Bring a burst of handmade sunshine to your tabletop with these adorable sunflower coasters that double as a cozy potted flower when stacked away! This charming project is the ultimate scrap-buster, combining simple amigurumi techniques with quick-working petals to brighten your coffee table or desk.
Scrap Yarn Crochet Sunflower Coasters – Free Pattern (Flower Pot Holder)
Quick Facts
- Skill level: Easy Beginner to Intermediate
- Finished size: Coaster about 11 cm (4.3 inches) in diameter
- Yarn: Sport weight or light DK cotton yarn in 4 colours (Dark Brown, Bright Yellow, Terracotta, Leaf Green)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hook
- Stitches used: Ch, sc, hdc, dc, tr, inc, sl st, BLO (Back Loop Only), FLO (Front Loop Only)
- Time to make: About 1 to 2 evenings for a full set of 4 coasters and pot
You will find sizing customization tips further down the page to adjust your coasters for larger mugs or smaller cups.
What Makes This Sunflower Coaster Set Special
This clever design solves the eternal problem of where to store your coasters by turning them into a three-dimensional display. Each coaster features a textured brown center surrounded by vibrant yellow petals that look just like a blooming sunflower. When you stack four coasters together and slip them into the ribbed terracotta flower pot complete with little green leaves, the entire set transforms into a cute decorative houseplant. It is a wonderful conversation piece and makes a fantastic handmade hostess gift for autumn and Thanksgiving!
Skill Level
- Basic knowledge of amigurumi and working in the round
- Familiarity with magic rings and basic increases
- Ability to work tall stitches (double crochet and treble crochet)
- Reassurance line: If you can make a flat circle, you can easily master this pattern!
Finished Measurements
| Part | Width / Diameter | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Sunflower Coaster (1 piece) | 11 cm (4.3 in) | 0.5 cm (0.2 in) |
| Flower Pot (empty) | 8 cm (3.1 in) base diameter | 7 cm (2.8 in) |
| Full Set in Pot | 11 cm (4.3 in) | 14 cm (5.5 in) |
Materials You Will Need
| Material | Colour / Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton Yarn | Dark Brown (centre) | 30 yards / 27 meters |
| Cotton Yarn | Bright Yellow (petals) | 40 yards / 36 meters |
| Cotton Yarn | Terracotta (flower pot) | 50 yards / 45 meters |
| Cotton Yarn | Leaf Green (leaves) | 15 yards / 14 meters |
| Crochet Hook | 3.5 mm (US E/4) | 1 hook |
| Notions | Yarn needle for weaving ends | 1 needle |
| Notions | Stitch marker | 1 marker |
Yarn Suggestions
- Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8: Excellent stitch definition, wide range of bright colors, 100% cotton.
- Drops Paris: Affordable, soft, beautiful earthy terracotta and yellow shades, 100% cotton.
- Lily Sugar’n Cream: Readily available in craft stores, sturdy and holds its shape well for the pot.
⚠️ Note: Avoid stretchy acrylic yarns for this project, as cotton yarn provides the stiffness and heat resistance needed for a functional coaster.
Gauge
- Flat Centre: Rounds 1 to 5 of the coaster = 6.5 cm (2.5 inches) across using a 3.5 mm hook.
- Exact gauge is not critical for coasters, but matching the tension helps the coasters fit snugly inside the pot.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- inc: increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- sl st: slip stitch
- BLO: back loop only
- FLO: front loop only
- MR: magic ring
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sk: skip
- xN: repeat instructions N times
UK/Aus terms translation: sc = double crochet (dc), hdc = half treble (htr), dc = treble (tr).
Special Stitches Explained
- Magic Ring (MR): Wrap yarn around your index finger twice to create a ring, insert hook under both strands, pull up a loop, and chain 1 to secure.
- Increase (inc): Work two single crochet stitches into the exact same stitch from the previous round.
- Petal Shell: Worked across the stitches: (ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in last ch, skip next st on brown centre, sl st in next st).
Pattern Instructions
Section 1: Sunflower Coasters (Make 4)
Using Dark Brown yarn, work in continuous spiral rounds without joining unless specified. Use a stitch marker to track the start of each round.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6 sc)
- Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sc)
- Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6 (18 sc)
- Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x6 (24 sc)
- Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x6 (30 sc)
- Fasten off Dark Brown. Join Bright Yellow yarn in any stitch to begin the petals.
✅ Checkpoint: You should have a flat brown circle measuring about 6.5 cm across with 30 stitches.
* Petal Rnd: *ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in last ch, skip next st on brown centre, sl st in next st* repeat from * to * 15 times around the circle. Fasten off and weave in all ends securely. You will have 15 bright yellow petals.
Section 2: Mini Flower Pot (Make 1)
Using Terracotta yarn, work in continuous spiral rounds.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6 sc)
- Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sc)
- Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6 (18 sc)
- Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x6 (24 sc)
- Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x6 (30 sc)
- Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x6 (36 sc)
- Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x6 (42 sc)
- Rnd 8: Work this round in BLO: sc in each st around (42 sc)
- Rnds 9 to 18: sc in each st around (42 sc)
- Rnd 19: Work this round in FLO: sl st in each st around (42 sl st)
- Fasten off and weave in ends. Fold the top rim outward slightly to create the classic flower pot lip.
Section 3: Leaves (Make 2)
Using Leaf Green yarn, work in rounds around a foundation chain.
- Foundation: Ch 8.
- Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working along the opposite side of the foundation chain: hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch. Sl st to first st to join (16 st). Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm (6 inch) tail for sewing.
Assembly
- Sew the two Leaf Green leaves onto opposite sides of the outer base of the Terracotta Mini Flower Pot, right above the bottom shaping rounds, using the yarn tails.
- Stack your 4 completed sunflower coasters together.
- Slide the stacked coasters vertically into the mini flower pot so the yellow petals fan out of the top, creating the appearance of a blossoming potted plant.
Finishing
- Block your coasters lightly with steam if needed to ensure the petals lay completely flat.
- Double-check that all yarn tails are trimmed and hidden inside the reverse side of the work.
Size Customization Tips
- Larger Coasters: Continue increasing past Round 5 (e.g., Rnd 6:
(4 sc, inc) x6 (36 sts)), making sure your total stitch count is divisible by 2 so the petal sequence fits evenly around the edge. - Larger Pot: If you make larger coasters, increase the base of the flower pot by adding rounds before working the BLO transition round, ensuring the diameter matches your finished coasters.
Care Instructions
Hand wash in lukewarm water with mild soap. Press out excess water with a towel and lay flat to dry in the original shape. Do not tumble dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use acrylic yarn instead of cotton?
Cotton yarn is strongly recommended because it absorbs moisture from cold glasses and resists heat better than acrylic. Acrylic yarn can also stretch out over time.
How do I keep the flower pot from flopping over?
Working the base in a solid spiral and transitioning with a BLO (Back Loop Only) round creates a sturdy, crisp 90-degree angle that helps the pot stand firmly upright.
Are these coasters heat-resistant for hot mugs?
Yes! Because they are made entirely of 100% cotton yarn, they function wonderfully as hot mug rugs as well as cold drink coasters.
Happy Crocheting!
I hope you enjoy making these cheerful sunflower coasters for your home or as a thoughtful gift. Be sure to save this pin on Pinterest and leave a comment below sharing what color combinations you decided to use!
📄 Your free PDF pattern