Advanced Poppy Coaster

A dimensional yet practical poppy flower coaster with a highly textured black seed center, two staggered layers of ruffled red petals, and green leaves on a solid circular backing. Designed for intermediate-to-advanced crocheters comfortable with popcorn stitches, double trebles, and front/back-loop layering. Finished piece lies flat for use under glasses or as fall décor.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn (approx 4-medium):
  • Color A (Black): 12 yd / 11 m
  • Color B (Bright Red): 35 yd / 32 m
  • Color C (Forest Green): 25 yd / 23 m
  • Color D (Gold or Dark Burgundy, optional accent): 3 yd / 3 m
• Crochet hook: US G/6 (4.0 mm) for main work; US E/4 (3.5 mm) optional for tighter center
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (2–3)
• Blocking supplies (optional but recommended)

Gauge

16 sc and 18 rows = 4" (10 cm) with US G/6 (4.0 mm) hook in single crochet. Gauge is critical for a 5" coaster that lies flat. If your circle cups or ruffles excessively, change hook size before beginning petals.

Finished Size

One size: approximately 5" (12.5 cm) diameter after light blocking.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR: magic ring
• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tr: treble crochet
• dtr: double treble crochet (yo 3 times)
• pc: popcorn stitch (work 5 dc in indicated st; drop loop from hook, insert hook from front to back in first of the 5 dc, pick up dropped loop and pull through; ch 1 to close)
• fpdc: front post double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd(s): round(s)
• FLO: front loop only
• BLO: back loop only
• inc: 2 sc in same st
• FO: fasten off
• yo: yarn over
• rep: repeat
• …: repeat instructions between asterisks

Pattern Notes

• Coaster is worked in joined rounds unless otherwise stated. Join with sl st to first st of rnd.
• Ch-1 at start of sc rnds does not count as a stitch. Ch-3 at start of dc rnds counts as first dc. Ch-4 counts as first tr.
• Stitch counts appear in parentheses at the end of every round.
• Popcorn stitches create the raised “seed” texture of a real poppy center; keep the closing ch-1 snug.
• First petal layer is worked in FLO; second layer is worked in remaining BLO of the same foundation round and is offset by 2 sts for a natural staggered look.
• Inline validation examples are provided after key counts (e.g., 6 petals × 4 sts = 24 ✓).
• Weave in ends as you go where possible to reduce finishing bulk.
• Coaster must remain flat: if petals curl excessively, block lightly before attaching backing.

Instructions

Black Poppy Center

With Color A and G hook (or E hook for denser center): Rnd 1: Make MR, ch 1, 6 sc in ring; join. (6) Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each st around; join. (12) (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓) Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, inc in next st; rep from * around; join. (18) (6 inc → 12 + 6 = 18 ✓) Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st; rep from * around; join. (24) (6 inc → 18 + 6 = 24 ✓) Rnd 5 (popcorn texture): Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, pc in next st; rep from * around; join. (24) (8 pc + 16 sc = 24 ✓) FO Color A, leaving 6" tail. Weave tail through back of pcs to secure texture.

Red Petal Foundation & Layers

Join Color B with sl st in any st of Rnd 5. Foundation Rnd: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join. (24) Do not fasten off. Place marker in first st.

First (Inner) Petal Layer – FLO only

Work all stitches of this layer in FLO of Foundation Rnd. Petal Rnd 1: *Sl st in next FLO st, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, (tr, dtr, tr) in next FLO st, 2 dc in next FLO st, ch 3, sl st in next FLO st; rep from * 5 more times (6 petals total). (6 petals, uses exactly 24 FLO sts: 4 sts × 6 = 24 ✓) Fasten off Color B for this layer or carry if preferred. Weave ends into petal bases.

Second (Outer) Petal Layer – BLO, offset

Join Color B (or continue) in the BLO of the st 2 sts to the left of any inner-petal base (this offsets the layers). Work all stitches in remaining BLO of Foundation Rnd. Petal Rnd 2: *Sl st in next BLO st, ch 4 (counts as tr), tr in same st, (dtr, trtr, dtr) in next BLO st, 2 tr in next BLO st, ch 4, sl st in next BLO st; rep from * 5 more times. (6 petals, uses exactly 24 BLO sts: 4 sts × 6 = 24 ✓) (Note: trtr = triple treble = yo 4 times; if preferred, substitute dtr for a slightly shorter outer petal.) FO Color B. Gently pull petals into shape; the outer layer should sit slightly behind and between the inner petals.

Optional Center Accent

With Color D and yarn needle, embroider 5–7 small French knots or straight stitches in the very center of the black popcorns for pollen detail. Alternatively, surface-sl-st a tiny ring.

Green Leaves (make 2)

With Color C and G hook: Leaf: Ch 10. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next, dc in next 2, tr in next 2, dc in next 2, (hdc, sc, ch 2, sc, hdc) in last ch; rotate to work along opposite side of foundation ch: dc in next 2, tr in next 2, dc in next 2, hdc in next, sc in last; join with sl st to first sc. (20 sts + ch-2 tip) Row 2 (optional ridged edge): Ch 1, sc in each st around leaf, working 3 sc in ch-2 tip; join. FO, leaving 10" tail for sewing. (approx 23 sts) Make second leaf identical.

Green Backing Circle (stability layer)

With Color C and G hook: Rnd 1: MR, ch 1, 6 sc in ring; join. (6) Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each st; join. (12) Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc, inc; rep from * around; join. (18) Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, inc; rep from * around; join. (24) Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, inc; rep from * around; join. (30) Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, inc; rep from * around; join. (36) Rnd 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, inc; rep from * around; join. (42) Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sts, inc; rep from * around; join. (48) (standard +6 per rnd → 42 + 6 = 48 ✓) FO, leaving long tail for seaming if desired. Circle should measure ~4.75–5" diameter.

Assembly

1. Position the completed flower (center + petals) right-side up on top of the green backing circle. Center carefully so petals reach near the edge.
2. Using Color C yarn needle and the long tail (or new length), sew flower to backing with small whip stitches through the Foundation Rnd and any exposed black center back loops only—do not sew through petal tops so they remain free and dimensional. Keep stitches hidden.
3. Arrange the two green leaves under opposite sides of the flower (slightly overlapping the outer petals at the base). Sew leaf bases securely to backing and to the underside of 1–2 outer petals.
4. (Optional edging for durability): Join Color C at any outer st of backing, ch 1, sc evenly around entire outer edge of backing (working through both backing and any leaf tips that reach the edge), join. FO.
5. Weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side.

Finishing

• Gently steam-block or wet-block the coaster face-down, pinning petals into open, slightly ruffled shapes and ensuring the backing stays perfectly circular. Do not flatten the popcorn center.
• Allow to dry completely.
• For extra absorbency, a second plain sc backing circle may be added and joined with a final sc rnd, sandwiching all ends inside.
• Spot clean only; lay flat to dry.

Your advanced poppy coaster is ready for use or gifting. Each petal layer and textured center gives realistic depth while the solid green base keeps it functional as a coaster.