How To Crochet The Sunnyside Vest Motifs

There is something deeply satisfying about a project that comes together piece by piece, each small unit carrying its own beauty before it becomes part of something larger. The Sunnyside Vest is exactly that kind of project. Built from individual crochet motifs, this vest combines structure with creativity, giving you a garment that feels handcrafted in the most meaningful sense of the word. Whether you are new to motif-based crochet or you have been joining granny squares since childhood, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to crochet the Sunnyside Vest motifs from start to finish.

In this post, we will cover the materials you need, the stitches involved, a detailed row-by-row breakdown of the motif, tips for keeping your tension consistent, and advice on joining your motifs once they are complete. By the time you finish reading, you will have a thorough understanding of how to create these sunny, radiant motifs and turn them into a wearable piece you will reach for all season long.

What Makes the Sunnyside Vest Special

The Sunnyside Vest gets its name from the central design of each motif, which radiates outward like rays of sunlight. The construction is approachable for intermediate crocheters, though a confident beginner who is comfortable working in the round and understands basic increase techniques will also be able to tackle it successfully.

Unlike a standard granny square, the Sunnyside motif uses a combination of shell stitches, picots, and open mesh segments to create a texture that feels airy and light. This makes it a wonderful choice for a spring or summer vest, particularly when worked in a cotton or cotton-blend yarn that drapes well and breathes against the skin.

The vest itself is constructed by arranging a series of these motifs in a layout that shapes the body, armholes, and neckline. Each motif acts as a building block, and the joy of the project lies in watching your pile of individual rounds gradually assemble into a garment. But before we get to assembly, we need to master the motif itself.

Materials You Will Need

Getting your materials right before you start is one of the most important steps in any crochet project. Here is what you will need to crochet the Sunnyside Vest motifs:

Yarn. A DK weight or light worsted cotton yarn works beautifully for this project. Cotton gives the motifs excellent stitch definition, which is important because the lacy, open structure of the Sunnyside motif really shines when the stitches are crisp and clear. You can also use a cotton-acrylic blend if you want a little more stretch and softness. Choose a color that speaks to you. The Sunnyside motif looks stunning in warm yellows, soft creams, earthy terracottas, or fresh sage greens. You can also work it in a gradient series, making each motif slightly different from the last for a sunset or sunrise effect across the finished vest.

Hook. For DK weight cotton, a 4.0mm or 4.5mm crochet hook is a good starting point. Your gauge will ultimately guide your final hook choice, so do not skip the gauge swatch step before you dive into the full project.

Stitch markers. These are invaluable when working in the round. Place them at the beginning of each round and at any key corner or junction points within the motif so you can easily track where you are.

Yarn needle. You will need a blunt-tipped tapestry needle for weaving in ends and for joining motifs using a sewn join method if you prefer that over a slip stitch join.

Scissors. A small, sharp pair of scissors kept nearby will make clean cuts every time you finish a motif.

Measuring tape. Essential for checking your gauge and for measuring your motifs to make sure they are consistent in size as you work through the project.

Understanding Gauge and Why It Matters Here

Because the Sunnyside Vest is assembled from individual motifs, gauge plays an especially critical role. If your motifs come out slightly different sizes from one another, the assembled vest will be uneven, and the joins will not line up properly. Before you begin crocheting your actual motifs, work at least two or three practice motifs and measure them.

A typical Sunnyside motif worked in DK cotton on a 4.0mm hook measures approximately 5 to 5.5 inches from corner to corner when blocked. However, your personal tension will affect this measurement, and that is completely normal. What matters is that all of your motifs measure the same and that the total motif dimensions work with the vest pattern you are using.

Blocking your motifs is a step you should not skip. Cotton responds very well to wet blocking. Simply soak your finished motif in cool water, gently squeeze out the excess moisture without wringing, and pin it to a blocking mat to the correct dimensions. Allow it to dry completely before removing the pins. Blocked motifs join more neatly, and the finished vest will look far more polished.

Abbreviations and Stitch Guide

Before diving into the motif instructions, here is a quick reference for the abbreviations you will encounter throughout this tutorial:

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet
sp — space
sk — skip
rep — repeat
beg — beginning
ch-sp — chain space
shell — a group of stitches worked into the same stitch or space (the exact number depends on the round)
picot — a small decorative loop, usually made by chaining 3 and slip stitching into the first chain

If you are comfortable with these stitches and abbreviations, you are ready to begin the Sunnyside motif.

How To Crochet The Sunnyside Vest Motif: Step-By-Step

Starting Ring

Begin by creating a magic ring or chaining 6 and joining with a slip stitch to form a circle. The magic ring is preferred here because it allows you to close the center tightly, giving the motif that clean, sun-center appearance.

Round 1: The Sun Center

This round establishes the central hub of the motif and creates the base for the radiating spokes.

Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet throughout the pattern). Work 11 more double crochets into the ring, for a total of 12 double crochets. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3. Pull the magic ring tail gently to close the center. (12 dc)

This tight, compact circle is the heart of your sunburst. When you block the finished motif, this center should sit flat and smooth.

Round 2: Creating the Spokes

Chain 5. Skip 1 dc. Slip stitch into the next dc. Repeat this sequence around until you have 6 chain-5 loops total, each anchored between pairs of double crochets. Join with a slip stitch to the base of your first chain-5 loop.

These loops are your sunray spokes. In the next round, you will build on them to create the layered, shell-like petals that give the Sunnyside motif its distinctive look.

Round 3: Building the Petals

This round fills each chain-5 loop with a small shell to begin forming the petals.

Slip stitch into the first chain-5 space. Chain 3 (counts as dc). Work 4 more dc into the same ch-5 sp. This creates a 5-dc shell. Chain 1. Work a 5-dc shell into the next ch-5 sp. Repeat this sequence around, working one 5-dc shell separated by ch-1 spaces into each of the 6 loops. Join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. (6 shells, 6 ch-1 sps)

Round 4: Opening the Lace

Chain 4. Skip to the ch-1 sp between the first two shells. Sc into that ch-1 sp. Chain 4. Sc into the top center stitch of the next shell (the 3rd dc of the 5-dc group). Chain 4. Sc into the ch-1 sp. Chain 4. Sc into the top center of the next shell. Continue this sequence around the motif, alternating between the ch-1 spaces and the center tops of the shells, connecting them with ch-4 arches. Join with a sl st to the beginning sc.

This round creates the open, airy framework that characterizes the lacy quality of the Sunnyside motif. It also begins to expand the motif outward, so you should start to see the shape growing.

Round 5: The Outer Shell Round

This is one of the most satisfying rounds to work because it gives the motif its full, bloomed appearance.

Slip stitch into the first ch-4 arch. Chain 3 (counts as dc). Work 4 dc into the same arch. Sc into the next ch-4 arch. Work 5 dc into the following arch. Continue around, alternating between 5-dc shells in every other arch and sc in the arches between. As you near the end of the round, you will find that 6 shells and 6 sc stitches bring you back to the start. Join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3.

Round 6: Creating the Corners

The Sunnyside motif is square in its final form, and this round begins that transformation by building four corner points.

Slip stitch to the center of the first shell (3rd dc). Chain 3. Work 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc into that same center dc. This creates your first corner. Chain 3. Sc into the top of the next sc from the previous round. Chain 3. Work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc into the center dc of the next shell. Continue around, placing corner shells into every other shell center and sc stitches with ch-3 bridges on either side into the remaining shells. You will create 4 corner groups in total. Join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3.

Round 7: Filling the Sides and Refining the Edges

This final round completes the square and adds the picot details that give the Sunnyside motif its finished, polished look.

Slip stitch to the corner ch-2 space. Chain 3. Work dc, ch 2, 2 dc into the corner ch-2 sp. This anchors your corner. Chain 2. Sc into the ch-3 arch on the side. Chain 2. Work a picot (ch 3, sl st into first ch). Chain 2. Sc into the next ch-3 arch. Chain 2. Work 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc into the next corner ch-2 sp. Continue around, placing corner groups at each corner ch-2 sp and filling each side with the arch-picot-arch sequence. Join with a sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Your Sunnyside motif is complete.

Tips for Consistent Motifs

When you are making many motifs for a garment, consistency is everything. Here are a few practices that will help you keep all of your motifs looking uniform.

Always start each motif the same way. Use the same technique for your foundation ring, whether that is a magic ring or a foundation chain, every single time. Mixing methods can subtly change the center tension.

Work at the same time of day if possible. This sounds small, but fatigue affects your tension more than you might realize. Motifs crocheted when you are relaxed and focused tend to be more even than those crocheted when you are tired.

Check your motif against a template after blocking. Cut a template from cardstock to the exact dimensions your motif should be when blocked and dry. Lay each motif over it before you add it to your finished pile. If a motif is consistently pulling short or running large, it is worth adjusting your hook size before you have too many completed.

Count your stitches at the end of each round. The Sunnyside motif has a specific stitch count per round, and catching an error early saves you from having to frog the entire motif later.

Joining Your Sunnyside Motifs

There are several methods for joining crochet motifs, and each gives a slightly different look. For the Sunnyside Vest, the join-as-you-go method and the flat slip stitch join are both excellent choices.

The join-as-you-go method means you attach each new motif to the existing ones during Round 7 rather than completing it separately and seaming later. When you reach a side or corner that will be shared with an already-completed motif, instead of working the picot or corner in the usual way, you replace it with a joining sequence that links the two motifs together. This creates a seamless, cohesive surface and saves you considerable time on finishing.

The flat slip stitch join is worked with your yarn needle or hook after all motifs are complete. Hold two motifs with their wrong sides together, insert your hook through corresponding edge stitches, and slip stitch them together. This method creates a visible ridge on the wrong side and a clean join on the right side, which many crocheters find elegant.

Whichever method you choose, lay your motifs out flat on a large surface before you begin joining and confirm your layout matches the vest schematic. Pin them in place temporarily so they do not shift as you work.

Blocking the Finished Vest

Once all of your motifs are joined and the vest is assembled, give the entire piece a final blocking. This evens out any tension variations between motifs, relaxes the yarn fibers, and helps the lacy structure open up beautifully.

For a cotton vest, wet blocking works best. Fill a clean basin or your sink with cool water and submerge the vest, gently pressing it to ensure even saturation. Let it soak for about 15 to 20 minutes, then carefully lift it out without pulling or stretching and press it between dry towels to remove the excess water. Lay the vest flat on your blocking mat and shape it to the correct dimensions, using pins to define the neckline, armholes, and hem edges. Allow it to dry completely before wearing or storing.

Caring for Your Sunnyside Vest

A handmade garment deserves thoughtful care. Check the label on your yarn for specific washing instructions, but most cotton crochet vests can be washed on a gentle cycle in cool water or hand-washed. Reshape the vest while damp and lay it flat to dry rather than hanging it, as hanging can distort the weight of a motif-based garment over time.

Store your vest folded rather than on a hanger for the same reason. A cedar block in your storage drawer or wardrobe will help protect it from moths.

A Few Final Thoughts

The Sunnyside Vest motifs are the kind of crochet project that rewards patience and attention to detail. Each individual motif is a small, complete piece of work, which means you can pick up and put down the project in a way that is hard to do with a continuous construction garment. Make a motif on your lunch break, on a quiet evening, or while you are waiting at an appointment. They accumulate quickly once you get into your rhythm, and before long you will have a full pile of sunny, beautiful squares ready to become a vest.

Take your time with the blocking, be consistent with your tension, and do not rush the joining process. The joins are what knit the whole project together, literally and visually, and neat, even joins make the difference between a vest that looks handmade in the most artisan sense and one that simply looks unfinished.

The Sunnyside Vest is a project worth making slowly, savoring each motif as it comes to life under your hook. Happy crocheting.