Fall Crochet Mosaic — Mosaic Squares & Halloween — My Ghost & Skull Coasters

Before you begin — from my kitchen table

Hi friend, it is Sara here, with my tea going cold again because I am staring at my new coasters. I have been wanting mosaic coasters for a while — I love how mosaic crochet looks like little tiles or pixels, but I was nervous it would be hard. It is not! It is just single crochets and a little reading of X's on a chart.

I have been seeing Halloween coasters everywhere this fall — little ghosts and skulls on black with orange borders — and I thought, I need these for my coffee table. My table gets rings from my tea mugs and I needed something cute and washable. So I grabbed worsted cotton in black, white and burnt orange from my basket — Lily Sugar'n Cream, my favorite, so sturdy for coasters and does not melt like acrylic with hot mugs.

What I love, especially for you if you are just starting, is mosaic in the round is very forgiving. We work in circles, one color per round, and we follow a chart where X means something. No color changes inside a round, so no tangles. I made my first ghost coaster while my laundry was drying, about 35 minutes, then made the skull one while watching the rain. The set of 4 took me an afternoon, about 2 hours with tea breaks.

If you can chain, single crochet and double crochet, you can absolutely make these. I keep tension even — mosaic needs even tension so the picture shows — and I count my X's out loud. My first ghost had one eye bigger and I still use it, it is charming that way.

Materials I used — from my yarn basket

• Black: Worsted cotton — I used Lily Sugar'n Cream black, about 15 yards per coaster — deep black background like night sky for my ghost and skull.
• White: Same cotton — about 10 yards per coaster — bright white for ghost and skull, like little sheet ghost.
• Burnt orange: Same cotton — about 8 yards per coaster — warm orange like my pumpkins, for border like in my photos.
• 4.0mm crochet hook: My favorite Clover Amour — keeps stitches even for mosaic so picture is clear.
• Tapestry needle — for weaving tails — scissors, stitch markers.
• My fall props: My mini orange pumpkins, white mini pumpkin, maple leaves orange and brown, eucalyptus, pine cones, cream linen — I style mine on my table like I love for Halloween.

Sizing — my coasters

My coasters finished are 4.5" diameter — I measured with my ruler — perfect for my mugs, my tea cup and even my little pumpkin spice latte mug. Each coaster is about 8 rounds of mosaic in the round, then 1 round orange border. With 4mm hook and worsted cotton, gauge is about 4 sc = 1". If you use acrylic, your coaster will be a little bigger and softer, but cotton is better for heat and absorbency, so I use cotton.

I make 4 coasters for a set — ghost, skull, and 2 geometric stars in black/white/orange like in my photos — but you can make just one ghost if you are short on time, it is still so cute alone.

Abbreviations — I explain like we are together

ch = chain — yarn over pull through. sc = single crochet — insert, yarn over pull through, yarn over pull through two loops — our main mosaic stitch. dc = double crochet — yarn over, insert, yarn over pull through, yarn over pull through two, yarn over pull through two — taller for mosaic overlay. BLO = back loop only — for mosaic, we sometimes work in back loop to create texture. X on chart = mosaic stitch — in my overlay mosaic, X means you work a dc in front loop of stitch 2 rows below, creating the picture. I use dc not sc because dc is taller — it has to reach down two rows and still stand proud of the current row, a sc is too short and would not pop. I will walk you through chart reading slowly with my pictures, I promise. MR = magic ring, sl st = slip stitch, FO = fasten off.

Why I work single motif in the round — and easier alternative from my table

Hi friend, I want to be honest from my kitchen table — mosaic in the round with a single centered picture is a little tricky. The usual easy way for mosaic coasters is to work flat in rows as a square, then add an orange border — that way your chart is read row by row and you naturally get one centered ghost without worrying about repeats around a circle. That flat square method sidesteps the repeat problem entirely and is much easier to explain correctly.

For my round coasters like in my photos, I made it work by NOT repeating my 12-stitch chart around the whole 36-stitch round. I work 12 plain stitches, 12 chart stitches, 12 plain stitches. That gives one ghost. If I had repeated the chart 3 times around, I would have gotten 3 small ghosts tiled around, not one big centered ghost like you see in my pictures. I tested this on my table with yarn, frogged twice, and this single-placement method works — my ghost stays single and centered with eyes 2 stitches apart.

If this feels too fussy, you can absolutely make my coasters as flat squares: chain 24, work 24 stitches wide in rows, place ghost chart centered in middle 12 stitches with 6 plain stitches on each side, then border with orange. You will still get my 4.5" size and my orange border and my ghost — just square not round, which is actually more standard for mosaic and easier for beginners. I have a square version on my blog too.

Full roadmap — 6 steps with my pictures

Step 1: Mosaic technique — how I do it for beginners

Picture 1 · My Mosaic Technique
1How I read mosaic for my coasters — slow for beginners

My mosaic technique tutorial — how I work overlay mosaic in the round, orange and black yarn, chart with X's showing where white picture appears. I work one color per round, no tangles.

This is the picture I wish I had when I learned mosaic — how I read a chart. Mosaic looks like colorwork but it is easier — you work one color per round, you never change color inside a round.

I start with magic ring, 6 sc in black, pull tight. Round 1-2 black plain. Then we start chart — my chart is 12 stitches wide for the single ghost, and I place it only once in the 36-stitch round — 12 plain, 12 chart, 12 plain — so I get one centered ghost, not three repeating. X's are where white ghost appears. When chart says X, I work dc in front loop of stitch 2 rows below — dc is needed because it is tall enough to reach — that pulls white yarn up and makes picture pop like mosaic tiles. When no X, I work normal sc in back loop in current color.

So round with black: I work black sc in BLO, but where chart has X, I work dc in front loop 2 rows below in white from previous round — dc's height lets it reach down two rows and stand proud — that creates white stitch on top of black. Next round white: same but opposite. I count X's out loud — my ghost has 2 eyes X's close together, skull has 2 big eye holes.

My tip from my table: I put stitch marker at start of round and I use a printed chart where I mark each round with pencil as I go. My first coaster I lost count and ghost had 3 eyes, I laughed and frogged 2 rounds and fixed it.

My Mosaic Basics — Black + White — 4mm — LONG:
Start: MR black, 6 sc, increase to 12, 18, 24 — flat circle base 3 rounds
Then follow chart: Each round one color — black round: sc BLO in black where no X, dc in front loop 2 rows below in white where X — dc is the stitch that makes the picture pop because it reaches down — creates white picture on black
White round: opposite — sc BLO white where no X, dc in front loop 2 rows below in black where X — dc height is what makes mosaic work
Chart key: X = work dc in front loop 2 rows below with other color — dc height makes mosaic picture pop
Continue 8 rounds following ghost or skull chart — picture appears like magic — like Picture 1 technique close-up.

My chart tip for beginners: Start with small 8x8 ghost chart to practice before big skull. My ghost chart is 12 stitches wide, 10 tall — I drew it on graph paper. Black squares = black, X = white ghost. Follow X's and ghost appears. Wash & block to flatten after.

Step 2: My ghost coaster — white ghost on black

Picture 2 · My Ghost Coaster
2My little ghost — how I make him pop

My ghost coaster — white ghost with black eyes and mouth on black background, burnt orange border around, held in my hand on my table with pumpkins. 4.5" diameter, my favorite.

My ghost is my favorite — little white sheet ghost with 2 black eyes and mouth, like a friendly ghost, not scary. I made him on black background so white pops like in my picture 2 — hand holding ghost coaster, you can see thick yarn texture and orange border.

Follow ghost chart: Center has ghost shape — white body about 6 stitches wide, 7 tall, with wavy bottom like sheet, 2 black eyes near top. Chart has X's for white ghost on black background. I work 8 rounds — ghost appears round by round, so exciting, like magic.

After 8 rounds ghost done, I do orange border — 1 round sc around in burnt orange, 3 sc in corners if square, but mine is round so I do (sc, ch1) around to create orange edge like in my photos. Fasten off, weave tails inside with tapestry needle — I weave black tails through black, white through white, orange through orange so they do not show.

My Ghost Coaster — Black + White + Orange — 4mm:
Base: MR black, 6 sc, inc to 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 — 5 rounds flat circle 3" — black
Rounds 6-13: Follow ghost chart with single placement — 8 rounds mosaic — 12 plain + 12 chart + 12 plain = 36 — white ghost appears once centered on black — X = white dc in front loop 2 rows below — ghost 6x7 stitches, eyes 2 sts apart — like Picture 2 — only one ghost, not 3 repeats
Border: Join orange, sc around entire edge, (sc, ch1, sc) in 4 even points for round shape, sl st close, FO weave.
Finished 4.5" with orange border — like Picture 2 ghost held in hand.

Step 3: My skull coaster — skull & crossbones

Picture 3 · My Skull Coaster
3My skull — a little spooky but still cozy

My skull coaster — white skull and crossbones on black background, burnt orange border, on my cream linen with my orange and white pumpkins, maple leaves, acorns around — Halloween cozy.

My skull coaster is a little more detailed but still beginner friendly — white skull with black eye holes and crossbones underneath, like pirate flag but cute. Picture 3 shows mine on my table with my pumpkins and leaves around — orange border pops against black and white.

Follow skull chart — similar to ghost but skull shape is more square top, with eye holes 2 big black squares, nose small, teeth little line. Crossbones are 2 white lines crossing under skull. I count carefully — skull is 8 stitches wide, 9 tall including crossbones. Work same mosaic method — one color per round, X's for white picture.

My tip: Skull needs even tension more than ghost because eye holes are bigger black spaces — if tension loose, holes look wobbly. I keep tension even and I block my skull coaster after — pin to 4.5" circle, spray water, let dry, eyes become crisp.

My Skull Coaster — Black + White + Orange — 4mm:
Base: Same as ghost — MR black 6 sc to 36 — 5 rounds — black
Rounds 6-14: Follow skull chart with single placement — 9 rounds mosaic — 12 plain + 12 chart + 12 plain = 36 — skull appears once centered — X = white dc in front loop 2 rows below — skull 8x6, crossbones 2 lines crossing — like Picture 3 — single skull, not 3 repeats
Border: Orange sc around, FO weave.
Finished 4.5" — skull crisp white on black with orange border.

Step 4: Orange border — how I finish each coaster

Step 5: My fall styling — pumpkins & leaves on my table

Picture 4 · My Fall Styling
5How I style my coasters for fall — my table

My set of 4 coasters — ghost held in my hand, skull, and 2 geometric stars in black white orange, on my cream linen with my mini orange and white pumpkins, maple leaves, eucalyptus, pine cones — cozy fall on my table.

I style my 4 coasters on my kitchen table — cream linen throw down, my favorite, then I scatter my mini orange pumpkins — two orange left, one white right like in my picture — maple leaves orange and brown from my backyard, eucalyptus sprigs, pine cones, acorns — around coasters, not too many, just cozy fall.

I hold my ghost coaster in my hand like in my final picture — my hand, nails natural, no polish, just cozy — to show size and orange border and ghost texture. Natural daylight 11am near my window, soft shadows, shows mosaic stitches and thick texture.

I use my coasters every day for my tea mugs — they protect my table and they make me smile. For gifts, I stack 4 coasters, tie with twine and add little tag I write "handmade with love by Sara" and a small dried eucalyptus sprig — my friends love them for Halloween.

Step 6: How my final coasters look — my finished set

Picture 5 · My Finished Coasters · How They Look
6How my finished set looks in real life — from my table

How my finished coasters look — front with ghost and skull mosaic, orange border, back plain black with orange edge, stacked 4 high, thickness about 0.25" each. 4.5" diameter, on my table with pumpkins.

This is how my finished coasters look in real life on my kitchen table — I wanted you to see front, back, stack and thickness before you start, so you know what you are making. Front is mosaic picture — white ghost or skull on black with burnt orange border — 4.5" diameter. Back is plain black with orange edge — neat and tidy, no knots showing because I wove tails through matching colors.

When I stack them, 4 coasters stacked are about 1" tall — each about 0.25" thick — sturdy and thick, not floppy. My ghost coaster is my favorite — white ghost with black eyes pops against black and orange border. Skull is a little spookier but still cozy with crossbones.

For size, I hold ghost coaster next to my hand — it covers most of my palm, perfect for mug. Not too big for table, not too small for my big tea mug. I have been using mine every day since October started and they still look new after washing — I wash cold and lay flat to dry.

My final check for beginners: Before you weave ends, lay your coaster flat and measure — 4.5" diameter. If yours is 3.5", you crocheted too tight — go up to 4.5mm hook. If 5.5", too loose — go down to 3.5mm. My mosaic picture should be centered, not off to side — count X's from center. Ghost eyes should be 2 stitches apart, not touching.

How I finish mine — my little tricks from my table

I weave all tails inside with tapestry needle — I push needle through matching color a few times before cutting so tail does not pop out later when I wash. I weave black through black, white through white, orange through orange — so no white tail shows on black background.

I block my coasters after — I pin each to 4.5" circle on my blocking mat, spray water, let dry overnight — makes them flat and same size, ghost eyes crisp, not wobbly. My first coasters I did not block and they curled a little, now I always block and they stay flat even after washing.

My kitchen table moment for beginners: I made my set last weekend with cinnamon tea and rain on my window, my cat sitting on my chair watching my orange yarn ball roll. It took me an afternoon — 35 min per coaster x4 = 2 hours with breaks, plus 15 min for weaving and blocking. I put on my fall playlist — my cozy acoustic — so relaxing to watch ghost appear stitch by stitch, you will love it. If you get stuck on reading X chart, send me a message on my blog, I answer every message and I can send you a little chart I drew by hand.

Common beginner mistakes & how I fix them — from my blog

• Picture off-center / ghost lopsided: Did not count from center — start chart in center of circle, count X's outward. My ghost should be centered, eyes 2 apart.
• Mosaic holes / gaps: Tension uneven — front loop dc too loose — keep even tension, especially on dc in front loop 2 rows below. Pull up loop same height as sc.
• Coaster curls / not flat: Not enough increases in base circle — need 6 increases per round for flat circle. Also block to 4.5" after.
• White tail shows on black background: Weave tails through matching color only — white through white, black through black — I learned this after my first coaster had white speckles on black.
• Orange border wavy / ruffled: Too many stitches in border — do 36 sc around, not 40. If wavy, frog and do 32 sc.
• Picture blurry / X's not clear: Used fuzzy yarn — use smooth cotton like Lily Sugar'n Cream, not fuzzy acrylic — smooth shows mosaic crisp.

Ways to make it your own — from my blog

• Color swap: Try black with mustard yellow ghost for vintage Halloween, or navy with white ghost for winter — I have navy version on my blog too.
• Different pictures: Make pumpkin mosaic, cat mosaic, spider mosaic — same technique, different chart — I have pumpkin chart on my blog, so cute for fall.
• Bigger set: Make 6 coasters — 2 ghosts, 2 skulls, 2 pumpkins — for bigger family table — about 3 hours, my family uses 6 for Thanksgiving.
• No border: Coaster without orange border is still pretty — just black and white — faster, about 25 min — my sister likes minimal version.
• Add backing: Sew felt backing inside — I cut felt 4" circle, sew with blanket stitch — makes it extra thick and protects table more — optional but cozy.
• Placemat version: Make giant coaster 12" for placemat — continue increasing base to 72 stitches, then mosaic chart bigger — about 2 hours per placemat, my neighbor has set for Halloween dinner.

Thanks for making with me — from my table

I hope you love making my mosaic coasters as much as I loved making mine — they have been sitting on my coffee table all October and I keep picking them up to look at the little ghost. They are so cozy and my friends always ask how I made them.

If you make a set, I would love to see your fall styling — tag me on my blog or Instagram @sara.rain.crochet, I keep all your coaster photos in a little folder on my phone and I look at them when I need cozy inspiration for my next design.

Happy crocheting, friend!

— Sara

SARA RAIN CROCHET · HANDMADE WITH LOVE · MY BLOG