by Let’s combine two beloved motifs into one adorable project: a flower coaster with a heart center! This tutorial is designed specifically for beginners, guiding you through simple stitches to create a unique and charming coaster that’s perfect for gifts or adding a personalized touch to your home. It’s a wonderful way to practice basic crochet while making something truly special.
How to Crochet a Flower Coaster with a Heart Center (Beginner Tutorial)
This detailed guide will walk you through creating a delightful flower-shaped coaster with a sweet heart at its core. We’ll focus on fundamental crochet techniques and clear, step-by-step instructions to ensure a successful and enjoyable project.
Skill Level: Beginner
This project is ideal if you’re comfortable with (or ready to learn!):
- Chain (ch): The basic foundation stitch.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining rounds and neatening.
- Single Crochet (sc): A dense stitch, great for sturdy items.
- Half Double Crochet (hdc): A slightly taller stitch than sc.
- Double Crochet (dc): A common, taller stitch.
- Triple/Treble Crochet (tr): A taller stitch used to shape the heart.
- Magic Ring (MR) / Chain-2 Start: For a neat center hole.
- Working in rounds: Crocheting in a circular manner.
- Fastening off: Securing your yarn.
- Weaving in ends: The essential finishing touch.
Finished Coaster Dimensions (Approximate):
Using worsted weight yarn and the suggested hook, your finished coaster will typically measure around 4-5 inches (10-12.5 cm) in diameter. This is a standard size for most mugs and glasses.
Materials You’ll Need:
Gathering your materials beforehand ensures a smoother crocheting experience.
- Yarn: Approximately 20-30 yards (18-27 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton Yarn per coaster.
- Why Cotton? Cotton yarn is highly recommended for coasters because it’s absorbent (great for condensation from drinks), heat-resistant, durable, and easy to wash. Acrylic yarn can melt under hot mugs, so it’s generally not recommended for hot pads or coasters.
- Color Choices:
- Heart Color: Choose a vibrant color for the heart (e.g., red, pink).
- Flower Petal Color: A contrasting or complementary color for the petals (e.g., white, green, yellow, blue).
- Crochet Hook: Size H/5.0mm. This hook size works well with worsted weight cotton yarn to create a solid, firm fabric for your coaster.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for seamlessly weaving in your loose yarn tails. It has a blunt tip and a large eye, making it easy to thread yarn through.
- Scissors: Any sharp pair of scissors for cutting your yarn.
Let’s Crochet Your Flower Coaster with a Heart Center!
This pattern builds in rounds from the center out, starting with the heart, then adding the petals around it.
Part 1: The Heart Center
We’ll start by creating the unique heart shape that will form the center of your flower.
- Starting with Heart Color:
- Begin with a slip knot and place it onto your H/5.0mm crochet hook.
- Magic Ring (MR) Start: If you’re comfortable with a magic ring, create one. This makes a nice, tight center.
- (Alternative start if Magic Ring is tricky for you): Chain 4, then slip stitch (sl st) into the first chain to form a small ring.
- Round 1 (Creating the Heart):
- Chain 3 (ch 3 – counts as your first double crochet (dc)).
- Work 2 double crochet (dc) stitches into the center of the ring.
- Work 3 half double crochet (hdc) stitches into the ring.
- Work 1 triple/treble crochet (tr) stitch into the ring.
- Work 3 half double crochet (hdc) stitches into the ring.
- Work 3 double crochet (dc) stitches into the ring.
- Chain 3 (ch 3).
- Slip stitch (sl st) into the center of the ring.
- If using a magic ring, gently pull the tail tightly to close the center hole, pulling the stitches of the heart together.
- Fasten off your Heart Color, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail for weaving in. You should now have a distinct heart shape.
Part 2: The Flower Petals
Now we’ll add the petals around your heart center.
- Join Flower Petal Color:
- Hold your heart with the right side facing you. Identify the top of the stitches where you can insert your hook around the heart shape.
- Join your Flower Petal Color yarn with a slip stitch into the top of the first dc stitch of your heart shape (the very first stitch after the initial ch 3). This is where your first petal will begin.
- Round 2 (Creating Petals):
- *In the same stitch where you just joined: (Chain 2, 2 double crochet (dc), Chain 2, slip stitch). This forms one petal.
- Skip 2 stitches (these are the next dc and hdc from the heart).
- Slip stitch into the next stitch.*
- Repeat from * to * around the heart. You’ll work a petal around the peak of the first lobe, a petal in the dip, a petal over the peak of the second lobe, etc. Aim for 5 or 6 petals evenly spaced around your heart.
- Detailed placement example for 6 petals:
- Petal 1: Sl st into top of first dc. (Ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) in same st.
- Skip next 2 sts. Sl st into next st.
- Petal 2: (Ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) in same st.
- Skip next 2 sts. Sl st into next st.
- Petal 3: (Ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) in same st.
- Skip next 2 sts. Sl st into next st (this will be near the bottom point of the heart).
- Petal 4: (Ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) in same st.
- Skip next 2 sts. Sl st into next st.
- Petal 5: (Ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) in same st.
- Skip next 2 sts. Sl st into next st.
- Petal 6: (Ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) in same st.
- Slip stitch into the very first slip stitch you made when joining this color, to secure the round.
- Adjusting for your heart: The goal is to make the petals relatively even. If your heart has slightly more or fewer stitches in a section, adjust the “skip” count to spread your petals evenly. You might skip 1 stitch in some places and 2 in others. The key is to have petals over the “humps” of the heart and perhaps one or two in the “valley” and at the bottom point.
- Detailed placement example for 6 petals:
- Fasten Off:
- Cut your yarn, leaving a 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) tail.
- Yarn over with your hook, pull the cut tail completely through the loop left on your hook, and gently tug to secure the knot.
Part 3: Final Finishing Touches
- Weave in All Ends:
- This is a crucial step for a neat, durable, and professional-looking coaster. You’ll have tails from your starting ring, any color changes, and the final fasten-off.
- Thread each yarn tail onto your yarn needle.
- Carefully weave the tail into the stitches of the same color on the back of your coaster. Go in one direction for a few stitches (about 1-2 inches / 2.5-5 cm), then subtly change direction (e.g., weave back through some of the same stitches diagonally or perpendicularly) to “lock” the tail in place and prevent it from unraveling.
- Trim any excess yarn close to the fabric, being careful not to cut any of your actual stitches.
- Blocking (Optional but Recommended):
- Blocking can help your coaster lay perfectly flat, even out any tension inconsistencies, and define both the heart and petal shapes more clearly.
- Method (Wet Blocking – Ideal for Cotton):
- Gently mist your coaster evenly with cool water using a spray bottle until it’s damp but not soaking wet.
- Carefully stretch and pin your coaster to its desired flat, round, flower-with-heart shape on a blocking mat or a clean, dry towel. Ensure the heart is prominent and the petals are nicely fanned out.
- Allow the coaster to air dry completely and thoroughly. This can take several hours to a full day, depending on humidity and ventilation. Ensure it’s bone dry before removing pins or using it.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully crocheted a beautiful and unique flower coaster with a heart center! These make fantastic personalized gifts for loved ones, or a charming addition to your own home decor. Enjoy creating a set in different color combinations!
