Bumble Bee Coaster- Crochet Tutorial
Hi everyone, I’m Amber and I’m the designer for Divine Debris and one of my favorite projects to make are coasters – in fact I’ve made quite a few fun ones for Clover already that you might like. And today I’m bringing you a very summer inspired cutie – the Bumble Bee Coaster.
One of the things I love the most about tapestry crochet and color work in general is the images you can make. This entire coaster is in single crochet but look at what a few little color changes can do. I mean, look at that smile. Who wouldn’t love a smile like that? And it’s as easy and changing colors in the last pull through.
Like the other projects I’ve made for Clover, this one is all single crochet stitches and that makes it a pretty easy one, because that’s a foundational crochet stitch. But it can be intimidating, because of all those color changes… never fear though, I promise with some practice you can make this. It’s about knowing when to carry yarn and when to drop it. In the center of the bee I chose to carry the yarn because the color changes were so numerous and sometimes I only did one or two stitches but on the edges, where the white or cream is, I dropped the yarn as I went across the row. And while this can throw off your tension, which is why I suggest blocking for your coaster, I just like the way it makes the edges look cleaner. And don’t forget to keep all the yarn you carry on the back, it’ll help keep the front nice and tidy.
Overall I hope you like this pattern and give it a try. Just take your time and keep your tension even. Color work is all about practice after all. It’s a fun little coaster design but you could also make a few and sew them together to make a table runner, a wall hanging, a bag… you name it. Just go where the yarn inspiration takes you.
You can pick up a pdf copy of this pattern in my Ravelry shop here. Check out more of my patterns in my Ravlery shop or visit my website where I post weekly freebies. And find me on Instagram where I’m pretty active or sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss a new pattern.
Materials
- Clover US G (4.00 mm) crochet hook- Art No. 1045/G
- Worsted weight/ size #4 yarn
- 4 colors
- Less than 1 oz/ 62 yds ea
- Notions: scissors, measuring tape, yarn needle
Gauge
- 18 sc x 20 rows = 4” (blocked)
Terms/stitches Used
- RS: Right side
- Ch: Chain
- St: Stitch
- Sc: Single crochet
Notes
- This coaster is worked from the bottom up in rows, with a ch and turn at the beginning of the row.
- The ch 1 at the beginning of the rows does not count as a stitch.
- Blocking is suggested for this pattern.
- This whole pattern is worked in sc, so the instructions will only tell you the number and the color; ie: “A35” means sc 35 times in color A.
- Color A is white (Basic Stitch by Lion Brand in White), color B is black (Basic Stitch in Black), color C is yellow (Basic Stitch in Mustard), and color D is gray (Basic Stitch in Silver Heather).
Blocked Finished Product Dimensions (approx)
| Height
4.6” |
Width
5.3” |
Graph Key: Color A is white, color B is black, color C is yellow, and color D is gray.
Pattern Instructions
| Begin with a ch 23 in color A, turn, and start in the 2nd ch from the hook.
(RS) Row 1: A22 — 22 sc Please note: each row begins with a “ch 1, turn” and each row st count is 22. (WS) Row 2: 22 Row 3: A7, B1, C2, B2, C1, A9 Row 4: A8, C2, B2, C2, B2, A6 Row 5: A5, C1, B2, C2, B2, C2, B1, A1, C4, A2 Row 6: A1, C6, B1, C2, B2, C2, B2, C2, A4 Row 7: A3, B1, C2, B2, C2, B2, C2, B1, C2, B2, C2, A1 Row 8: A1, C1, B1, C2, B1, C1, B1, C2, B2, C2, B2, C2, B2, A2 Row 9: A2, B2, C2, B2, C2, B2, C2, B1, C6, A1 Row 10: A1, C1, B1, C2, B1, C1, B1, C2, B2, C2, B2, C2, B1, A3 |
Row 11: A4, C2, B2, C2, B2, C2, B1, C6, A1 Row 12: A2, C4, A1, B1, C2, B2, C2, B2, C1, A5 Row 13: A6, B2, C2, B2, C2, A8 Fasten off colors B and C. Row 15: A4, D1, A10, D1, A6 Row 16: A5, D1, A12, D1, A3 Row 21: A22 Fasten off, weave in all your ends. Block your coaster if necessary. |
Finishing
Border
With the RS facing you, create a slipknot on your hook (this will make your first st a standing sc) with color C (or any color you’d like) and start on the other side of Row 1 (the ch row).
Row 1: Sc into the next 22 sts, ch 1 at the corner, rotate your piece, sc into the next 21 row ends, ch 1 at the corner, rotate your piece, sc into the next 22 sts (this will be Row 21), ch 1 at the corner, rotate your piece, sc into the next 21 row ends, ch 1 at the corner, join with a slip st – 86 sc, 4 ch-1 spaces
Fasten off, weave in your ends. Block if you’d like.
