This coaster is a small, cozy holiday project. It has a solid cranberry-red center, a clean cream band, and a lacy scalloped edge of open loops. A tiny cream bow sits at the bottom edge like the ribbon on a wrapped gift.
The colors are classic Christmas without being loud. The deep red looks warm under a mug, and the cream border keeps the piece light and vintage. The open loops give it a doily look, while the solid center still protects your table.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished coaster measures about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) across, from scallop tip to scallop tip.
Construction is simple:
- Work the red center in joined double crochet rounds.
- Change to cream for one round of single crochet.
- Add a chain-loop round, then a covering round that forms the scallops.
- Crochet a narrow cord, fold it into a bow, and sew it on.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 5.5 in (14.0 cm) diameter after blocking
- Skill level: Easy
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK (light worsted, #3) cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Number of pieces: 1 coaster plus 1 small bow appliqué (sewn on)
- Layout: single round piece, no joining
- Red center size: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) diameter
- Size before scalloped border (after the cream band): 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Border depth: 0.75 in (1.9 cm) per side
- Bow size: about 2 in (5.1 cm) wide
Materials
Choose a smooth DK-weight cotton, either mercerized or soft-spun. Cotton absorbs condensation, holds the scallop shape well, and stands up to hot mugs. Acrylic also works, but it will not block as crisply.
- Color A, cranberry red: 8 g, about 18 m
- Color B, cream: 10 g, about 23 m (border and bow)
Quantities are for one coaster. They include a margin of about 20 percent for gauge differences and swatching.
Tools:
- 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- 1 stitch marker
- Rustproof pins and a foam blocking mat
- Spray bottle with water
- Ruler or tape measure
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sk – skip
- MR – magic ring
- ch-6 sp – space made by 6 chains
- rep – repeat
Special stitch – Scallop: In one ch-6 sp, work (2 sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, 2 sc). That packs 9 stitches onto the loop. They cover the chain completely and leave the hole underneath open.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Make the red center first and measure it before adding any cream. This disc is your gauge swatch.
Gauge: Rounds 1–3 of the center measure 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across.
Measure flat, without stretching, at each checkpoint:
- After Round 1: 1 in (2.5 cm)
- After Round 3: 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
- After Round 5: 3.5 in (8.9 cm)
- After Round 6: 4 in (10.2 cm)
- After Round 8: 5.5 in (14.0 cm)
If your disc is too big: Go down one hook size to 3.25 mm (D-3) and remake it. A center that is too large will make the border ruffle.
If your disc is too small: Go up one hook size to 3.75 mm (F-5). A center that is too small will cup once the border is added.
The center must lie completely flat. If it cups, your stitches are too tight. If it waves, they are too loose. Fix this now, not later.
Red Center (Color A)
Work in joined rounds with the right side facing you. The ch-3 at the start of each round counts as 1 dc. Join each round with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
The increases are staggered so the circle stays round. This gives the rounds a soft swirl instead of corners.
Round 1: Make a MR. Ch 3, then work 11 dc into the ring. Pull the ring closed and join. (12 sts)
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in the same st, then 2 dc in each st around. Join. (24 sts)
Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. Join. (36 sts)
Checkpoint: 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across.
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. Join. (48 sts)
Round 5: Ch 3, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from * to last 4 sts, dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in last st. Join. (60 sts)
This round starts with an offset repeat, so the increases do not stack into a visible line. You still make exactly 12 increases: 1 at the start, 10 in the repeats and 1 at the end.
Checkpoint: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across. Fasten off Color A and weave in the tail through red stitches only.
Keep your tension even across all five rounds. A tight round followed by a loose one shows as a ridge in the solid red, so pause and relax your grip if you notice it.
Cream Band (Color B)
Round 6 (conversion round): Join Color B with a standing sc in any dc; this counts as the first sc. Sc in each of next 13 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 14 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 2 more times. Join with sl st to first sc. (60 + 4 = 64 sts)
That is 60 sts worked one per existing stitch, plus 4 extra stitches. Single crochet is shorter than double crochet, so only a few increases are needed to keep the band flat.
Checkpoint: 4 in (10.2 cm) across. Do not fasten off.
Scalloped Border (Color B)
The border takes two rounds. The first makes the open loops, and the second covers the outer arch of each loop.
Border gauge: Each loop uses 4 band stitches, about 0.8 in (2.0 cm) of the band’s outer edge. Sixteen loops fit 64 sts exactly.
Round 7 (loop round): Ch 1, sc in the same st as the join. Ch 6, sk next 3 sts, sc in next st; rep from * 14 more times. Ch 6, sk last 3 sts, and join with sl st to first sc. (16 sc and 16 ch-6 sps)
Count per repeat: 1 sc + 3 skipped sts = 4 band sts. 16 repeats × 4 = 64. Every band stitch is worked or skipped exactly once, so nothing is left over or crowded.
Round 8 (scallop round): Sl st into the first ch-6 sp. Work 1 Scallop (2 sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, 2 sc) in the ch-6 sp, then sl st in the next sc of Round 7; rep from * around. Work the final sl st into the first sc of Round 7. (16 Scallops: 144 sts plus 16 sl sts)
Count per repeat: 9 Scallop sts + 1 sl st = 10 sts. 16 repeats × 10 = 160 sts in total, 144 of them in the Scallops.
Why the math works:
- Each ch-6 loop is about twice as long as the 3 skipped stitches it bridges, so it arches outward instead of lying flat on the band.
- Nine stitches fill a ch-6 sp completely without ruffling.
- The holes under the arches stay open because you work into the chain space, not into the band.
- The border adds 0.75 in (1.9 cm) per side: 4 in + 0.75 in + 0.75 in = 5.5 in (14.0 cm).
Fasten off, leaving a 4 in (10.2 cm) tail. Weave in all ends on the wrong side.
Bow Appliqué (Color B)
The bow is made from three small strips of narrow cord, sewn together.
Bow loops: Ch 26. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (25 sc) Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail. The strip is about 5 in (12.7 cm) long.
Bow tails: Ch 13. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (12 sc) Fasten off with a short tail. The strip is about 2.4 in (6.1 cm) long.
Center knot: Ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (5 sc) Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
Shaping the bow:
- Lay the loop strip flat. Fold both ends to the middle so they overlap by about 0.25 in (0.6 cm). You now have two loops, each about 1 in (2.5 cm) long.
- Fold the tail strip in half into an upside-down V, so each tail is about 1.2 in (3.0 cm) long.
- Place the fold of the V behind the center of the loops.
- Wrap the center knot strip around all the layers and sew its ends together at the back. Pull it snug so the loops pinch in at the middle.
- Trim all tails except the long one from the center knot.
Attaching the bow: Center the bow at the bottom of the coaster, with the knot right on the line between the red center and the cream band. The loops spread over Rounds 5 and 6, and the tails reach down over the scallops. Use the long tail to sew down the knot and the back of each loop with small stitches. Leave the tail tips free.
Checkpoint: the bow measures about 2 in (5.1 cm) across the loops.
Final Blocking
- Lay the coaster right side up on a blocking mat.
- Mist it evenly with water until it is damp but not dripping.
- Pat the red center flat with your palm.
- Measure across the cream band. It should read 4 in (10.2 cm).
- Pin the tip of each of the 16 Scallops so the diameter is 5.5 in (14.0 cm). Pin opposite scallops in pairs to keep the circle even.
- Push a pin or a fingertip into each hole under the arches so it dries round and open.
- Shape the bow loops with your fingers so they stand up slightly.
- Let it dry completely, at least 6 hours.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The red center measures 3.5 in (8.9 cm) and lies flat
- Round 5 of the red center has 60 sts
- The cream band has 64 sts and measures 4 in (10.2 cm)
- There are exactly 16 loops and 16 Scallops
- Every hole under the arches is open and round
- The coaster measures 5.5 in (14.0 cm) across
- The bow is centered at the bottom, with two loops and two tails in an upside-down V
- All ends are woven in on the wrong side, and none show through the open loops
Troubleshooting
Red center cups: Your stitches are tight. Go up one hook size and remake the center.
Red center ruffles: Your stitches are loose. Go down one hook size and remake from Round 1.
Cream band ruffles: Skip the 4 increases and work 60 sc. Then make 15 loops instead of 16, still skipping 3 sts per repeat (15 × 4 = 60).
Loops lie flat instead of arching: Your chains are tight. Use a hook one size larger for the ch-6 chains only.
Scallops cup or curl: There are too many stitches in each loop. Change the Scallop to (2 sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, 2 sc).
Holes close up: You worked Round 8 into the band instead of into the ch-6 sp. Pull it out and work into the space.
Bow droops: Tighten the center knot and add a stitch at the back of each loop.
Wrong color shows at the color change: Join Color B with a standing sc, and weave the red tail into red stitches only.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Press out the water in a towel, then dry flat and reshape the scallops. Avoid the dryer, which can shrink cotton and flatten the bow.
Final Notes
Everything in this coaster depends on one chain of measurements:
- The red center reaches 3.5 in (8.9 cm) at 60 sts.
- The cream band adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) per side, reaching 4 in (10.2 cm) at 64 sts.
- The 16-loop border adds 0.75 in (1.9 cm) per side, for a finished coaster of 5.5 in (14.0 cm).
Hit the first checkpoint and the rest follows.
Make a set of four for a holiday table, or tuck one under a mug of cocoa as a small gift.
Happy crocheting!