About This Pattern
This coaster shapes itself into a paw print, toe pads and all. It starts as a plain circle, then grows scalloped edges before the pads sit on top. I like it for a quiet evening, one round at a time. It needs a steady hook, a little patience for the shaping rounds, and a second color for the border. Small enough to finish before bed. Useful enough to keep by the mug rack after.
In the basket
Abbreviations
- dc
- double crochet
Crochet paw print coaster with shaped toe pads
Main Pattern
- Round 1Make a magic ring; Chain 2; Make 15 double crochet into the ring; Close the circle by pulling the yarn tail; Slip stitch to the top of chain 2 to join. (15 dc)
- Round 2Chain 1; In the same stitch, make 1 single crochet; In the next stitch, make 1 half double crochet and 1 double crochet; In the next stitch, make 2 treble crochet; In the next stitch, make 2 treble crochet; In the next stitch, make 2 double crochet and 1 half double crochet; In the next stitch, make 1 single crochet; In the next stitch, make 1 half double crochet and 1 double crochet; In the next stitch, make 1 double crochet and 1 treble crochet; In the next stitch, make 1 treble crochet and 1 double crochet; In the next stitch, make 1 double crochet and 1 half double crochet; In the next stitch, make 1 single crochet; In the next stitch, make 1 half double crochet and 1 double crochet; In the next two stitches, make 2 treble crochet in each; In the next stitch, make 2 double crochet and 1 half double crochet; In the last stitch, make 1 single crochet; Slip stitch to the very first single crochet to complete the round; Chain 1 and cut the yarn, pull through to secure
- Round 3Attach white yarn to the slip stitch by chaining 1; In the same stitch, make 1 single crochet; Single crochet in the next two stitches; Make 2 single crochet in the next five stitches; Single crochet in the next two stitches; Single crochet 3 together; Make 2 single crochet in the next six stitches; Single crochet 3 together; Single crochet in the next two stitches; Make 2 single crochet in the next five stitches; Single crochet in the remaining two stitches; Cut the yarn and perform an invisible join, weave in endsRound 4 begins by locating the single crochet 3 together from Round 3 and counting back three stitches to insert the hook for the paw pad placement.
- Round 4Paw Pads - First Section Locate the single crochet 3 together from Round 3, count back three stitches and insert your hook; Attach the main color yarn by chaining 2; In the same stitch, make 2 double crochet; In the next stitch, make 3 double crochet; Skip 3 stitches, in the fourth stitch make 3 double crochet; In the next stitch, make 3 double crochet; Skip 4 stitches, in the fifth stitch make 3 double crochet; In the next stitch, make 3 double crochet; Skip 3 stitches, in the fourth stitch make 3 double crochet; In the next stitch, make 2 double crochet and 1 half double crochet
- Round 5Paw Pads - Second Section Turn your work; Skip 2 stitches, in the third stitch make 3 double crochet; In the next stitch, make 3 double crochet; Skip the next 2 stitches, slip stitch into the space; Skip the next 2 stitches, in the third stitch make 3 double crochet; In the next stitch, make 3 double crochet; Skip the next 2 stitches, slip stitch into the space; Skip the next 2 stitches, in the third stitch make 3 double crochet; In the next stitch, make 3 double crochet; Skip the next 2 stitches, slip stitch into the space; Skip the next 2 stitches, in the third stitch make 3 double crochet; In the next stitch, make 3 double crochet; Slip stitch into the space at the end; Cut your yarn, chain 1 and pull through to secure
- Round 6Final Border With the front side facing, attach the white yarn to the base by chaining 1; Make 1 single crochet into the chain 1 down below; Make 1 single crochet into the slip stitch from the previous round; Single crochet in the next two stitches; Make 2 single crochet in the next two stitches; Make 2 single crochet in the next stitch; Single crochet in the next two stitches; Make a front post treble crochet around the base post; Single crochet in the next two stitches; Make 2 single crochet in the next two stitches; Single crochet in the next two stitches; Make a front post treble crochet to the base; Single crochet in the next two stitches; Make 2 single crochet in the next two stitches; Single crochet in the next two stitches; Make a front post treble crochet to the base; Single crochet in the next two stitches; Make 2 single crochet in the next two stitches; Single crochet in the remaining stitches up to the top; On the side, single crochet along the half double crochet stitch; Put one single crochet down at the base; Cut the yarn, pull through; Use a darning needle to perform an invisible join and weave in the ends
More pictures
Before the first stitch
- Check your main color yarn amount covers six rounds before you begin.
- Read Round 3 fully first; the single crochet 3 together spots guide Round 4 placement.
- Keep a stitch marker ready for locating the count-back point at the start of Round 4.
Minutes per piece
- Rounds 1-3 (base and edging) about 45 minutes because the stitch counts shift often in Round 2
- Rounds 4-6 (paw pads) about 30-45 minutes because the pad shaping needs careful counting
Other yarns that work
- mercerized cotton, worsted weight gives a crisper stitch definition on the pad shaping, same hook size works fine
- cotton-acrylic blend, worsted weight softer drape, slightly less structure, may need a firmer tension to keep the coaster flat
Where it ends up
- A coaster by the coffee pot, paired with a matching mug.
- A small mat under a plant pot on a windowsill.
- A drink coaster for a pet lover's desk, next to a photo frame.
Small notes
- Use a 4.5 mm hook throughout; a smaller hook will tighten the scalloped Round 2 too much.
- Mark the single crochet 3 together stitches from Round 3 before starting Round 4; they anchor the pad placement.
- Keep tension even on Round 2's mixed stitches, since half double, double, and treble crochet sit side by side.
Little questions
Why does Round 2 use so many different stitch heights?
The mix of single, half double, double, and treble crochet creates the scalloped paw outline. Each stitch height pushes the edge out or pulls it in. It reads as flat, but the shape comes from height changes alone.
How do I find the starting point for Round 4?
Locate the single crochet 3 together stitch from Round 3 first. Count back three stitches from there, then insert your hook. A stitch marker on that first sc3tog spot helps you count accurately.
Can I skip the white border in Round 3?
You can work Round 3 in the main color instead. The contrast helps the paw print read clearly, but it is not structural. The shaping in Round 3 still needs the same stitch counts either way.
Why does Round 5 involve turning the work?
Turning lets the second pad section build in the right direction over the first. It keeps the slip stitch spaces lined up correctly. Skip the turn and the pads may sit crooked.
Original pattern: https://crocheteverything.com/crochet-paw-print-coaster-pattern-that-every-cat-and-dog-owner-will-love/
About the Author
Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.
