Crochet Coasters: 3 Free Patterns (Round, Square and Hexagon) in Under an Hour

Coasters are the perfect quick project: small enough to finish over a coffee, useful enough that people keep them, and a great way to practice working in the round, corners and hexagons. All three patterns below use worsted cotton and a 4.5 mm hook, and each finishes at about 10 to 11 cm.

Materials (for a set of six)

• Yarn: worsted weight (category 4) cotton, about 15 to 20 m per coaster. One 100 g ball makes a full set with yarn to spare.
• Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7). A slightly smaller hook than the label suggests makes a firmer coaster.
• Yarn needle, scissors.

US terms throughout. ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet, st = stitch, sp = space.

Pattern 1: Round Coaster

The simplest, and the one that teaches you the flat-circle rule.

Round 1: Make a magic ring, ch 2 (does not count), work 12 dc into the ring. Pull the ring closed. Join with sl st to the first dc. (12)

Round 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join. (24)

Round 3: ch 2, [dc in next st, 2 dc in next st] around. Join. (36)

Round 4 (border): ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. Fasten off, weave in ends.

For a slightly larger coaster add Round 3b: ch 2, [dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st] around (48), then the sc border.

Keeping it flat: the circle stays flat because you add 12 stitches every round. If yours cups, your hook is too small or you skipped an increase. If it ruffles, go down a hook size or skip one increase in the last round.

Pattern 2: Square Coaster (Solid Granny)

A granny square without the gaps, worked in the round.

Round 1: Magic ring, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc into ring, ch 2, [3 dc into ring, ch 2] three times. Join to the top of the ch 3. You have four groups of 3 dc separated by four ch-2 corners. (12 dc)

Round 2: sl st into the next 2 sts and into the corner ch-2 sp. ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same corner sp, [dc in each of the next 3 sts, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner sp] three times, dc in each of the last 3 sts. Join. (36 dc)

Round 3: sl st into the corner sp. ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the corner, [dc in each st to the next corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the corner] three times, dc in each remaining st. Join. (60 dc)

Border: ch 1, sc in each st around with 3 sc in each corner ch-2 sp. Join. Fasten off.

The trick with solid squares is to always work 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc into every corner and plain dc everywhere else. Each round adds 24 stitches.

Pattern 3: Hexagon Coaster

Hexagons are just circles with six corners, and a set of them tiles beautifully.

Round 1: Magic ring, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc into ring, ch 1, [2 dc into ring, ch 1] five times. Join to the top of the ch 3. Six groups of 2 dc with ch-1 corners. (12 dc)

Round 2: sl st into the first ch-1 sp. ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the same sp, [(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next ch-1 sp] five times. Join. (24 dc)

Round 3: sl st into the corner ch-1 sp. ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the same sp, [dc in each of the next 4 sts, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next corner sp] five times, dc in each of the last 4 sts. Join. (48 dc)

Border: ch 1, sc in each st around with 2 sc in each corner ch-1 sp. Join. Fasten off.

Each round adds 4 dc per side. Keep the corner groups consistent and the hexagon stays symmetrical.

Blocking

Cotton coasters look dramatically better after a quick block. Wet them, squeeze in a towel, press flat on a board with your hands (or pin the hexagon corners), and let them dry. They will stay flat afterward.

Making a Set

• Six of one shape in one color, tied with a ribbon, is a classic gift.
• Six in graduated shades of one color, light to dark.
• Mixed shapes in the same color look intentional; mixed shapes in mixed colors look like leftovers.
• Weave every end in twice, once in each direction, so they survive the washing machine.

Variations

• Textured: work Round 2 of the circle in front post dc for a ridged look.
• Two-tone: change color for the last round and the border.
• Mug rug: add two more rounds to the square and you have a 15 cm mug rug.
• Trivet: hold two strands of cotton together with a 6 mm hook for a thick, heat-resistant version.

Sell what you make from these patterns freely; please link to this page rather than copying the text.