Round cotton coasters, four in an evening
A flat circle in double crochet with a tidy single crochet edge. A good first project, and a good way to use up cotton scraps.
By Maya Linden
|2 min read
Coasters are the best first project in the round. They're small enough to finish in one sitting, they teach you how a flat circle grows, and a set of four makes a nice gift.
Materials
- Worsted weight 100% cotton yarn, about 15 yd per coaster
- 4.5 mm (7) hook
- 1 stitch marker
- Yarn needle
Why a flat circle works
Each round of double crochet is taller than single crochet, so it needs more new stitches to stay flat: 12 per round for double crochet, compared with 6 per round for single crochet. Keep that rule in mind and you can make a flat circle of any size.
Abbreviations
- MR: magic ring
- ch: chain
- dc: double crochet
- sc: single crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- (...) x6: repeat the stitches in brackets 6 times
The pattern
Rnd 1: Make a MR. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in ring. Pull the ring closed and sl st to the top of the ch 3. (12)
Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the same st. 2 dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of the ch 3. (24)
Rnd 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in the next st. (Dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st) around. Sl st to the top of the ch 3. (36)
Rnd 4: Ch 1 (doesn't count). Sc in the first 2 sts, 2 sc in the next st. (Sc in the next 5 sts, 2 sc in the next st) x5. Sc in the last 3 sts. Sl st to the first sc. (42)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Two-colour version
Work Rounds 1 and 2 in one colour, fasten off, and join a second colour for Rounds 3 and 4. Join the new colour in a different spot from where you finished the old one so the joins don't line up.
Care
Machine wash on warm and lay the coasters flat to dry. If they curl slightly after the first wash, pin them flat while damp. Cotton holds its shape well once it's been blocked once.
Looking for a bigger home project next? Try the chunky storage basket.
Questions about this pattern
What yarn is best for crochet coasters?
100% cotton. It absorbs drips, doesn't melt under a hot mug the way acrylic can, and survives the washing machine.
Why is my crochet circle ruffling or cupping?
Ruffling means too many increases for your tension, and cupping means too few. Try a half-size different hook first. If it's still wavy, check that every round has the stitch count shown.
Maya Linden
Pattern designer and crochet teacher
Maya has been crocheting for fifteen years and teaching beginner classes for eight. Every YarnHook pattern is stitched and tested by her before it's published.
