Flower Coaster Basket

Structured round basket with five flower coasters

Difficulty: Intermediate
Finished size:

• Basket: approx. 20 cm (8 in) diameter × 7 cm (2¾ in) high
• Each coaster: approx. 11–12 cm (4¼–4¾ in) across including petals

Look when assembled: Black round basket filled with five flower coasters (brown centres, purple petals facing outward) so the set resembles a small flower basket.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted weight (aran) cotton or cotton blend (recommended for stitch definition, absorbency, and rigidity).
Approx. total:

• Black (Basket): 90–100 g
• Brown (Coaster centres): 40–45 g
• Purple (Petals): 35–40 g

Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4) — go down 1–2 sizes from the ball-band suggestion for a firm fabric.
Notions: Stitch marker; yarn needle; scissors.
Optional: Fabric stiffener spray; clothesline/piping cord to crochet over for extra-rigid basket sides.

Tension (gauge)

18 dc and 20 rounds = 10 cm × 10 cm (4 in × 4 in) in double crochet (UK), unblocked, using 3.5 mm hook and firm tension.

Adjust hook size to match tension. Basket fabric should feel dense; soft/loose fabric will slump.

Abbreviations (UK)

Pattern notes

• Basket is worked in continuous spirals unless stated. PM in first st of each rnd and move it up.
• Coaster centres may be worked in continuous rnds or joined rnds; petals are worked in a joined finishing round.
• Base increase rule (non-negotiable): +6 dc every round on the round base so stitch count = 6 × round number. Fewer increases cup; more ruffle.
• BLO transition round creates the sharp 90° turn from base to sides — do not skip.
• Sides: work even (no increases/decreases). Side stitch count must equal final base count every round.
• Use cotton/jute-style yarn and a smaller hook so the empty basket holds its shape.
• “Petals facing sidewards” = petals worked outward from the coaster rim so they radiate horizontally when the coaster lies flat.

Part A — Black basket

Colour: Black throughout.

Base (flat circle)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 dc into ring. PM. (6)
Rnd 2: 2 dc in each st around. (12) [6 increases → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓]
Rnd 3: *1 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (18) [12 + 6 = 18 ✓]
Rnd 4: *2 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (24) [18 + 6 = 24 ✓]
Rnd 5: *3 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (30)
Rnd 6: *4 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (36)
Rnd 7: *5 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (42)
Rnd 8: *6 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (48)
Rnd 9: *7 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (54)
Rnd 10: *8 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (60)
Rnd 11: *9 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (66)
Rnd 12: *10 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (72)
Rnd 13: *11 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (78)
Rnd 14: *12 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (84)
Rnd 15: *13 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (90)
Rnd 16: *14 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (96)
Rnd 17: *15 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (102)
Rnd 18: *16 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (108)

Check diameter: Base should measure approx. 19–20 cm (7½–8 in) across.

• If under 19 cm, work Rnd 19: *17 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (114), then use 114 for all side rnds.
• If over 20.5 cm, frog Rnd 18 and stop at Rnd 17 (102 sts), using 102 for sides.
  Pattern continues with 108 sts as the default.

Base-to-sides transition (critical)

Rnd 19 (BLO turn): 1 dc BLO in each st around. (108)
This round forms the sharp fold between floor and wall. Do not work into both loops.

Sides

Resume both loops. Work even:

Rnds 20–31: 1 dc in each st around. (108 each rnd)
[12 side rounds ≈ 6–7 cm height with firm dc; add or remove even rounds for taller/shorter basket. Stitch count must remain 108.]

Optional reinforced rim:
Rnd 32: 1 dc in each st around; join with sl st to first dc. (108)
Rnd 33 (crab stitch / reverse dc): Work reverse dc in each st around for a firm, polished top edge. Join, FO.

If not using crab stitch: after final side rnd, sl st to next st, FO.

Basket finishing

• Weave in all ends firmly on the WS.
• Block base flat under a heavy book while slightly damp so the floor sits true.
• Optional: light fabric stiffener on sides; or work side rnds over clothesline cord for maximum rigidity.
• Basket must hold shape when empty.

Part B — Flower coasters (make 5)

Each coaster: brown centre, purple petals radiating sidewards from the border.

Centre (brown)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 dc into ring. PM. (6)
Rnd 2: 2 dc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: *1 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (18)
Rnd 4: *2 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (24)
Rnd 5: *3 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (30)
Rnd 6: *4 dc, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. (36)

Sl st to first dc of rnd to join (if working continuous, make one neat join here). FO brown.

Centre check: Disc approx. 6.5–7 cm across; 36 sts. [Stitch count = 6 × 6 = 36 ✓]

Petals (purple) — facing sidewards / outward

Join purple with sl st in any dc of Rnd 6.

Petal rnd:
*Sl st in next st, (1 tr, 1 dtr, 1 tr) in next st, sl st in next st; rep from * around.
Join with sl st to first sl st. FO.

Count: 36 sts ÷ 3 = 12 petals. [12 petals × 3 sts each = 36 ✓]

Each petal stands out from the rim (sidewards/horizontal when coaster is flat). Gently shape petals with fingers; steam-block lightly if needed without flattening the petal cup.

Coaster finishing

• Weave in ends on WS (brown tails under centre; purple under petal bases).
• Optional light block: pin centre flat; leave petals free so they stay dimensional.
• Make 5 identical coasters.

Size tip: Finished coaster including petals approx. 11–12 cm — stacks neatly inside the 20 cm basket with a clear rim of black showing (flower-basket look).

Part C — Assembly and presentation

1. Place the black basket on a table.
2. Stack or fan the five flower coasters inside, brown centres up, purple petals outward.
3. For a fuller “bouquet” look, stand two or three coasters on edge against the basket wall (petals facing out) and lay the rest flat in the base.
4. Overall appearance: black round basket holding a cluster of brown-centred purple flowers.

Inline construction validation (summary)

Care

Cotton: gentle hand wash, reshape, dry flat. Avoid high heat. Re-shape basket base if needed after washing.

End of pattern.