Large Dog Paw Coaster

A sturdy 6.5" × 6.5" square coaster worked in single crochet with a centered dog paw print in tapestry crochet. Blue main color forms the background; white creates the paw pads. Perfect for intermediate crocheters comfortable with color changes and reading charts.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4); approx 70 yd (64 m) total
  • MC (Blue): 45 yd (41 m)
  • CC (White): 25 yd (23 m)
• Hook: US H/8 (5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
• Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional), blocking supplies

Gauge

16 sc and 16 rows = 4" (10 cm) in single crochet with tapestry colorwork. Take time to check gauge. Adjust hook size if needed so finished coaster measures correctly.

Finished Size

6" × 6" (15 cm × 15 cm) colorwork square; 6.5" × 6.5" (16.5 cm × 16.5 cm) after border.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• MC: main color (blue)
• CC: contrast color (white)
• rep: repeat

Pattern Notes

• Coaster is worked flat in rows.
• Turning ch-1 does not count as a stitch.
• Work all sc through both loops unless stated otherwise.
• Tapestry crochet: Carry unused color across WS, crocheting over it. Keep floats loose enough to lie flat (no longer than 3 sts without catching). Change colors in last yarn-over of previous st.
• Stitch count remains 24 sc every row. Count at end of each row.
• Chart A is read as follows:
  • RS rows (odd): right to left
  • WS rows (even): left to right
  • Bottom row of chart = Row 1 of chart section
• Weave in ends as you go when possible. Block firmly for best motif definition.

Color Key & Chart

Color Key

• □ = MC (Blue)
• ■ = CC (White)

CHART A: Dog Paw Motif (16 sts × 18 rows)

18: □□□□□■■■■□□□□□□□
17: □□□□■■■■■■□□□□□□
16: □□□■■■■■■■■□□□□□
15: □□■■■□□□□■■■□□□□
14: □■■■□□□□□□■■■□□□
13: □■■□□□□□□□□■■□□□
12: □■□□□□□□□□□□■□□□
11: □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
10: □□■■□□□■■□□□■■□□
 9: □■■■■□■■■■□■■■■□
 8: □■■■■□■■■■□■■■■□
 7: □□■■□□□■■□□□■■□□
 6: □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
 5: □□□□□□■■■■□□□□□□
 4: □□□□□■■■■■■□□□□□
 3: □□□□■■□□□□■■□□□□
 2: □□□□■□□□□□□■□□□□
 1: □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□

(Chart shows main pad at top, four toe pads below. Empty □ rows are solid MC spacer rows inside motif.)

Instructions

Coaster Body

With MC, ch 25.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (24 sc)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)

Rows 4–21 (Chart A section):
Work Chart A over center 16 sts as follows:
Ch 1, sc in first 4 sts with MC, work next 16 sts from Chart A (changing to CC where ■ appears and back to MC where □ appears), sc in last 4 sts with MC, turn.
(24 sc each row)

• Odd rows (RS): read chart right → left
• Even rows (WS): read chart left → right
  Carry non-working yarn on WS and crochet over it.

Row 22: Ch 1, sc in each st across with MC only, turn. (24 sc)

Row 23: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)

Row 24: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (24 sc)
Fasten off MC, leaving a 6" tail.

Border

With RS facing, join MC in any corner st with sl st.

Round 1: Ch 1, 3 sc in same corner st, *sc in each st to next corner, 3 sc in corner; rep from * twice more, sc in each remaining st to beg, join with sl st to first sc. (28 sc per side + 3 sc corners = 124 sc total)

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, working 3 sc in center st of each 3-sc corner, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. (132 sc)

Finishing

• Weave in all ends securely on WS, especially colorwork floats.
• Wet-block or steam-block to 6.5" × 6.5" square, pinning corners sharply and gently stretching motif flat. Allow to dry completely.
• Optional: Add non-slip backing (dots of puffy paint or thin cork sheet) if desired for extra grip.

Tip: If floats feel tight, go up a hook size for colorwork rows only, then return to gauge hook. The dense sc fabric makes this coaster absorbent and heat-resistant for mugs.