The instructions for the coaster are here. I hope that you like the partly diagrammatic form of giving them - I think once one is used to this format it is very easy to follow. I used Flora No.10 crochet cotton, filling the bobbin as fully as possible from the ball and NOT breaking off the cotton before starting to tat.

The design is in two parts, the centre portion and the edging, but, once again, do NOT break off the cotton when you finish the first part, just go straight on with edging.

The figures in the instructions refer to the number of double stitches to be made and the 'p' to a picot; the diagram shows the relationship between the rings and chains and the dotted line between picots indicates that they are joined - an unconnected dotted line means that it must be joined to another picot. (I am assuming that you are experienced tatters, so I have not included instructions to turn the work when switching between rings and chains, although I have included the small arrows to show where the threads are reversed.)

The centre portion instructions (Begin with a red circle)

Red rings: 8, p, 7
Green rings : 7, p, 6
Blue rings: 5, p, 4

Red chains: 4, p, 4
Green chains: 3, p, 3
Purple chains: 3, p, 5, p, 3
Orange chains: 4, p, 2, p, 4
Lime Green chains: 8

REMEMBER to join the picots of the very last section to those of the first section. Do not break off the thread.

The diagram forms half of the centre portion. Continue until the centre portion is complete.

The edging instructions

Make the following chain over each red ring and lime green chain, joining each chain to the space between ring and chain:

Chain: 3, p, 3, p, 3, p, 3. (16 in all)

Join the last chain to the beginning of the first one, and weave the two ends into the back of the coaster.

The Mad Tatter's Tip
Because you are working to and from the centre, instead of the usual rounds, it may be a little difficult to see which is the middle so put a safety pin through the first orange chain.


E-mail me your comments and/or criticisms.