Crochet Bear Coaster: An Easy First Project in Double Crochet
Four rounds of double crochet make a flat circle; a fifth part-round adds two rounded ears. A coaster that teaches the flat-circle increases every crocheter uses.
3 min read
A coaster is the classic first project, and this one has ears. Underneath, it's a flat circle of double crochet, the same 12-stitch circle that's the start of hats, baskets and mandalas. Learn it here and you've learned a technique you'll use for years. The ears come at the very end and take a couple of minutes.
The pattern is Elise's, from her lilthings YouTube channel, where she presents it as a first project for complete beginners.
Video tutorial by Elise on her YouTube channel, lilthings: watch "crochet bear coaster🧸crochet beginner tutorial | first crochet project tutorial" on YouTube.
Written from the video tutorial.
Materials
- 8-ply (DK to light worsted) cotton or acrylic in brown or beige. Cotton is the better choice for a coaster: it handles hot mugs and soaks up drips.
- 3.5 mm hook
- A stitch marker, scissors and a darning needle
The circle
Every round starts with a chain 2 (not counted as a stitch) and ends with a slip stitch into the first stitch. Pull each slip stitch snug so it doesn't look like an extra stitch.
Round | Instructions | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
1 | Magic ring, 12 dc into the ring | 12 |
2 | 2 dc in each stitch | 24 |
3 | [1 dc, 2 dc in the next] × 12 | 36 |
4 | [2 dc in the next, 1 dc in each of the next 2] × 12 | 48 |
Each round adds 12 stitches: that's the rule for a flat double crochet circle. Round 4 starts with the increase instead of ending with it, so the increases don't line up with round 3's. Stacked increases make the circle turn into a dodecagon with corners. Our article on why 12 double crochets make a flat circle explains the maths.
The ears (round 5)
The ears go on the top edge only. Chain 1, then:
- First ear: 1 sc in the next stitch, [1 dc, 3 tr, 1 dc] all in the next stitch, 1 sc in the next stitch.
- Between the ears: 7 slip stitches, worked loosely.
- Second ear: 1 sc, [1 dc, 3 tr, 1 dc] in the next stitch, 1 sc.
Fasten off and weave in the ends. The ears use 13 stitches of the circle; the rest of the edge stays as round 4 left it.
Tips
- Mark the first stitch of each round. After a few rounds it's hard to tell which stitch is the first; a marker saves you from counting the round twice.
- Flat or wavy? If the coaster ripples, your rounds have too many stitches or the yarn is too thick for the hook. If it curls up like a bowl, your tension is tight; try a hook half a size larger.
- Make a set. Brown, beige and cream bears look great together; change only the colour for each one.
Frequently asked questions
Why does each round start with chain 2?
The chain brings your hook up to the height of a double crochet. In this pattern it doesn't count as a stitch, so you still work 12, 24, 36 and 48 stitches.
Can I make the coaster bigger?
Yes: keep adding 12 stitches a round. Round 5 would be [3 dc, 2 dc in the next] × 12 = 60, and then you'd work the ears on round 6. The circle increase calculator writes out the rounds for any size.
Can I use acrylic yarn?
Yes, but acrylic can soften or melt slightly under a very hot pot. For a mug coaster it's fine; for a trivet, use cotton.
Questions & notes
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