Small, plush ghosts bring a cheerful spirit to your home during the autumn months or as year-round shelf decor. This project creates a soft, rounded shape that sits comfortably in the palm of your hand, making it a great choice for those learning to work in the round. You will rely on basic single crochet stitches and simple increases to build the body, followed by a quick decreasing technique to close the top. Beginners find this project rewarding because it comes together in under an hour. It serves as a gentle introduction to amigurumi construction, allowing you to practice maintaining consistent tension throughout the entire piece.

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Why You’ll Love This Pattern

This beginner-friendly crochet coaster set is the ideal project for using up small amounts of leftover cotton yarn. Because each coaster works up in under 30 minutes, you can easily create a matching set of four or six in a single afternoon. The textured surface provides excellent heat resistance while protecting your furniture from condensation. The repetitive, rhythmic nature of the stitches makes this a relaxing project to work on while listening to a podcast or watching television.

I managed to finish a full set of these in one evening. The pattern is very easy to memorize, and the final result looks much more polished than store-bought options.

— Sarah, hobbyist crocheter

Pattern Overview & Skill Level

Skill Level: Beginner
Approximate Time: 25–30 minutes per coaster
Construction: Worked in continuous, spiraling rounds starting from a center point
Finished Dimensions & Sizing: Approximately 4.5 inches in diameter

Materials & Supplies Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight (#4), 100% cotton, approximately 20 yards per coaster. Cotton is essential for its absorbency and heat tolerance.
Hook Size: 5.0 mm (US H-8) crochet hook.
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving ends, stitch marker to track the start of rounds.
Safe yarn substitutions: Acrylic yarn may be substituted for decorative use, though it will not absorb water effectively and may melt if exposed to very hot mugs. Using a wool blend will result in a softer feel but requires hand washing.

Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch: chain
sc: single crochet
st/sts: stitch/stitches
inc: 2 sc in the same stitch (increase)
sl st: slip stitch
MR: magic ring (a technique to start rounds without a hole in the center)

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

Coaster Body

Rnd 1: Start with a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: 1 sc, 1 inc around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: 1 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc around. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: 3 sc, 1 inc around. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: 2 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc around. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: 5 sc, 1 inc around. (42 sts)

Finishing

Once you complete Round 7, do not perform an additional increase round. Instead, join the final round with a slip stitch to the first stitch of the round. Cut your yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Pull the tail through the final loop and use your tapestry needle to weave the end securely into the back of the coaster. Trim any remaining excess yarn.

Care & Washing Instructions

Machine wash your cotton coasters in cold water on a gentle cycle to prevent fraying or excessive shrinking.
Lay the coasters flat on a clean towel to air dry, ensuring they are shaped into a perfect circle while damp.
If the edges curl over time, lightly steam them with a household iron or steam wand to reshape the fibers.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Maintaining consistent tension is vital for a flat coaster; if your stitches are too tight, the coaster will bowl upward, but if they are too loose, it will ripple. Always place a stitch marker at the start of your round to ensure your increases are placed correctly; missing a single increase will result in an uneven edge. When weaving in your ends, travel through the back loops of the stitches to keep the transition invisible and prevent the yarn from pulling out during use. If you want a larger coaster for a teapot, you can continue the increase pattern by adding an extra single crochet between each increase in every subsequent round, though note that this will require more yardage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different yarn weight for this project?

Using a lighter weight yarn will result in a smaller coaster, while a heavier yarn will create a larger one. You may need to adjust your hook size to match the yarn weight according to the label recommendations.

Is this pattern suitable for complete beginners?

Yes, this project uses only basic stitches and simple increases. It is an excellent way to practice working in rounds and learning how to properly increase to keep a circle flat.

Can I sell the finished coasters I make from this pattern?

You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern. Please credit the original design and use your own photographs when listing items for sale.

Why is my coaster curling up like a bowl?

Curling usually indicates that your tension is too tight or you have missed an increase. Try using a hook one size larger, or double-check that you are completing every increase round exactly as written.

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A finished little ghost looks charming perched on a bookshelf or attached to a festive garland. You can experiment with different yarn weights to change the size, or try using velvet yarn for a cloud-like, fuzzy texture that feels extra soft. Sharing a photo of your handmade ghost on social media helps others find inspiration for their own yarn projects. Please continue browsing the blog for more free patterns that utilize your growing skills with the hook, including other seasonal shapes and soft plush animals you can gift to friends.