Introduction
Deck the halls—and your coffee table!—with a cheerful set of Christmas crochet coasters featuring traditional holiday icons: Santa Claus, a smiling snowman, a festive Christmas tree, and a vibrant poinsettia flower. Each circular coaster bursts with seasonal colors—rich reds, crisp whites, lush greens, golden yellow, and pops of black and orange—crafted with simple, textured stitches for an inviting handmade look. These coasters are not only practical for catching mug drips but also add a welcoming holiday accent to your decor, perfect for entertaining guests or gifting. The charming motifs and scalloped red borders make each piece unique yet harmonious as a set. Whether you love hosting family gatherings or want a project to spark the holiday spirit, these coasters are a memorable way to add a crafty touch to your festive traditions.
These holiday coasters are a joy to crochet and offer both relaxation and whimsy. With distinct designs for each coaster, you can keep your project fun and varied, making it a great stash-busting opportunity or a collaborative gift set. Their cute size and playful looks are perfect for brightening up your living room, kitchen, or office desk, letting the magic of the season linger with every sip of cocoa.
Project Overview
This set of Christmas crochet coasters is constructed as four separate, circular motif-based pieces. Each coaster starts with a center worked in the round, continuing outward in expanding rounds to create a flat circle. The main pictures (Santa, snowman, tree, and poinsettia) are created through color changes, surface stitching, and separately crocheted or embroidered accents. A frilly, scalloped red border finishes each coaster. Motif appliqués such as Santa’s hat, the tree, and the poinsettia petals are attached after the circular base is worked up, using sewing and embroidery for detailed features.
Skill Level
Advanced Beginner to Intermediate. This project combines basic stitches (single crochet, double crochet), simple increases, color changes, and assembling small appliqué parts. It’s ideal for someone comfortable with rounds, basic colorwork, and sewing on embellishments.
Materials
- Worsted weight (#4) cotton yarn in the following approximate amounts per coaster:
- Red: 20g (center motif and border)
- Green: 15g (background, leaves, accents)
- White: 15g (background, Santa, snowman)
- Black: small amount (eyes, hat)
- Peach/Beige: small amount (Santa’s face)
- Yellow/Gold: small amount (poinsettia and tree accents)
- Brown: small amount (tree trunk)
- Orange: very small amount (snowman nose)
- Hook: US size G/6 (4.0 mm) or size needed to match gauge
- Tapestry needle for sewing pieces and weaving in ends
- Embroidery needle (for finer surface details if desired)
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional, for round joins and keeping place)
- Small buttons, seed beads, or contrasting yarn for decorations (optional: tree ornaments, poinsettia center)
Finished Size
Each finished coaster is approximately 11–12 cm (4.5–5 in) in diameter, including the scalloped border. Size can be adjusted by altering yarn weight, hook size, or by adding or omitting rounds for a larger or smaller coaster. For best mug coverage, keep the diameter at least 10 cm (4 in).
Gauge
Approximate gauge: 16 single crochet stitches and 18 rows = 10 cm (4 in) square, worked in the round. Small gauge differences won’t matter greatly, but keep your stitching flat and consistent to prevent curling. Adjust hook size as needed to achieve the correct size and flat shape for coasters.
Stitches and Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble (triple) crochet
- MR: magic ring
- inc: increase (2 st in 1 st)
- dec: decrease (sc2tog)
- RS: right side
Pattern Notes
All coasters are worked in joined rounds unless otherwise stated. The starting chain at the beginning of each round does not count as a stitch; always join with a slip stitch to the first stitch of the round. Change colors on the last yarn-over of the stitch before the color change. For appliqués and embellishments (like Santa’s hat, snowman’s nose, poinsettia petals), crochet them separately and sew them in place with the RS facing up. Use stitch markers to keep track of rounds and ensure your motifs are aligned before sewing. Embroider finer details (eyes, mouth, accent lines) after all pieces are attached and secured.
Crochet Pattern Instructions
General Round Base (for all coasters)
- With white (or background color), make a MR. Ch 1, 6 sc in ring. Join with sl st. (6)
- Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Join. (12)
- Ch 1, (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around. Join. (18)
- Ch 1, (sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st) around. Join. (24)
- Ch 1, (sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st) around. Join. (30)
- Ch 1, (sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st) around. Join. (36)
- Ch 1, (sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next st) around. Join. (42)
- If needed, continue increasing for a larger circle, keeping the same pattern (add 1 more regular sc between increases per round).
Santa Claus Coaster
- Work base through Round 5 in white.
- Switch to beige/skin tone yarn: From Round 6, work face area. Ch 1, sc in next 15 sts, switch to red for hat area (sc in next 15 sts), continue in white for beard/chin (sc in last 6 sts). Join. (36)
- Round 7: Work 1 sc in each st with colors as established, shaping the hat/face/beard sections for definition—use red, beige, and white as in photo.
- Sew on a small white pom-pom or crochet a small circle (MR, 6 sc, sl st to first, finish off) for the hat tip.
- Embroider or sew on small black yarn dots for eyes, a small pink nose, and mouth if desired.
- Continue with green for the border round below the scallops if desired (1 sc in each st around, join, and cut yarn).
Snowman Coaster
- Work base through Round 6 in white.
- Switch to green and work 1 sc in each st around for Round 7 (optional for outer ring before border).
- Hat: With black, ch 9, turn and sc in 8, ch 1, turn and sc 8 for 2–3 rows. Sew onto top center of coaster. Add a small red strip for a hat band and a red/green round for holly.
- Face & Scarf: Sew on black eyes and mouth (use black yarn and French knots or embroidery). With orange, make a small carrot nose (embroider or very small triangle). With red, embroider scarf shape at base of head.
Christmas Tree Coaster
- Work base through Round 6 in white.
- Tree: With green, ch 2, work 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Ch 1, turn, work 2 sc in first st, sc in rest, repeat increasing at both ends until you have a triangle 6 rows high. Fasten off.
- With brown, sc a short stripe for the trunk (ch 3, turn, sc 2, sew in place).
- Sew tree motif to center of base. Sew small round beads or surface crochet small French knots in red/yellow for ornaments. Add a yellow star (ch 2, sl st to first for a puffy star or embroider on top).
Poinsettia Coaster
- Work base through Round 6 in white.
- Petals: With red, ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next 2, dc in next 3, tr in last. Fasten off. Make 6 petals.
- Leaves: With green, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, dc in next 2, tr, fasten off. Make 3–4 leaves.
- Sew petals and leaves onto center of base, alternating colors and layering as shown. With yellow, embroider a small cluster of French knots or sew tiny beads for the center.
Scalloped Border (All Coasters)
- Join red yarn with RS facing. Ch 1, (skip next st, 5 dc in next st, skip next st, sl st in next) repeat around. Adjust spacing as needed if stitch count doesn’t divide equally. Join, fasten off, and weave in ends.
Assembly and Finishing
Lay each circular base flat and pin motifs/appliqués (Santa’s hat, tree, poinsettia petals, etc.) to the center before sewing. Gently stitch motifs in place with the same color yarn and a tapestry needle. For facial features, use simple embroidery (back stitch or French knots for eyes, straight stitches for mouths and decorations). Weave in all loose ends neatly on the wrong side. If desired, lightly block each coaster by pinning it to shape and misting lightly with water, smoothing out the scallops and circle. Allow to air dry fully before using. Attach beads or buttons for extra detail, ensuring they’re secure if coasters will be used with food or by children.
Customization Ideas
Swap out colors for a more personalized theme—metallic gold or silver yarn adds shimmer, or pastel yarns for a modern look. Try different yarn weights for chunkier or more delicate coasters; cotton is ideal for absorbing moisture, but acrylic works for decorative pieces. Change the border to a simple single crochet, or add a picot edge for variation. Use the motifs for ornaments, garlands, or gift tags by crocheting just the motif and a hanging loop. Personalize the snowman’s scarf with stripes or the tree with more ‘ornaments.’
Troubleshooting
- Coaster curling: Too-tight tension can make the coaster curl. Loosen tension or use a larger hook. Steam block to flatten.
- Uneven edges: Double-check the stitch count each round. If the scallops are wavy or uneven, ensure you’re skipping the same number of stitches between them.
- Piece too large/small: Adjust hook size or yarn weight. Fewer/more rounds can resize the base. Check after Round 3-4 to anticipate the final size.
- Loose color changes: Always finish the last yarn-over of a stitch with the new color, and pull snug on the back. Weave ends carefully for neatness.
- Uneven tension:** Practice keeping your stitches uniform, particularly during appliqué attachment and embroidery.
Care Instructions
Hand wash your coasters in cool water with mild detergent. Gently squeeze out excess water (don’t wring), shape and lay flat to dry. Cotton yarn is machine washable, but air drying preserves shape and color. Avoid bleach and high heat to prevent shrinking or fading.
Final Notes
Check stitch counts regularly and adjust to maintain a flat circle. If the coaster starts to buckle or ruffle, review your increases. Use these instructions and the project image as a visual guide, and enjoy customizing each piece for a unique, festive addition to your holiday table or as a charming gift!
