Ellen Gormley’s Sunny Spread blanket was first published in 2008, and its textured sun in the middle of every square still catches the eye. Over the years, makers have reworked it with new colors, yarns and layouts. Here are ten of the best versions.
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The Original Free Crochet Sunny Spread Pattern

The original is worked in golden yarn. Raised post stitches build a shadowed sun in the center of each square, which makes the blanket look far more complex than it is.
The project has three parts: the sun, the square frame around it, and the border. The squares are joined with an invisible seam, so the sun motifs read as one continuous surface.
The Best Sunny Spread Versions
These projects are based on the original pattern, but some makers changed details that you won’t find in the written pattern.
Sunny Spread Baby Blanket Version by Billie’s Crochet
A playful baby blanket: blue and yellow squares joined on the bias, finished with amigurumi balls as tassels.
See it on InstagramSunny Spread Version by Hookery Crochet
Rainbow yarn makes every sun different, and the white background lets the circles stand out.
See it on InstagramScrappy Circles / Sunny Spread Version by kallaene
A scrap-yarn version in an autumn palette. Yarns from different brands but of similar weight give every circle its own character.
See the project on RavelrySunny Spread Version by Marie Deligny
A soft baby blanket in bright and pastel shades, made with fuzzy alpaca yarn and shared as a work in progress.
See the project on RavelrySunny Spread Version by rin2
An unusual dining set: an airy table runner of sun circles and small dots, plus a placemat made from a single enlarged circle.
See the project on RavelryBaby Playmat Sunny Spread Version by Vanini
A sturdy, washable playmat in heavy cotton, which gives the sun motif strong texture.
See the project on RavelryAncient Suns in Anagram / Sunny Spread Version by Leah J Arthur
Made with Premier Puzzle yarn in the Anagram colorway: autumn browns with blue and orange accents, so each square comes out slightly different.
See the project on RavelrySunny Spread Throw Version by LMcDo
A monochrome pink throw in ombre yarn. The subtle shade changes add interest without hiding the texture.
See the project on RavelryRound and Round Noro / Sunny Spread Version by eLoomanator
Multicolored Noro circles on a black ground give a stained-glass effect, finished with a simple scalloped edge.
See the project on RavelryDots for Dotty / Sunny Spread Version by filoknits
A square blanket in pastel and deeper tones with a white border, a gender-neutral idea for a baby shower gift.
See the project on RavelryLooking for more projects? Browse all free patterns on Crochetpedia.







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