Bright Grunge Skull Coaster Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Bright Grunge Skull Coaster is the perfect small project for anyone who has mastered the basic stitches and wants to try color changes and simple appliqué. The coaster is a flat rainbow spiral—red in the center, then a bright band of orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple—with a cheeky black skull sewn right in the middle. It works up in under an hour, uses only scraps of worsted weight yarn, and feels smooth and sturdy in single crochet. Whether you make one for your desk or a whole set for a friend, it is a fun, fast, and slightly rebellious little accessory.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and black. Each color uses less than 10 yards.
• Hook: 4 mm (G/6) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for sewing and weaving in ends, scissors, and a stitch marker (optional, for marking the start of rounds).
• Finished size: Approximately 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) in diameter.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• inc – increase (work 2 single crochet in the same stitch)
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 together (a decrease worked over 2 stitches)
• sk – skip
• sp – space
• sl st – slip stitch
• MR – magic ring (adjustable ring)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• Rnd – round
• Row – row

Gauge

16 single crochet x 18 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm). Work a small swatch in single crochet and measure it; if your stitches are larger or smaller, adjust your hook size so the coaster finishes at about 4.5 inches across.

Tips Before You Start

• Work the coaster in continuous rounds without joining, so use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch of each round.
• Change colors in the last stitch of the round as instructed—pull the new color through to complete the stitch, then continue with the new color.
• Keep your tension even and slightly firm so the coaster lies flat; if it starts to ruffle, your stitches may be too loose.
• Do not fasten off between the rainbow rounds until the pattern tells you to, so the color changes stay tidy on the back.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Coaster (worked in continuous rounds, do not join)

Rnd 1: With red, MR 6 sc (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts).

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts).

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts).

Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts).

Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts). Change to orange in the last stitch of this round.

Rnd 11: sc in each st around (60 sts). Change to yellow.

Rnd 12: sc in each st around (60 sts). Change to green.

Rnd 13: sc in each st around (60 sts). Change to blue.

Rnd 14: sc in each st around (60 sts). Change to purple.

Rnd 15: sc in each st around (60 sts). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Skull (with black, worked in rows)

Row 1: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (5 sts).

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc 3, inc (7 sts).

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (7 sts).

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc 2, ch 2, sk 2, sc 3 (5 sc, 2 ch-2 sps).

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc 2, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc 3 (7 sts).

Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (7 sts).

Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 3, sc2tog (5 sts).

Row 8: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 1, sc2tog (3 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Eyes (make 2, with black)

Rnd 1: MR 4 sc, sl st to join (4 sts). Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Nose (with black)

Row 1: Ch 2, sc in 2nd ch from hook (1 st). Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Assembly and Finishing

Lay the coaster flat with the right side facing up. Using the long tail and a tapestry needle, sew the skull to the center of the coaster, following the photo as a guide. Sew the two eyes over the ch-2 spaces of Row 4 of the skull, then sew the nose below the eyes. Weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side. Block lightly by misting with water and pressing flat with your hands, then let it dry completely so the coaster sits perfectly flat.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the rainbow for a single color or a two-color spiral for a more subtle look.
• Use cotton yarn instead of acrylic for a more absorbent, heat-resistant coaster.
• Add a small hanging loop to one edge, or make a set and tie them with a ribbon for a quick gift.