Snowman Mike stands six inches tall with a firm, rounded body that feels substantial in the hand and holds his shape well thanks to the tight single crochet stitches. He sits steadily on a shelf or mantle, bringing a sense of handmade whimsy to your winter decor without taking weeks to construct. Beginners often find this project helpful because it relies on basic increases and decreases to create the characteristic ball shape of his torso and head. You will learn to manage color changes for his festive scarf and how to secure small safety eyes effectively for a clean finish.

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Why This Project Is Worth Making

This beginner-friendly classic crochet coaster set brings immediate warmth to any tabletop while protecting surfaces from condensation and heat. The construction relies on a simple, circular growth pattern that produces a dense, flat fabric resistant to curling. You can complete a full set of four coasters in a single afternoon, making this an ideal choice for last-minute gifts or stash-busting your collection of cotton remnants. The repetitive stitch pattern offers a meditative rhythm, perfect for practicing even tension without the complexity of shaping or assembly.

These coasters worked up so fast and the edges stayed perfectly flat, which is usually where I struggle with circle patterns.

— Sarah, home crafter

Pattern Overview & Skill Level

Skill Level: Beginner
Approximate Time: 45 minutes for a set of four
Construction: Worked in joined rounds, starting with a magic ring and increasing in increments of six stitches per round.
Finished Dimensions & Sizing: Each coaster measures approximately 4 inches in diameter.

Materials & Supplies Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight #4, 100% cotton yarn. Approximately 20 yards per coaster. Cotton is the preferred fiber as it is heat resistant and absorbent.
Hook Size: 5.0 mm (H-8).
Notions needed: Tapestry needle for weaving ends, stitch marker for marking the first stitch of the round.
Safe yarn substitutions: You may use an acrylic blend, though note that acrylic melts under hot mugs and is less absorbent than cotton. Bamboo-cotton blends offer a lovely drape and shine, though they may stretch slightly more during washing.

Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)

MR: Magic Ring. A technique to begin rounds by crocheting into an adjustable loop.
ch: Chain stitch.
sc: Single crochet. Insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
inc: Increase. Work 2 sc in the same stitch.
sl st: Slip stitch. Insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook.
st/sts: Stitch/stitches.

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

The coasters are worked in joined rounds. At the end of each round, slip stitch to the first stitch to close the circle, then chain one to begin the next round.

Round 1: Start with a MR. Work 6 sc into the ring. Sl st to the first sc to join. (6 sts)

Round 2: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in each st around. Sl st to the first sc to join. (12 sts)

Round 3: Ch 1. 1 sc in the next st, 2 sc in the following st. Repeat from * to * 6 times. Sl st to the first sc to join. (18 sts)

Round 4: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc in the following st. Repeat from * to * 6 times. Sl st to the first sc to join. (24 sts)

Round 5: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 sc in the following st. Repeat from * to * 6 times. Sl st to the first sc to join. (30 sts)

Round 6: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of the next 4 sts, 2 sc in the following st. Repeat from * to * 6 times. Sl st to the first sc to join. (36 sts)

Finishing

Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail. Pull the tail through the final loop to secure. Use a tapestry needle to weave the tail into the back of the work, moving in a circular direction to match the stitches. Trim any excess yarn close to the fabric.

Care & Washing Instructions

Machine wash your cotton coasters on a gentle cycle in cool water to prevent shrinking.
Lay the coasters flat on a towel to air dry, shaping them into a perfect circle while damp.
If the coasters lose their shape over time, lightly steam or spray with water and press under a heavy book to re-block them.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Maintain consistent tension throughout the rounds. If your circle begins to ruffle, your tension is too loose; if it begins to curl like a bowl, your tension is too tight.
Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round. This identifies where to place your slip stitch join, preventing you from accidentally adding extra stitches.
Weave your ends on the wrong side of the coaster. Use a blunt-tipped tapestry needle to catch the horizontal bars of the single crochet stitches to keep the join invisible.
Adjust the size by adding more rounds. If you want a larger coaster, continue the increase pattern by adding one additional single crochet between each increase in every subsequent round. Note that increasing the size will require extra yarn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a larger hook for this pattern?

Using a larger hook will result in a looser, more open fabric. This makes the coaster less effective at catching drips from a glass and less stable for holding a mug.

Are these coasters safe for hot drinks?

Yes, provided you use 100% cotton yarn. Synthetic fibers like acrylic can melt when in contact with very hot ceramic mugs, so stick to natural fibers for the best results.

Why is my coaster not laying flat?

Curling usually happens when there are too few stitches for the size of the circle, while ruffling happens when there are too many. Ensure you are following the increase sequence of adding exactly six stitches per round.

Can I sell the coasters I make from this pattern?

You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern. I only ask that you credit the designer and use your own photographs for your listings.

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Seeing your finished snowman sitting on your desk brings a distinct sense of pride after finishing the final yarn tail. You can easily modify this design by using variegated yarn for his scarf or adding a tiny pom-pom to his hat for extra personality. Tag us in your social media photos so we can see how your snowman turned out. Our blog archive contains many more winter project ideas if you want to keep your crochet hooks busy through the coming months.