There’s something about October that makes you want to crochet. Maybe it’s the mug of coffee on the table, or the orange leaves piling up outside. This autumn crochet coaster pattern brings all of that into one small, quick project. A soft cream center is framed by six puff stitch “maple leaves” in mustard, rust, and brown, finished with a golden rope border. It works up in about two hours, uses scrap yarn, and makes a lovely fall gift.
What You’ll Make
You’ll make a round coaster about 4.5 to 5 inches across, with six colorful puff stitch fans around a cream center. Skill level is Easy to Intermediate. If you can make a magic ring and a double crochet, you can handle this. The puff stitch looks fancy, but it’s really just repeated yarn overs. Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours for your first coaster and about an hour once you know the rhythm. Each coaster costs roughly $3 to $5 in cotton yarn.
Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton or cotton blend. Cotton is best because it’s absorbent and washable.
- Cream: about 25 yards
- Color A, mustard yellow: about 5 yards
- Color B, rust orange: about 5 yards
- Color C, cinnamon brown: about 5 yards
- Color D, burnt orange: about 5 yards
- Color E, golden amber (border): about 12 yards
- Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6). A bamboo or wood hook grips cotton nicely.
- Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, a stitch marker, and pins for blocking.
Yardage is approximate, so a bit extra never hurts. Cotton from Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Walmart works well, and so do leftover scraps from your stash.
Gauge and Size Notes
Gauge isn’t critical for a coaster, but your stitches should be firm so the coaster stays flat. After Round 3 your circle should measure about 3 inches across. If it’s much bigger, drop down a hook size. Gauge may vary, so make a small swatch first (Rounds 1 to 3 make a perfect swatch).
Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- rsc: reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp: space
- yo: yarn over
- beg: beginning
Special Stitches You’ll Use
Puff stitch (puff): [Yo, insert hook in the stitch, yo, pull up a loop] 3 times (7 loops on your hook). Yo and pull through all 7 loops.
Fan: (Puff, ch 1, puff, ch 1, puff, ch 1) all in the same stitch. The three puffs spread out like a little maple leaf. The last ch 1 locks the final puff.
Reverse single crochet (rsc): Work from left to right (reverse if you’re left-handed). Insert hook in the next stitch to your right, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through both loops. This makes the twisted, rope-like edge.
Changing color: On the last yarn over of a stitch or chain, drop the old color and pull the new color through the loop on your hook.
Step-by-Step Autumn Crochet Coaster Pattern
Use cream unless a color is mentioned. Join each round with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Round 1
Make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in the ring. Pull the tail tight and join. (12 dc)
Round 2
Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the same st. 2 dc in each remaining st around. Join. (24 dc)
Round 3
Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the same st, dc in the next st. 2 dc in the next st, dc in the next st. Repeat from * to * 10 more times (11 times in total). Join. (36 dc)
Round 4 (Puff Fan Round)
Ch 3 (counts as dc). Then work this sequence 5 times: ch 2, skip 2 sts, fan in the next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in the next st. Then finish the round: ch 2, skip 2 sts, fan in the next st, ch 2, skip the last 2 sts. Join. (6 dc, 6 fans, 12 ch-2 sps)
Color notes for this round:
- Change to the fan color on the last ch of the ch 2 just before each fan. Work the fan in that color.
- After the fan’s last ch 1, change back to cream on the last yo of that chain, then cut the fan color, leaving a 3-inch tail.
- Let the cream strand rest loosely behind the fan, since it only travels the width of one stitch.
- Fan colors in order: 1 mustard (A), 2 rust (B), 3 cinnamon brown (C), 4 burnt orange (D), 5 mustard (A), 6 rust (B).
Round 5
Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the same st. Then work this sequence: 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp, dc in the first ch-1 sp of the fan, dc in the second ch-1 sp of the fan, 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp. Next, 2 dc in the next dc, 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp, dc in each of the 2 ch-1 sps of the fan, 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp. Repeat from * to * 4 more times. Join. (48 dc, 8 sts per section)
Fasten off cream.
Round 6 (Border)
Join color E (golden amber) with a sl st in any st. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (48 sc)
Round 7 (Rope Edge)
Ch 1, do not turn. Work 1 rsc in each st around. Join with a sl st, then fasten off. (48 rsc)
If reverse single crochet feels awkward, work a second round of regular sc in the back loops only. You’ll still get a thick, tidy border.
Finishing and Assembly
Turn the coaster over and weave in every end. You’ll have about a dozen small color tails behind the fans, so trim them short once they’re secure. Gently tug the fans into shape with your fingers so each puff fans outward. Then block the coaster (see the care section below) so it lies perfectly flat.
Fall Yarn Colors and Color Ideas
The colors above give you the classic maple leaf look, but this pattern is flexible. Try a few of these:
- Pumpkin Spice: orange, tan, and cream with a brown border.
- Cozy Cabin: forest green, burgundy, and mustard on a warm gray center.
- Harvest Mix: a different color for every fan, with a deep red border.
- Soft Neutrals: cream, oatmeal, and taupe fans for a quieter, farmhouse look.
Cotton yarn with a slight sheen shows off the puff stitch best, but a soft cotton-acrylic blend works too.
Beginner Crochet Coaster Tips
- Keep your puff loops even. Pull each loop up to about the height of a dc so the puffs match.
- Don’t pull the cream carry strand tight, or the fans will pucker.
- Count your stitches at the end of each round. Cotton hides mistakes until it’s too late.
- If the coaster ripples, your last round is too loose. Go down a hook size. If it cups, go up one.
- Use a stitch marker in the beginning ch 3 of each round. It saves a lot of counting.
Fall Home Decor Gift Ideas
A set of four of these coasters makes a thoughtful gift that costs very little. Tie them with twine and a cinnamon stick, or tuck them into a small basket with a bag of loose-leaf tea. They suit Thanksgiving hostess gifts, teacher gifts, housewarming presents, and fall decor swaps. For your own home, stack a set in a wooden bowl on the coffee table. They add color without taking over the room.
Selling These Coasters at Fall Craft Fairs
If you sell at craft fairs or on Etsy, this design is a good fit for autumn. It’s small, quick to stock up on, and photographs beautifully. A set of four typically sells in the $16 to $24 range, depending on your area. Make a few color sets in advance, add a simple care tag, and display them fanned out on a wooden board. Always give credit to your own design notes and photos, and never copy another designer’s pattern word for word.
How to Wash and Block Your Coasters
Cotton coasters get dirty, so this matters. Hand wash in cool water with a gentle soap, or machine wash on a delicate cycle inside a mesh bag. To block, wet the coaster, press out the water in a towel, and pin it flat in a circle. Let it dry completely. A light steam also works. Never wring or twist the puffs, and avoid the dryer, which can shrink cotton and flatten the fans.
FAQs
1. Can beginners make this crochet coaster?
Yes, if you already know the magic ring and double crochet. The puff stitch is just a repeated yarn over, so go slowly on the first fan.
2. What yarn is best for crochet coasters?
100% cotton or a cotton blend. It absorbs moisture and holds up well in the wash. Avoid fuzzy acrylic, which can melt under a hot mug.
3. Why is my coaster not lying flat?
Check your stitch counts first. Then try a smaller hook if it ripples, or a larger one if it cups. Blocking fixes most small issues.
4. Can I make this coaster bigger?
Yes. Add another dc round (increase 12 sts, working “dc in 3 sts, 2 dc in next” around) before the border. You’ll get a small trivet or mug rug.
5. How many coasters can I make from one ball of cream cotton?
A standard 2 oz ball gives you about 4 to 5 coasters, depending on your tension.