Let me guess. You saw this adorable sunflower romper and thought, “That looks way too complicated for me.” I get it. Between the dimensional petals, the bubble shaping, and the multiple construction steps, this project seems intimidating at first glance.
Here is the truth. If you can single crochet and count stitches, you can absolutely make this romper. The entire body uses just one stitch worked through the back loop only. The sunflower petals are simple flat pieces you make one at a time. And the bubble shape happens automatically when you follow the increase and decrease schedule. I will walk you through each section step by step so you always know you are on track.
Why This Pattern Works
The ribbed texture created by working in the back loop gives the fabric stretch and recovery, perfect for a wiggly baby. The bubble shaping looks absolutely precious in photos while allowing room for diapers and movement. And that sunflower collar? It transforms a simple romper into a statement piece.
The construction is smarter than it looks. You work the leg openings flat, join them at the crotch, then work the body in the round — no seaming up the sides. The bodice and straps are worked flat and attached with buttons, making the romper adjustable and easy to get on and off. Three wooden buttons at the crotch make diaper changes a breeze, and two buttons at each shoulder let you adjust the strap length as baby grows.
This is a confident-beginner pattern. The individual techniques are beginner friendly, but you will be managing multiple components, working both flat and in the round, and assembling pieces at the end. You should be comfortable with single crochet, counting stitches accurately, increasing and decreasing, and working in the back loop only. If you have completed at least one or two garments before, you are ready.
Finished Measurements
- Chest circumference: approximately 16 inches (40.5 cm)
- Body length from top of bodice to crotch: approximately 10 inches (25.5 cm)
- Overall length from top of strap to bottom of crotch: approximately 16 inches (40.5 cm)
- Leg opening circumference: approximately 9 inches (23 cm)
- Strap length: approximately 8 inches (20.5 cm)
Materials You Will Need
- 350 to 400 yards (320 to 365 meters) of worsted weight (category 4) yarn in golden mustard yellow (MC) — look for baby safe, machine washable options. Lion Brand Pound of Love in Buttercup, Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Mustard Yellow (work at a slightly tighter gauge), or Cascade 220 Superwash in Lemon Curry all work beautifully
- Approximately 40 yards (37 meters) in bright yellow for outer petals (Color A)
- Approximately 20 yards (18 meters) in deep golden amber for inner petals (Color B)
- Approximately 15 yards (14 meters) in dark brown for sunflower center (Color C)
- US size G-6 (4.0 mm) hook for body and straps
- US size F-5 (3.75 mm) hook for sunflower petals and center — the smaller hook keeps the petals firm and dimensional
- 7 wooden buttons, 3/4 inch (19 mm) diameter
- At least 6 stitch markers
Gauge
Using MC and G-6 hook, working back loop only single crochet: 18 stitches x 22 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).
Gauge matters for garments. A romper that is even half an inch off will fit a completely different size baby. Work a swatch at least 5 inches square, wash and block it the way you plan to care for the finished romper, then measure before you start.
Abbreviations
- BLO = back loop only: insert hook under just the back loop of the stitch, creating the ribbed texture
- hdc = half double crochet
- inc = increase: work 2 single crochet stitches in the same stitch
- sc = single crochet
- sc2tog = single crochet two together (decrease)
Special Stitches
Ribbed Single Crochet
Single crochet worked through the back loop only. Insert your hook under just the back loop of the indicated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops. This creates raised vertical ribs on your fabric.
Sunflower Petal (Large)
With F-5 hook:
Row 1: Ch 9. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (8 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st. (10 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st. (12 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (12 sc)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (10 sc)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (8 sc)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (6 sc)
Row 8: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (4 sc)
Row 9: Ch 1, turn. (Sc2tog) twice. (2 sc)
Row 10: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog. (1 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for seaming. Each finished petal measures approximately 2 inches (5 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.
Sunflower Center
With Color C and F-5 hook:
Round 1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6 sc). Pull ring closed.
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc)
Round 3: (Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around. (18 sc)
Round 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (24 sc)
Round 5: (Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (30 sc)
Sl st to first st to join. Fasten off. This creates a flat disc approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter.
Pattern Notes
- The body is worked in joined rounds, not spiral rounds. At the end of each round, slip stitch to the first stitch, then chain 1 before starting the next round. The chain 1 does not count as a stitch.
- The stretch comes from working in the back loop only throughout the body section.
- Place markers at the beginning of each round and at both side seam positions to keep shaping symmetrical.
- The bubble shaping happens naturally through the increase and decrease schedule. Trust the numbers.
- Construction order: leg openings, join legs to form body, work body in the round with shaping, work bodice flat, work straps flat, make sunflower components, assemble everything.
Leg Openings (Make 2)
Each leg opening is worked flat. Foundation chain: With MC and G hook, ch 41.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (40 sc)
Rows 2 through 5: Sc in BLO of each st across. Ch 1, turn. (40 sc each row)
After Row 5, do not fasten off. Set aside with the working loop held on a stitch marker. Work the second leg exactly the same through Row 5. Do not fasten off. (40 sc)
Each leg panel should measure approximately 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) wide and 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall.
Join Legs and Begin Body
With the left leg still on your hook and RS facing, ch 6 (this bridges the crotch), then sl st to the first stitch of the right leg to join.
Working in BLO, sc in each of the 40 sts of the right leg, sc in each of the 6 crotch chain sts, sc in each of the 40 sts of the left leg, sc in each of the 6 sts on the other side of the crotch chain, sl st to first sc of round to join. (92 sc)
Place a marker at the join point — this is your side seam. Place a second marker at stitch 46 to mark the other side seam.
Lower Body (Bubble Increase Section)
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (92 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in BLO of first 22 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of next 45 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of rem 23 sts, sl st to join. (94 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (94 sc)
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in BLO of first 23 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of next 46 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of rem 23 sts, sl st to join. (96 sc)
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (96 sc)
Round 6: Ch 1, sc in BLO of first 23 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of next 47 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of rem 24 sts, sl st to join. (98 sc)
Round 7: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (98 sc)
Round 8: Ch 1, sc in BLO of first 24 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of next 48 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of rem 24 sts, sl st to join. (100 sc)
Round 9: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (100 sc)
Round 10: Ch 1, sc in BLO of first 24 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of next 49 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of rem 25 sts, sl st to join. (102 sc)
Round 11: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (102 sc)
Round 12: Ch 1, sc in BLO of first 25 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of next 50 sts, 2 sc in BLO of next st, sc in BLO of rem 25 sts, sl st to join. (104 sc)
After Round 12, the body should measure approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) from the crotch join. This is the widest point of your bubble.
Upper Body (Bubble Decrease Section)
Round 13: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (104 sc)
Round 14: Ch 1, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of next 50 sts, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of rem 50 sts, sl st to join. (102 sc)
Round 15: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (102 sc)
Round 16: Ch 1, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of next 49 sts, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of rem 49 sts, sl st to join. (100 sc)
Round 17: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (100 sc)
Round 18: Ch 1, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of next 48 sts, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of rem 48 sts, sl st to join. (98 sc)
Round 19: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (98 sc)
Round 20: Ch 1, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of next 47 sts, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of rem 47 sts, sl st to join. (96 sc)
Round 21: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (96 sc)
Round 22: Ch 1, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of next 46 sts, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of rem 46 sts, sl st to join. (94 sc)
Round 23: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (94 sc)
Round 24: Ch 1, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of next 45 sts, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of rem 45 sts, sl st to join. (92 sc)
Round 25: Ch 1, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of next 44 sts, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of rem 44 sts, sl st to join. (90 sc)
Round 26: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (90 sc)
Round 27: Ch 1, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of next 43 sts, sc2tog in BLO, sc in BLO of rem 43 sts, sl st to join. (88 sc)
Round 28: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. (88 sc)
The body should now measure approximately 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) from crotch to top. The bubble shaping is complete.
Bodice (Front and Back)
Do not join at the end of Round 28. After the last sl st join, ch 1, then work across 44 sts for the front only.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in each of the next 44 sts. Ch 1, turn. (44 sc)
Row 2: Sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (42 sc)
Row 3: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (42 sc)
Row 4: Sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (40 sc)
Row 5: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (40 sc)
Row 6: Sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (38 sc)
Row 7: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (38 sc)
Row 8: Sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (36 sc)
Row 9: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (36 sc)
Row 10: Sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (34 sc)
Row 11: Sc in each st across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. (34 sc)
The front bodice should measure approximately 3.5 inches (9 cm) wide and 2 inches (5 cm) tall. Rejoin MC to the first of the remaining 44 sts on the opposite side of the body and work exactly as the front bodice, Rows 1 through 11, for the back. Fasten off. (34 sc)
Straps (Make 2)
Foundation chain: With MC and G hook, ch 9.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (8 sc)
Rows 2 through 36: Sc in BLO of each st across. Ch 1, turn. (8 sc each row)
After Row 36, work one round of sc edging around the entire strap: sc evenly along the long side, 3 sc in the corner, sc across the short end, 3 sc in corner, sc along the second long side, 3 sc in corner, sc across the top short end, 3 sc in corner, sl st to join. Fasten off.
Each strap should measure approximately 8 inches (20.5 cm) long and 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) wide.
Button Loops for Straps
At each end of each strap, rejoin MC at the corner of the short end. Ch 5, skip 2 sts, sl st in next st. Fasten off and weave in end.
Crotch Button Band
Rejoin MC to the bottom edge of the crotch join. Work 3 rows of sc across the bottom edge, working one button loop in Row 2 evenly spaced across. Each loop is formed by ch 3, skip 1 st, sc in next st. Make 3 loops total. Fasten off.
Sunflower Components
Make 10 large petals in Color A using the Sunflower Petal instructions above. Make 8 small petals in Color B — for small petals, begin with ch 7 instead of ch 9, and work through Row 8 only. On Row 8, simply sc2tog the last 2 sts and fasten off. Each small petal will be approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long.
Work the Sunflower Center as written in the Special Stitches section. Fasten off Color C. With Color A, work one round of sc around the edge of the center disc for a yellow border. Sl st to join, fasten off.
Assembly
Step 1: Attach straps. Position the two straps on the front bodice, one at each side, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in from each edge. Sew wooden buttons through the bodice at the front, aligning with the strap button loops. Attach the back ends of the straps to the back bodice with two more buttons.
Step 2: Arrange sunflower petals. Lay the front bodice flat with RS up. The sunflower collar spans the entire top edge. Arrange the 10 large Color A petals in a ring along the neckline with tips pointing outward, spaced evenly. Behind and between the large petals, tuck the 8 smaller Color B petals so they peek out. Pin all petals before sewing, then sew each petal securely at its base to the top rows of the bodice using a yarn needle and matching yarn. Leave the petal tips free.
Step 3: Attach sunflower center. Center the disc over the top front bodice, covering the base ends of all petals. Sew around the edge of the disc, catching both the disc edge and the bodice fabric underneath.
Step 4: Attach crotch buttons. Sew 3 wooden buttons to the inside bottom band of the crotch opening, aligning with the 3 button loops.
Step 5: Weave in all ends.
Sizing Tips
To go larger: Add 6 to 8 stitches to each leg foundation chain. Work 2 additional increase rounds and 2 additional decrease rounds in the body. Add 4 rows to the bodice and 4 rows to each strap. For the next size up, add 12 stitches to each leg foundation chain, work 4 additional increase and decrease rounds, add 6 rows to the bodice and 8 rows to each strap.
For newborn to 3 months: Reduce each leg foundation chain by 4 stitches. Remove 2 increase and 2 decrease rounds. Remove 2 rows from the bodice.
Care
Block the finished romper by soaking in cool water with a drop of wool wash. Press out water gently without wringing. Lay flat and shape the bubble silhouette. Allow to dry completely. Steam lightly by holding an iron 1 inch away — do not touch the iron directly to the fabric.
Machine wash cold on gentle in a mesh bag. Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry. Store folded, not hung, to prevent strap stretching.
Final Thoughts
This romper looks like a million bucks in photos, but the real magic is how practical it is — button straps that grow with baby, a crotch that opens for diaper changes, and a sunflower collar that makes everyone smile. Take it one section at a time and you will be amazed at what your hook can do. Happy crocheting!
