A free knitting pattern for a square coaster you can do yourself in less than one hour
No matter if you have a glass surface or you are sick of water stains – a knitted coaster can be a great way to keep your table neat and add a lovely spot of color to your dinner setting. So, if you are a beginner and you are looking for an easy knitted coaster pattern, then you came to the right place.
Below, you will find detailed step by step written instructions. That being said, if this is your first time, then kindly read my tutorial on how to knit a coaster first. Also, consider checking out my post on how to read knitting patterns.
This pattern is perfect for practising your stitch definition. So, why don’t you knit a two or three – especially as it only takes 30-60 minutes to finish one. Knitted coasters can be a lovely gift idea!
Anyway, let’s dive right into it, eh?
Hint: Looking for more beginner patterns? Why not try out my mug cozy!
The materials you will need:
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The good part about knitting a coaster: It basically works with every yarn and needle, and you only need the most basic knitting tools every beginner needs. There no need to go on a shopping binge and if you (or someone in your family) has old unused knitting needles, you can pretty much use these.
- 15 meters (12 grams) of the Schachenmayr Catania Grande Cotton Yarn (or any other chunky cotton yarn)
- Knitting needles size 4.0mm / size 6. I am using the Knitter’s Pride Dreamz
- A tapestry needle
- Scissors
Please be aware that if you pick a different yarn/needle combination, you may have to cast on more stitches and/or knit more rows to get a perfect square shape.
The Square Coaster pattern:
Cast on 19 stitches with a longtail cast-on leaving a tail of around 6-8 inches.
- Row 1-5: Knit across all stitches
- Row 6: k3, purl 13, k3
- Row 7: Knit
- Repeat rows 6+7 until you’ve knit 25 rows in total
- Row 26-28: Knit
- Row 29: Bind off all stitches
Note: Click on the respective links if you need help with any of these stitches
Once you finished knitting your coaster, you can cut the working yarn leaving another tail of around 6-8 inches. Then, pick up your tapestry needle and tidy up those tails. Here’s a detailed tutorial on how I weave in the ends.
I recommend blocking your finished project. It makes all the difference and will help you get a perfect square coaster. Simply pin your coaster to a blocking mat or any soft surface and steam it with your iron. If you don’t have that at hand, you can spray it with some water instead and let it dry.
Reading tip: 10 easy projects for knitting beginners
Creating your own knitted coaster patterns
The fun starts when you get creative yourself. If you look closely at this basic pattern, it’s nothing but a swatch in stockinette stitch framed with garter stitch. And you can exchange this middle section with any knitting stitch pattern you like. The star stitch comes to my mind but Bavarian twisted stitches could be a fun alternative as well.
Depending on the gauge of that pattern, you might have to adjust the rows you have to knit, though. But there’s a simple trick that will help you knit a square each time. Simply fold your work in progress into a triangle. When the left edge meets the edge of the garter stitch selvage on the other side, you can stop your pattern repeat and add those last four rows in garter stitch.
Instead of switching out the repeat for the center of this coaster, you can also try to create a unique pattern using purl stitches. With a stockinette stitch, you knit all stitches on the right side. Put if you purl selected stitches, you can actually paint pictures.
I did this for my Christmas tree coaster pattern, which I embellished with some simple embroidery. So, what I’m saying is that this might be an easy project for beginners but that doesn’t mean it has to look simple. Even with such easy techniques, you can achieve some fabulous results.
Hey Norman! I have a question: why are the first 5 rows are knitted but only the last 2 are knitted? The borders wont be the same length no?
Hey Julie,
that’s an excellent question. Here are two things to consider:
– when you bind off, you are actually knitting one more row, so that’s why you will want to subtract one row
– also, stockinette stitch and garter stitch have the same repeat on the right side. only the wrong side is different. So, I could have also written: row 1-4 knit in garter stitch, row 5-x stockinette stitch, last 3 rows in garter stitch
hope this makes sense now.
Norman
I get it now, it makes sense. Thanks for the quick reply!
Always a pleasure!
Even with it written “three rows garter, bind off” wouldn’t the ending only be four rows of garter?
yes and no. stockinette stitch and garter stitch share a one common row 🙂
If you wanted to do matching placemats – how many stitches would we need – what size would you recommend?
that depends on your yarn, your needles, and your gauge. There’s no one answer here. especially as I do not know what you think is a good size for a placemat.
What if I dont have a yarn needle?
Then, quite frankly you should buy one. You will need it for (almost) every knitting project. It’s such an essential tool.
So excited to try out your coaster patterns! Do you have one with a leaf shape?
no, I am sorry I don’t have that yet
Perfect pattern for a tiny ball of yarn. Thank you for sharing!