Autumn Sunflower Mandala Doily — Free Crochet Pattern
Intermediate
For crocheters comfortable with the basics, ready to try new shaping and assembly techniques
Weekend Project
A satisfying weekend make — start Friday, finish Sunday, enjoy forever.
Handmade Gift
A beautiful keepsake — free forever. Read online or print at home.
About This Autumn Sunflower Mandala Doily — Free Crochet Pattern
A single glorious bloom worked in the round, this Autumn Sunflower Mandala Doily layers a chocolate-brown centre, golden petals, rust and cream lace rounds, and a scattering of little berry clusters and leaves around the edge. It is the perfect centrepiece for an autumn or Thanksgiving table and a joy to watch grow round by round.
Because it is one continuous mandala, there is no joining or assembly — just keep adding rounds and the sunflower blooms outward in your hands. The raised petals and popcorn centre give it real texture and depth.
Starting rounds — magic ring and first increases
Why You'll Love This Pattern 💛
There is no assembly or joining — it grows as one continuous piece, so it feels like magic watching the sunflower open round by round. The mix of textures (popcorn centre, raised petals, flat lace) keeps every round interesting and makes a piece that looks far more complex than it is. It is a perfect use for small amounts of autumn-coloured yarn from your stash.
Shaping with increases — building the body
Switch Things Up 🎨
Make it in classic sunflower colours only (brown, yellow, green) on a cream ground for a cheerful summer version. Scale up with extra lace rounds for a large centrepiece, or stop after R8 for a small coaster-sized flower. Work the lace rounds in deep rust instead of cream for a moodier, all-autumn palette.
Colour variations — personalise your make
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them 🔧
Ruffling means too many stitches in a round (too many increases); cupping means too few. Count at the end of each round against the given numbers, and block firmly at the end.
Work the petals at a firmer tension than the flat rounds and do not sew the later rounds through them — let the petal tips lift free.
If the brown centre domes, you have an extra increase somewhere; recount R2-R5. It should sit flat before you add petals.
Weave in each colour's ends on the back neatly and start new colours in different spots around the round so the joins do not line up.
Assembly stage — pinning pieces before sewing
Materials Needed for Autumn Sunflower Mandala Doily — Free Crochet Pattern
🧶YARN
DK cotton, ~20g, for the centre.
DK cotton, ~40g, for the petals.
DK cotton, ~30g, for the outer petal round.
DK cotton, ~40g, for the lace rounds.
DK cotton, ~20g, for the edge leaves.
small amounts, for the berry clusters.
🪝TOOLS & NOTIONS
3.5mm.
— Gauge:
N/A
— Finished Size:
~40 cm across
— Yarn Weight:
DK Cotton
— Hook:
3.5mm
— Terms:
US Crochet Terminology
— Cost:
FREE ✓
Crochet Abbreviations
Autumn Sunflower Mandala Doily — Free Crochet Pattern — Full Pattern
🧶CENTRE (brown)
🧶INNER PETALS (golden yellow)
🧶OUTER PETALS (burnt orange)
🧶CREAM LACE ROUNDS
🧶EDGE LEAVES (olive, make 8) & BERRIES (rust/mustard clusters of 3)
🧶ASSEMBLY
Assembly & Finishing Tips
💡 Weaving in ends
Use a tapestry needle to weave each tail back and forth through at least 5–6 stitches in different directions. A tiny dot of washable glue on the final stitch before trimming adds extra security for toys used by children.
💡 Sewing pieces together
Pin each piece firmly to the body before sewing. Use mattress stitch for the most invisible join — insert the needle under the same yarn bar on alternating pieces and pull firmly. Knot securely at start and end, weave both tails deep into the body.
💡 Positioning safety eyes
Take time here — eye spacing determines the character's entire personality. Closer eyes look more intense; further apart looks more friendly and playful. Pin both positions and step back before snapping the backs on permanently. Once snapped, eyes cannot be moved without damaging the fabric.
💡 Blocking
Not required for amigurumi, but lightly steam-blocking any warped pieces will relax the fibres. Hold a steam iron a few centimetres away — never let it touch the stuffing or safety eyes directly.
💡 Care instructions
Handwash in cool water with mild detergent, press gently to remove excess water, lay flat to dry. Many acrylic yarns are machine washable on a gentle cycle in a laundry bag — always check your yarn label.
⚠️ Important Notes
- Use stitch markers at the start of every round — don't rely on memory to count.
- Work with consistent tension throughout. Gauge swatch before starting if in doubt.
- Fasten off leaving long tails for sewing — at least 30cm for each piece you'll need to attach.
- Pin and check positioning of all pieces before sewing any of them permanently.
Beginner's Guide to Amigurumi 🌱
Amigurumi (Japanese: ami = knitted/crocheted + nuigurumi = stuffed toy) is the craft of making small crocheted characters. You start with a magic ring, work in continuous spiral rounds of single crochet, and shape the piece through increases and decreases — no seams, no joins, no turning.
The magic ring creates a closable centre with no hole. Wrap yarn around two fingers, insert the hook, yarn over and pull through. Work your first round into this ring, then pull the tail to close tight. Practise a few times — it becomes effortless quickly.
The invisible decrease — insert your hook through the front loop only of the first stitch, then the front loop only of the second stitch. Yarn over, pull through both loops, then yarn over again and pull through the remaining two. Working through front loops only makes the decrease blend into the fabric instead of leaving a bump.
Tension matters most. Amigurumi needs tight, firm tension so stuffing can't show through. If you can see white fiberfill peeking between your stitches, go down one hook size. The fabric should feel dense and firm — like a tightly woven canvas, not a loose net.
The finished Autumn Sunflower Mandala Doily — Free Crochet Pattern — ready to gift or display
You Ask, We Answer ❓
Absolutely — stop after the petals (skip the lace edge rounds), back it with fabric or a second circle, and you have a sunflower cushion front or bag panel.
Yes — you are welcome to sell finished handmade pieces you crochet from this pattern. Please credit Cozy Amigurumi as the pattern source when you share them online.
Please do — blocking is the single biggest difference between a piece that looks homemade and one that looks like an heirloom. Wet or steam block, pin to shape, and let it dry completely.
You can, but cotton blocks crisper and shows the lace detail far better. If you use acrylic, choose a firm one and steam block gently rather than wet block.
This pattern repeats in simple units, so just add or remove motifs/blocks until it fits your table. Keep the count even for a symmetrical look.
