As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, there’s a natural longing to infuse our homes with the warmth and vibrancy of summer. What better way to capture that cheerful essence than with the iconic symbol of sunshine itself – the sunflower! Crocheted sunflower coasters are not just incredibly charming; they’re also highly practical, adding a delightful pop of color and handmade charm to your summer gatherings, coffee table, or patio setup.
These little works of art are a perfect project for crocheters of all skill levels. They’re quick to make, use small amounts of yarn (making them great for stash-busting!), and result in a functional item that brings joy. Let’s dive into creating these beautiful summer accessories!
Why Crochet Sunflower Coasters?
Beyond their undeniable cuteness, crocheted sunflower coasters offer a host of benefits:
- Cheerful Decor: Instantly brighten any space and evoke a summery, happy mood.
- Practicality: Protect surfaces from condensation and heat, serving their primary function perfectly.
- Eco-Friendly: A reusable alternative to disposable coasters.
- Stash Buster: They typically require small amounts of yarn, making them ideal for using up leftover bits from larger projects.
- Quick to Make: Most coasters can be completed in an hour or two, offering instant gratification.
- Thoughtful Gifts: Handmade coasters make wonderful housewarming gifts, hostess gifts, or party favors.
- Skill Builder: Practice working in rounds, increasing, and creating simple shapes.
Materials You’ll Need
Gathering your supplies is the first step to sunshine-filled crafting!
- Yarn:
- Color 1 (Center): A dark brown or chocolate brown yarn. This will form the seed-filled center of your sunflower.
- Color 2 (Petals): A bright, sunny yellow or golden yellow yarn. This is your cheerful petal color!
- Color 3 (Leaves/Optional Trim): A medium green yarn. For adding little leaves peeking from behind the petals.
- Fiber Type: 100% cotton yarn is highly recommended for coasters. Cotton is absorbent, heat-resistant, durable, and easy to wash. Acrylic can work but may not absorb condensation as well.
- Weight: Worsted weight (Aran/Medium 4) is common and creates a sturdy coaster. DK (Light Worsted 3) can also work for a slightly smaller, more delicate coaster.
- Quantity: You’ll only need small amounts of each color, making this a fantastic scrap yarn project.
- Crochet Hook: A hook size appropriate for your chosen yarn weight. For worsted weight cotton, a 3.5mm (E/4) to 4.0mm (G/6) hook is generally ideal. Check your yarn label for recommendations.
- Scissors: For cutting yarn.
- Tapestry Needle (or Yarn Needle): Essential for neatly weaving in all your ends, which is crucial for a durable and professional-looking coaster.
- Stitch Marker (Optional): Helpful for marking the beginning of rounds, especially if you’re a beginner.
Understanding the Sunflower Coaster Construction
Most crocheted sunflower coaster patterns follow a similar logical progression, building up in rounds:
- The Center: You’ll start with the dark brown yarn, working in rounds to create a flat, solid circle that represents the sunflower’s seed head. This will involve increases to keep the circle flat.
- The Petals: Once the brown center is complete, you’ll switch to yellow yarn. Each petal is typically worked individually, or in small groups of stitches, around the circumference of the brown center. There are various ways to form petals, from simple clusters to puff stitches or shell stitches.
- The Leaves (Optional): If you choose to add leaves, you’ll use green yarn, often attaching it to the back of the coaster or at strategic points around the yellow petals.
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet (or triple crochet)
- MR: Magic Ring (or Magic Circle)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp: space
- inc: increase (work 2 stitches into the same stitch)
- rep: repeat
Gauge (For Coasters)
For coasters, exact gauge isn’t critical. The most important thing is that your stitches are consistent and relatively tight to create a firm, flat fabric. If your coaster seems too flimsy or curly, try going down a hook size. If it’s too stiff or hard to work, go up a hook size.
Step-by-Step Pattern: Beautiful Summer Sunflower Coaster
This pattern will create a sunflower with a distinct, raised petal effect.
Finished Size: Approximately 4.5 – 5 inches in diameter, depending on your yarn and tension.
Part 1: The Sunflower Center (Brown Yarn)
We’ll start with a Magic Ring for a tight center, but you can also ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring if you prefer.
Round 1: Using Brown yarn, make a MR. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 10 hdc into the MR. Sl st to the first hdc to join. (10 hdc)
Round 2: Ch 1. 2 hdc in each st around. Sl st to the first hdc to join. (20 hdc)
Round 3: Ch 1. (1 hdc in first st, 2 hdc in next st) rep around. Sl st to the first hdc to join. (30 hdc)
- Optional: For a slightly larger center, you could add another increase round: Ch 1. (1 hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st) rep around. Sl st to join. (40 hdc)
Fasten off Brown yarn. Weave in the tail from the beginning of your Magic Ring to close the center hole, and weave in the working end.
Part 2: The Petals (Yellow Yarn)
Now for the sunny part! We’ll attach the yellow yarn and create the petals.
Round 4: Join Yellow yarn with a sl st to any hdc stitch from Round 3 of the brown center.
- First Petal: Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 dc in the same st you joined into. Then work 2 tr into the next st. Work 1 dc into the next st. Sl st into the next st. (This completes one petal).
- Repeat Petal: Ch 2. Work 1 dc in the same st you sl st into (this is the base of the new petal). Work 2 tr into the next st. Work 1 dc into the next st. Sl st into the next st. Repeat from * to * all the way around the brown center. You should end with a sl st into the first hdc stitch of Round 3 that you started from.
You should have 10 petals if your brown center had 30 hdc in Round 3 (3 stitches per petal). If your brown center had 40 hdc in Round 3, you would have 10 petals, and your petal formula should be:
- First Petal: Ch 2. Work 1 dc in same st. Work 2 tr into next st. Work 2 tr into next st. Work 1 dc into next st. Sl st into next st. (4 stitches per petal).
- Repeat Petal: Ch 2. Work 1 dc in same st you sl st into. Work 2 tr into next st. Work 2 tr into next st. Work 1 dc into next st. Sl st into next st. Repeat from * to * around. (10 petals).
Fasten off Yellow yarn, leaving a tail for weaving in. Weave in the tail.
Part 3: Adding Leaves (Green Yarn – Optional)
Adding green leaves really enhances the sunflower effect. You’ll typically add two leaves opposite each other on the back of the coaster.
To attach a leaf:
- Turn your sunflower over (wrong side facing you).
- Choose a spot between two petals where you want a leaf to peek out. Insert your hook into a stitch or space from the last brown round (Round 3) that is roughly centered behind two yellow petals.
- Join Green yarn with a sl st.
- Leaf Pattern: Ch 5. Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Hdc in next ch. Dc in next ch. Hdc in last ch.
- Sl st into the same stitch or a nearby stitch on the brown center (from Round 3) to secure the leaf.
- Fasten off, leaving tails for weaving in.
Repeat steps 1-6 to add a second leaf directly opposite the first one.
Finishing Your Coaster
- Weave in all ends: This is crucial! Use your tapestry needle to meticulously weave in every loose yarn tail. For durability, weave in one direction, then change direction and weave back through a few stitches. This prevents unraveling, especially for items that will be used and washed frequently.
- Blocking (Optional but Recommended): While not always strictly necessary for small, sturdy items like coasters, blocking can make them lay perfectly flat and define the stitches beautifully.
- Wet Blocking: Gently immerse your coaster in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes. Carefully squeeze out excess water (do not wring!). Lay the coaster flat on a clean towel or blocking mat, shaping it neatly. Pin it if desired. Let it air dry completely.
- Steam Blocking: Pin the dry coaster to shape on a heat-safe surface. Hold a steam iron a few inches above the crochet fabric (do not touch the iron directly to the yarn) and release steam. Allow to cool and dry.
Tips for Beautiful Sunflower Coasters
- Yarn Tension: Try to maintain consistent tension throughout your crocheting. This ensures a flat, even coaster. If your coaster starts to curl up, your tension might be too tight, or you may need to add more increases in the brown center.
- Color Combinations: While classic brown and yellow are perfect, don’t be afraid to experiment! Try a pale yellow with a darker orange center for a sunset sunflower, or even a deep red with a black center for a dramatic look.
- Petal Variations: The petal formula provided is just one option. You can experiment with:
- Puff Stitches: For very plump, textured petals.
- Bobble Stitches: Similar to puff stitches, creating little “bumps.”
- Different stitch heights: Varying the dc, tr, dtr stitches within the petal for a more organic shape.
- Hook Size: Adjusting your hook size can subtly change the look and feel. A smaller hook will yield a denser, stiffer coaster; a larger hook will create a softer, slightly more open fabric.
- Beyond Coasters: These little sunflowers aren’t just for drinks! You can also:
- Make a garland by stringing them together.
- Sew them onto tote bags or hats as appliqués.
- Attach them to headbands or hair clips.
- Make them into magnets.
Care Instructions for Your Cotton Coasters
As cotton is generally easy to care for:
- Machine Wash: Gentle cycle with cold or lukewarm water.
- Dry: Lay flat to air dry to maintain shape, or tumble dry on low heat.
- Avoid: Do not bleach or iron.
Crafting these crochet sunflower coasters is a delightful journey that culminates in a charming and practical accessory for your home. They embody the warmth and joy of summer, making every sip of your drink a little bit sunnier. Gather your yarn, choose your favorite shades, and get ready to crochet some beautiful sunshine!
Video tutorial:
