Introduction
Add a festive touch to your Thanksgiving table with these delightful crochet turkey coasters! Each coaster features a charming turkey motif with a brightly colored, scalloped tail, making them perfect for autumn gatherings, special dinners, or as adorable handmade gifts. The design showcases a circular turkey body in warm earthy tones, surrounded by a fan of layered, scalloped feathers in vibrant fall shades—ranging from soft browns and tan, to deep greens, purples, oranges, and aquas. Each turkey is finished with a cheerful face, little yellow beak and feet, and a signature red snood, lending whimsical personality to every piece.
Not only are these turkey coasters visually appealing, but they’re also practical, providing plenty of surface area to protect your tabletops from drinks and spills. Their highly decorative nature makes them ideal for seasonal decor, centerpieces, or even festive wall hangings. You’ll enjoy the creative process of selecting yarn colors, and the step-by-step crochet instructions allow you to personalize each turkey according to your home’s aesthetic. Once you make one, you’ll want to make a flock!
Project Overview
Each turkey coaster is constructed in several stages: a central circular body, rows of colorful feather bands, a scalloped feather edge, and finally, small separately crocheted pieces for the facial features and feet. The elements are worked in the round with color changes for the tail, and the pieces are sewn together at the end. This construction makes it easy to customize and experiment with different color combinations, so every coaster can be uniquely your own.
Skill Level
This pattern is suitable for advanced beginners or intermediate crocheters. It involves working in the round, changing colors, basic increases and decreases, and simple layering/assembly of small crocheted appliqués. Some experience with sewing pieces onto crochet is helpful.
Materials
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn (category 4) for best absorption and durability. You’ll need small amounts of the following colors:
- Body: Light Brown, Tan, or Light Green (approx. 25 g per coaster)
- Feathers: 2-3 assorted fall colors per coaster (total approx. 15-20 g per coaster)
- Face: Yellow (beak, feet), Red (snood), Black (embroidery or safety eyes) (all less than 5 g each)
- Crochet hook: 4.0 mm (G-6)
- Tapestry needle: For sewing pieces and weaving in ends
- Small black safety eyes: 6 mm size (or black yarn/thread for embroidery)
- Scissors
- Stitch markers: To mark first stitch of each round
Finished Size
Each completed coaster measures approximately 13-14 cm (5-5.5 inches) in diameter, including the feather edging. Adjust the hook size and yarn weight to make larger or smaller turkeys—the pattern is easy to scale by adding/removing body or feather rounds as needed.
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this project, but as a guideline, after Rnd 5 of the Body you should have a circle measuring about 7.5 cm (3 inches) across. Adjust yarn or tension as needed, but remember that variation will affect the finished size.
Stitches and Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- MR – magic ring
- inc – increase (2 sts in next st)
- dec – decrease (sc 2 together)
Pattern Notes
- All rounds of the body and tail are worked in a continuous spiral unless otherwise noted. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch of each round.
- For the tail/feather bands, join each color at the beginning of a round and fasten off before attaching the next color.
- Chains at the beginning of shell/scallop rounds DO NOT count as a stitch unless instructed.
- Color changes: Always change color in the last step of the previous stitch for a clean transition.
- Right Side (RS) should face up during assembly.
- Safety eyes are recommended for durability, but you may embroider eyes if preferred.
Crochet Pattern Instructions
Body (Main Circle)
- With body color, make a MR.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
- Rnd 3: (sc in next st, inc in next st) around. (18)
- Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) around. (24)
- Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st) around. (30)
- Rnd 6: (sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st) around. (36)
- Rnd 7: (sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st) around. (42)
- Rnd 8: (sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st) around. (48)
- Sl st to next st and fasten off. Weave in ends.
Feather Bands (Tail)
- First Tail Band (inside color):
Attach first feather color to the last st of the body. Ch 1, sc in same st and next 35 sts (36 sc). Fasten off. (This covers roughly 3/4 of the body, creating the tail section. Leave the remaining 12 sts unworked for the front/chest.) - Second Tail Band (middle color):
Attach second feather color to the first sc of tail band. Ch 1, sc in same st and across next 35 sts (36 sc). Fasten off. - Third Tail Band (outer color):
Attach third feather color to the first sc of previous band. Ch 1, sc in same st and across, fasten off. (36 sc)
Scalloped Feather Edge
- With feather-edge color, join yarn to the first st of outermost tail band. *Skip 1 st, work (5 dc) in next st, skip 1 st, sl st in next st*. Repeat from * around the entire feather tail to create 9 scallops. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Beak
- With yellow, ch 3.
- Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch, sc in last ch. (2)
- Rnd 2: dec (sc2tog). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Snood (Red Wattle)
- With red, ch 5.
- Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in last ch. Fasten off, leaving tail for sewing.
Feet (Make 2 per coaster)
- With yellow, make a MR.
- Work as follows: (ch 2, sl st in MR) three times to make 3 toes. Tighten ring, sl st to join, and fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Eyes
- Use safety eyes, placing them between Rnd 4 and Rnd 5 of the body about 8-9 sts apart, or use black yarn to embroider French knots or small circles.
Assembly and Finishing
- Face Assembly: Sew the beak to the center of the face, just below the eyes (between Rnd 5 and 6). Attach the snood (wattle) just to one side of the beak so that it dangles.
- Feet Assembly: Sew the feet to the bottom of the coaster (at the front under the body, dividing them evenly apart).
- Weaving Ends: Use a tapestry needle to weave in all tails neatly on the wrong side of the piece.
- Blocking: Lightly steam or wet-block your coasters to smooth and shape, pinning scalloped feathers to emphasize their fan shape. Allow to dry completely before use.
Customization Ideas
- Experiment with feather colors to match your decor or choose a single palette for a cohesive set.
- Use sparkly, variegated, or textured yarns for the feather bands to add depth.
- Make jumbo versions as trivets or miniatures as ornaments or magnets.
- Add a hanging loop at the top for displaying on the wall or tree.
Troubleshooting
- Curling: If your coaster curls, check your tension and ensure you have enough increases in each round. Lightly block to flatten.
- Uneven Edges: Double-check stitch counts; missed stitches in earlier rounds quickly add up. Count the scallops to keep them even.
- Piece Too Large/Small: Adjust your hook size, yarn weight, or number of rounds worked in the body to resize.
- Loose Color Changes: Always change colors in the last loop of the final stitch of a round. Pull snug but not tight.
- Uneven Tension: Relax your grip, and practice with scraps if you’re new to small amigurumi or tight rounds.
Care Instructions
Hand wash gently with mild detergent and cold water, reshape while damp, and lay flat to dry. Avoid wringing or twisting. If using cotton, a gentle machine wash is also possible; check yarn label for details.
Final Notes
Check your stitch counts after each round for best results and use the photo as a guide for face placement and feather spacing. Don’t hesitate to adjust details or tension for your personal style. Have fun creating a cheerful turkey flock to brighten up your fall celebrations!
