Solar Eclipse Coasters

Solar Eclipse Coasters - Free Pattern

The August 2017 total eclipse is over, but you can still enjoy the memory with these crocheted coasters.  Using worsted weight yarn, they are a fun and easy gift.  Plus, the pattern is free!

I went to my sister's house to see the eclipse in totality, and it was spectacular.  These were designed to give to everyone at her Eclipse Party to take home as a memento; everyone loved them.

Pattern below - or - Download pattern .pdf here 


SOLAR ECLIPSE FUN FACTS (source:  NASA)
- The Earth's crust bulges upwards, and you will be 40 mm (1.57") closer to the sun.
- You will weigh 1.7 oz. ( .11 lb) lighter.

Beginner +  (Simple stitch patterns and/or shaping)

SIZE:  5” (13 cm) at widest part / moon = 4” (10 cm)

MATERIALS (1 coaster)
Yarn:   Lily Sugar’n Cream Cotton worsted (weight 4):
            - Black: 13 yds (12 m)
            - Yellow (Sunshine): 9 yds (8 m)
            - Orange (Hot Orange): 6 yds (5.5 m)
Hooks:  G (4.0 mm)
              H (5.0 mm)
Other:    Yarn needle

GAUGE:  First 2 rounds  =  2”

ABBREVIATIONS
beg     beginning                     rnd(s)     round(s)
BL      Back Loop                    st(s)        stitch(es)
ch       chain                             sc           single crochet
dc       double crochet              sk           skip
hdc     half double crochet       sl st(s)    slip stitch(es)
lp(s)    loop(s)                          yo           yarn over

STITCH EXPLANATION
dc2tog (double crochet 2 sts together):  Yarn over (yo) hook, insert hook in first st indicated, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo hook, pull through 2 loops, yo hook, insert in next st indicated, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through last 3 loops.
hdc2tog (half double crochet 2 sts together):  Yarn over (yo) hook, insert hook in first st indicated, pull up a lp (3 lps on hook), insert hook in next st indicated, pull up a lp (4 lps on hook), yo hook, pull through all 4 lps on hook.  One hdc2tog made.
picot:  ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch fr hook.  Picot made. Tip: To get the points on the sun’s rays as shown in the picture, make the sl st in 2 lps of 2nd ch from hook (instead of just one).
magic ring (also known as magic adjustable loop):  Video tutorial at Easiest Crochet: Magic Circle

INSTRUCTIONS
American terms are used throughout.
USA to UK stitch conversions:   Yarn Forward Crochet Conversion Chart
Tip:  Work over yarn tails whenever possible to avoid having to weave in so many ends.

MOON

Notes

• If piece is too large, use smaller hook and/or crochet Rnd 2 with hdc instead of dc.
• The beg ch-2 is not counted as a stitch.  It is to act as a "filler" so there is not a gap, as there would be if just beginning the round with a ch-3 dc.  Likewise, the joining sl st is not to be COUNTED as a st, but will be worked into at the end of the round; this also acts to complete filling in any gap, to make a solid piece.

Use hook G (4.0 mm)
Rnd 1: With black, ch 2 in magic ring (beg ch-2 does NOT count as a st, throughout moon), 12 dc in ring, sl st in beg dc to join. (12 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in ea st around, dc in joining sl st of last rnd, sl st in beg dc to join.  (24 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st, (2 dc in next st, dc in next) around to last st, dc in last st, dc2tog in same st and joining sl st of last rnd, sl st in beg dc to join. (36 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, hdc in same st, hdc in next st, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts) around to last st, hdc in last st, hdc2tog in same st and joining sl st of last rnd, sl st in beg hdc to join.  Do not finish off; leave lp on hook. (48 sts)

CORONA (see photo)

Use hook H (5.0 mm)
Join orange:  yo hook with orange yarn, pull through lp on hook; orange joined.  Drop and finish off black.
Working with orange now, sl st loosely in BL of next 34 sts.  Finish off.  (35 sts)

SUN

Use hook G (4.0 mm)
Row 1: With right side facing, sk first two sl sts of orange from previous rnd, join yellow with sl st in BL of next st, sl st in BL of next 2 sts, continue working in BL for remainder of this row: sc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next, (dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st) two times, dc in next 3 sts, (2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts) two times, 2 hdc in next st, sc in next 4, sl st in next 3 sts.  Finish off.  (37 sts)
Row 2: With right side facing, join yellow with sl st in BL of 2nd orange st from “Corona”, sl st in both lps of next st (the first yellow st from previous row), continue to work in both lps for remainder of row until otherwise instructed:
(sl st, ch 1, sl st) in next st, sl st in next,
(sl st, ch 2, sl st) in next st, sl st in next,
(sc, picot, sc) in next st, sl st in next,
(sc, hdc, picot) in next st, (hdc, sc) in next, sl st in next,
*(hdc, dc, picot) in next st, (dc, hdc) in next, sl st in next, repeat from * 5 more times,
(sc, hdc, picot) in next st, (hdc, sc) in next, sl st in next,
(sc, picot, sc) in next st, sl st in next,
(sl st, ch 2, sl st) in next st, sl st in next,
(sl st, ch 1, sl st) in next st, sl st in next (last yellow st),
sl st in BL of next orange st (leave last orange st unworked).

Finish off. Weave in ends with yarn needle.

ENJOY!