Quick & Free Halloween Crochet Pattern: Little Ghost Coaster

As Halloween creeps closer, I always find myself in the mood for some quick, fun crochet projects. This year, I’ve whipped up a ghost coaster that’s equal parts spooky and simple—perfect for beginners eager to try colorwork. Measuring just 4″x4″, it makes a great coaster, or you can add it to larger projects like blankets or sweaters for that extra Halloween touch.

What’s great about this project? It’s small, fast, and doesn’t require a ton of yarn. If you’ve got some leftover skeins lying around, this is the perfect way to use them! Plus, with both a written pattern and a colorwork chart (and a video tutorial for backup), you’ll have all the guidance you need, even if this is your first time tackling colorwork.

Adaptable and Beginner-Friendly

One of my favorite things about this ghost square is its flexibility. While I used fingering weight yarn to keep it coaster-sized, you can easily swap it for a thicker yarn and hook to make a bigger piece. It’s totally customizable to fit your style or project needs.

This is also a fantastic entry point into colorwork crochet. The ghost design is straightforward with minimal color changes, so it won’t overwhelm you with details. If you’ve been eyeing colorwork but haven’t felt confident enough to dive in, this is your chance.

Scrap Yarn? This Pattern’s for You!

Got leftover yarn? This pattern uses small amounts, so it’s ideal for busting those leftover scraps. I went with a classic Halloween palette—orange, white, and black—but feel free to experiment with other colors. Purples, greens, or even some neon shades would make this design pop in a totally different way!

Also, if you’re in the mood for more Halloween-themed crochet, check out my free pattern for mini crocheted pumpkins, or if coasters are your jam, my Happy Cat Coasters are a fun, year-round project.

Quick, Fun, and Customizable

This square works up fast, giving you instant satisfaction! And if you want something larger, simply adjust the yarn weight and hook size. You could even join several squares to create a spooky blanket, pillow cover, or bag.

Grab the Ad-Free PDF

If you’d like to download an ad-free version of this pattern, you can purchase it here!

Pattern Infomation

Materials

Rainbow Cotton 8/4 (Fingering weight, 100% Cotton; 175 yards / 160 meters, 50g):
A – Rust, 1 skein
B – White, 1 skein
C –  Black, 1 skein
2mm crochet hook or size to obtain gauge
Scissors
Yarn needle

Gauge

4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm) = 28 sts x 32 rows in Single Crochet. 

Size

4” / 10 cm wide
4” / 10 cm long 

Abbreviations (US terms)

ch = chain
st/s = stitch/es
sl st = slip stitch
SC = single crochet
FSC = foundation single crochet
RS = right side
WS = wrong side

This pattern can be worked either by following the written pattern or the color chart. 

Reading The Chart

Watch this video for a full tutorial on how to read a colorwork chart.

• The first row of the coaster is worked in FSC. 
• For every following row, work a SC into every stitch. 
• At the end of every row ch 1 (not counted as a stitch) and turn.
• The ch 1 at the end of each row is not shown on the chart.
• The chart is worked flat. Read RS rows (odd numbers) from right to left, and WS rows (even numbers) from left to right.
• Each square is equal to one SC (or FSC for the first row).

Color Changes

Watch this video for a full tutorial on how to do color changes while keeping both sides of your work neat.

• To change colors, work last st with the current color until 2 loops remain on the hook, yarn over with the new color, and pull through.
• Use bobbins to add new yarn, do not carry the yarn that is not in use under stitches. 
• When using the same color twice in a row, add multiple bobbins of color as necessary. 

More Video Tutorials You Might Find Helpful
Foundation Stitch Tutorial
5 Tips For Crocheting A Graphan
5 More Tips For Crocheting Graphgans
How To Work With Multiple Bobbins

Little Ghost Coaster Video Tutorial

Little Ghost Coaster Chart

Little Ghost Coaster Written Pattern

A: Orange
B: White
C: Black

Row 1 [RS]: (A) 28 FSC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 2 [WS]: (A) 28 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 3 [RS]: (A) 28 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 4 [WS]: (A) 28 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 5 [RS]: (A) 15 SC, (B) 10 SC, (A) 3 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 6 [WS]: (A) 2 SC, (B) 14 SC, (A) 12 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 7 [RS]: (A) 11 SC, (B) 15 SC, (A) 2 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 8 [WS]: (A) 4 SC, (B) 14 SC, (A) 10 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 9 [RS]: (A) 9 SC, (B) 13 SC, (A) 6 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 10 [WS]: (A) 7 SC, (B) 12 SC, (A) 9 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 11 [RS]: (A) 8 SC, (B) 12 SC, (A) 8 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 12 [WS]: (A) 8 SC, (B) 12 SC, (A) 8 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 13 [RS]: (A) 7 SC, (B) 13 SC, (A) 8 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 14 [WS]: (A) 9 SC, (B) 12 SC, (A) 7 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 15 [RS]: (A) 7 SC, (B) 12 SC, (A) 9 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 16 [WS]: (A) 9 SC, (B) 14 SC, (A) 5 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 17 [RS]: (A) 3 SC, (B) 17 SC, (A) 8 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 18 [WS]: (A) 8 SC, (B) 7 SC, (C) 2 SC, (B) 9 SC, (A) 2 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 19 [RS]: (A) 2 SC, (B) 9 SC, (C) 2 SC, (B) 8 SC, (A) 7 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 20 [WS]: (A) 6 SC, (B) 16 SC, (A) 2 SC, (B) 2 SC, (A) 2 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 21 [RS]: (A) 6 SC, (B) 3 SC, (C) 2 SC, (B) 2 SC, (C) 2 SC, (B) 8 SC, (A) 5 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 22 [WS]: (A) 5 SC, (B) 3 SC, (A) 2 SC, (B) 3 SC, (C) 2 SC, (B) 2 SC, (C) 2 SC, (B) 3 SC, (A) 6 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 23 [RS]: (A) 6 SC, (B) 3 SC, (C) 2 SC, (B) 2 SC, (C) 2 SC, (B) 3 SC, (A) 3 SC, (B) 2 SC, (A) 5 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 24 [WS]: (A) 11 SC, (B) 11 SC, (A) 6 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 25 [RS]: (A) 6 SC, (B) 11 SC, (A) 11 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 26 [WS]: (A) 11 SC, (B) 10 SC, (A) 7 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 27 [RS]: (A) 7 SC, (B) 9 SC, (A) 12 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 28 [WS]: (A) 13 SC, (B) 7 SC, (A) 8 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 29 [RS]: (A) 9 SC, (B) 5 SC, (A) 14 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Row 30-32: (A) 28 SC, ch 1 and turn.
Do not fasten off.

Border
Round 1: Sc in each st until 1 st remains, 3 SC in final st, do not turn, continue working down the side of your square. Sc into the end of each row, 3 SC into the first FSC, SC into each FSC, 3 SC in final FSC, SC into the end of each row, 2 SC into the first SC you worked into, sl st with first SC to join.

Fasten off, weave in ends and block.