The holidays will be here soon! Adding some handmade items to our homes is a fun way to decorate, regardless of whether you’re celebrating the upcoming holidays.
The Philippine holiday of Christmas served as my design’s inspiration. The Christmas season in my country begins in September. Christmas music starts to play as soon as September 1st arrives, and some people start planning their decorations. We have a popular Christmas decoration called a parol, or lantern. Traditionally, bamboo sticks and Japanese rice paper were used to make parol. Depending on the resources available in the community, the craft differs from island to island. The parol craft has gone through many innovations and modifications, but its fundamental meaning as a Christmas symbol has not changed.
The parol represents “the triumph of light over darkness, joy, and hope” and is usually shaped like a star. And that’s where I got the idea for the name and design of my pattern. Come create with me this simple and quick home décor that will genuinely make your spaces merrier and brighter! This item, by the way, can be made for any occasion or holiday at any time of the year. Any color you prefer can be used to create this piece. Now, let’s begin!
NOTES:
- Read the pattern carefully before starting.
- The beginning ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
- ( ) work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed or work a group of stitches all in the same stitch or space.
- * * repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat at specified locations
- [ ] work instructions within brackets as many times as directed.
- This pattern uses US crochet terms.
- Gauge: 5 sts X 5 rows = 1” in Moss Stitch Pattern (see gauge pattern below)
- Skill level: Easy | Beginner Friendly to Intermediate
- Finished measurement: Approximately 4.75” width (from one corner to the other flat side of the coaster, excluding pompom edging.
MATERIALS:
- Clover Amour Crochet Hook G/4 mm
- Clover Patchwork Mini Scissors
- Clover Jumbo Tapestry Needle (Bent Point)
- Tape Measure
- Any 1 or 2 Colors of Worsted Weight (#4) Yarn, preferably Cotton
ABBREVIATIONS:
- ch(s): chain(s)
- MR: magic ring
- rep: repeat
- SC: single crochet
- sk: skip
- slst(s): slip stitch(es)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- 5DC-CL (5 Double Crochet Cluster) or DC5Tog (Double Crochet 5 Stitches Together): Yarn over, insert hook in a st/sp, yarn over, pull through a st, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, (yarn over, insert hook in the same st/sp, yarn over, pull through a st, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook) 4 times, yarn over, pull through all 6 loops on hook.
- Pom-pom Edging Stitch (Pom St): Ch 3, 5DC-cl in the 3rd ch from the hook, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook (1st cluster just made), ch 3, 5DC-cl in the 3rd ch from the hook, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook (2nd cluster just made). To form the pompom, fold the clusters and slst to where the 1st cluster begins. Please see the photo tutorial below.
COASTER PATTERN:
Start with a MR.
- Round 1: Ch 1, (SC, ch 2) into the ring 5 times and pull tight the yarn tail to close the ring. Slst in 1st st to close the round. 5 SC sts, 5 ch-2-sps
- Note: These ch-2-sps will serve as the corners of this star-shaped coaster.
- Round 2: Slst into next ch-2-sp, DO NOT ch 1 (here and throughout otherwise mentioned), *(SC, ch 2, SC) in ch-2-sp, ch 1, sk a st*; Rep from * to * around. Slst in 1st st to close the round. 10 SC sts, 5 ch-2-sps, 5 ch-1-sps
- Round 3: Slst into next ch-2-sp, *(SC, ch 2, SC) in ch-2-sp, ch 1, sk a st, SC in ch-1-sp, ch 1, sk a st*; Rep from * to * around. Slst in 1st st to close the round. 15 SC sts, 5 ch-2-sps, 10 ch-1-sps
- Round 4: Slst into next ch-2-sp, [(SC, ch 2, SC) in ch-2-sp, ch 1, sk a st, *SC in next ch-1-sp, ch 1, sk a st*; Rep from * to * to next ch-2-sp] 5 times. Slst in 1st st to close the round. 20 SC sts, 5 ch-2-sps, 15 ch-1-sps
- Round 5: Rep Round 4. 25 SC sts, 5 ch-2-sps, 20 ch-1-sps
- Round 6: Rep Round 4. 30 SC sts, 5 ch-2-sps, 25 ch-1-sps
- Round 7: Rep Round 4. 35 SC sts, 5 ch-2-sps, 30 ch-1-sps
- Round 8: Slst into next ch-2-sp, *(SC, ch 3, SC) in ch-2-sp, SC in each st and ch-1-sp to the next ch-2-sp*; Rep from * to * around. Slst in 1st st to close the round. 75 SC sts, 5 ch-3-sps
- Round 9: *Slst into next ch-3-sp, (Pom St, slst into same ch-3-sp) three times, slst in each st to the next ch-3-sp*; Rep from * to * around. Slst in 1st st to close the round.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Congratulations! You’ve just completed your Parol Coaster 🙂
P.S. You can also use this pattern to create a placemat. To finish the pattern, simply repeat Round 4 until you get the size you want, then move on to Rounds 8 and 9.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions regarding this pattern. I would love to see your Parol Coaster version! Please tag me on IG @stringsandcuddles and use these hashtags to share: #stringsandcuddles, #stringsandcuddlesdesigns, #parolcoaster
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