by Making a very easy flower coaster motif is a delightful project that’s perfect for beginners! It’s a quick way to practice basic crochet stitches and working in the round, resulting in a charming and practical item for your home. These little flowers are also fantastic for using up yarn scraps and can be transformed into appliqués or joined to make larger pieces.
Given that it’s warm in Phnom Penh, 100% cotton yarn is an excellent choice for a coaster. Cotton is absorbent, durable, and easy to wash – all essential qualities for an item that will be exposed to condensation and spills. It also provides great stitch definition, making your flower petals look crisp and lovely.
How to Make a Very Easy Flower Coaster Motif
This tutorial will guide you through creating a simple flower coaster that features a central disc surrounded by distinct petals. We’ll use just one or two colors for simplicity, but you can easily adapt it for more vibrant color changes.
1. Essential Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn:
- Main Color (for Center & Petals): Choose any color you like for your flower. Worsted Weight (Aran / Medium / Category 4) Cotton Yarn is highly recommended.
- Optional Accent Color (for Center): If you want a two-toned flower (e.g., yellow center, pink petals).
- You’ll only need a small amount of yarn, making this a great scrap yarn project!
- Crochet Hook:
- A 4.0mm (US G/6) or 4.5mm (US 7) hook. You want a hook size that creates a dense, firm fabric for your coaster so it lays flat and protects surfaces well. If your stitches are naturally loose, go down a hook size.
- Scissors: For cutting yarn.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for weaving in ends.
- Stitch Marker (Optional but helpful): To mark the beginning of rounds.
2. Basic Crochet Stitches You’ll Use
This project utilizes fundamental crochet stitches:
- Magic Ring (MR) / Adjustable Ring: (Highly Recommended!) Creates a tight, hole-free center for your flower. Alternatively, you can
ch 2, then work all stitches of Round 1 into the 2nd ch from the hook. - Chain (ch): For starting, turning, and creating spaces.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining rounds and neatly moving across stitches.
- Single Crochet (sc): A dense, short stitch.
- Half Double Crochet (hdc): A versatile, medium-height stitch.
- Double Crochet (dc): A taller stitch, perfect for creating fuller petals.
- Fasten Off: To securely end your work.
- Weaving in Ends: Hiding yarn tails for a neat and professional finish.
Easy Flower Coaster Motif Pattern
This pattern creates a flower coaster that is approximately 4-5 inches (10-12.5 cm) in diameter.
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):
- MR: Magic Ring
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
(...): work stitches into the same stitch or space- FO: Fasten off
Part 1: Flower Center
Use your Main Color (or Accent Color 1 if you’re using two colors for the flower).
- Round 1: Create a MR. Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch). Work 12 hdc into the MR. Join with a sl st to the top of the first hdc. (12 hdc)
- Gently pull the tail of the MR to close the center hole tightly. Weave in this tail now to secure it.
- Optional Color Change: If using a different color for petals, change color now as you make the last sl st to join. Fasten off the previous color.
Part 2: Petals
Continue with your Main Color (or the new color for petals).
- Round 2 (Petals): Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
*Work (sc, dc, sc) all into the same stitch. Sl st into the next stitch.*Repeat from*to*around. You should create 6 distinct petals.- Join with a sl st to the first sc you made at the very beginning of this round. (6 petals and 6 sl sts)
- Fasten Off, leaving a tail about 6 inches (15 cm) long.
Part 3: Finishing Your Coaster
- Weave in All Ends NEATLY: This is crucial for a clean and professional-looking coaster.
- Use your yarn needle to carefully weave in every single yarn tail on the wrong side of your flower. Go back and forth through stitches for at least 1-2 inches to ensure they are hidden and won’t unravel with use or washing.
- Blocking (Highly Recommended!): Blocking will really make your flower coaster shine! It helps to:
- Even out your stitches and tension.
- Flatten the coaster so it lays perfectly flat on your table.
- Define the petals and shape of the flower.
- Method:
- Gently wet your finished coaster (you can submerge it in cool water with a tiny bit of mild soap, then gently squeeze out excess water, or simply mist it thoroughly with a spray bottle).
- Lay it flat on a blocking mat or a clean towel.
- Gently stretch and shape the flower into a perfect circle, making sure each petal is distinct. You can use rust-proof pins to hold it in place if you have them.
- Allow it to air dry completely. This might take several hours or even overnight. Do not use heat (like a hairdryer) as it can distort the yarn.
Tips for a Beautiful and Easy Flower Coaster
- Consistent Tension: Try to maintain even tension throughout your work. This is the most important factor for a flat coaster that doesn’t curl or wave.
- Yarn Choice: Cotton is ideal for its absorbency and stiffness, making it perfect for coasters.
- Counting Stitches: For a project this small, every stitch counts! Take your time and count as you go, especially in Round 1, to ensure your flower stays round.
- Experiment with Petal Stitches: Once you’re comfortable with the
(sc, dc, sc)petal, try(hdc, dc, hdc)for slightly larger petals, or even(sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc)in the ch-2 space for a fuller petal effect. Just be sure to adjust the starting chain for the round if you move to a different base. - Color Play: Experiment with different color combinations! A yellow center with white petals, or a vibrant red with a black center, can create unique looks.
- Gift Idea: Make a set of these easy flower coasters for a quick and thoughtful handmade gift!
You’re now ready to crochet your very easy flower coaster motif. Enjoy adding a handmade touch to your home! What colors will you choose for your first flower?
