by Tunisian crochet is a beautiful hybrid between knitting and traditional crochet, known for its texture and structure. If you’re just beginning your journey into Tunisian techniques or want a fun, quick project, a Tunisian crochet flower coaster is the perfect place to start!
In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through making a very easy flower-shaped coaster using basic Tunisian crochet stitches. This project is not only adorable but also practical — ideal for brightening up your dining table, desk, or coffee nook.
🧶 What is Tunisian Crochet?
Tunisian crochet (sometimes called “afghan crochet”) uses a long hook or a regular hook with a cable to hold multiple stitches on the hook at once — similar to knitting. The fabric created is denser and often beautifully textured.
For this flower coaster, you’ll use:
- Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS)
- Short row shaping
- Basic seaming techniques
🧵 Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn (100% cotton recommended for absorbency)
- 2 contrasting colors (e.g., yellow for the center, pink for petals)
- Hook: 6.0 mm Tunisian crochet hook (or any hook without an ergonomic handle — you don’t need a long hook for small motifs)
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)
📖 Stitch Glossary (Tunisian Crochet)
- TSS: Tunisian Simple Stitch
- FwP: Forward Pass
- RetP: Return Pass
- ch: Chain
- sl st: Slip stitch
- sc: Single crochet
🌼 Project Overview
You’ll create individual petal-shaped segments using short rows in Tunisian Simple Stitch, then join them in a circle to form a flower. Finally, you’ll add a center and finish with optional edging.
✨ Step-by-Step Pattern: Easy Tunisian Flower Coaster
🔹 Step 1: Make One Petal (Make 6 Total)
Foundation:
- With petal color (e.g., pink), ch 7.
Row 1 (FwP):
- Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, draw up a loop in each chain across (7 loops on hook).
- RetP: Yarn over, pull through 1 loop, then yarn over and pull through 2 loops at a time until 1 loop remains.
Row 2–5 (Short Row Shaping):
Work partial rows to shape the petal.
- Row 2 (FwP): Insert hook into 2nd vertical bar only, draw up a loop in the next 4 sts (5 loops total).
- RetP: Work standard return pass (yo, pull through 1, then pull through 2 until 1 remains).
- Row 3 (FwP): Insert hook into 2nd vertical bar only, draw up 3 loops.
- RetP as above.
- Row 4 (FwP): Insert hook into 2nd vertical bar only, draw up 2 loops.
- RetP as above.
- Row 5 (FwP): Insert hook into 2nd vertical bar only, draw up 1 loop.
- RetP as above.
✅ Fasten off and leave a tail for seaming.
Repeat 5 more times to make a total of 6 petals.
🔹 Step 2: Join the Petals into a Circle
- Use the tails and a tapestry needle to whip stitch the short ends of each petal together in a circular formation.
- Gently shape the petals to fan out like a flower.
- Leave a small hole in the center for the next step.
🔹 Step 3: Crochet the Center Circle
- With center color (e.g., yellow), make a magic ring.
- Round 1: Ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring. Pull tight, sl st to first sc to join.
- Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each stitch around (12 sc). Sl st to join.
- Optional Round 3: Ch 1, 1 sc, 2 sc in next st repeat around (18 sc).
✅ Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
🔹 Step 4: Attach the Center
- Use your tapestry needle to sew the center circle onto the middle of the flower, closing the small gap and anchoring all petals together.
- Weave in all loose ends on the back side.
🧷 Optional: Add an Edging
To add a neat finish around the petals:
- Join yarn at the edge of one petal.
- Work sc evenly around the outer edge, placing 1 sc in each row end.
- At the tip of each petal, you can ch 1 or 2 for a point, then continue.
- Sl st to beginning sc and fasten off.
🎨 Color Ideas
- Classic Daisy: White petals with a yellow center
- Sunflower: Golden yellow petals with a dark brown center
- Playful Rainbow: Each petal a different color
- Muted Tones: Use pastel or earth tones for a modern look
🧺 Care Instructions
- Use cotton yarn for heat and moisture resistance.
- Machine washable, but hand washing extends life.
- Lay flat to dry to maintain shape.
✅ Final Tips
- Keep your tension consistent — Tunisian crochet can curl if too tight.
- Block your finished coaster for a flatter shape.
- This motif makes great coasters, trivets, wall décor, or appliqués.
Video tutorial:
💬 Final Thoughts
Tunisian crochet may seem like a new technique, but this easy flower coaster proves it can be both simple and stunning. By breaking down the process into manageable parts — petals, center, and joining — you can create a handmade piece that’s both functional and full of charm.
It’s a perfect beginner project to explore Tunisian stitches and end up with something beautiful for your home or as a gift.
