by That’s a fantastic request! An “Eye-Catching Multi-Purpose Square Motif” often means a pattern that combines texture, color changes, and interesting stitch combinations to create a design that pops. A perfect example of this is the Spiral Sunburst Square (or Puff Stitch Square).
This motif is beautiful, versatile, and can be used for blankets, pillows, bags, and wall art.
💥 Eye-Catching Spiral Sunburst Square Motif
This motif achieves its striking appearance through the use of Puff Stitches (PS) and frequent color changes. It’s generally worked in four rounds.
Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn: Medium-weight yarn (worsted/size 4).
- Color A: Center/Inner Color (e.g., Bright Yellow).
- Color B: Petal Color (e.g., Pink or Blue).
- Color C: Background Color (e.g., Cream or Grey).
- Crochet Hook: The size recommended for your yarn.
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle: Essential for weaving in many ends!
Key Crochet Terms
| Abbreviation | Stitch Name |
| ch | Chain |
| sl st | Slip Stitch |
| dc | Double Crochet |
| PS | Puff Stitch |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
Special Stitch: Puff Stitch (PS)
- Yarn over (YO), insert hook into the specified stitch/space, YO, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
- Repeat 3-4 more times (YO, insert hook, YO, pull up a loop) until you have 7 to 9 loops on the hook.
- YO and pull through all loops on the hook.
- Ch 1 to secure the puff.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Round 1: The Center (Color A)
- Start: With Color A, make a Magic Ring.
- Base: ch 2 (does not count as st). Work 12 dc into the Magic Ring.
- Finish: Pull the tail tight. Join with a sl st to the top of the first dc. Fasten off Color A. (12 sts).
Round 2: The Sunburst Petals (Color B)
This round creates the textured, raised petals.
- Join: Join Color B into any stitch with a sl st. ch 2 (does not count as st).
- First Puff: Work a Puff Stitch (PS) into the same stitch. ch 1.
- Repeat: [PS in the next st, ch 1] 11 times. (You will have 12 puff stitches).
- Finish: Join with a sl st to the top of the first PS. Fasten off Color B.
Round 3: Squaring Up (Color C)
In this crucial round, we use varying stitch heights to pull the circle into a distinct square shape. We will anchor into the ch-1 spaces between the puff stitches.
- Join: Join Color C into any ch-1 space between puffs with a sl st.
- First Corner: ch 3 (counts as dc). Work [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into the same ch-1 space.
- Side 1 (Treble): Work 3 tr (treble crochet) into the next ch-1 space.
- Side 2 (Double): Work 3 dc into the next ch-1 space.
- Side 3 (Half Double): Work 3 hdc into the next ch-1 space.
- Next Corner: Work [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into the next ch-1 space.
- Repeat Sequence: Continue the sequence: [Corner, 3 tr, 3 dc, 3 hdc] two more times.
- Finish: Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 4: The Final Granny Edge (Color C)
This final round cleans up the edges and makes the square easy to join to other motifs.
- Move to Corner: sl st over to the ch-2 corner space.
- Corner: ch 3. Work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the corner space.
- Side:ch 1 (side chain). Work 3 dc into the next space between the clusters. ch 1.
- Repeat (3 dc in the next cluster gap, ch 1) until you reach the next corner.
- Repeat: Continue the (Corner, Side Clusters) sequence around the square.
- Finish: Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Fasten off.
Finishing and Usage Tips
- Weave, Weave, Weave: Because you changed colors frequently, use a tapestry needle to securely weave in all ends on the back of the square.
- Blocking: Blocking is mandatory for this square. It relaxes the puff stitches and, most importantly, pulls the curved edges of Round 3 into straight lines, ensuring the square is easy to join.
- Multi-Purpose Use:
- Blanket: Use the same four colors, but alternate their placement for variety.
- Bag: Use a single, sturdy color (C) for the border and join the squares to form the bag body.
- Cushion: Join four motifs for the front panel of a cushion cover.
What project are you most excited to use this eye-catching motif for?
Video tutorial:
