Playing Cat Coaster (Crochet)

Compact, cheerful round coaster with a small appliqué of a cat batting a yarn ball. Worked in worsted weight yarn; the coaster is sturdy enough for mugs and cups and quick to make as a small gift. This pattern uses simple rounds and small appliqué pieces sewn on top so it’s beginner-friendly. 

Finished size

Approx. 4.5” / 11.5 cm diameter (after blocking; see blocking notes).

Gauge

6 sc x 6 rnds = 1” / 2.5 cm when worked in joined rounds with 5.0 mm hook. Gauge is not critical for a coaster but will affect finished diameter.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted / Aran weight (Category 4). Suggested: 100 g / 200 yd (100 g / 183 m) base yarn; you’ll only need small amounts: Main (background) ~30 yd / 27 m; Cat color ~6 yd / 5.5 m; Yarn ball accent ~6 yd / 5.5 m; Embroidery/eyes/whiskers small scraps.
• Crochet hook: recommended US H-8 (5.0 mm) for worsted weight - use a hook that gives you same gauge and a firm fabric.
• Tapestry needle or blunt sewing needle for sewing and weaving ends.
• Stitch marker.
• Scissors.
• Optional: small piece of thin felt for backing (cut to coaster diameter), small scrap of thin batting for extra absorbency.

Needle / Hook Sizes (conversions)

Metric is authoritative; US and older UK sizes shown as approximate equivalents.

• Crochet Hook: US H-8 (approx. UK 6, old system - see note), Metric 5.0 mm (recommended).
• Alternative smaller/tighter fabric: US G-6 / Metric 4.0 mm (creates smaller coaster).
• Knitting needle equivalents (if needed only for conversion charts): US 8 = 5.0 mm (approx. UK 6). Use metric where accuracy is required.

Note: UK and “old” sizing conventions vary historically; always prefer the metric (mm) size when substituting tools.

Abbreviations (US)

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• inc = 2 sc in same st (increase)
• dec = single crochet decrease (sc2tog)
• FO = fasten off

Pattern Notes

• Coaster worked in joined rounds (continuous rounds are optional). Join with sl st to first st of each round unless noted otherwise.
• Appliqué pieces (cat and yarn ball) are crocheted flat in rows or small rounds and sewn onto the coaster’s right side. Use surface embroidery to add eyes, nose, whiskers.
• Use a slightly smaller hook if you want a denser fabric for a functional coaster. If you change hook size, finished diameter will change.

Coaster Base (Round)

With Main Color (MC):

1. Magic ring, ch 1. Rnd 1: 8 sc in ring. Join with sl st to first sc. (8)
2. Rnd 2: Ch 1, *inc* around. (16)
3. Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, inc in next st* repeat around. (24)
4. Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st* repeat around. (32)
5. Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st* repeat around. (40)
6. Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st* repeat around. (48)
7. Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc around in each st. (48) If you want a slightly larger coaster, Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, inc* around (56). For the pattern shown, stop at 48 for a neat 4.5” coaster.
8. Finish: Sl st to join, FO and weave in ends. Block lightly to round shape if needed.

Cat Appliqué (small, sitting/playing pose)

Worked flat in rows; a small stylized cat approx 1.75” / 4.5 cm tall when finished. Use Cat Color (CC).

1. Ch 7.
2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (6 sc). Turn. (6)
3. Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (6)
4. Row 3: Ch 1, dec, sc in next 2, dec. Turn. (4)
5. Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (4)
6. Row 5: Ch 1, dec, dec (2). Turn.
7. Row 6: Ch 1, sc in next 2 (2). Turn.
8. Row 7: Ch 1, inc in each st (4). Turn.
9. Row 8: Ch 1, sc in each st across (4). Turn.
10. Row 9: Ch 1, dec, sc, dec. (2) FO leaving a 12” / 30 cm tail for sewing.

To make ears: With right side facing, fold the top corners of the top-most row slightly and stitch down with short whipstitches to shape ears (or make 2 small triangle picots and sew on). Use embroidery to define ear inner lines if desired.

Tail (optional): Ch 9, sl st back along chain to create a rope-like tail; FO and leave a tail for placement. Curl or position the tail to look like it’s batting the yarn ball.

Yarn Ball Appliqué

Worked in rounds in Accent Color (AC), tiny ball approx 0.6” / 1.5 cm diameter.

1. Magic ring, ch 1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in ring. (6)
2. Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, inc* around. (18) FO leaving a 10” / 25 cm tail for sewing. Slightly stuff with a small scrap of yarn or fiberfill if you want a rounded ball. Optionally embroider 2-3 curved lines across the ball with contrasting thread to suggest wrapped yarn.

Assembly

1. Block both pieces lightly if desired to flatten edges.
2. Position the cat appliqué near the lower-left quadrant of the coaster. The yarn ball should sit just in front of one paw so it looks like the cat is batting the ball. Adjust placement until the composition looks balanced; hold in place with pins or a few temporary tacking stitches.
3. Sew the cat appliqué to the coaster using the long tail and a whipstitch or mattress stitch so the stitching is hidden on the underside. Sew around the edges; sew ears and tail securely. If using a felt backing, sew the felt to the coaster rear as you go for extra stability.
4. Sew the yarn ball to the coaster at the pinned location; secure well with several stitches through the ball center and into coaster fabric. Add a few embroidery stitches across the ball to mimic yarn wraps if you didn’t earlier.
5. Embroider face: small french knots or tiny satin-stitched eyes, small nose, and 2--3 whisker stitches per side. Use a contrasting embroidery thread or yarn strand.

Edging (optional)

If you want a neat finished edge: With MC, join at any st on coaster edge, ch 1, *sc around evenly; place 3 sc in each inc point to keep edge flat*. Finish with a round of reverse single crochet (crab stitch) for a tidy rim.

Finishing

• Weave in all tails on the wrong side. Trim excess.
• If you used a felt or batting backing, trim backing to match coaster edge and sew around the outer edge with small whipstitches to anchor and protect surfaces.
• Optional protective coating: apply a thin layer of starch or fabric stiffener if you want extra moisture resistance (test on scrap first).

Care

• Spot clean with damp cloth. Hand wash cold and lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry. If machine washing is needed, place in mesh bag and use gentle cycle; reshape while damp.

Variations & Tips

• Scale it up or down: use heavier yarn and larger hook for a larger coaster; multiple rounds of increases will enlarge diameter evenly.
• Colorwork: make the cat in a contrasting color or use two-tone yarn for a heathered background.
• Surface crochet: for a smoother graphic cat you can tapestry-crochet the motif into the final rounds instead of sewing an appliqué; this requires carrying yarn and working color changes in the round.
• Make a matching set: change cat positions and yarn-ball colors for a coordinated coaster set.

Troubleshooting

• If coaster cups or ruffles at the edge: your tension is too loose or you’re adding too many increases. Try one fewer increase round or use a slightly smaller hook.
• If coaster is cupped in the center: add one more increase round or use a larger hook.

Contact & Copyright

Pattern and instructions by PurlJam. For help or questions: https://purljam.verde.uk or email team@verde.uk. Share your makes with #purljam on socials. This pattern is for personal use and gifts; please credit PurlJam if you publish photos or sell finished items made from it.

Created by purlJam with the help of magic AI dust. Shop Verde for patterns and yarn.

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