Crochet Car Coasters for Cup Holders (Free Pattern)
Thick, absorbent little discs sized to drop into a car cup holder and soak up every drip — one takes fifteen minutes and uses almost no yarn.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Beginner
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) cotton, about 20 yd per coaster
- Hook
- 4 mm (G-6)
- Time
- 15 minutes each
- Finished size
- 2¾ in (7 cm) across
You'll need
- 100% cotton worsted weight (#4) yarn — about 20 yd per coaster
- 4 mm (G-6) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle and scissors
In this post
Car cup holders collect everything: condensation, coffee drips, melted ice. A crocheted cotton coaster sits in the bottom, absorbs all of it, and comes out to be washed.
They take fifteen minutes, use scrap cotton, and make a genuinely useful gift — most people have never thought of making them and are delighted when you do.
Cotton only. Acrylic doesn't absorb water; it just moves it around. 100% cotton is the whole point here.
Getting the size right
Measure across the bottom of your cup holder. Most are 2¾ in (7 cm) or 3 in (7.5 cm). The coaster should sit flat on the bottom with no curling up the sides, so make it the same size or a few millimetres smaller.
- 2½ in (6.5 cm): stop after Rnd 4
- 2¾ in (7 cm): stop after Rnd 5 — the pattern below
- 3 in (7.5 cm): add Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) 6 times. (36)
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
The pattern
Worked in continuous rounds in single crochet, which makes a dense, thirsty disc.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
- Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) 6 times. (30)
- Edging: Sl st in each st around to firm up the rim. (30)
Fasten off and weave the ends into the back. Give it a gentle press with a steam iron if it cups at all.
If your disc ruffles, you have too many increases for your tension — go down a hook size. If it cups into a bowl, you have too few — go up a size. A flat circle is a balance between the two.
The extra-thick version
For a coaster that soaks up a whole spill, make two discs and join them:
- Step 1: Make two identical discs, fastening off the second with a long tail.
- Step 2: Hold them wrong sides together, lining up the stitches.
- Step 3: Sc through both layers all the way around. (30)
- Step 4: Sl st to finish, fasten off, weave in the ends.
Make it your own
- Two-tone: work Rnds 1–3 in one colour and 4–5 in another.
- Set of four: two for your car, two as a gift — they fit a card envelope.
- Home coasters: add Rnds 6 and 7 for a 3½ in (9 cm) mug coaster; see our coaster collection.
- Matching car set: pair with the steering wheel cover.
Common questions
What size should a car coaster be?
2½ to 3 in (6.5–7.5 cm) across. Measure the bottom of your own cup holder and match it or go very slightly smaller, so the coaster lies flat.
Which yarn absorbs best?
100% cotton. Mercerised cotton looks glossier but absorbs less than plain matte cotton, so choose matte for the most thirsty coaster.
Can I put them in the washing machine?
Yes — cotton coasters wash and tumble well. Make a few so there's always a dry one in the car.
Why is my coaster curling at the edges?
Too few increases, or very tight tension. Go up a hook size, and press the finished disc flat with steam.
Fifteen minutes, one happy cup holder. ☕
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