Welcome to Grandma’s Crafts! Today we’re sharing a playful project that combines crochet, creativity, and a little bit of personality. These Fun Crochet Animal Coasters are much more than simple table accessories — their expressive details, tiny paws, cheerful faces, and colorful features turn an everyday crochet project into something truly fun to make and display.

One of the nicest things about this pattern is the way a simple round crochet base gradually becomes an adorable little character. The main body works as the coaster itself, while the smaller crocheted pieces are added afterward to create the face, mouth, eyes, legs, tail, and other details. Because each component is made separately, you can take your time with every part and assemble everything only when you are happy with the placement.

The pattern is also a lovely project for crocheters who want to practice working with smaller pieces. You’ll use basic crochet techniques while learning how simple shapes can be combined to create something much more detailed. The instructions are organized step by step, making the project approachable even if you have never made this type of crochet accessory before.

These coasters are especially fun because there is plenty of room for customization. You can stay with classic natural shades or experiment with bright greens, blues, pinks, yellows, purples, or completely unexpected color combinations. Small changes to the eyes, mouth, tongue, or facial expression can also give each finished coaster its own personality.

You could even make several Fun Crochet Animal Coasters in different colors and turn them into a complete set. They would look adorable on a coffee table, craft-room desk, patio table, or anywhere you want to add a handmade detail. A colorful set could also make a charming handmade gift for someone who enjoys unusual and cheerful crochet creations.

Another advantage of this project is that it doesn’t require a large amount of yarn. Small leftover amounts from previous projects can be perfect for the eyes, mouth, tongue, and other details, making this a great opportunity to use some of the yarn already sitting in your craft basket.

This cute crochet animal coaster is made from several simple pieces that are sewn together at the end. The round body forms the actual coaster, while the head, open mouth, tongue, tail, eyes, and tiny legs give the project its playful lizard shape.

The pattern is written using US crochet terminology.

Materials

• Worsted weight cotton yarn in green
• Small amount of red yarn for the inside of the mouth
• Small amount of pink yarn for the tongue
• Small amount of white yarn for the eyes
• Black embroidery thread or small safety eyes
• Crochet hook suitable for your yarn
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch marker
• Small amount of fiberfill, optional

Cotton yarn is especially suitable for the body because it creates a firm, relatively flat coaster.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• st / sts – stitch / stitches
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• dc – double crochet
• inc – work 2 stitches into the same stitch
• dec – single crochet 2 stitches together
• MR – magic ring
• rnd – round
• rep – repeat

Important Notes Before You Begin

The body is worked in joined rounds.

Unless otherwise stated, a beginning chain does not count as a stitch.

When making the small pieces, do not worry if they curl slightly. They can be shaped during assembly.

Keep the coaster body as flat as possible. If the circle begins to cup, your tension may be too tight. If it becomes noticeably wavy, your tension may be too loose.

The head and mouth are intentionally assembled in layers so that the lizard looks as though its mouth is open.

Main Coaster Body

Using green yarn, make a magic ring.

Round 1

Ch 2.

Work 10 dc into the magic ring.

Pull the ring closed.

Join with a sl st to the first dc.

10 sts

Round 2

Ch 2.

Work 2 dc in every stitch around.

Join with a sl st to the first dc.

20 sts

Round 3

Ch 2.

Repeat:

1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st

around.

Join with a sl st.

30 sts

Round 4

Ch 2.

Repeat:

1 dc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st

around.

Join with a sl st.

40 sts

Round 5

Ch 2.

Repeat:

1 dc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st

around.

Join with a sl st.

50 sts

Round 6 – Border

Ch 1.

Work 1 sc in every stitch around.

Join with a sl st to the first sc.

50 sts

Fasten off and weave in the yarn end.

Lay the circle flat before continuing.

Head Base

Using green yarn:

Ch 7.

The head is worked around both sides of this foundation chain to create an oval.

Round 1

Beginning in the second chain from the hook:

Sc in each of the next 5 chains.

Work 3 sc in the final chain.

Rotate the work.

You will now crochet along the unused loops on the opposite side of the foundation chain.

Sc in each of the next 4 chains.

Work 2 sc in the final chain.

Join with a sl st.

14 sts

Round 2

Ch 1.

Work:

• 2 sc in first st
• 1 sc in each of next 4 sts
• 2 sc in each of next 3 sts
• 1 sc in each of next 4 sts
• 2 sc in each of final 2 sts

Join with a sl st.

20 sts

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

The piece should look like a small oval.

Upper Jaw

Using green yarn:

Ch 9.

Row 1

Beginning in second chain from hook, sc across.

8 sts

Turn.

Row 2

Ch 1.

2 sc in first st.

Sc in each of next 6 sts.

2 sc in final st.

10 sts

Turn.

Row 3

Ch 1.

Sc across.

10 sts

Turn.

Row 4

Ch 1.

Sc2tog.

Sc in each of next 6 sts.

Sc2tog.

8 sts

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

This piece forms the upper portion of the snout.

Lower Jaw

Using green yarn:

Ch 7.

Row 1

Beginning in second chain from hook, sc across.

6 sts

Turn.

Row 2

Ch 1.

2 sc in first st.

Sc in each of next 4 sts.

2 sc in final st.

8 sts

Turn.

Row 3

Ch 1.

Sc across.

8 sts

Turn.

Row 4

Ch 1.

Sc2tog.

Sc in each of next 4 sts.

Sc2tog.

6 sts

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Inside of the Mouth

Using red yarn:

Ch 6.

You will crochet around both sides of the foundation chain.

Round 1

Beginning in second chain from hook:

Sc in each of next 4 chains.

Work 3 sc in final chain.

Rotate the work.

Sc in each of next 3 chains along the opposite side.

Work 2 sc in the final chain.

Join with a sl st.

12 sts

Round 2

Ch 1.

Work:

2 sc in first st,
sc in next 3 sts,
2 sc in each of next 3 sts,
sc in next 3 sts,
2 sc in each of final 2 sts.

Join with a sl st.

18 sts

Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.

The red piece should form a small flat oval.

Tongue

Using pink yarn:

Ch 8.

Beginning in the second chain from the hook, work 1 sc in each chain across.

7 sts

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

For a playful look, allow approximately half of the tongue to extend outside the mouth.

Optional Forked Tongue

Instead of fastening off immediately, make a small ch-2 branch at the end, secure it with a sl st, and repeat on the opposite side of the tip.

For beginners, the straight tongue is much easier and looks just as cute.

Eyes

Make 2.

Using white yarn, make a magic ring.

Round 1

Work 6 sc into the MR.

Pull the ring closed.

Join with a sl st.

6 sts

Round 2

Ch 1.

Work 2 sc in every stitch around.

Join.

12 sts

Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.

Attach a small safety eye through the center or embroider a black pupil with black yarn.

If using safety eyes, remember that the finished coaster should not be given to very young children unless the eyes are securely attached.

Tail

The tail is worked from the wide base toward the narrow tip.

Using green yarn:

Ch 9.

Row 1

Beginning in second ch from hook, sc across.

8 sts

Turn.

Row 2

Ch 1, sc across.

8 sts

Row 3

Ch 1.

Sc2tog, sc in remaining 6 sts.

7 sts

Row 4

Ch 1, sc across.

7 sts

Row 5

Ch 1.

Sc2tog, sc in remaining 5 sts.

6 sts

Row 6

Sc across.

6 sts

Row 7

Sc2tog, sc in remaining 4 sts.

5 sts

Row 8

Sc across.

5 sts

Row 9

Sc2tog, sc in remaining 3 sts.

4 sts

Row 10

Sc across.

4 sts

Row 11

Sc2tog, sc in remaining 2 sts.

3 sts

Row 12

Sc across.

3 sts

Row 13

Sc2tog, sc in final st.

2 sts

Row 14

Sc2tog.

1 st

Fasten off.

Do not stuff the tail.

Gently stretch it lengthwise and curve the narrow end slightly before sewing it to the coaster.

Legs

Make 4 identical pieces.

Using green yarn:

Ch 7.

Sl st into the second chain from the hook. This point will become the center of the little foot.

Now make the toes.

First Toe

Ch 3.

Beginning in second ch from hook, sl st in each of the 2 chains.

Sl st back into the same foot point.

Second Toe

Ch 3.

Sl st in second ch from hook and in next ch.

Sl st back into the same foot point.

Third Toe

Ch 3.

Sl st in second ch from hook and in next ch.

Sl st back into the same foot point.

You should now have three tiny toes coming from the same spot.

Continue along the remaining foundation chain.

Work 1 sc in each of the remaining 5 chains.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Repeat until you have four legs.

Assembly

Do not rush this part. The positioning is what gives the lizard its personality.

1. Position the Body

Place the circular coaster right side up.

Choose one side to be the front and the opposite side to be the back.

2. Attach the Head

Place the oval head base against the front edge of the coaster.

Approximately one-third of the oval may overlap the coaster.

Sew only the back portion of the head securely to the body.

Keep the front portion free for the mouth.

3. Attach the Lower Jaw

Position the lower jaw at the lower front edge of the head.

Sew the back edge of the jaw to the head.

Allow the front of the jaw to project outward.

4. Add the Red Mouth

Place the red oval over the lower jaw.

The front of the red piece may extend slightly beyond the green jaw.

Sew it securely around its edges.

5. Attach the Tongue

Sew one end of the pink tongue near the center of the red mouth.

Leave the remaining length hanging freely outside.

6. Attach the Upper Jaw

Place the upper jaw over the red mouthpiece.

Sew only its back edge firmly to the head.

Do not sew the front edge to the lower jaw.

This creates the open-mouth effect.

You can gently bend the upper jaw upward with your fingers to make the opening more visible.

7. Attach the Eyes

Place both white eyes toward the back portion of the upper head.

Keep them close enough together to create the exaggerated lizard expression.

Sew firmly around the base of each eye.

8. Attach the Tail

Place the wide end of the tail against the back edge of the circular body.

Sew the first 1–2 rows firmly to the coaster.

Allow the rest of the tail to remain loose.

Curve it gently toward either side.

9. Attach the Legs

Place two legs on each side of the coaster.

Position one pair closer to the head and the second pair closer to the tail.

Sew only the upper portion of each leg to the body.

Do not sew the entire leg flat.

Leaving the lower section free allows the feet and toes to sit naturally.

Angle the front legs slightly toward the head and the back legs slightly toward the tail.

Final Finishing

Weave in every loose yarn end securely.

Shape the head, mouth, legs, and tail with your fingers.

Place the coaster on a flat surface and check the underside. No thick knots or bulky yarn ends should sit directly underneath the area where a mug will rest.

If necessary, lightly block the circular body only.

Avoid aggressively pressing or flattening the head, eyes, mouth, legs, or tail because those raised details are what give the lizard its character.

VIDEO TUTORIAL

 

VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR OTHER ANIMALS

Beginner Tip

Before sewing anything permanently, arrange all the pieces on top of the coaster first.

Move the head, legs, and tail around until the proportions look balanced. Taking a quick photo at this stage can help you remember exactly where everything should go while sewing.