Cocoa Break Granny Coaster: A Free Crochet Coaster Pattern

What you'll make

The Cocoa Break Granny Coaster is a traditional granny square coaster. You work in the round, from a small ring outwards. Each round adds a ring of three-stitch clusters, and a tidy single crochet edge finishes it flat.

It is about 4¼ in (11 cm) square. That is a good size for a mug. It is also a good size for a first granny square, because it stops before the square gets big and the rounds get long.

You can make it in one colour, or in two colours for a set. The pattern is free for personal use, and the full written instructions are on this page.

Is it right for a beginner?

Yes. If you want an easy crochet pattern for beginners, a granny square coaster is a kind place to start. You only need the chain, the slip stitch, the single crochet and the double crochet.

Every round is worked the same way: a corner of 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, then clusters of 3 dc along the sides. Once you have done round 2, you have seen the whole idea. Rounds 3 and 4 just add more clusters between the corners.

You never turn the work. You keep the right side facing and go round and round. That means fewer things to remember, and it makes this a calm free crochet coaster pattern to learn on.

Materials, size and gauge

You need very little. This is what the pattern calls for:

• Yarn: worsted-weight (#4) cotton in two colours, about 12 yds (11 m) of A and 8 yds (7 m) of B for each coaster (or 20 yds / 18 m of one colour).
• Hook: US H-8 (5 mm).
• Notions: tapestry needle, scissors.

How big is it, and does gauge matter?

The finished coaster is about 4¼ in (11 cm) square. After the first two rounds the square measures about 2¼ in (5.5 cm) across, so you can check your size early.

Gauge is not critical. A coaster does not have to fit anything, so a slightly bigger or smaller square is fine.

How long does the yarn last? Plan on about 20 yds (18 m) of worsted cotton for each coaster. That is about 12 yds (11 m) of A and 8 yds (7 m) of B if you use two colours.

Abbreviations, US terms

This pattern uses US crochet terms. In US terms, dc is double crochet and sc is single crochet. If your own pattern books use UK terms, check that before you start.

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sp(s): space(s)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rep: repeat
• *: repeat the instructions after the * as directed
• ( ): work everything inside the parentheses into the same space
• A / B: main colour / second colour

The free crochet coaster pattern

Work every round with the right side facing; do not turn. The ch-3 at the start of a round counts as 1 dc. The number in brackets at the end of each round is your stitch count, so you can check as you go.

Here is the whole pattern, written out:

• Start: With A, ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring (or start with a magic ring).
• Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, *3 dc in ring, ch 2; rep from * twice more. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. (12 dc)
• Round 2: Sl st in the next 2 dc and in the ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * twice more. Join. Fasten off A. (24 dc)
• Round 3: Join B in any ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, ch 1, *3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * twice more, 3 dc in the last ch-1 sp, ch 1. Join. Fasten off B. (36 dc)
• Round 4: Join A in any ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp, ch 1, *[3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1; rep from * twice more, [3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice. Join. (48 dc)
• Round 5: Ch 1, sc in the same st and in each dc and ch-1 sp around, with 3 sc in each ch-2 corner sp. Join to the first sc. (72 sc)
• Finishing: Fasten off. Weave in the ends on the back. Steam or wet-block flat.

One colour or two?

The pattern is written in two colours: A for rounds 1, 2 and 4, and B for round 3. The edge in round 5 carries on in A.

For a one-colour coaster, don't fasten off: at the start of the third and fourth rounds, sl st in the next 2 dc and in the ch-2 sp instead of joining a new colour there.

One colour needs about 20 yds (18 m) of cotton. It is the quickest way to make crochet coasters, and it also means fewer ends to weave in. Two colours give you the stripe, and they are the way to make a matching set.

How the granny square grows

A classic granny square has four corners and four sides. Each corner is (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) worked into one ch-2 space. The ch-2 is what lets the corner turn without pulling.

Between the corners are clusters of 3 dc, each in a ch-1 space. Round 2 has no side clusters, only the four corners. Round 3 has one cluster on each side. Round 4 has two. So every round adds one cluster to every side, and that is why the stitch count goes 12, 24, 36, 48.

If you are ever lost, find the ch-2 corners first. The rest follows from them.

In the edge round, you work 1 sc in each dc and each ch-1 space, and 3 sc in each ch-2 corner space. The three sc in the corner are what keep the coaster flat instead of cupping.

Tips for a flat, even coaster

A few small habits help.

• Count at the end of every round. The stitch counts are given for that reason: 12 dc, 24 dc, 36 dc, 48 dc, then 72 sc.
• Start each round by finding the ch-3 that counts as your first dc. Join to the top of that ch-3.
• Check the size after two rounds. It should be about 2¼ in (5.5 cm) across.
• Keep your chains loose enough to put the hook back into. A tight ch-1 or ch-2 will pull a corner out of shape.
• Steam or wet-block it flat at the end, as the pattern says.

Following it in Row & Round

Row & Round is an iPhone and iPad app for following knitting and crochet patterns. Open a PDF pattern in it and a highlighter bar sits on the round you are working. Crochet projects count in rounds, so the count matches the pattern.

Tap +1 once per round. The count and the bar move together to the next round, and your place is saved on every tap. If you tap by mistake, Undo moves the count and the bar back together.

You can also set an alert on a counter with a short note, such as a colour change. The app does not need an account, and your patterns stay on your device.

A set of four as a host gift

Four crochet coasters make a thoughtful host gift. Make them in two colours, so the set looks planned.

For four coasters in two colours, you need about 48 yds (44 m) of A and 32 yds (28 m) of B. For four in one colour, about 80 yds (72 m).

Stack them, tie them with a length of yarn, and give them with a mug. It is a small, useful gift made from a free crochet coaster pattern and a little cotton.