This is my first stab at a crochet pattern. I wanted to make a square design in the round. I had found plenty of patterns for working from the middle out, but I could not find any for working outside in, so I printed a grid chart and got to work figuring out how to do it.

This pattern can be used as a coaster, like the sample, a dishcloth, or, if you stop after a round or two, a cute picture frame.

I will first give the pattern used for this specific sample, and then give a formula you can use to make a square of any size.

Any yarn you desire using any size hooks you wish.

For this sample, I used Sugar 'N Cream yarn with a size J-10 hook.

This sample ended up being 5 x 4.5 inches.

Gauge isn't important for this pattern.

This pattern uses slip stitch, single crochet, and decreases.

Chain 69 and join for a ring. Make sure chain is not twisted when joined.

Round 1 - Skip first ch. (Dec over 2 ch. 10 sc. Dec over 2 ch. Skip 3 ch.)* Repeat 3 times. Dec over 2 ch. 10 sc. Dec over 2 ch. Skip 2 ch.

Round 2 - (Dec over next two sts. 8 sc. Dec over next two sts.)* Repeat 4 times.

Round 3 - (Dec over next two sts. 6 sc. Dec over next two sts.)* Repeat 4 times.

Round 4 - (Dec over next two sts. 4 sc. Dec over next two sts.)* Repeat 4 times.

Round 5 - (Dec over next two sts. 2 sc. Dec over next two sts.)* Repeat 4 times.

Round 6 - (Dec over next two sts. Dec over next two sts.)* Repeat 4 times.

Round 7 - (Dec over next two sts.)* Repeat 4 times.

Round 8 - (Dec over next two sts.)* Repeat twice.

Round 9 - Dec over remaining two sts.

Finish work by weaving ends in.

This will give you a square of 18 stitches by 18 stitches.

If you wish to make a larger or smaller square, follow this formula:

(x * 4) - 3 = ch, where x equals the number of stitches you want per side and ch equals the length of the chain to start with.

For the first row, after chaining and joining: skip the first ch, (Dec, (x - 8) sc, Dec. Skip 3 ch.)* Repeat 3 times. Dec, (x - 8) sc, Dec. Skip 2 ch.

For each row afterword reduce the sc in each section by 2.

In my bid to try and recycle things. I have been using alternatives to yarn. I have lots of the ribbon used to create bows around parcels, I'm not even sure what is called but florist use it to adorn bunches of flowers .They come in glorious range of colour.They are also waterproof and heatproof.
Using carrer bags is a great way of reducing waste. First you have to prepare the bags into a ball of plasticyarn. For instructions on how to do this,check out u tube .Once you have done that it's so simple , working with plastic is fun.

5mm crochet hook,
2og will make three coasters, a roll of ribbon will make alot.
Plastic bags
Scissors

The beauty of this pattern is that you decide how large you want it to be ,large placemat size, coaster size its up to you.

As with most of my patterns I free myself from the mantra always make a tension swatch.
Live a little its a coaster.

A simple pattern that just uses double crochet. A good pattern to introduce working in the round.

A simple pattern that just uses double crochet. A good pattern to introduce working in the round. Ever since I attended the crochet coral reef workshop in london, it highlighted how we are all contributing to the problem of plastic suffocating our world .Its my way to try and help the environment.

For patterns details
http://heldasland.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-crochet-coaster-patterns.htm...