Small, plush bears created with soft yarn possess a dense, huggable texture that makes them favorites for nursery decor or small handmade gifts. These projects suit beginners who want to practice increasing and decreasing stitches in the round, as each design relies on simple shaping to build a rounded head and limbs. You will learn how to transition between colors for the nose and ears, creating unique personality in every character you stitch. These bears work up quickly in a single afternoon, allowing you to build an entire collection of woodland friends using just a few skeins of medium weight cotton yarn.

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Why You’ll Love This Pattern

This beginner-friendly crochet coaster pattern provides an excellent introduction to working in the round while creating a practical home accessory. The simple design relies on basic stitches to build a dense, heat-resistant fabric that protects your furniture from moisture and heat. Because each coaster works up in under thirty minutes, it is an ideal choice for using up small amounts of leftover cotton yarn. The final piece has a clean, circular edge that lays perfectly flat without curling, making it a reliable gift for housewarmings or holiday exchanges.

These coasters were the first project I successfully finished without any mistakes. They look professional and were quick enough that I made a full set of six in one weekend.

— Sarah, hobbyist crafter

Pattern Overview & Skill Level

Skill Level: Beginner
Approximate Time: 20 to 30 minutes per coaster
Construction: Worked in joined rounds, starting from a center ring and increasing steadily to maintain a flat circle.
Finished Dimensions: 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter.

Materials & Supplies Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton yarn. Approximately 15 yards per coaster. Cotton is required for its heat resistance and absorbency.
Hook Size: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook to create a tight, durable fabric.
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and a pair of sharp scissors.
Yarn substitutions: You may use acrylic yarn for decorative purposes, but note that acrylic is not heat resistant and may melt if used with hot mugs. Using a lighter weight yarn will result in a smaller coaster, while a heavier weight will increase the finished size.

Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch: chain
st/sts: stitch/stitches
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet
inc: 2 dc in the same stitch
MR: magic ring (a loop of yarn used as the foundation for the first round)

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

Each coaster is worked in joined rounds. When instructed to join, sl st into the top of the first stitch of the round. When starting a new round, the beginning ch-2 does not count as a stitch.

Coaster Body

Rnd 1: Make a MR. Ch 2, work 12 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the first dc. (12 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (24 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *1 dc in the next st, inc in the next st. Repeat from * 11 times. Join with a sl st. (36 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *1 dc in each of the next 2 sts, inc in the next st. Repeat from * 11 times. Join with a sl st. (48 sts)
Finishing: Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail. Pull the yarn through the final stitch and use a tapestry needle to weave the tail into the back of the work to secure it. Pull the MR tight and weave in the starting end to prevent the center from loosening.

Care & Washing Instructions

Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold water using a mild detergent.
Reshape the coaster while damp and lay it flat on a clean towel to air dry.
Avoid using fabric softener, as it can reduce the absorbency of the cotton fibers.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Maintain consistent tension throughout the rounds to ensure your coaster lays perfectly flat. If you notice the circle beginning to ruffle or cup, your tension is likely too tight or you are adding too many stitches; if it pulls inward, your tension is too loose or you missed an increase. Always place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round to keep track of your progress and ensure your join aligns correctly at the end. To adjust the size, add more increase rounds following the same math: add one extra stitch between each increase in every subsequent round to keep the circle expanding evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use wool yarn instead of cotton for these coasters?

Wool is not recommended for coasters because it is not as heat-resistant as cotton and may felt or shrink when exposed to the condensation from cold glasses or heat from mugs.

Why does my coaster have a wavy edge?

A wavy or ruffled edge usually means there are too many stitches in the outer round. Ensure you are following the increase pattern correctly and not adding extra stitches by mistake.

How do I make the coasters larger for a placemat?

Continue the increase pattern by adding one additional stitch between each increase round. For example, Rnd 5 would be 3 dc followed by an inc, Rnd 6 would be 4 dc followed by an inc, and so on.

Am I allowed to sell finished coasters made from this pattern?

You are welcome to sell items made from this pattern, provided you credit the designer and use your own original photographs for your listings.

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Seeing your handmade bear come together with a few stitches is incredibly rewarding, and your finished toy will stand the test of time as a soft companion or shelf decoration. Try using a fuzzy chenille yarn for a velvet texture if you want a larger, extra cuddly version for a baby shower gift. Please share a photo of your finished work on social media so others can see your color choices. You can find more free crochet patterns and project tutorials on our main blog page anytime.