Learn to crochet

What can we use if we don't have a crochet hook, blunt yarn needle, or special yarn?

Use a size-appropriate plastic or aluminum hook from another set or a smooth pencil taped with a hook temporarily for making your slip knot and chains, weave tails with a large darning/tapestry or blunt sewing needle instead of the blunt yarn needle, and substitute any medium-weight acrylic or even T‑shirt yarn for the original yarn when following the chain and single‑crochet steps.

My ring came out twisted or my coaster isn't flat—what should I check and fix?

Unfasten the joining slip stitch and rejoin the last chain to the first chain making sure the ring is not twisted, use a stitch marker and recount so you have 12 single crochets evenly for the coaster, and tighten the starting slip knot to close the center if the hole is too large.

How can I adapt the instructions for different age groups?

For younger children simplify by using bulky yarn and an extra‑large hook and stick to the coaster option (chain 4, 12 sc) for a quick win, while older kids can chain 30–40 for the wristband, keep working single crochet rounds, and practice increases to make larger coasters.

How can we personalize or extend the finished coaster or wristband?

Personalize by changing yarn colors between rounds to create stripes, sew on a button or beads to the wristband before weaving the tail with the blunt yarn needle, or add another increase round (1 sc then 2 sc) to make the coaster bigger.