These little ghosts sit flat on your end table and provide a soft, cotton cushion for your morning mug of coffee. You will love how the single crochet stitches create a dense fabric that keeps condensation away from your wooden surfaces while adding a spooky touch to your autumn decor. Beginners often find this project rewarding because it teaches the rhythm of working in a continuous spiral without needing to join rounds. You can finish one in under thirty minutes, making these coasters a fast way to update your home for the holiday season.

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Why You’ll Love This Pattern

This beginner-friendly crochet coaster pattern uses a simple spiral construction, making it an ideal choice for using up small amounts of leftover cotton yarn. Because the project works up quickly in under thirty minutes, you can easily create a full set of four coasters in one afternoon. The density of the single crochet stitches creates a thick fabric that effectively protects wooden surfaces from condensation and heat. This pattern is perfect for those who are just learning to work in the round and want to practice maintaining consistent tension throughout a flat circle.

I managed to whip up a matching set of these coasters for my coffee table in a single evening. The pattern is very easy to memorize and the stitches look incredibly clean.

— Sarah, home crafter

Pattern Overview & Skill Level

Skill Level: Beginner
Approximate Time: 20 to 30 minutes per coaster
Construction: Worked in a continuous spiral from the center outwards
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 4.5 inches in diameter

Materials & Supplies Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight #4, 100% cotton, approximately 20 yards per coaster. Cotton is highly recommended for its heat resistance and absorbency.
Hook Size: 5.0 mm / H-8
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, locking stitch marker for tracking the start of rounds.
Yarn Substitutions: Acrylic yarn can be used, but note that it does not absorb moisture as well as cotton and can melt if exposed to extremely hot mugs. Wool yarn is a viable option if you intend to felt the finished coasters for extra thickness.

Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)

MR: Magic Ring
ch: Chain
sc: Single crochet
inc: Increase (work 2 sc in the same stitch)
st/sts: Stitch/stitches
sl st: Slip stitch
FO: Fasten off

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

Main Coaster Body

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into a magic ring. Do not join. Place a stitch marker in the last sc made to keep track of the start of the round. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: 1 sc in the next st, inc in the next st repeat from * to * 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts, inc in the next st repeat from * to * 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: 1 sc in each of the next 3 sts, inc in the next st repeat from * to * 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: 1 sc in each of the next 4 sts, inc in the next st repeat from * to * 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: 1 sc in each of the next 5 sts, inc in the next st repeat from * to * 6 times. (42 sts)

Finishing

To finish the coaster, work one final sl st into the next stitch to smooth out the edge of the spiral. Cut your yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Pull the tail through the loop on your hook and tighten. Use your tapestry needle to weave the end securely into the back of the coaster, moving the yarn through the bases of the stitches to ensure it stays hidden. Repeat for the beginning tail at the magic ring.

Care & Washing Instructions

Machine wash your cotton coasters in cool water on a gentle cycle to prevent shrinking.
Lay the coasters flat on a clean towel to dry, shaping them into a perfect circle while damp.
Avoid using fabric softener, as it can reduce the natural absorbency of the cotton fibers.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Maintain even tension throughout your rounds to prevent the coaster from cupping or ruffling. If your circle begins to curve like a bowl, your tension is likely too tight; if it develops wavy edges, your tension is likely too loose. Always use a stitch marker at the start of each round to avoid losing your place, especially when working on the larger diameter rounds. If you decide to adjust the size, simply continue the pattern of adding 6 stitches per round, but keep in mind that larger coasters will require significantly more yardage and may lay flatter if you switch to a slightly smaller hook size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a larger hook for this pattern?

Using a larger hook will increase the finished size of the coaster and create a more open, lacy texture. If you choose this route, you may need additional yarn, and the coaster will provide less protection against spills due to the larger gaps between stitches.

How do I keep the circle perfectly flat?

If your coaster refuses to lay flat, ensure you are not accidentally adding extra stitches. Verify that you have exactly 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 42 stitches at the end of each respective round. Blocking the coaster by steaming it lightly under a damp cloth can also help correct minor tension issues.

Is this pattern suitable for complete beginners?

Yes, this is an excellent starter project. It focuses on the most basic stitch in crochet and introduces the concept of working in rounds. It is an effective way to learn how to increase in a predictable, repeating sequence.

May I sell the coasters I make from this pattern?

You are welcome to sell finished items created from this pattern. I only ask that you credit the designer and provide a link back to this tutorial if selling online, as this supports the continued creation of free resources.

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Seeing your stack of ghosts sitting on your coffee table brings a simple, festive charm to your living room. You can change the look by using a dark grey cotton yarn for a moodier shadow ghost or try a larger hook to turn the pattern into a small wall hanging. Post a photo of your finished coasters on social media to show off your hard work. You can find more free patterns for your next afternoon project by browsing the rest of the blog archive.