FELTED PENNY RUG BEAR COASTER

Yarn: Any 2 or 3 colors of wool yarn (sport to worsted weight or heavier)

Hook: US I /9 -5.5mm (or whatever size you desire)

Finished size: Bear Motif (un-felted)-5 ¼ inches wide-ears 1 ½ inches wide; Circle motif (un-felted) 3 ¾ inches wide. Small felt circle is about 2 inches wide.  (Felting did not shrink mine much).

Note:  No joining rounds necessary-use a stitchmarker or piece of yarn to mark beginning of rnds.

 

Supplies needed:

 -A few yards of wool yarn in 3 colors, and/or felt

-Felt for backing

-6-stranded embroidery floss/thread

-Buttons or beads may be used for the eyes instead 

of embroidery if you wish

-Sewing needle

-Rubber gloves for felting in hot water

 

Bear Motif: (made with a heavy worsted weight wool)

Begin with a magic loop.

Rnd 1) 7 sc in magic loop, pull magic loop tight. (7 sc)

Rnd 2) 2 sc in each st around. (14 sc)

Rnd 3) (2 sc in next st, sc in next st) around. (21 sc)

Rnd 4) (2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts) around. (28 sc)

Rnd 5) (2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts) around. (35 sc)

Rnd 6) (2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts) around. (42 sc)

Rnd 7) (2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts) around. (35 sc)

Rnd 8)-ears-Sl st in next st, *ch 1, (hdc, dc, htr, tr) in next st, (tr, htr, dc, hdc, sl st) in next st,* sl st in next 12 sts (to 2^nd increase point), repeat from * to * once more, sl st in next st, finish off & weave in ends.

 

Circle Motif(s): (made with sport weight wool)

Repeat beginning rounds (1-7) of Bear Motif-up to Rnd 8 (no ears needed on this motif). If your yarn is a lighter weight yarn, this circle will be smaller even if doing all 7 rounds (which is what I did). If you want to use the same weight yarn, then stop at any round that gives you a circle width slightly smaller than the Bear motif. For the 3^rd circle-I used a piece of felt I had and simply used the bottom of a candle holder to trace around, but you may repeat the Bear motif instructions again stopping after only a few rounds so that you have 3 motifs each a little smaller than the 1^st , if not using a sheet of felt.  Felt both (or all 3) motifs in hot water. 

 

Coaster Assembly: 

1.  After all motifs have been felted and dried, position the smallest one in the center of the middle-sized one & pin in place. Using 6-stranded embroidery floss, blanket stitch all around the smallest circle to sew it to the middle circle, then embroider the nose and mouth in the center of the smallest circle.
2. Next, lay those 2 circles (now joined as one piece) on the Bear motif and pin into place. Using 6-stranded embroidery floss, blanket stitch all the way around the middle-sized circle to secure the two pieces together. Embroider eyes just above where the middle circle joins the Bear motif (centered below the ears). 
3. Cut a felt back the same size as your Bear motif (I laid my felt sheet on the back, pinned it in place and then cut around the bear motif), pin it in place on the back and using 6-stranded embroidery floss, blanket stitch all around the outside of the Bear motif (I did this with the front side of the bear facing me, so I could place my stitches evenly-not as pictured here with the back showing).

 
Now grab your favorite mug, fill it with your favorite beverage, and enjoy using your new mug rug!

© Copyright July 2012 by Carmen Carpenter, all rights reserved. This pattern, in whole or part, may not be reproduced – mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying -- without the written permission of Carmen Carpenter. Projects made from this pattern may be gifted, swapped or sold. If you use this pattern to sell items on the internet, kindly credit Carmen Carpenter as the designer.