The Inspiration
I will tell you one thing, quarantine makes you do some things that you have never done before in your life. I bought a ton of patio stuff this summer so that I could enjoy the outdoors and get some of that natural Vitamin D that I've been lacking. If you don't know by now, I am a radiologist for my day job and we spend a lot of time in dark rooms.
I bought an umbrella to shade me from some of the heat. As I write this it is July and the weekly forecast is in the 90s.
So the second problem I was faced with was the insects. Particularly bees. I hate bees. I've never been stung by one before and I don't plan to. If I'm being honest, I know my fear is unreasonable, but it is what it is. However, I recognize their importance in all of the delicious foods we eat. All the other little bloodsuckers can get a taste of this citronella candle and keep a respectful distance.
I have actually picked up gardening even though I have a decidedly brown thumb. I've almost killed my aloe a few times and I'll need to pour out a 40 for my homies cilantro and mint. I have not gone full quarantine and baked a loaf of sourdough bread, but I fear that will not be far behind. Pray for me, fam.
In all seriousness, bees make a lot of useful things. We use beeswax in our hair products and balms. Honey in our teas and skincare. So I wanted to pick a yellow that tried to encompass all of these things and pay homage to a terrifying, wonderful little insect.
There is a paid, companion pattern to the coasters called the Hive Hotpad. Click HERE to see and/or buy the pattern.
The Pattern
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Yarn
Crafter’s Secret Yarn (Worsted Weight #4) in
Yellow
This is sold at Hobby Lobby
31g for 4 coasters OR 55 yds
Hook
H/8 – 5.0mm
Other Materials
Blunt end tapestry needle
Scissors
Gauge
Not important
Finished size
4 x 4” from edge to edge
Abbreviations
Ch – chain
Sl – slip stitch
Sp – space
Sk – skip
St(s) – stitch(es)
Sc – single crochet
Wc - waistcoat stitch
Revsc – single crochet from left to right
Inc – 2 waistcoat stitches in one stitch
FO – finish off
Notes
A quick and simple introduction the waistcoat stitch, creating a thick, knit-look fabric. The overlapping stitches create a tighter fabric that will absorb excess moisture before it reaches your table. This pattern is worked in continuous rounds.
Pattern
Round 1: magic circle, ch1, 6 sc in round (6)
Round 2: Inc, ch1. repeat to the end of the round (12)
Round 3: Inc, wc in next st, ch1, sk ch-1 sp. Repeat to end of round (18)
Round 4: Inc, 2 wc, ch1, sk ch-1 sp. Repeat to end of round (24)
Round 4: Inc, 3 wc, ch1, sk ch-1 sp. Repeat to end of round (30)
Round 5: Inc, 4 wc, ch1, sk ch-1 sp. Repeat to end of round (36)
Round 6: Inc, 5 wc, ch2, sk ch-1 sp. Repeat to end of round. Sl to first st of last round (42)
Round 7: ch 1, revsc x2 in ch-2 sp, *revsc 7, revsc x 1 in ch-2 sp.* Repeat from * to * 5 times. Sc in last 6 sts.
Finishing:
Cut yarn, FO, and weave in ends.
If you have any questions about the pattern or notice any errors, feel free to comment below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Copyright The Crafty MD, 2020 All Rights Reserved.
Feel free to make and sell items from this pattern in small quantities, but please give credit and link to my page. Do not sell, distribute, or reproduce the pattern.