Dogwood Mountain Arts

You can make a hat, you can make a coaster, you can make a round tablecloth, or a rug, or a placemat, or a bag. The sole technique you need (other than the “how to crochet stitches”) is increasing in the round. If you decide on using Single Crochet, you don’t even need a pattern AS LONG as you understand the technique. 

Below the lesson is a pattern to help you practice the technique. It is a Super Simple Coaster, not difficult, not a long project, but perfect for your home or gifting to your family (if you make at least 4). I have also put up a pdf of the pattern on my Etsy shop if you prefer to print it out. Click Here to get the pattern, and let me know if you have questions!

It doesn’t matter whether you start in a chain or in a magic loop, this technique is applicable for increasing in the round with any stitch (sc, hdc, dc, tr, etc). If your tension is not yet consistent, the round may be wobbly and scrunch up or wave on the sides. The technique, however, is sound. I suggest using single crochet to learn this technique. If you are just learning this method or do not wish to use a stitch marker for the starting stitch, attach the end of each row with a slip stitch and chain 1 before starting the next row. This makes a flat circle. 

-first row: increase by crocheting two stitches in each stitch around. 

-second row: one stitch in first, increase (two stitches) in next stitch. Repeat [1 st, inc sts] until the end of round

-third round: one stitch in each of the first 2 stitches, inc in 3rd. Repeat [2 singles, increase in next]

-fourth round: one sitch in each of the first 3 stitches, inc in 4th. Repeat [3 singles, increase] until end of round

Hopefully you are getting the formula of this technique by this point! With each row add 1 single stitch to the count before increasing. 

For myself, after the initial increase only round, I think “1:inc, 2:inc, 3:inc, 4:inc, 5:inc” and have made projects that progress all the way to 24:inc (a circle rug).

 At that point you could learn to recognize what an increase looks like and add the increases of that row to the second of the increase stitches of the previous row (it is what follows the pattern, but again if you are learning do not depend on that method of stitch recognition).

I hope you are able to understand these instructions! Please email or comment with any questions you may have about increasing in the round.

Here is the free pattern for you (pictured above):

Super Simple Coaster:

Materials: 

• Size C (2.75mm) crochet hook
• Cecelia Cotton from Ice Yarns (or any #2 sport weight cotton yarn) in White- 1 ball (50g)

1. In Magic Loop (or ch 2 and work in first ch), 6sc. Sl st in first sc and ch 1.
2. SC Increase in each stitch, around. (12) sl st to join and ch 1
3. [1 sc, inc in next st] Back Loop Only (BLO), repeat around.  Sl st to join, ch 1
4. [2 sc, inc] in both loops, repeat around. Sl st to join, ch 1
5. [3 sc, inc] BLO, repeat around. Sl st to join, ch1
6. [4 sc, inc] through both loops, repeat around. Sl st to join, ch 1
7. [5 sc, inc] BLO, Repeat around. Sl st to join, ch 1
8. [6 sc, inc] through both loops, repeat around. Sl st to join, ch 1
9. [7 sc, inc] BLO, repeat around. Sl st to join, ch 1
10. [8 sc, inc] BLO, repeat around. Sl st to join, ch 1

EDGING:

1.  Sl St BLO around
2. Working in the Back Loop Only: Sl st in first st, ch 1, sl st in same stitch. [ch 1, sl st in next st] repeat around 
3. Finish Off, weave in end