Maple Leaf Coaster Crochet Pattern | Easy Fall Crochet
There is something about autumn that makes crafters reach for their hooks and warm-toned yarn. The air turns crisp, pumpkins appear on every porch, and suddenly every surface in the home calls for a cozy, handmade touch. If you have been looking for a seasonal project that is quick, satisfying, and genuinely useful, this maple leaf coaster crochet pattern is exactly what you need. These little leaf-shaped coasters are perfect for decorating your coffee table, gifting to friends and family, or selling at fall craft fairs. Best of all, they are beginner-friendly enough that you can knock out an entire set in a single cozy afternoon.
This pattern walks you through everything from the materials you will need to detailed step-by-step instructions, helpful tips for beginners, and ideas for finishing and displaying your finished coasters. By the time you reach the end of this post, you will have all the knowledge you need to create a beautiful fall project that looks far more impressive than the time it takes to make.
Why Maple Leaf Coasters Are the Perfect Fall Project
Before we dive into the pattern itself, it is worth talking about why this particular project deserves a spot in your fall crochet lineup.
First, the size is ideal. A coaster is small enough that you are not committing to weeks of work, but it is substantial enough that you actually learn something while making it. A maple leaf coaster typically measures around four to five inches across, making it a satisfying little piece that can be finished in one or two hours depending on your speed.
Second, leaf shapes are a wonderful introduction to working in rounds with increases and special stitch shaping. If you have been crocheting scarves and dishcloths and want to try something with a little more dimension and visual interest, a maple leaf is a great next step. The points of the leaf are achieved through simple stitch combinations, and once you learn how one point is formed, the rest of the leaf comes together naturally.
Third, these coasters are endlessly versatile. You can make them in a single autumn color like burnt orange, russet red, or golden yellow. You can create a whole set in a range of fall tones and arrange them across your table for a stunning seasonal display. You can even attach a button or small crochet stem if you want a more lifelike look. They work as trivets, as decorative accents, as gift toppers, or as simple table ornaments even if no one ever sets a mug on them.
Materials You Will Need
One of the best things about this pattern is how few supplies it requires. Here is what you will want to gather before you begin.
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in your chosen fall color or colors. Classic autumn shades include burnt orange, maple red, golden yellow, chocolate brown, olive green, or any combination of these. You only need a small amount of yarn per coaster — roughly 20 to 30 yards — which makes this pattern an excellent stash-buster. Lion Brand Pound of Love, Red Heart Super Saver, Caron Simply Soft, and Paintbox Simply DK are all great options, though any worsted weight yarn will work.
Crochet Hook: A size 5.0 mm (H/8) hook is a good match for worsted weight yarn, but check the label on your specific yarn and adjust accordingly if needed. If you crochet tightly, try going up half a size to a 5.5 mm. If your stitches tend to be loose, drop down to a 4.5 mm.
Scissors and a Tapestry Needle: You will need these for cutting and weaving in your ends. A tapestry or yarn needle with a blunt tip makes weaving ends into the back of your work much easier without splitting the yarn.
Stitch Markers (Optional): If you are new to working in rounds or want to keep track of specific stitch counts, a few locking stitch markers will be your best friend here.
Blocking Mat and Pins (Optional): If your finished coaster has curled edges or the points look a little wobbly, a light blocking session will make a significant difference. Simply wet your coaster, pin it into shape on a foam blocking mat, and let it dry completely.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here is a quick reference guide for the stitches used.
- ch — chain
- sl st — slip stitch
- sc — single crochet
- hdc — half double crochet
- dc — double crochet
- tr — treble crochet (also called triple crochet)
- sp — space
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- rep — repeat
- yo — yarn over
If any of these stitches are new to you, do not worry. There are excellent video tutorials on YouTube for every basic crochet stitch, and working a swatch before starting the actual coaster can help you build confidence.
Notes Before You Begin
This maple leaf coaster is worked in a flat, back-and-forth method rather than in traditional rounds. The leaf is built by creating individual points first, then joining them and working the body of the leaf downward. This method gives you crisp, well-defined points that really capture the iconic maple leaf silhouette.
The pattern is designed to produce a coaster approximately 4.5 inches wide and 4.5 inches tall with the hook and yarn sizes listed above. Your gauge does not need to be exact since coasters are forgiving, but aim for something in that general range. If yours comes out a bit larger or smaller, that is perfectly fine.
Read through the entire pattern once before you begin crocheting. Understanding the full structure of the pattern before you start your first chain will make the process much smoother and help you anticipate where things are heading at each stage.
The Maple Leaf Coaster Pattern
Step One: Create the First Leaf Point
Make a magic ring or chain 2 and work into the second chain from the hook.
Round 1 of Point 1: Into the ring, work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc. Chain 1, then turn.
Row 2: Working back across, sc in each stitch across (7 stitches total). Chain 1, turn.
Row 3: Sc2tog, sc across to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Chain 1, turn. (5 stitches)
Row 4: Sc2tog, sc across to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Chain 1. Do not turn. (3 stitches)
Fasten off, leaving a small tail. This forms your first pointed lobe.
Repeat this process to make four more separate points for a total of five pointed lobes. You can make all five before joining, keeping them lined up in order so they are ready to connect.
Step Two: Join the Points
Lay your five points side by side with the points facing upward. They will form the five iconic points of the maple leaf when joined at their bases.
With your working yarn and hook, join yarn to the base of the first point with a slip stitch. Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet). Work 2 dc across the base of the first point, then use a slip stitch to connect to the base of the second point. Chain 2, then work 3 dc across the base of the second point. Continue in this manner, connecting all five points with a chain-2 space between each group of double crochets. After joining the fifth point, join with a slip stitch to the beginning chain-3. (15 dc total with 4 chain-2 spaces between groups)
Step Three: Work the Body of the Leaf
Now you will work downward to form the wide middle section and the narrow stem base of the leaf.
Row 1 (Body): Chain 3, turn. Work dc in each stitch and 2 dc in each chain-2 space across the row. (23 stitches)
Row 2: Chain 3, turn. Dc across, decreasing 1 stitch at each end by working dc2tog at the beginning and end of the row. (21 stitches)
Row 3: Chain 3, turn. Dc across, decreasing at each end. (19 stitches)
Row 4: Chain 3, turn. Dc across, decreasing at each end. (17 stitches)
Row 5: Chain 3, turn. Dc across, decreasing at each end. (15 stitches)
Row 6: Chain 3, turn. Dc across, decreasing at each end. (13 stitches)
Row 7: Chain 3, turn. Dc across, decreasing at each end. (11 stitches)
Row 8: Chain 3, turn. Dc across, decreasing at each end. (9 stitches)
Row 9: Chain 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc5, sc2tog. (7 stitches)
Row 10: Chain 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc3, sc2tog. (5 stitches)
Row 11: Chain 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc1, sc2tog. (3 stitches)
Row 12: Chain 1, turn. Sl st across all 3 stitches to close the base.
Step Four: Add the Stem
Do not fasten off yet. You will use this yarn end or rejoin to the base center to create a short stem.
Chain 8. Slip stitch back down the chain toward the leaf. Fasten off and weave in the end. This gives your coaster a small stem that sits neatly at the bottom and completes the maple leaf silhouette beautifully.
Step Five: Finishing
Weave in all ends carefully using your tapestry needle. Tuck them into the backs of stitches so nothing shows from the front. If you want a neater, more polished finish, you can work a single row of single crochet around the entire outer edge of the leaf, including around each of the five points. This border helps define the shape and gives the coaster a finished, professional look.
At this point, your maple leaf coaster is complete. If the shape looks a little uneven or the points are curling, dampen the coaster slightly with water, pin it into shape on your blocking mat, and leave it to dry flat. Blocking makes a remarkable difference in how the finished piece looks, especially for shaped projects like this one.
Tips for Making Your Coasters Even Better
A few simple techniques can take your maple leaf coasters from nice to absolutely stunning.
Use a variegated yarn. If you can find an autumn variegated yarn that cycles through shades of orange, red, and brown, your coasters will look like real leaves with natural color variation baked right in. No extra effort required.
Make a matching set. Four coasters in four different colors — one orange, one red, one yellow, one brown — displayed together on a tray or wooden coaster holder make a gorgeous seasonal table decoration and a very memorable handmade gift.
Add a no-slip backing. If you plan to actually use these as coasters rather than just decorative accents, consider cutting circles of non-slip rug backing material or grip liner slightly smaller than your finished coaster and hand-stitching them to the back. This keeps the coaster from sliding across the table when someone sets a mug on it.
Try a cotton yarn. Worsted cotton yarn is highly absorbent and washable, making it a practical choice if your coasters will be used regularly. It also blocks beautifully flat. Look for Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton or Paintbox Simply Cotton Worsted for excellent results.
Stiffen your finished coasters. A light spray of liquid starch or a diluted mixture of white craft glue and water can be applied to your finished coaster, then the coaster can be pinned flat while it dries. This gives the coaster a slightly stiffer structure that holds its shape beautifully through regular use.
Ideas for Gifting and Displaying Your Maple Leaf Coasters
Handmade coasters are one of the most practical and well-received crochet gifts you can give, particularly around the fall season. A set of four maple leaf coasters tied together with a length of twine or ribbon and paired with a small jar of local honey or a packet of tea makes a thoughtful, personal gift that costs very little to put together but feels genuinely special.
For craft fairs and markets, consider presenting your coasters in sets of four, packaged in clear cellophane bags tied with an autumn-colored ribbon. A small handwritten tag noting that the coasters are handmade and include care instructions adds a professional touch. Price them competitively — a set of four typically sells well at craft fairs in the ten to eighteen dollar range depending on your local market.
In your own home, a stack of maple leaf coasters placed on a small wicker tray surrounded by a couple of pinecones, a candle, and a small pumpkin creates an instant fall vignette that looks like it belongs in a magazine. They also work beautifully as trivets for small candle holders on a windowsill or as wall hangings — simply stiffen them, attach a loop of twine to the top of the stem, and hang them as a seasonal garland.
Caring for Your Crochet Coasters
How you care for your finished coasters will depend largely on the yarn you used. Most acrylic worsted weight yarns can be safely machine washed on a gentle cycle and laid flat to dry. Cotton yarns are typically machine washable as well and may even be safe for a low dryer setting, though checking the yarn label is always the safest approach.
To keep your coasters looking their best, avoid wringing them out after washing. Simply press out the excess water gently between a folded towel, then reshape them and allow them to dry flat. If they lose their shape slightly after washing, a quick re-blocking session will restore them in no time.
Final Thoughts
This maple leaf coaster crochet pattern is one of those projects that delivers an outsized amount of satisfaction relative to the time and materials it requires. Whether you are a beginner looking to expand your skills, an experienced crocheter in search of a quick fall make, or someone who wants to stock up on handmade gifts before the holiday season begins, these coasters fit the bill perfectly.
The maple leaf shape is instantly recognizable and beloved, and seeing it realized in warm autumn yarn brings a little of the beauty of the season right into your home. Make one this weekend and you will almost certainly end up making five more before the week is out. There is something deeply satisfying about holding a finished coaster in your hands and knowing that your own two hands made it, stitch by stitch, from a humble skein of yarn.
Grab your hook, pull out that ball of autumn-colored yarn that has been waiting for the right project, and get started. Fall does not last forever, but handmade things have a way of carrying the warmth of the season long after the leaves have fallen.
Happy crocheting!
