Emberglow Poinsettia Coaster Set Free Pattern – A Knitted Festive Table Garden

Bring the warmth of a winter hearth to your table with these knitted poinsettia coasters, featuring layered petals in deep crimson and forest green. Each coaster is a soft, textured bloom that protects your surfaces in style. This free knitting pattern is perfect for holiday crafting, gift-giving, or adding a handmade touch to your own festive tablescape. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a confident beginner looking for a fun challenge, these charming coasters are a delightful project that comes together quickly.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This project uses small amounts of yarn, making it an excellent stash-buster or a great way to use up leftover cotton from other projects.

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in deep red (for the flower), forest green (for the leaves), and golden yellow (for the center stamens). You will need only small amounts of each color—approximately 20-30 yards of red, 15-20 yards of green, and a few yards of yellow.
• Knitting Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles. Straight needles are perfect for this project since you'll be knitting flat pieces.
• Notions: A tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, scissors, and a stitch marker (optional but helpful).
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. While gauge isn't critical for a coaster, matching it will ensure your finished piece is approximately 5 inches in diameter.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern creates a 5-inch diameter coaster with a central flower and surrounding leaves. Worked flat in pieces and seamed, this method allows for precise shaping and easy assembly. Let's get started!

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• K: knit
• P: purl
• K2tog: knit two together (decrease)
• SSK: slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• YO: yarn over (increase)
• St(s): stitch(es)
• Rep: repeat
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side

Center Flower (Make 1 in Red)

This star-like base forms the heart of your poinsettia. The yarn over increases create a beautiful, airy center that anchors the petals.

1. CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1 (RS): K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, YO, K1 (11 sts). Tip: You are adding 5 stitches evenly across the row.
3. Row 2 and all even rows: Purl all sts.
4. Row 3: K1, YO, K2, YO, K1, YO, K2, YO, K1, YO, K2, YO, K1 (17 sts).
5. Row 5: K1, YO, K4, YO, K1, YO, K4, YO, K1, YO, K4, YO, K1 (23 sts).
6. Row 7: K1, YO, K6, YO, K1, YO, K6, YO, K1, YO, K6, YO, K1 (29 sts).
7. Row 9: K1, YO, K8, YO, K1, YO, K8, YO, K1, YO, K8, YO, K1 (35 sts).
8. Row 11: K1, YO, K10, YO, K1, YO, K10, YO, K1, YO, K10, YO, K1 (41 sts).
9. Row 12: Purl all sts.
10. Bind off loosely. This forms a star-like base with 5 distinct points.

Petals (Make 5 in Red)

Each petal is a long, pointed shape created by consistent yarn over increases at the center. The result is a dramatic, elongated petal that mimics the real poinsettia flower.

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1 (RS): K1, YO, K1, YO, K1 (5 sts).
3. Row 2: Purl.
4. Row 3: K2, YO, K1, YO, K2 (7 sts).
5. Row 4: Purl.
6. Row 5: K3, YO, K1, YO, K3 (9 sts).
7. Row 6: Purl.
8. Row 7: K4, YO, K1, YO, K4 (11 sts).
9. Row 8: Purl.
10. Row 9: K5, YO, K1, YO, K5 (13 sts).
11. Row 10: Purl.
12. Row 11: K6, YO, K1, YO, K6 (15 sts).
13. Row 12: Purl.
14. Row 13: K7, YO, K1, YO, K7 (17 sts).
15. Row 14: Purl.
16. Row 15: K8, YO, K1, YO, K8 (19 sts).
17. Row 16: Purl.
18. Row 17: K9, YO, K1, YO, K9 (21 sts).
19. Row 18: Purl.
20. Row 19: K10, YO, K1, YO, K10 (23 sts).
21. Row 20: Purl.
22. Row 21: K11, YO, K1, YO, K11 (25 sts).
23. Row 22: Purl.
24. Row 23: K12, YO, K1, YO, K12 (27 sts).
25. Row 24: Purl.
26. Row 25: K13, YO, K1, YO, K13 (29 sts).
27. Row 26: Purl.
28. Row 27: K14, YO, K1, YO, K14 (31 sts).
29. Row 28: Purl.
30. Bind off loosely. This creates a long, pointed petal. Repeat for all 5 petals.

Leaves (Make 5 in Green)

The leaves are worked identically to the petals but are slightly shorter, creating a lovely layered effect. They peek out from between the red petals, adding a festive contrast.

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1 (RS): K1, YO, K1, YO, K1 (5 sts).
3. Row 2: Purl.
4. Row 3: K2, YO, K1, YO, K2 (7 sts).
5. Row 4: Purl.
6. Row 5: K3, YO, K1, YO, K3 (9 sts).
7. Row 6: Purl.
8. Row 7: K4, YO, K1, YO, K4 (11 sts).
9. Row 8: Purl.
10. Row 9: K5, YO, K1, YO, K5 (13 sts).
11. Row 10: Purl.
12. Row 11: K6, YO, K1, YO, K6 (15 sts).
13. Row 12: Purl.
14. Row 13: K7, YO, K1, YO, K7 (17 sts).
15. Row 14: Purl.
16. Row 15: K8, YO, K1, YO, K8 (19 sts).
17. Row 16: Purl.
18. Row 17: K9, YO, K1, YO, K9 (21 sts).
19. Row 18: Purl.
20. Row 19: K10, YO, K1, YO, K10 (23 sts).
21. Row 20: Purl.
22. Row 21: K11, YO, K1, YO, K11 (25 sts).
23. Row 22: Purl.
24. Bind off loosely. This leaf is slightly shorter than the petal. Repeat for all 5 leaves.

Assembly

Now comes the fun part—bringing your poinsettia to life! Take your time with the assembly to ensure a beautiful, balanced result.

1. Arrange the petals: Lay the center flower flat. Arrange the 5 red petals evenly around the center flower, positioning each petal over one of the star's points. Overlap the petals slightly at the base to create a full, lush look.
2. Sew the petals: Using a tapestry needle and red yarn, sew each petal securely to the center flower. Use small, neat stitches along the base of each petal, catching both the petal and the center piece. Make sure the petals are evenly spaced.
3. Add the leaves: Place the 5 green leaves between the petals, positioning them slightly underneath the red petals so they peek out from behind. This creates depth and dimension.
4. Sew the leaves: Using a tapestry needle and green yarn, sew each leaf in place with small stitches at the base. Ensure they are securely attached.
5. Embroider the center: Using golden yellow yarn, embroider a cluster of French knots or small straight stitches in the very center of the flower. This represents the poinsettia's cyathia (the small, yellow center parts of the real flower). For French knots, bring the yarn up through the center, wrap it around the needle twice, and insert it back down close to where it came up. Repeat 4-6 times to create a textured cluster.
6. Weave in ends: Carefully weave in all loose ends on the wrong side of the coaster using your tapestry needle. Trim any excess yarn.

Finishing

Blocking is the final step that transforms your coaster from a collection of pieces into a polished, professional-looking item. It helps the petals lie flat and enhances the stitch definition.

1. Wet block or steam block: You can either lightly steam the coaster with a steam iron (holding it a few inches above the surface) or wet it thoroughly, squeeze out excess water, and lay it flat on a towel.
2. Pin to shape: Gently stretch and pin the coaster to its desired shape, ensuring the petals and leaves lie flat and are evenly spaced. Use rust-proof pins.
3. Allow to dry: Let the coaster dry completely before removing the pins. This will set the shape and give a beautiful, crisp finish.

And there you have it—a stunning, handcrafted poinsettia coaster that brings festive charm to any table. Make a set of four or six to gift to friends and family, or keep them all for yourself to enjoy throughout the holiday season. Happy knitting!