My dearest creator, bringing a character to life is a quiet sort of magic. Today, we turn our hands to Sunny, a little soul who carries the brightness of a summer garden wherever he goes. I have written this guide with care, ensuring every stitch leads you to a creation that feels professional, polished, and undeniably sweet.
About This Creation & Angle
There is a particular joy in “scrap-busting”—taking the remnants of past projects and spinning them into gold. Sunny is the ideal candidate for those bits of sunshine yellow and rose pink you have saved. He is not just a toy; he is a celebration of resourcefulness.
We focus here on clean lines and color transitions. The marriage of a floral motif with a classic animal form creates a unique texture contrast that is wonderful to hold. He sits perfectly on a desk or shelf, a permanent reminder of sunny days.
Project Snapshot
📊 Difficulty: Intermediate
⏰ Est. Time: 3–4 Hours
📏 Size: Approx. 12cm (4.7 inches) tall
“We do not rush the bloom; we let every petal unfold in its own time.” — Patricia
Materials & Tools Needed
🧶 Yarn: Cotton or acrylic blend (DK/Light Worsted). Colors: Pale Pink (Skin), Magenta (Stripes), Golden Yellow (Petals), Rose Pink (Snout).
🪡 Hook: 2.5mm or 2.75mm (choose a size that keeps stitches tight).
✨ Other Materials: 8mm Safety Eyes, Polyester fiberfill, Tapestry needle, Black embroidery thread, Stitch markers.
Abbreviations & Stitches Used
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
inc: increase (2 sc in one st)
dec: decrease (invisible decrease preferred)
BLO: back loop only
FLO: front loop only
The Complete Sunny Pattern
The Snout
Use Rose Pink yarn.
Round 1: Ch 4. Start in 2nd ch from hook. 2 sc, 3 sc in last ch. Rotate to work on other side of ch. 1 sc, inc in last st. (8)
Round 2: Inc, 1 sc, (inc) x 3, 1 sc, (inc) x 2. (14)
Round 3: Work 1 sc in each st around in BLO. (14)
Round 4: Work 1 sc in each st around. (14)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly.
The Head
Use Pale Pink yarn.
Round 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
Round 8: (6 sc, inc) x 6. (48)
Rounds 9–18: Sc in each st around. (48) Note: Insert safety eyes between Rounds 14 and 15, about 7 stitches apart. Sew the Snout centered between the eyes now.
Round 19: (6 sc, dec) x 6. (42)
Round 20: (5 sc, dec) x 6. (36)
Round 21: (4 sc, dec) x 6. (30)
Round 22: (3 sc, dec) x 6. (24)
Round 23: (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18)
Fasten off. Stuff the head firmly, ensuring it is perfectly round.
The Sunflower Mane
Use Golden Yellow yarn. This piece frames the face.
Round 1: Ch 48 and join with a sl st to form a ring (ensure it fits over the face before proceeding).
Round 2: Sc in each ch around. (48)
Round 3 (The Petals): Sl st in next st, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st) all in the next st, sl st in next st. Repeat from * to * around.
You should have a ring of approximately 16 defined petals. Fasten off with a long tail to sew onto the head.
The Ears (Make 2)
Use Pale Pink yarn.
Round 1: Start 4 sc in a magic ring. (4)
Round 2: (1 sc, inc) x 2. (6)
Round 3: (2 sc, inc) x 2. (8)
Round 4: (3 sc, inc) x 2. (10)
Round 5: (4 sc, inc) x 2. (12)
Round 6: (5 sc, inc) x 2. (14)
Rounds 7–8: Sc in each st around. (14)
Fasten off. Do not stuff. Flatten the ears.
The Body
Start with Magenta yarn. We will alternate colors every 2 rounds.
Round 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
Rounds 8–9 (Magenta): Sc in each st around. (42)
Rounds 10–11 (Pale Pink): Sc in each st around. (42)
Rounds 12–13 (Magenta): (5 sc, dec) x 6. (36)
Rounds 14–15 (Pale Pink): Sc in each st around. (36)
Rounds 16–17 (Magenta): (4 sc, dec) x 6. (30)
Rounds 18–19 (Pale Pink): (3 sc, dec) x 6. (24)
Round 20 (Pale Pink): (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff the body firmly.
Arms (Make 2)
Use Pale Pink yarn.
Round 1: Start 5 sc in a magic ring. (5)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (10)
Rounds 3–7: Sc in each st around. (10)
Stuff lightly at the bottom only. Pinch the top flat and sc across to close.
Legs (Make 2)
Use Pale Pink yarn.
Round 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
Rounds 4–6: Sc in each st around. (18)
Round 7: (1 sc, dec) x 6. (12)
Fasten off. Stuff firmly.
Assembly & Final Touches
- Mane Placement: Slide the Yellow Mane onto the head. It should frame the face like a bonnet. Pin it securely and sew it down.
- Ears: Sew the ears behind the mane petals, so they poke up cheerfully.
- Head to Body: Sew the head to the body using the 18 stitches of the neck opening. Add extra stuffing as you close the gap to prevent a floppy head.
- Limbs: Sew legs to the bottom of the body (Rounds 3–6) so he sits flat. Sew arms to the sides at Round 18.
- Face Details: Embroider a small “V” mouth under the snout with black thread. Use a bit of real blush or pink chalk on the cheeks for a soft glow.
Tips & FAQs
➡️ How do I get clean stripes? When changing colors, complete the final pull-through of the stitch with the new color. This creates a seamless transition.
➡️ My head is wobbling. This is common! Use a firm hand when stuffing the neck area. You can also insert a small rolled-up piece of felt inside the neck for stability.
A Final Word
Thank you for bringing Sunny into your world. There is something truly special about a handmade gift—it holds the time, patience, and care of the maker. I hope this project brought you a moment of peace and a smile to your face.
