This soft crochet platypus feels squishy in your hands and stands up well on a desk or shelf due to its weighted base. The finished toy has a distinctive flat bill and a paddle-shaped tail, making it a quirky addition to any handmade collection. Beginners will appreciate how the structure relies on simple single crochet stitches joined in continuous rounds, which keeps the surface smooth and professional without visible seams. You will learn how to transition between body parts and securely attach limbs during this project, helping you build confidence with shaping techniques that apply to almost any small stuffed animal.

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Why You’ll Love This Pattern

This beginner-friendly crochet coaster pattern provides a practical way to protect your furniture while practicing fundamental stitch techniques. The design relies on the single crochet stitch worked in a continuous spiral, which prevents unsightly seams from appearing on the edges of your finished items. Because each coaster requires only a small amount of cotton yarn, this is an ideal project for using up leftover bits from larger blankets or garment projects. The final result is thick and absorbent, standing up to the condensation from cold glasses or the heat from a coffee mug.

These coasters worked up in one evening and the stitches look very neat because of the simple spiral construction. I made a set of four in different colors and they wash perfectly.

— Sarah, home hobbyist

Pattern Overview & Skill Level

Skill Level: Beginner
Approximate Time: 30 minutes per coaster
Construction: Continuous rounds worked in a spiral from the center outward
Finished Dimensions & Sizing: 4 inches in diameter

Materials & Supplies Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) 100% cotton yarn, approximately 15 yards per coaster. Cotton is chosen for its heat resistance and absorbency.
Hook Size: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook.
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, a stitch marker to track the start of rounds, and scissors.
Safe yarn substitutions: You may use acrylic yarn, but it will be less absorbent and may melt if exposed to very hot temperatures. Wool will felt if washed in hot water. Using a different weight of yarn will change the dimensions significantly.

Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)

MR: Magic Ring (a method of starting in a circle by wrapping yarn around your fingers).
ch: Chain.
sc: Single crochet (insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook).
inc: Increase (work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch).
sl st: Slip stitch (insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook).
st/sts: Stitch/stitches.

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

Coaster Body

Rnd 1: Start with a MR, work 6 sc into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close the center hole. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: *1 sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * around. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: *1 sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * around. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: *1 sc in each of next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * around. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: *1 sc in each of next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * around. (42 sts)

Finishing

To finish the coaster, work one sl st into the next stitch to smooth out the edge. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Pull the tail through the final loop. Use your tapestry needle to weave the tail through the back of the stitches, securing it firmly. Trim any excess yarn close to the fabric.

Care & Washing Instructions

Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cool water using mild detergent.
Reshape the coaster while damp and lay it flat on a towel to air dry.
Do not bleach or tumble dry, as this can cause the cotton fibers to lose their structure or shrink.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Maintaining consistent tension throughout the coaster prevents the fabric from cupping or ruffling. If your coaster begins to curl, your tension is likely too tight; if it starts to ripple or wave, your tension is too loose. Always use a stitch marker at the start of each round to avoid losing count, as spirals do not have a clear visual ending point. To make the piece larger, continue adding rounds by increasing the number of single crochets between the increases (for example, Rnd 8 would be 1 sc in each of the next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st), keeping in mind that you will need more yarn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a larger hook for this pattern?

Using a larger hook will make the coaster larger and the fabric more open and less dense, which may result in less protection for your table surface.

How do I adjust the size if I want a larger mat?

You can add additional increase rounds. Follow the established pattern of adding one extra single crochet between each increase round as you move outward.

Is this project suitable for absolute beginners?

Yes, this pattern uses only the basic single crochet stitch and the magic ring technique, making it a perfect starting point for learning how to crochet in the round.

Can I sell the coasters I make from this pattern?

You are welcome to sell finished items created from this pattern. Please provide credit to the designer whenever possible.

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Your new stuffed companion will look fantastic sitting on a bookshelf or tucked into a gift basket for a friend. If you want to change the style, try using a fuzzy velvet yarn to make the creature even softer or work it in a bright shade of teal for a modern look. Please post a photo of your finished work on social media so others can see your progress. You can find more free instructions for animal projects by browsing through the archives on my website.