Desert Dawn Crochet Coasters Free Pattern
Desert Dawn Crochet Coasters Free Pattern
Introduction
The Desert Dawn Coasters are a set of four square coasters that bring a little warm, desert-boho color to your table. They are designed for beginners who are comfortable with basic double and single crochet and want a quick, satisfying project that finishes in an evening. Working in concentric rounds, you build a sand-colored center, a rust middle band, and a turquoise outer ring, so each coaster looks like a tiny desert sunrise. The result is a flat, sturdy 4.5-inch square with slightly rounded corners, solid texture, and a clean single crochet border that feels soft but holds its shape under a mug.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn. 30 yards each of sand (A), rust (B), and turquoise (C) per coaster; 120 yards total of each color for the set of four.
- Hook: 5 mm (H/8) crochet hook.
- Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a stitch marker (optional, for marking the first stitch of each round).
- Finished size: 4.5 inches x 4.5 inches (11.5 cm x 11.5 cm) per coaster.
Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- Rnd: round
Gauge
14 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches in the transition stitch pattern. To check, work a small swatch in double crochet rounds and measure the center of the fabric; if your stitches are larger, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up a hook size.
Tips Before You Start
- Cotton yarn gives the coasters a firm, absorbent feel and helps them lie flat; avoid stretchy acrylic if you want a crisp square.
- Change colors on the last stitch of the round before the new color, so the color change sits neatly at the join.
- Keep your tension even in the corner spaces; the [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] groups are what create the square shape, so don't pull them tight.
- Count your stitches at the end of each round; the totals are listed so you can catch mistakes early.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Coaster (make 4)
With A, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, [3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 sts, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 sts, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 sts, [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in last ch-2 sp, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (28 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)
Rnd 3: Change to B. Ch 3, dc in each st around, working [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in each ch-2 sp. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (44 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)
Rnd 4: Change to C. Ch 1, sc in each st around, working [sc, ch 2, sc] in each ch-2 sp. Join with sl st to first sc. (52 sc, 4 ch-2 sps)
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Border
With right side facing, join C with sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in each st around, working 3 sc in each corner ch-2 sp. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Assembly and Finishing
These coasters are worked in one piece, so there is no seaming. Weave in all ends on the wrong side with a tapestry needle, working each end through several stitches in two directions so it stays secure. Block each coaster lightly by misting with water and pinning it into a 4.5-inch square on a towel or blocking mat; let it dry completely so the corners sit flat. Repeat for all four coasters.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the turquoise border for a contrasting cream or charcoal to change the mood of the set.
- Add a hanging loop by chaining 10 and joining it to a corner before the border round.
- Work a second border round in sc for a slightly larger, sturdier coaster that suits heavy mugs.
