This water lily glass coaster is a beautiful little crochet project made for cold water, lemonade, iced tea, or a pretty summer table setting. It has the charm of a layered water lily square, but it is designed as a useful coaster with a firm square base and soft raised petals.
The design is inspired by a dimensional floral granny square look, with a cream square background, a warm flower center, soft pink petals, muted rose details, tan middle petals, and a blue-green outer petal layer. It feels decorative enough for gifting, but still practical for everyday glasses.
Description
This crochet coaster is a square cotton coaster with a raised water lily flower in the center. The flower has several petal layers: a small yellow center, dusty rose inner petals, pale pink petals, tan petals, and soft blue-green outer petals. The flower sits on a cream square base with lightly open corner spaces, making it look like a mini floral granny square. The finished coaster is perfect for a glass of cold water with lemon, iced coffee, tea cups, small vases, bedside tables, or handmade table decor.
Materials
- Cotton yarn in cream
- Cotton yarn in pale yellow
- Cotton yarn in dusty rose
- Cotton yarn in pale pink
- Cotton yarn in tan or warm beige
- Cotton yarn in soft sage blue or muted aqua
- 3.5 mm or 4.0 mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Blocking mat and pins, optional
Abbreviations
- MR = magic ring
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet
- st = stitch
- sts = stitches
- sp = space
- rep = repeat
Pattern Notes
- This pattern uses US crochet terms.
- Cotton yarn is best because it absorbs moisture and keeps the coaster firm.
- The square base is worked first.
- The water lily flower is worked separately, then sewn to the center of the square.
- Keep the flower center neat and not overly bulky so a glass can sit more safely.
- The petals should be raised and dimensional, but not too stiff.
- Block the square base before sewing on the flower for the cleanest shape.
- Finished size is about 5.5 x 5.5 inches, depending on yarn and tension.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cream Square Base
Use cream yarn.
Round 1
Make a MR.
Ch 3. This counts as the first dc.
Work 2 dc into the ring.
Ch 2.
Work 3 dc into the ring, ch 2.
Repeat from 3 dc, ch 2 2 more times.
Join with sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
You should have 4 clusters and 4 corner spaces.
Round 2
Sl st into the next ch-2 corner sp.
Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same corner sp.
Ch 1.
In the next corner sp, work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc.
Ch 1.
Repeat around.
Join with sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 3
Sl st into the next corner sp.
Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same corner sp.
Ch 1.
Work 3 dc in the next ch-1 side sp.
Ch 1.
In the next corner sp, work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc.
Repeat around.
Join with sl st.
Round 4
Sl st into the next corner sp.
Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same corner sp.
Ch 1.
Work 3 dc in each side space across to the next corner, with ch 1 between each cluster.
In each corner sp, work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc.
Continue around.
Join with sl st.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Square Border
Join cream yarn in any corner.
Ch 1.
Sc evenly around the square.
Work 3 sc in each corner.
Join with sl st to the first sc.
Fasten off.
Block the square lightly so it lays flat.
Water Lily Flower
The flower is made separately and sewn to the center of the square.
Round 1: Yellow Center
With pale yellow yarn, make a MR.
Ch 1.
Work 10 sc into the ring.
Pull the ring closed.
Join with sl st to the first sc.
Round 2: Center Texture
Ch 1.
Work 2 sc in each st around.
Join with sl st.
20 sc
Fasten off yellow.
Round 3: Dusty Rose Inner Petals
Join dusty rose yarn in any stitch.
Ch 2.
Work 2 dc in the same st.
Ch 2.
Sl st in the same st.
Sl st in the next st.
Repeat around:
Ch 2, 2 dc in same st, ch 2, sl st in same st, sl st in next st.
Continue until you have 10 small inner petals.
Fasten off dusty rose.
These petals should sit close to the yellow center.
Round 4: Pale Pink Petal Setup
Turn the flower slightly so you can work behind the dusty rose petals.
Join pale pink yarn behind any inner petal.
Ch 1.
Sc behind the petal.
Ch 4.
Sc behind the next petal.
Repeat around.
Join with sl st to first sc.
You should have 10 ch-4 spaces behind the first petal layer.
Round 5: Pale Pink Petals
In each ch-4 sp, work:
Sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc.
Repeat around all spaces.
Join with sl st.
Fasten off pale pink.
Gently pull these petals outward so they show around the inner rose petals.
Round 6: Tan Petal Setup
Join tan yarn behind any pale pink petal.
Ch 1.
Sc behind the petal.
Ch 5.
Sc behind the next petal.
Repeat around.
Join with sl st.
You should have 10 ch-5 spaces.
Round 7: Tan Petals
In each ch-5 sp, work:
Sc, hdc, dc, 3 tr, dc, hdc, sc.
Repeat around.
Join with sl st.
Fasten off tan.
Shape the tan petals so they sit between the pale pink petals.
Round 8: Blue-Green Outer Petal Setup
Join soft sage blue or muted aqua yarn behind any tan petal.
Ch 1.
Sc behind the petal.
Ch 6.
Sc behind the next petal.
Repeat around.
Join with sl st.
You should have 10 ch-6 spaces.
Round 9: Blue-Green Outer Petals
In each ch-6 sp, work:
Sc, hdc, dc, 4 tr, dc, hdc, sc.
Repeat around.
Join with sl st.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
The flower should now have a layered water lily look with soft raised petals.
Attach the Flower to the Square
Place the flower in the center of the cream square.
Make sure the petals are evenly spaced and the flower sits flat enough for a glass.
Thread the long blue-green yarn tail onto your yarn needle.
Sew the flower to the square through the lower base of the outer petals.
Then use a small amount of matching yarn to secure the center of the flower to the square.
Do not sew every petal completely flat. Leave the petal tips slightly raised for the 3D look.
Check that the coaster sits flat on the table.
Optional Flat Glass Area
For a more practical coaster, lightly sew down the inner petal layer around the yellow center.
This keeps the middle slightly flatter so a glass of cold water or lemonade can sit more steadily.
Leave the outer petals raised for decoration.
Optional Extra Firm Backing
If you want a sturdier coaster, make a second plain cream square base.
Sew the second square to the back of the decorated square using cream yarn.
Work sc around all four edges through both layers.
Place 3 sc in each corner.
This creates a thicker coaster that absorbs moisture better and feels more finished.
Finishing
Weave in all loose ends.
Gently block the square again if needed.
Shape the water lily petals with your fingers.
Let the coaster dry completely before using.
For cold drinks, cotton yarn works best because it handles condensation better than acrylic.
Tips & Variations
Use soft cotton yarn for a useful drink coaster.
Use cream for the square base so the flower colors stand out.
Try pastel rainbow petals for a spring table setting.
Use only pale pink and white for a softer wedding favor look.
Make a set of 4 or 6 coasters for a handmade gift.
For a lemon water theme, use yellow centers with pastel blue, mint, and cream petals.
For a more elegant table look, use beige, ivory, dusty rose, and sage.
If your coaster curls, block the square before attaching the flower.
If the flower feels too bulky under a glass, sew the center petals down more firmly.
FAQ
Can I use this as a real drink coaster?
Yes. Use cotton yarn and keep the flower center secure. For very cold glasses, the optional double backing makes the coaster more absorbent and stable.
Is this beginner-friendly?
It is best for confident beginners. The square is simple, and the flower uses basic stitches, but the layered petals take a little patience.
Can I make it larger?
Yes. Add one or two extra rounds to the cream square base before attaching the flower.
Can I make this without the square base?
Yes. You can use only the flower as an applique, but the square base makes it much better for a glass, cup, or small vase.
Conclusion
This water lily glass coaster is a lovely way to turn a floral crochet square into something useful and beautiful. The soft cream base, layered pastel petals, and raised water lily center make it perfect for cold water, lemonade, iced tea, or a sweet handmade table setting.
Make one for your desk or bedside table, then create a full set in matching pastel colors for a charming crochet gift.
