Small, fast, and ridiculously useful — crochet car coasters are a perfect little project to add personality to your cup holders and keep spills and condensation from making a mess. Below you’ll find a friendly introduction with tools, yarn, sizing and finishing tips, followed by five full patterns: Daisy, Mushroom Motif, Malocchio (evil-eye), Strawberry, and Sunflower car coasters. Every pattern includes materials, a worked example, a step-by-step guide, finishing tips and variations. Let’s make your car cuter and cleaner!
Quick intro — tools, yarn, sizing & how car coasters wor
Why crochet car coasters?
They absorb moisture, protect cup-holder surfaces, add color, and make your car feel a little more yours. They’re also ideal for using scrap yarn and practicing small motifs.
Tools & materials (general)
- Yarn: Use cotton or cotton-blend worsted weight (category 4) for absorbency and washability. Cotton handles moisture and heat much better than acrylic. You can use DK for a thinner coaster or hold two strands of DK together for extra thickness.
- Hooks: For worsted cotton I usually recommend 4.0–4.5 mm; if you hold two strands or want a denser fabric use 4.0 mm or 3.75 mm. Adjust to obtain a firm fabric (not floppy).
- Notions: tapestry needle, small scissors, blocking pins/mat (optional), small piece of cork or non-slip felt for backing (optional), light fusible interfacing if you want extra stiffness sewn to lining.
- Extras (optional): fabric backing (cotton or felt) to stop slipping, water-resistant spray if you want to repel moisture (test first).
Sizing (standard cup-holder dimensions)
- Car cup holders vary but most standard ones are roughly 2.5–3.5 in (6.5–9 cm) in diameter. A comfortable car coaster generally measures 3.0–3.75 in (7.5–9.5 cm) in finished diameter so it sits neatly inside most holders. When in doubt, measure the target cup holder, then make the coaster slightly smaller so it drops in easily.
Construction choices
- Work flat rounds (circle) and finish with a firm edge so the coaster sits flat.
- For motifs (daisy, mushroom, strawberry, etc.) you can either crochet the motif into the final round or make a motif and sew it on top of a plain round base.
- For durability, consider adding a circle of felt or cork to the wrong side with a few glue dots or whipstitching it in place — this helps the coaster stay put and adds insulation.
Gauge & test
- Make a practice coaster: start with MR + rounds until you reach ~3–3.5 in and check fit. If your fabric is loose, switch to a smaller hook or hold two strands. If it’s too small, go up a hook size.
Care
- Cotton coasters can usually be machine washed on gentle and laid flat to dry. If you add glued backing, hand-wash only or remove backing first.
1. Crochet Daisy Car Coaster Pattern
Fresh, cheerful, and easy to recognize — a small daisy on a round base.
Skill level: confident beginner
Materials (one coaster)
- Worsted-weight cotton in white (petals) and yellow (center) + optional green for small leaf accent — ~10–15 yd each color.
- Hook: 4.0 mm.
- About 3–4 yd of contrast color for base (or same as petal color).
- Optional small felt circle for backing.
Finished size (example)
- Diameter ≈ 3.25 in (8.2 cm).
Step-by-step
A. Make the daisy center (MR)
- MR, ch 1, 8 sc in ring. Pull tight. (8 sc). Sl st to join. Fasten off yellow, weave tail toward base and keep for sewing.
B. Make petals (join petals to center)
- Join white in any sc. Ch 3, (3 dc, ch 3, sl st) in same st — this makes a full round petal. Sl st into next sc and repeat * around until you have 8 petals.* Fasten off and weave ends.
(Alternate smaller petal) If you prefer petite petals: ch 3, 3 dc in same st, sl st.
C. Make the round coaster base
- With base color (e.g., green or neutral), MR, ch 1, 8 sc in MR. Join. (8 sc)
- R2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st around — 16 sc. Join.
- R3: ch 1, sc 1, inc (2 sc) repeat around — 24 sc. Join.
- R4: ch 1, sc 2, inc repeat around — 32 sc. Join.
- R5: ch 1, sc around (32 sc). Join. If you want larger diameter, do R6: sc 3, inc → 40 sc (only if you need slightly bigger). Most cars prefer the ~32 sc size for ~3.25 in with typical worsted/cotton and 4 mm hook.
D. Attach daisy to base
- Center the daisy on the round base and whipstitch through back loops only or use small whipstitches through the base and daisy center to ensure it’s flat. Hide tails on the underside.
E. Optional backing
- Cut a felt or cork circle slightly smaller than coaster and hand-stitch it to the back (works well with small running stitches around edge). Glue also works if you plan to hand-wash only.
F. Finishing
- Weave in all ends. Lightly steam-block if needed to flatten petals.
Variations & tips
- Use variegated yarn for the base for a whimsical look.
- Make a set with different petal colors (pink, blue).
- For extra grip add a small self-adhesive non-skid dot to the felt backing.
2. Crochet Mushroom Motif Car Coaster Pattern
Playful and a little retro — tiny mushroom motifs pop on a round base.
Skill level: confident beginner → intermediate
Materials
- Worsted cotton: red (cap), white (stalk & spots), and base color ~20–30 yd each.
- Hook: 4.0 mm.
- Optional white felt for backing.
Finished size
- Diameter ≈ 3.25 in.
Step-by-step
A. Mushroom appliqué (worked flat)
- Stalk: With white, ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (3 sc). Turn. Row 2–3: ch 1, sc across (3 sc). Fasten off leaving long tail. This is small stalk ~0.5–0.75 in tall.
- Cap: With red, MR, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, sl st join (6 sc). R2: ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next repeat around → 9 sc. R3: ch 1, sc around. If you want a flatter, wider cap, R4 add increases: sc 2, inc etc. Fasten off and weave ends.
- White spots: Using white scrap, embroider small dots on top of cap or crochet tiny rings (MR, 6 sc) and sew flat.
- Assembly: Overlap stalk under cap and stitch securely.
B. Make round base
Same as Daisy pattern base R1–R5 → 32 sc round.
C. Attach mushroom
Sew mushroom motif onto center or slightly off-center. Secure well.
D. Backing & finishing
Add felt backing if desired. Weave in ends and lightly press.
Variations & tips
- Try a cluster of 2–3 tiny mushrooms for a fairy-tale set.
- Make the cap a heart shape by adjusting increases, for a cute Valentine coaster.
3. Crochet Malocchio (Evil-Eye) Car Coaster Pattern
Stylish, symbolic, and great for steering away bad vibes — a small evil-eye motif in concentric rounds.
Skill level: intermediate (colorwork in rounds)
Materials
- Worsted cotton in four contrasting colors: (center eye) black or dark navy, white, light blue, darker blue or turquoise for outer ring — small amounts (~10–15 yd each).
- Base color for final round ~10–20 yd.
- Hook: 4.0 mm.
- Optional felt backing.
Finished size
- Diameter ≈ 3.25–3.5 in.
Step-by-step
A. Eye center & layers (worked concentrically)
- Pupil (black): MR, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, sl st join. (6 sc). Fasten off black.
- White ring: Join white to any st: ch 1, 2 sc in next st around to enlarge — or do one round of sc in each st and a second round increasing every other stitch to make ring. Aim to end with about 12 sc after this round.
- Light blue ring: Join light blue, work even round of sc in each st around (12 sc), then sc 1, inc to increase to ~18 sc depending on desired diameter.
- Dark blue outer ring: Join dark blue and increase as needed until ocular motif reaches ~2.25–2.5 in diameter.
B. Base round to full coaster
- Switch to base color and continue rounds with sc to reach ~3.25–3.5 in total diameter (typically 32 sc round as in base examples above). Work rounds without increasing after you reach motif size until you have the depth you want.
C. Finish & back
Sew on felt or cork backing for stability. Weave ends.
Variations & tips
- Use metallic yarn for the outer ring for a subtle shimmer.
- Make a set of three eye coasters in different color combos for matching interiors.
4. Crochet Strawberry-Themed Car Coaster Pattern
Sweet, seasonal, and very giftable — a strawberry applique on a round base.
Skill level: confident beginner → intermediate
Materials
- Worsted cotton: red (cap), green (calyx/leaf), cream (tiny seeds or embroidered), base color ~20–30 yd each.
- Hook: 4.0 mm.
Finished size
- Diameter ≈ 3.25 in.
Step-by-step
A. Strawberry appliqué (small heart/oval)
- Center body (red): MR, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, join (6 sc). R2: ch 1, sc in next, inc around → 9 sc. R3: sc 2, inc→12 sc. To form a heart/oval you can add extra sts on one side only: sc evenly for one or two rounds and then work a few increase sts on the outer edge to make rounded bottom, and reduce near top to make slight taper. Alternatively use a small heart pattern (MR, ch3, 3 dc, etc.) and finish.
- Calyx (green leaves): join green at top and ch 3, (sl st in next), ch 3 around to create tiny leaf loops, or work tiny leaf shapes: ch 4, sc back along chain with increases to form leaf. Make 3–4 leaves.
- Seeds: using cream or yellow embroidery yarn, make tiny backstitches/dashes across strawberry body to mimic seeds.
B. Round base
Make base as in prior patterns (32 sc round). Center and sew strawberry motif to base.
C. Optional edging
Add a round of sc in a contrasting color around edge for pizzazz.
D. Backing & finishing
Add felt backing if desired. Weave ends.
Variations & tips
- Make mini strawberries in clusters for a picnic set.
- Embroider a name or initials on the base for a personalized gift.
5. Crochet Sunflower Car Coaster Pattern
Bold and bright — a tiny sunflower gives your cup holder a sunny spot.
Skill level: intermediate (appliqué + layered petals)
Materials
- Worsted cotton: brown (center), golden yellow (petals), green or base color ~20–30 yd each.
- Hook: 4.0 mm.
Finished size
- Diameter ≈ 3.25–3.5 in.
Step-by-step
A. Sunflower center (brown)
- MR, ch 1, 8 sc in ring, sl st join. R2: ch 1, sc in next, inc around → 12 sc. R3: ch 1, sc around (12 sc). This gives a small, dense center.
B. Petals (attached around center)
- Join yellow in any st: ch 3, (5 dc) in same st, ch 3, sl st in next st — this makes a bold petal. Repeat around; adjust spacing so you get about 8–10 petals. For a layered look, make the first round of petals slightly shorter (3 dc clusters), then make a second round of petals behind the first with longer clusters (5 dc) offset between the front petals.
C. Round base (if you prefer a backing)
- Make a small base in green or another color. If the sunflower is large enough, you can use it as the coaster surface—just ensure the petals are not too pointy (they should lie fairly flat). Otherwise, attach sunflower to a 32-sc round base.
D. Finishing
Attach felt backing. Weave ends.
Variations & tips
- Slightly flatten petals with blocking for a tidy look.
- Make a set in ombré yellow to mimic real sunflowers.
Final finishing touches & practical tips
- Size check: try the first coaster in the target cup holder and adjust. If it’s too snug, add an extra round; if too big, omit the last increase round or use a smaller hook for next time.
- Backing: cork or felt makes coasters non-slip and protects your cup-holder surface. Sew or glue into place. If gluing, avoid hot water washing.
- Storing/sets: tie sets of 4–6 together with ribbon as a quick gift.
- Durability: for car use you’ll want washable coasters. Cotton coasters are machine-washable on gentle cycles; felt/cork backing may require hand washing.
- Gifts & markets: package in small kraft boxes with a label listing yarn (cotton), care instructions, and a cute one-line message (“Handmade for your daily drive”).
conclusion
Car coasters are tiny projects with a big payoff — they protect, personalize, and add charm to your daily commute. The five designs above give you a great mix of styles: floral (Daisy & Sunflower), whimsical (Mushroom & Strawberry), and symbolic (Malocchio). Each one can be made in under an hour once you’re comfortable with rounds and small appliqués, and they’re perfect for scrap-busting and quick gifts.
