Live and learn

Did you ever get all excited about a pattern, buy the materials, and start working on it only to find that you didn't really like working the pattern for one reason or another? That's what happened with these Peppermint Coasters.

Designed by Wendy Bennett, the pattern was published in Crochet Home Magazine, No 62, page 22. I had seen the pattern in the magazine and liked it so when the Annie's Attic website offered a free PDF of the pattern on their free pattern of the day page, I decided to download the PDF and make some.

Following the pattern instructions I used worsted weight cotton yarn and a G hook. The top coaster came out 3.25" in diameter. OK, that was a little small. I increased the size of the hook (don't remember now to what size) and I ended up with a diameter of 4.25" (the bottom coaster). That was a much better size for a coaster.

After finishing the second coaster I decided I really didn't like the technique of dropping loops and picking them up again in Rnd 4 to get the swirly red and white effect. Plus, when I compared my coasters to the ones in the magazine, I saw that I had a lot of room between each of the red and white spokes where the originals didn't. ARRRRGGGHHHHH!

Well, they are cute and I guess they'll look nice under a couple of my Santa mugs (regular and miniature sized) like they styled in the magazine but I'm NOT going to make any more of them.