Sun-Kissed Meadow Coasters: A Free Knitted Flower Coaster Pattern

Bring a touch of spring to your table with these charming knitted flower coasters, featuring a delicate textured center and soft petal edges. Each coaster is a quick, satisfying project that adds a cozy, handmade feel to any coffee table or dining setting. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a weekend project or a beginner ready to try something new, these coasters are the perfect way to celebrate the season.

This pattern creates a set of four circular coasters, each shaped like a delicate flower. The center is a textured, slightly raised circle in sunny yellow, created with increases and purl rows. Surrounding the center are soft cream petals, formed by a knitted circle with eyelet holes and gathered edges, giving a ruffled, petal-like appearance. Two small sage green knitted leaves are sewn onto the side of each coaster, adding a natural touch. The overall look is fresh, springtime-inspired, with a palette of yellow, cream, and green, evoking a sunlit meadow.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials. This project is perfect for using up small amounts of worsted weight cotton yarn from your stash.

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in three colors:
  • Sunny yellow (Yarn A) – for the center
  • Soft cream (Yarn B) – for the petals
  • Sage green (Yarn C) – for the leaves
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular, depending on your preference)
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and sewing pieces together, scissors
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (not critical for this project, but helps ensure a consistent size)

Note: The finished coasters are approximately 4 inches in diameter, perfect for mugs or glasses. Each coaster uses a small amount of yarn, so one skein of each color will easily make multiple sets.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern creates a circular coaster with a textured center and petal-like edge. It is worked flat for the center, then picked up and worked in the round for the petals. Follow along carefully, and you'll have a beautiful set of coasters in no time.

Center (Make with Yarn A – Sunny Yellow)

The center is worked flat in a combination of knit and purl rows, with increases to create a flat, textured circle. The purl rows create the raised texture that gives the center its charming, dimensional look.

1. Cast on: Cast on 8 stitches.
2. Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches. (8 stitches)
3. Row 2: Purl all stitches. (8 stitches)
4. Row 3: K1, (kfb) repeat to end. Kfb means knit into the front and back of the same stitch, creating an increase. (15 stitches)
5. Row 4: Purl all stitches. (15 stitches)
6. Row 5: K1, (kfb) repeat to end. (29 stitches)
7. Row 6: Purl all stitches. (29 stitches)
8. Row 7: K1, (kfb) repeat to end. (57 stitches)
9. Row 8: Purl all stitches. (57 stitches)
10. Row 9: Knit all stitches. (57 stitches)
11. Row 10: Purl all stitches. (57 stitches)
12. Bind off: Bind off loosely. This forms the textured center circle. Weave in the yarn tail on the wrong side, but leave a long tail (about 12 inches) for seaming later if needed.

Pro Tip: Binding off loosely is crucial here. If you bind off too tightly, the center will pucker and not lie flat. Consider using a larger needle for the bind-off row if you tend to knit tightly.

Petals (Make with Yarn B – Soft Cream)

The petals are worked by picking up stitches around the edge of the center and knitting in the round. The eyelet holes (created with yarn overs) and the decreases give the petals their ruffled, flower-like appearance.

1. Pick up stitches: With the right side (RS) of the center facing you, use Yarn B to pick up and knit 1 stitch from each bound-off edge stitch around the center. You should have 57 stitches. To pick up a stitch, insert your needle into the "V" of the bound-off edge, wrap the yarn, and pull through. Join in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
2. Round 1: Knit all stitches. (57 stitches)
3. Round 2: (K2tog, yo) repeat to end. K2tog means knit two stitches together (a decrease). Yo means yarn over (an increase that creates a hole). (57 stitches – the yarn over replaces the stitch decreased, so the count stays the same). This round creates the eyelet holes.
4. Round 3: Knit all stitches. (57 stitches)
5. Round 4: (K2tog) repeat to end. This will decrease the stitch count significantly. (29 stitches)
6. Round 5: (K2tog) repeat to end. (15 stitches)
7. Round 6: (K2tog) repeat to end. (8 stitches)
8. Finish: Cut the yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, then thread it through the remaining 8 stitches on your knitting needle. Slide the stitches off the needle and pull the yarn tight to close the center hole. Secure with a knot and weave in the end on the inside of the coaster.

Pro Tip: If you're new to knitting in the round, you can use a set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a long circular needle with the magic loop method. The piece is small, so DPNs might be easier to manage.

Leaf Accents (Make 2 with Yarn C – Sage Green)

The leaves are simple, flat shapes worked back and forth. They add a lovely natural touch to the finished coaster.

1. Cast on: Cast on 3 stitches.
2. Row 1: Knit all stitches. (3 stitches)
3. Row 2: Kfb, k1, kfb. This increases the stitch count by 2. (5 stitches)
4. Row 3: Knit all stitches. (5 stitches)
5. Row 4: Kfb, k3, kfb. (7 stitches)
6. Row 5: Knit all stitches. (7 stitches)
7. Row 6: K2tog, k3, k2tog. This decreases the stitch count by 2. (5 stitches)
8. Row 7: Knit all stitches. (5 stitches)
9. Row 8: K2tog, k1, k2tog. (3 stitches)
10. Row 9: K3tog. Knit three stitches together – this decreases 3 stitches into 1. (1 stitch)
11. Finish: Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch. Weave in the ends on the wrong side of the leaf.

Make two leaves for each coaster.

Assembly

1. Sew the leaves: Position the two leaves on one side of the coaster, near the edge where the cream petals meet the yellow center. Arrange them so they angle outward slightly, like leaves growing from a stem. Using a tapestry needle and the yarn tails from the leaves (or a small piece of Yarn C), sew the leaves securely onto the coaster. Weave in all ends.
2. Block gently: To shape the coasters and help them lie flat, wet block them. Soak the coasters in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes, then gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Lay them flat on a towel, shaping them into perfect circles. Allow them to dry completely.

Finishing Touches and Tips

• Repeat: Repeat the entire pattern to make a set of four coasters.
• Customization: Feel free to experiment with different color combinations. Pastel pinks, blues, and lavenders would also look lovely. You could also make the leaves a different shade of green or even add a small bead to the center for extra sparkle.
• Gauge: While gauge isn't critical for this project, it will affect the final size. If you want larger coasters, use a larger needle or heavier yarn. For smaller coasters, use a smaller needle or lighter yarn.
• Yarn Choice: Cotton yarn is ideal for coasters because it's absorbent, durable, and machine washable. Acrylic yarn will also work, but it may not be as absorbent.

These Sun-Kissed Meadow Coasters are a delightful way to add a handmade touch to your home. They make wonderful gifts for housewarmings, weddings, or just because. Enjoy the process, and don't be afraid to make them your own!

Happy knitting!