by Let’s crochet a charming and very easy square flower coaster motif! This project is perfect for beginners and a delightful way to combine two classic shapes – a flower and a square – into one functional and pretty item. It’s also an excellent way to practice basic stitches and color changes.
How to Make a Very Easy Square Flower Coaster Motif: Detailed Tutorial
This pattern will guide you through creating a flat, sturdy coaster that features a flower design embedded within a square shape. We’ll start with the flower center and build out, incorporating the corners to form the square.
Skill Level: Easy
You’ll only need to know a few basic crochet stitches:
- Chain (ch): The foundation of most crochet projects.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): Used for joining rounds.
- Single Crochet (sc): A compact, dense stitch.
- Half Double Crochet (hdc): A stitch taller than sc.
- Double Crochet (dc): A taller, more open stitch.
- Treble Crochet (tr): An even taller stitch (used for corners).
- Working in rounds: Crocheting in a circular motion.
- Creating a Magic Ring (MR) or Adjustable Ring: (Optional but highly recommended for a tight center).
Finished Coaster Dimensions (Approximate):
Your finished square flower coaster will typically measure around 4.5 to 5.5 inches (11.5 to 14 cm) per side. This can vary slightly based on your yarn thickness, hook size, and personal tension.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn: Approximately 30-50 yards (27-45 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton Yarn.
- Why Cotton? Cotton yarn is highly recommended for coasters because it’s absorbent (great for condensation!), durable, and heat-resistant. Acrylic yarn can melt if exposed to very hot temperatures, so cotton is the safer and more practical choice.
- Colors: You can use 2 or 3 colors for this project, depending on how distinct you want the flower and square sections to be.
- Color A (Flower Center/Inner Petals): For the very middle of your flower.
- Color B (Outer Petals/Transition): For the petals themselves and the transition to the square.
- Color C (Square Edging): For the outermost border of your square (optional, you can use Color B here too).
- Crochet Hook: Size H/5.0mm. Or the hook size that gives you a fabric dense enough to be sturdy but not too stiff. If your stitches feel too loose or too tight, adjust your hook size up or down accordingly.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): This blunt-tipped needle is essential for seamlessly weaving in all your loose yarn tails at the end, giving your coaster a professional and tidy finish.
- Scissors: For cutting your yarn.
Gauge:
Gauge isn’t critical for a coaster, as it doesn’t need to fit precisely like a garment. However, aiming for consistent tension will help ensure your coaster is well-formed and lies flat. If your stitches are too loose, the coaster might be too flimsy; too tight, and it could be too rigid or pucker.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern:
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp: space
- ch-sp: chain space
- MR: Magic Ring (also called Magic Circle or Adjustable Ring)
- rep: repeat
- FO: fasten off
- (): repeat instructions within parentheses a specified number of times.
- []: indicates the total number of stitches/chain spaces at the end of a specific round.
Mastering Clean Color Changes:
This technique is crucial for making your multi-color coaster look professional and neat.
- Work the last stitch of your current round with the current color as usual, but stop when you have two loops left on your hook. (For example, if it’s a dc stitch, you’ve yarned over, inserted hook, yarned over, pulled up a loop, yarned over, pulled through two loops – two loops remain.)
- Drop the current color yarn.
- Pick up your new color yarn. Yarn over with the new color, and pull it through the remaining two loops on your hook to complete the stitch.
- Now, using the new color, sl st into the first stitch of the round (or the top of your turning chain) to join the round.
- Always cut the old color yarn, leaving a 4-inch tail. You’ll neatly weave these tails in later.
Let’s Crochet Your Very Easy Square Flower Coaster!
This coaster is worked in rounds, starting from the center to form the flower, and then converting the circular shape into a square in later rounds.
Part 1: The Flower Center (Color A)
- Start: Make a Magic Ring (MR).
- Alternative Start: Chain 4, then sl st into the first chain to form a ring.
- Round 1:
- Ch 2 (does NOT count as a stitch, but gives height).
- Work 12 dc into the MR (or into the center of your ch-4 ring).
- If using a Magic Ring, pull the starting tail tightly to close the center hole.
- Sl st into the top of the first dc to join the round.
- [12 dc]
- Crucial Step: Color Change! On the very last dc of this round, stop when you have two loops left on your hook. Drop Color A, pick up Color B, yarn over with Color B, and pull through the remaining two loops to complete the stitch. Now, using Color B, sl st into the top of the first dc to join the round. Cut Color A, leaving a 4-inch tail to weave in later.
Part 2: The Flower Petals (Color B)
This round creates the distinct petals of your flower.
- Round 2 (Petals):
- With Color B now attached, ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch).
- *(Sl st into the current stitch, ch 2, work 2 hdc into the next stitch, ch 2, sl st into the next stitch).* This sequence forms one petal.
- Repeat from * to * 5 more times around the circle. You will have 6 petals total.
- After your very last petal, sl st into the very first sl st you made in this round to securely finish.
- [6 petals]
- Do NOT fasten off Color B if you’re using it for the next round. If you’re introducing a Color C, then fasten off here with a clean color change.
Part 3: Shaping the Square (Color B or C)
This is where the magic happens! We’ll use a combination of stitches and chain spaces to turn your flower into a square.
- Round 3:
- If you fastened off Color B, join Color C (or re-join Color B) with a sl st into the top of any hdc stitch within a petal (ideally the first hdc of a 2-hdc cluster). This ensures your corners are centered between petals.
- Ch 2 (does NOT count as a stitch).
- *Work 3 dc into the same stitch where you joined.
- Corner: In the next sl st (this is the one that connects two petals), work (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr). This forms a sharp corner.
- Work 3 dc into the top of the hdc stitch of the next petal.
- Side: Sc in the sl st connecting the next two petals.*
- Repeat from * to * 3 more times around the circle. You will end up back at the beginning of the round.
- Sl st into the top of the first dc to join the round.
- [4 corners (each with a ch-2 space and 4 tr stitches) and 8 dc stitches (2 groups of 3dc) and 4 sc stitches between corners.]
- Fasten off (FO), leaving a 6-inch tail.
Part 4: Final Edging (Optional – Color C or B)
This round provides a clean border for your square coaster.
- Round 4 (Optional Border):
- If you’re using a third color (Color C) for the border, join it with a sl st into any ch-2 corner space from Round 3. If you used Color B for Round 3, you can just continue.
- Ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch).
- *(Work sc in each stitch along the side of the square until you reach the next corner ch-2 space).*
- In each corner ch-2 space, work (2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc). This creates neat, defined corners.
- Repeat from * to * around the entire square.
- Sl st into the first sc to join the round.
- Fasten off (FO), leaving a 6-inch tail.
Part 5: Finishing Your Square Flower Coaster
- Weave in All Ends:
- This is a crucial step for a neat, professional, and durable coaster. Thread each yarn tail (from your Magic Ring, all color changes, and your final fasten-off) onto your yarn needle.
- Carefully weave them through several stitches of the same color on the back side of your coaster. Try to go through the middle of the stitches to fully hide the tails. Weave in one direction for a few stitches, then change direction slightly and weave back for a few stitches (this “locks” the tail in place and prevents it from unraveling).
- Take your time with this to ensure your coaster looks great and won’t unravel with use or washing.
- Shape:
- Gently lay your coaster flat. Use your fingers to gently manipulate and smooth out the edges, ensuring it lies perfectly flat and has a clean, crisp square shape.
- If your coaster is a bit wavy or doesn’t lie perfectly flat, a gentle steam block can help immensely. Hover a steamer or an iron (on a low, steam setting) over the item without touching it, then gently shape with your hands. Allow it to air dry completely. This will help the fibers relax and the coaster to maintain its perfect square shape.
You’ve now created a beautiful and very easy square flower coaster motif! This lovely design is perfect for adding a charming, handmade touch to your home or giving as a thoughtful gift. What delightful color combinations are you excited to try for your next set of coasters?
