"Catherine Wheel Coaster" - Free Crochet Pattern For Home in Paintbox Yarns Simply DK

Catherine Wheel Coaster – Free Crochet Pattern by Annemarie Benthem for Paintbox Yarns

The Catherine Wheel Coaster is a charming, beginner-friendly crochet pattern designed by Annemarie Benthem and published by Paintbox Yarns. This free, downloadable PDF pattern guides you through creating a small, decorative circular coaster with a classic Catherine Wheel motif — a timeless design rooted in lace crochet tradition. The finished coaster measures approximately 10½ cm (4 inches) in diameter, making it a perfectly practical and stylish addition to any table setting or home décor scheme.

The pattern offers two distinct versions: a eye-catching 3 Colour Coaster and a clean, minimalist 1 Colour Coaster, so crafters can choose the look that best suits their style or the materials they have on hand.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a small, round crocheted coaster designed for home and table-setting use. The Catherine Wheel motif creates a lace-like, spoke-inspired texture that radiates outward from the centre, giving the finished piece an elegant, decorative appearance despite its simple construction. Because the project is compact and quick to complete, it is ideal for beginners looking to practise working in the round and building confidence with lace-style crochet techniques.

Design Variations

3 Colour Coaster

• Uses three shades of Paintbox Yarns Simply DK: Ballet Pink (Colour A), Sky Blue (Colour B), and Kingfisher Blue (Colour C)
• Colour changes between rounds add visual depth and highlight the radiating Catherine Wheel structure
• This version is shown on the pattern cover and demonstrates how even small amounts of contrasting yarn can create a striking, multi-tonal effect

1 Colour Coaster

• Uses a single shade of Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Sky Blue
• The monochromatic approach allows the stitch texture and lace structure to take centre stage
• A great option for using up small yarn remnants or for a more understated, coordinated look

Techniques Used

• Lace crochet – the Catherine Wheel motif is achieved through a combination of cluster stitches and chain spaces that create an open, lacy fabric reminiscent of traditional wheel or shell patterns
• Worked flat (in the round) – the coaster is constructed by working outward from a small foundation chain, building rounds concentrically to form the circular shape
• Colour changes (in the 3 Colour version) – yarn is switched between rounds to introduce the three chosen shades
• Cluster stitches – a specific construction technique used throughout, defined in the pattern as: yarn over hook, insert hook as indicated, yarn over hook and draw loop through, yarn over hook and draw through 2 loops, then work 1 treble into the same place and draw through remaining loops on hook

Stitches Used

• Chain (ch) – used to start the foundation and to create decorative chain spaces within the lace pattern
• Slip stitch (ss) – used to join rounds and to move the working position without adding height
• Double crochet / Single crochet (dc / sc) – referenced in the pattern using UK terminology (dc), with the US equivalent (sc) given in brackets
• Half treble / Half double crochet (htr / hdc) – used in the opening round to establish the initial spokes of the wheel motif
• Treble / Double crochet (tr / dc) – the primary stitch used in the cluster construction; referenced in UK terminology with US equivalents provided throughout
• Cluster stitch – a compound stitch combining yarn-over sequences and treble stitches worked into the same place to create the characteristic raised, grouped texture of the Catherine Wheel design

Materials