The stitches themselves are familiar to most crocheters, but the project asks you to do several things at once. You will need to maintain a flat circular gauge, work popcorn stitches cleanly so they pop to the right side, place petals into chain spaces, shape tapered points, and assemble a layered napkin ring flower so the attachment remains concealed.
If you have made circular projects like mandalas, doilies, or round dishcloths before, you have the skills for this. The pattern guides you through each step, and I have included a troubleshooting section for common issues.
Materials Needed
Yarn
You will need #4 medium weight (aran) cotton yarn in four colors. Choose a smooth matte cotton or cotton rich blend with a firm twist. The yarn should produce a firm fabric that is not floppy.
| Color | Role | Estimated Yardage |
|---|---|---|
| Cream or warm ivory | Placemat disk | 140 to 170 yards (128 to 155 m) |
| Golden yellow or mustard | Placemat petals and ring flower | 105 to 135 yards (96 to 123 m) |
| Cocoa brown | Textured centers | 45 to 60 yards (41 to 55 m) |
| Olive green | Placemat edging, leaves, band | 55 to 75 yards (50 to 69 m) |
Recommended Yarns:
If substituting a cotton blend, match gauge and finished diameter rather than relying only on the yarn label.
Hooks and Tools
Gauge
In double crochet (dc), approximately 14 dc by 8 rounds equals 4 inches (10 cm) after light blocking.
Exact stitch gauge is less important than keeping the circle flat and reaching the stated finished diameter before the petal sections. After every two rounds, place the work on a flat surface. If the edge cups upward, loosen tension or add a few evenly spaced increases. If it ripples, tighten tension or omit a few increases. Make all corrections symmetrically.
Abbreviations and Special Stitches
Standard Abbreviations
Special Stitches
5-dc Popcorn (pc): Work 5 dc in the same stitch. Remove hook from working loop, insert hook from front to back through the top of the first dc, place working loop back on hook, and pull through. Chain 1 to lock only when the pattern specifically says to do so.
Pointed Petal: In the indicated chain space work: sc, hdc, dc, tr, ch 2, sl st in second ch from hook (this creates the picot point), tr, dc, hdc, sc. One petal made.
Olive Leaf Scallop: In the indicated space work: sc, hdc, dc, tr, ch 2, sl st in second ch from hook, tr, dc, hdc, sc. This is structurally similar to the petal but worked more tightly and with a smaller hook if needed.
Placemat Pattern Instructions
Work in joined rounds with the right side facing. Chain 3 at the beginning of dc rounds counts as the first dc unless stated otherwise. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning ch-3. Move the beginning of round with a slip stitch only when instructed.
Section A: Cocoa Popcorn Center
This textured center mimics the seed head of a real sunflower. The popcorns should sit on the right side like raised sunflower seeds. If they push to the back, pop them forward with your fingertip before continuing.
Rnd 1 (Cocoa): MR, ch 3, 11 dc in ring; join. 12 dc.
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around; join. 24 dc.
Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in same st, pc in next st; 2 dc in next st, pc in next st around; join. 36 sts total (12 popcorns).
Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next st, pc in next st; 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, pc in next st around; join. 48 sts.
Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, pc in next st; 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, pc in next st around; join. 60 sts.
Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts, pc in next st; 2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts, pc in next st around; join. 72 sts. Fasten off Cocoa.
Section B: Broad Cream Disk
Join Cream in any stitch. Continue the standard 12-increase rhythm. The counts below include the beginning ch-3 as a stitch.
Rnd 7: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 5 sts; 2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts around; join. 84 dc.
Rnd 8: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 6 sts; 2 dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts around; join. 96 dc.
Rnd 9: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 7 sts; 2 dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts around; join. 108 dc.
Rnd 10: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 8 sts; 2 dc in next st, dc in next 8 sts around; join. 120 dc.
Rnd 11: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 9 sts; 2 dc in next st, dc in next 9 sts around; join. 132 dc.
Rnd 12: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 10 sts; 2 dc in next st, dc in next 10 sts around; join. 144 dc.
Rnd 13: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 11 sts; 2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts around; join. 156 dc.
Rnd 14: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 12 sts; 2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts around; join. 168 dc. Fasten off Cream.
At this point the disk should measure roughly 10.5 to 11.5 inches (26.5 to 29 cm) across, depending on yarn and tension.
Section C: First Golden Petal Tier
Rnd 15 (Foundation Arches, Gold): Join Gold in any st. Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 5, skip 5 sts, sc in next st around; join to first sc. 28 arches.
