Coasters are one of those craft projects with a simple concept and infinite possibilities, and I've seen dozens of different kinds around the craft world. But according to a search, only one coaster has ever been mentioned on Threadbanger... which means, of course, it's time for a roundup!! I found oh so many great coasters out there, and am definitely skipping a ton more, so I'm going to go through these quickly to give you some coaster inspiration!

The coaster design that did appear here on the Threadbanger blog was the long thread's pinwheel coasters; if you liked those, you'll probably like these criss-cross coasters by allsorts:

 

This great fabric coaster tutorial, by Scrapdash, uses a CD for total table protection:

 

 

CD's make for excellent coaster bases, and if you're a crocheter, you're really in luck! Crochet Pattern Central has a huge list of CD-related patterns, including a bunch of coasters, like this one that was made by Stitches & Chains:

 

 

Kristin of Craft Leftovers wrote up a free pattern for these Crocheted Sun Tea Spot coasters:

 

Teresa Franco designed these super cute crochet flower coasters, and shares the pattern for free!

 

Robyn Chachula did a Craft: pattern podcast with these crocheted plastic Alternative Coasters:

 

 

 

I really love these simple Double Duty coasters by Paper and Stitch, which can also be used as modular bulletin boards!

 

Also made with cork, these painted Modern Number Coasters by Modern Cottage are great:

 

 

Remember these plastic beads that you iron together from when you were a kid? I do! They are great for making pixel-based coasters, like old video game characters! check out this pac man set by babiestarlite13 on craftster:

 

 

Have too many photos to fit on your walls? Turn them into coasters (again, with CDs as the bases) with this how-to by Anitra on the Coffee Pot People blog:

 

 

And another scrapbook-esque coaster tutorial is over on the Art Dolls blog:

 

 

Here are a few simple ones... felt coasters on Design*Sponge:

 

 

Wipe-Clean Coaster by Allyson Hill:

 

 

Iron-on vinyl coasters by How about orange:

 

 

Some awesome recycled-materials versions.... Recycled Magazine Coasters on Apartment Therapy:

 

 

Scrabble Coasters by jessfun23 on craftster, and more by TracyInNH (love these!!):

 

 

This fabric and bottlecap coaster by Phizzychick on craftster is totally unique and pretty cool:

 

 

And I've leave you with the most simple version, made a little more complex by Sugar Lotus by adding rubber feet to the bottom... CD coasters:

 

 

Well, I know there are so many more out there, so if you have a particular favorite coaster that I didn't mention, share it with us in the comments, and don't forget to post your coaster projects in the forums!