Cold Days Hoods: Free Crochet Pattern for Beginners
These hoods provide a thick layer of warmth that sits snugly around the neck and shoulders during freezing mornings. The wool blend creates a soft, plush texture that holds heat while remaining lightweight enough to wear under a winter coat. You will appreciate the straightforward construction, which relies on simple double crochet stitches and basic shaping to form a comfortable fit. This project is a rewarding way to build your confidence with garment construction while ensuring you have a handmade accessory ready for the coldest months. Learning to balance tension ensures the fabric remains flexible enough for daily movement.

Why You’ll Love This Pattern
This beginner-friendly crochet coaster pattern uses a simple spiral construction, making it an ideal first project for those new to working in the round. Because these coasters require very little yardage, they function perfectly as a stash-busting project for leftover cotton yarn. The final texture is dense enough to protect wooden surfaces from condensation while remaining flexible and easy to store. You can complete a single coaster in under thirty minutes, which makes them a practical choice for last-minute gifts or stocking up for a seasonal craft fair.
I managed to finish a full set of four coasters in one evening. The pattern is very easy to follow and the finished result lays perfectly flat on my coffee table without any curling.
— Sarah, home crafter
Pattern Overview & Skill Level
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Approximate Time: 20–30 minutes per coaster
- Construction: Worked in continuous rounds using a magic ring and basic increases
- Finished Dimensions: 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter
Materials & Supplies Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (#4), 100% cotton yarn, approximately 15 yards per coaster. Cotton is necessary for its absorbency and heat resistance.
- Hook Size: 4.5 mm (US 7) hook to maintain a tight tension that prevents beverage glass instability.
- Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving ends, stitch marker to track the start of each round, and a pair of scissors.
- Yarn Substitutions: You may use acrylic yarn, but note that it is not absorbent and will not protect surfaces from moisture as effectively as cotton. Using a heavier yarn will result in a larger coaster, while a lighter weight yarn will require an extra increase round to maintain size.
Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR: Magic ring
- ch: Chain
- sc: Single crochet
- inc: Increase (work 2 sc into the same stitch)
- sl st: Slip stitch
- st/sts: Stitch/stitches
- BLO: Back loop only (working only into the loop furthest from you to create a slight ridge)
Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions
Coaster Body
Work in continuous rounds without joining at the end of each round. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round to keep track of your progress.
- Rnd 1: Start with a MR and work 6 sc into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close the center. (6 sts)
- Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
- Rnd 3: 1 sc, inc repeat from * to * 6 times. (18 sts)
- Rnd 4: 2 sc, inc repeat from * to * 6 times. (24 sts)
- Rnd 5: 3 sc, inc repeat from * to * 6 times. (30 sts)
- Rnd 6: 4 sc, inc repeat from * to * 6 times. (36 sts)
- Rnd 7: 5 sc, inc repeat from * to * 6 times. (42 sts)
Finishing
Once you reach the end of Round 7, work one sl st into the next stitch to smooth out the edge. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Pull the tail through the final loop and pull tight. Thread the tail onto your tapestry needle and weave it securely into the back of the coaster through the base of the stitches. Trim any excess yarn close to the fabric.
Care & Washing Instructions
- Machine wash on a gentle cycle using warm water and a mild detergent.
- Lay the coaster flat on a clean towel to dry, reshaping it with your hands while damp to ensure it remains a perfect circle.
- If the edges begin to curl after several uses, lightly steam them with an iron set to the cotton setting to relax the fibers.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Keep your tension consistent throughout the project to ensure the circle lays flat. If your coaster begins to ripple or wave, your tension is likely too loose or you are adding too many stitches; if it starts to cup like a bowl, your tension is too tight or you need to add more stitches per round. Always place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round, as counting stitches in continuous rounds can be difficult once the piece grows. When weaving in your ends, weave them in two different directions to prevent the starting magic ring or the finishing tail from unraveling over time. To adjust the size, simply add or subtract rounds using the standard increase sequence (e.g., 6 sc, inc for the next round), keeping in mind that each additional round will increase your yarn consumption by approximately 20 percent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different hook size?
Yes, you can use a smaller hook to create a tighter, more rigid coaster, or a larger hook for a looser, more decorative piece. Adjusting the hook size will change the final diameter of your coaster.
Is this pattern suitable for complete beginners?
This pattern is excellent for beginners because it focuses on the fundamental techniques of circular crochet, including the magic ring and basic increases, without requiring complex color changes or advanced stitches.
How do I make the coaster larger?
Continue the established increase pattern by adding one extra single crochet before each increase in subsequent rounds (e.g., Round 8 would be 6 sc, inc). You will need more yarn if you decide to make the coasters larger than 4 inches.
May I sell the coasters I make from this pattern?
You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern on a small scale. I ask that you credit the design back to this website in your listing descriptions.

Wrapping your finished hood around your neck for the first time feels incredibly cozy after a few hours of steady work. You might try using a chunky chenille yarn for extra softness or adding a oversized button at the chin to change the silhouette entirely. Please share a picture of your finished project on Pinterest to show how your color choices turned out. Feel free to browse through our other winter accessory patterns on the blog for your next chilly weather project.





