simple coaster

How to Crochet a Flat Circle for Beginners – Free Coaster Pattern

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Hey y’all!

I wanted to go over an important crochet and amigurumi technique: how to crochet a flat circle for beginners. We’ll go over the techniques and pattern step-by-step. I will be creating a crochet coaster using my free coaster pattern. The downloadable PDF of the double crochet coaster is available on my Etsy. And if you need any help getting started with amigurumi or crocheting, I have an article on the ultimate guide to amigurumi that goes over different yarn types and weights and how to do the basic stitches.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on one of my socials.

Or you can email me at [email protected]. I’d love to see pictures when you make one! Enjoy 🙂

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links and I may receive a commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.




Tools and materials you need to make a crochet coaster:


  • Cotton Yarn weight 4
  • 4.0 mm Crochet Hook
  • Stitch Marker
  • Tapestry Needle (for weaving in ends)
  • Stitch Marker



Why use cotton yarn for a crochet coaster?


  1. Absorbency: Cotton yarn is great for absorbing moisture. So if you set a cold drink on a cotton coaster, it’ll absorb any sweat from it. And if you happen to spill anything on it, that will be absorbed as well.

  2. Durability: Since coasters are frequently used, they need to be durable. Cotton yarn is great for this as it’s very durable and can withstand daily use.

  3. Heat Resistance: Keeping hot drinks from burning your furniture is an important function for a coaster. Cotton yarn can withstand the heat from beverages without melting. This makes it a great choice.

  4. Easy to Clean: Most cotton yarn is able to be put in the washing machine on the gentle cycle. This makes it much easier to clean than other yarns that would have to be hand-washed.

  5. Variety: There are many different textures and colors available for cotton yarn. Some are super soft. Some are coarse. Some are solid colors. Some are multicolored. This allows you to create coasters that match your personal style and home decor.

  6. Environmentally Friendly: Cotton is a natural plant-based fiber, making it biodegradable and more environmentally friendly than synthetic alternatives.

  7. Minimal Stretching: Cotton yarn has minimal stretching compared to some other fibers. This helps the coaster maintain its shape and size over time.


These are the basic characteristics of cotton yarn. However, always check the label of the specific cotton yarn that you buy to make sure there aren’t any specific instructions.


Terminology (US):


SC – single crochet
MR – magic ring
INC – increase
DEC – decrease
R – round
HDC – half double crochet
DC – double crochet
TR – treble
CH – chain


Difficulty: Easy



Stitches Used:


  1. Create a slip knot on your crochet hook.

  2. Yarn over and pull through the slip knot loop, creating a new loop on your hook. This is the first chain stitch.

  3. Repeat these steps to create additional chain stitches: Yarn over, then draw the yarn over through the last loop on your hook to form a new chain stitch.
  1. Yarn Over (YO): Yarn over by bringing the yarn over the hook from the back to the front. The yarn should be positioned above the hook.

  2. Insert Hook: Insert the crochet hook into the stitch where you want to begin the double crochet.

  3. Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over again and pull the yarn through the stitch. You should now have three loops on your hook.

  4. Yarn Over and Pull Through Two Loops: Yarn over once more and pull through the first two loops on the hook. This leaves you with two loops on the hook.

  5. Yarn Over and Pull Through Remaining Loops: Yarn over one last time and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook. This completes one double crochet stitch.

  6. Repeat: To continue making double crochet stitches, yarn over, insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through two loops, then yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops.

  7. End of Row: When you reach the end of the row, you’ll typically work a turning chain (usually two chains for a double crochet) before you start the next row. This turning chain helps create the proper height for the next row of stitches.


A double crochet is taller in height than a half-double crochet and single crochet.

  1. Yarn Over (YO): Yarn over by bringing the yarn over the hook from the back to the front. The yarn should be positioned above the hook.

  2. Insert Hook: Insert the crochet hook into the stitch where you want to begin the half double crochet.

  3. Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over again and pull the yarn through the stitch. You should now have three loops on your hook.

  4. Yarn Over and Pull Through All Loops: Yarn over once more and pull through all three loops on the hook. This completes one half double crochet stitch.

  5. Repeat: To continue making half double crochet stitches, yarn over, insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through, then yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.

  6. End of Row: When you reach the end of the row, you’ll typically work a turning chain (usually one chains for a half double crochet) before you start the next row. This turning chain helps create the proper height for the next row of stitches


The half double crochet stitch is a versatile stitch that falls between a single crochet and a double crochet in terms of height.

  1. Insert Hook: Insert the crochet hook into the stitch.

  2. Yarn Over (YO): Yarn over by bringing the yarn over the hook from the back to the front. The yarn should be positioned above the hook.

  3. Pull Through: Pull the yarn through the stitch. You should now have two loops on the hook.

  4. Yarn Over and Pull Through Both Loops: Yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook. This completes one single crochet stitch.

  5. Repeat: To continue making single crochet stitches, insert the hook into the next chain, yarn over and pull through, then yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.

  6. End of Row: When you reach the end of the row, you’ll typically work a turning chain (usually one chain for a single crochet) before you start the next row. This turning chain helps create the proper height for the next row of stitches.
  1. Perform two single crochets in one stitch.


Increases are used to add stitches to your work and create a wider section.

  • Hold the Yarn: Hold the yarn in your hand with the tail (the loose end) in your palm and the working yarn (the yarn connected to the skein) over your index finger.

  • Form a Loop: With your index finger and thumb, grasp the working yarn to hold it against the tail end. This forms a loop with the working yarn crossing over the tail.

  • Insert Hook: Insert your crochet hook under both strands of the working yarn (the strand that leads to the skein) from front to back.

  • Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over (wrap the yarn around the hook) and pull through the loop that’s on your hook. This creates a slip stitch.

  • Chain Stitch (Optional): Some crocheters like to start with a chain stitch to give the magic ring a bit more stability. If you choose to do this, chain one, which will act as the first single crochet in your round.

  • Begin Stitching Inside the Ring: Start making your first round of stitches inside the loop. For example, if you’re making single crochets, insert your hook into the loop, yarn over, and pull up a loop to create the first single crochet.

  • Work the Desired Number of Stitches: Work the number of stitches required for your pattern inside the magic ring. For instance, if your pattern calls for six single crochets in the magic ring, you would make six single crochets in total.

  • Tighten the Ring: Hold the tail end of the yarn with your non-hook hand while gently pulling the loose end of the working yarn. This will tighten the loop, closing the center hole of the magic ring.

  • Close the Ring: Once the center hole is tightly closed, you can either slip stitch to the first stitch of the round or continue working in a continuous spiral, depending on your pattern instructions.


Remember that the magic ring might take a bit of practice to master, but it’s a great skill to have for certain crochet projects.

A magic ring, also known as a magic loop or magic circle, is a technique used in crochet to start projects that are worked in the round. It’s particularly useful when creating items like amigurumi, where you want to close up the center hole tightly.

  1. Insert Hook: Insert your crochet hook into the stitch that you want to create the slip stitch in.

  2. Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over (wrap the yarn around the hook from back to front), and then pull the yarn through the stitch and through the loop on your hook in one motion. This is different from other crochet stitches, as you’re not creating any additional loops on the hook.


Slip stitches are used to join rounds, close gaps, or move your hook to a different location within your work.

  1. Insert Hook: Insert your crochet hook into the first stitch.

  2. Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over (wrap the yarn around the hook) and pull through the stitch. You should have two loops on your hook.

  3. Move to the Next Stitch: Insert your hook into the next stitch.

  4. Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over and pull through the stitch. Now you have three loops on your hook.

  5. Yarn Over and Pull Through All Loops: Yarn over and pull through all three loops on your hook. This completes the single crochet decrease (sc2tog). You’ve effectively decreased two stitches into one.


A decrease stitch is used to reduce the number of stitches in a row or round, shaping your work by making it narrower.

When finishing an amigurumi piece, you’ll need to fasten off to secure the last stitch.

Cut the working yarn, leaving a tail, and pull the tail through the last loop on the hook, tightening it to secure the stitch.



Pattern Notes:


  • This pattern will go step-by-step on how to crochet a flat circle. I’ll be making a basic round coaster, but you can stop at whatever size you want if you’re just doing this for practice.

  • This pattern is crocheted in rounds. Once you make it back to the stitch marker that you placed in the last stitch of the previous round, that round is complete.

  • You can make this circle bigger by adding 1 to the single crochet count (SC x ____, inc) x 6 each additional round. This will add 6 to the stitch count each additional round.

  • This is the same for the double crochet circle. The increase (inc) for this circle will be 2 double crochets in a single stitch. So you can make this circle bigger by adding 1 to the double crochet count (DC x ____, DC inc) x 6 each additional round. This will add 6 to the stitch count each additional round.

  • The downloadable PDF of the double crochet coaster is available on my Etsy.



Single-Crochet Free Coaster Pattern (Beginner Friendly):


Total time: ~30 minutes

R1: MR 6, sl st into first stitch – (crochet 6 stitches into a magic ring, then slip stitch into the first stitch you made.)

R2: inc x 6 (12) – (increase in all 6 stitches. By the end of the round, you will have 12 stitches in your circle.)

R3: (SC, inc) x 6 (18) – (alternate between single crochets and increases. You will do this six times, leaving you with 18 stitches at the end of the round.)

R4: (SC x 2, inc) x 6 (24) – (do two single crochets and then increase. You will do this combination 6 times, which will bring you to the end of the round with 24 stitches.)

R5: (SC x 3, inc) x 6 (30) – (do three single crochets and then increase. You will do this combination 6 times, which will bring you to the end of the round with 30 stitches.)

Continue until the coaster is as large as you want. (See notes on how to do this.)



Double-Crochet Free Coaster Pattern (Beginner Friendly):


Total time: ~15 minutes

R1: DC MR 12, sl st into first DC (12) – (create a magic ring and then make 12 double crochets into it. Slip stitch into first double crochet you made)

R2: CH 2, make 2 DC in each stitch. Sl st into first DC (24) – (Chain 2 and then make 2 double crochets in each stitch of the round. Continue until the end of the round. Slip stitch into the first double crochet you made.)

R3: CH 2, alternate b/w one DC in each stitch and 2 DC in each stitch. Sl st into first DC (36) – (Chain 2 and then alternate between 1 double crochet in each stitch and 2 double crochets in each stitch. Repeat until the end of the round. Slip stitch into the first double crochet you made.)

If you want to make a big circle, continue making double crochets but increase the number of stitches between the DC increase. If you want an average coaster, continue with the step below.

R4: CH 1, make 2 HDC in one stitch and then 1 HDC in the next 2 stitches. Sl st into first DC. (48) – (Chain 1 and then make 2 half double crochets in one stitch and 1 half double crochet in the next 2 stitches. Repeat until the end of the round. Slip stitch into the first double crochet you made.)


Completed coaster



Suggested crochet tools:


  • A crochet hook – I recommend a pack that comes with every size, but if you’re on a budget, you can just get the hook size that the pattern uses. I use this crochet hook pack from Amazon. I had to superglue a couple of the hooks to the handles after awhile, but it’s a cheap starting point and I like the feel of the handles.
  • Stitch Markers – To me, these are essential. Without them, you’d have to be 100% accurate with your stitch counting each round to know where the round ends. But, luckily, my recommendation is super cheap. I use these stitch markers from Amazon. I’ve used them for a couple years with no complaints. They’re my favorite over others I’ve used.
  • Safety Eyes (and maybe noses) – Probably 99% of amigurumi requires safety eyes. I use these from Amazon and it conveniently comes with a little case.
  • Stuffing – Another amigurumi essential. I’d also say 99% of amigurumi requires stuffing. I buy this giant bag off of Amazon and I haven’t had to buy any for a few months. (I normally crochet smaller things, not big plushies, so take that as you will)
  • Tapestry Needle – Needed to sew yarn in a lot of projects. I honestly can’t remember where I got the ones I use.
  • Scissors – Needed for cutting the yarn. Any scissors will do. The best would probably be fabric scissors though. I got a pair from Joann Fabrics.
  • Yarn – Use whatever yarn weight the pattern calls for. I tend to always use acrylic yarn. The cheapest I’ve found is Red Heart Super Saver Yarn. I love it and I don’t feel like I’m spending a fortune on yarn all the time.
  • Crochet Ring (optional) – Not necessary, but if you wrap the yarn around the loop a couple times it keeps the tension nice and tight. Might be helpful if you’re a beginner and keep your hands from cramping up. I use these from Amazon.

          OR

  • All-in-One Crochet Pack – You can get this all-in-one crochet pack that has everything you need to get started.


More Free Crochet Patterns


Cactus Coaster Crochet Pattern
Mushroom Coaster Crochet Pattern


Free Coaster Pattern


And that’s all folks! 

Hope you enjoy these patterns. Let me know if you have any questions. And don’t forget to pin this post on Pinterest to save it for later!


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Pattern Terms of Use:


This pattern is for personal use only. Do not redistribute. Any redistribution of this pattern is theft. You may sell the finished product. Credit AbiesCustomDesigns for the pattern and use your own photos. Tutorial videos or written instructions of this pattern are prohibited.

@Copyright AbiesCustomDesigns 2023 by Abigail Spencer
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