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Let's crochet an absolutely adorable strawberry motif coaster! This charming little design is perfect for adding a sweet, summery touch to your home decor. It's a fun and relatively quick project, ideal for using up those smaller bits of red, green, and yellow yarn.
How to Crochet a Strawberry Motif Coaster: Detailed Tutorial Pattern
This pattern will guide you through creating a flat, sturdy coaster that resembles a juicy strawberry, complete with its green leafy cap and tiny "seeds."
Skill Level: Easy to Intermediate
You'll need to be comfortable with:
Chain (ch): The foundation of most crochet projects.
Slip Stitch (sl st): Used for joining rounds.
Single Crochet (sc): A compact stitch.
Half Double Crochet (hdc): A stitch taller than sc.
Double Crochet (dc): A taller stitch.
Treble Crochet (tr): A taller stitch than dc (used minimally for leaf points).
Working in rounds: Crocheting in a circular motion.
Increasing: Adding stitches to expand your work.
Magic Ring (MR) or Adjustable Ring: (Optional but highly recommended for a tight center).
Basic color changes.
Finished Coaster Dimensions (Approximate):
Your finished strawberry coaster will typically measure around 4.5-5.5 inches (11.5-14 cm) wide, depending on your yarn, hook, and tension.
Materials You'll Need:
Yarn: Approximately 30-50 yards (27-45 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton Yarn.
Why Cotton? Cotton yarn is highly recommended for coasters as it's absorbent, durable, and heat-resistant.
Colors:
Red or Bright Pink: For the main strawberry body (Color A).
Green: For the leafy cap (Color B).
Small amount of Yellow or Cream: For the seeds (Color C).
Crochet Hook: Size H/5.0mm. Or the hook size that gives you a dense but not overly stiff fabric.
Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for weaving in ends and embroidering seeds.
Scissors: For cutting yarn.
Gauge:
Gauge isn't critical for a coaster, but aiming for consistent tension will help ensure your coaster lies flat and maintains its shape. A denser fabric is generally better for a coaster.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern:
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
tr: treble crochet
st(s): stitch(es)
inc: increase (work 2 stitches in the same stitch)
MR: Magic Ring (also called Magic Circle or Adjustable Ring)
rep: repeat
FO: fasten off
(): repeat instructions within parentheses a specified number of times.
[]: indicates the total number of stitches at the end of a specific round.
Let's Crochet Your Strawberry Coaster!
This coaster is worked in two main parts: the red berry body and the green leaf cap, with optional embroidered seeds.
Part 1: The Strawberry Body (Use Color A - Red/Pink)
We'll create a slightly elongated oval shape that resembles the base of a strawberry.
Start: Make a Magic Ring (MR).
Alternative Start: Chain 4, then sl st into the first chain to form a ring.
Round 1:
Ch 2 (does NOT count as a stitch here, but gives height).
Work 10 dc into the MR.
Pull the tail tightly to close the center hole.
Sl st into the top of the first dc to join the round.
[10 dc]
Round 2:
Ch 2 (does NOT count as a stitch).
Work 2 dc into each stitch around.
Sl st into the top of the first dc to join.
[20 dc]
Round 3:
Ch 2 (does NOT count as a stitch).
(1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st (dc inc)) rep 10 times around.
Sl st into the top of the first dc to join.
[30 dc]
Round 4:
Ch 2 (does NOT count as a stitch).
(1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st (dc inc)) rep 10 times around.
Sl st into the top of the first dc to join.
[40 dc]
Round 5 (Shaping the "Point" of the Strawberry):
Ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch).
Work sc in the first 3 stitches.
Work hdc in the next 5 stitches.
Work dc in the next 24 stitches.
Work hdc in the next 5 stitches.
Work sc in the last 3 stitches.
Sl st into the first sc to join.
[40 stitches (3 sc, 5 hdc, 24 dc, 5 hdc, 3 sc)]
Fasten off (FO), leaving a 6-inch tail for weaving in.
Part 2: The Green Cap (Use Color B - Green)
This part forms the leafy top of your strawberry. We'll attach the green yarn to the top of the red body.
Attach Yarn:
Hold your strawberry body with the "sc" stitches (the narrower end from Round 5) at the top, where the stem would normally be.
Join Color B (green) with a sl st into any of the stitches from Round 5 near the top/narrower end of your strawberry. You'll be working into stitches from Round 5, not the joined stitch.
Creating the Petal/Leaf Points:
Ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch).
Sl st into the same stitch where you joined.
*(Ch 3, hdc into the 2nd ch from hook, dc into the next ch, sl st into the same stitch on the strawberry body, sl st into the next stitch on the strawberry body).*
Repeat from * to * approximately 5-6 more times, distributing the leaf points evenly around the top of your strawberry. You want about 6-7 leaf points total. The last slip stitch should bring you back close to where you started.
Adjust spacing as needed. If you need to skip a stitch on the strawberry body between sl sts to get even spacing, that's fine.
After the last leaf point, sl st into the very first sl st you made in this round to secure.
Fasten off (FO), leaving a 6-inch tail.
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Part 3: Adding the Seeds (Use Color C - Yellow/Cream)
This is an optional but highly recommended step to add realistic detail to your strawberry!
Embroidering Seeds:
Thread your yarn needle with a piece of Color C (yellow/cream) yarn, about 12-18 inches long.
Bring your needle up from the back of the strawberry body to the front, anywhere on the red/pink section.
Create small, vertical "V" shapes or tiny straight stitches to resemble seeds. Make them relatively small and scatter them somewhat randomly across the strawberry body, concentrating more towards the wider "bottom" of the strawberry.
For a simple seed: Bring needle up, make a small stitch by inserting needle back down just a stitch or two away. Repeat.
For a raised seed: Bring needle up, wrap yarn around the needle 2-3 times (like a French knot but more elongated), then insert needle back down very close to where you came up. Pull yarn gently until a small raised "seed" forms.
When you're done with one piece of yarn, weave in the ends securely on the back.
Part 4: Finishing Your Coaster
Weave in All Ends:
This is a crucial step for a neat, professional, and durable coaster. Thread each yarn tail (from your Magic Ring, the red body, the green cap, and the seed embroidery) onto your yarn needle.
Carefully weave them into the stitches of the same color on the back side of your coaster. Weave in one direction for a few stitches, then change direction slightly and weave back for a few stitches (this "locks" the tail in place).
Take your time to ensure all tails are securely hidden and won't unravel with use or washing.
Shape:
Gently lay your strawberry coaster flat. Use your fingers to manipulate and smooth out the shape, ensuring the red body is a nice oval and the green leaves are fanned out attractively.
If your coaster is a bit wavy, a light steam block can help it lie completely flat. (Be careful not to over-steam cotton or acrylic.)
You've now created a truly adorable and functional crochet strawberry motif coaster! These are perfect for adding a touch of summer whimsy to your home or for gifting to a friend who loves all things sweet. Enjoy your berry cute creation!
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