3 Free Knit Coaster Patterns (Knit & Purl Only)

Michele's love for knitting shines like the sun! Knitting is a trending craft, so jump on board today!

Easy Knitting Project for Beginners

When learning how to knit, one of the best places to start is with an easy knitting project like a coaster or a bookmark. The beginner knitting patterns for the coasters in this article are especially easy because they only use the knit and purl stitches. Anyone who can knit those two stitches can make the following patterns.

In This Article

• Pattern 1: Lots of Triangles Coaster
• Pattern 2: Welded Laddered Love Coaster
• Pattern 3: Squared or Blocked Coaster

Each of these patterns has a unique, original design. Due to the recommended knitting needle size and yarn type, these coasters are sturdy enough to serve their purpose as a coffee cup holder. Each coffee cup knitting pattern is free of charge for personal use and very inexpensive.

Benefits of Knit Coasters

Other benefits of these coasters include:

• Unique, original designs created by Michele Kelsey
• Sturdy, long-lasting coasters
• Inexpensive, homemade holiday gifts
• Beautiful and specialized free knitting patterns
• Fun and quick projects that can be done on the fly

Why I Started Making Knit Coasters

I find it hard to buy gifts for the men in my life during the holidays. Once I decided to hand-knit all of my presents each year, I began making scarves in masculine colors for my brothers, cousins, etc. This worked great for the gift-giving season for a few years. Then, all of the men in my life were fully stocked when it came to homemade scarves, even though my pattern designs had drastically improved over the years. This is why I began making coaster sets for those I love during the holidays.

More information about making coaster sets is included at the bottom of this article. The following information will be provided in the next sections:

• Preliminary notes regarding how to make these coaster sets
• Free knitting patterns for each of these coaster sets
• Tips on completing or completed knitting coaster sets

Notes for Free Coaster Patterns

Since I taught myself to knit from scratch without even video assistance, it took me longer than usual. I expect that I could help beginner knitters since I have an idea of where they are coming from. I would like to offer suggestions just in case they do help a beginner like I was.

Knitting Needles

To find the right sized knitting needle for these small knitting projects, there are many ways to figure out which needle is best. It is important to use the right size knitting needle or your project will not turn out to look the way you would like it to.

How to Find the Right Size

• Go to a craft store and purchase a knitting needle in the size you wish to use.
• Go through your knitting needles and examine the number on top which will tell you the size of the needle.
• Go through your stash of knitting needles and measure needles using a knitting needle gauge.

Ensure that you find the right knitting needles for your craft projects. Make sure it is a length you like since you will be using it for the length of your project. I prefer 10” knitting needles over 14” knitting needles, because the small needles are faster to me. I also prefer metal, because I like the clanking sound of metal and I feel they are smoother, making them faster.

Knitting Yarn

Any type of 100% acrylic or 100% worsted weight yarn will do for these projects as far as I know. I typically use worsted weight yarn made by Red Heart. It is the yarn that I find easiest to work with. I usually purchase Red Heart Super Saver, because like I said, I find it easiest to work with, and it is the least expensive yarn usually. However, Hobby Lobby has discontinued Red Heart Super Saver yarn as its’ cheapest yarn. The replacement is Crafter’s Secret, a brand created by Hobby Lobby.

Knitting Tools Needed

Knitting needles and knitting yarn were discussed above. My favorite and my preference when it comes to both is 10” metal needles (I love size 15 for scarves) and worsted weight yarn. A knitting gauge can help you find the right size of knitting needle. A tapestry needle is needed at the end of project. You must weave in the extra yarn in a natural manner using this plastic needle so there are no knots in your knitted piece of art. Point protectors protect your project as you work on it, while a knitting tote makes your project portable and neat.

Knitting Tools Needed

Knitting Abbreviations

• CO - Cast On
• K - Knit
• P - Purl
• BO - Bind Off

These abbreviations may be used in the following patterns. If you do not know how to do them yet, don’t worry. As a beginner, I have provided simple-to-understand definitions of each of these terms along with excellent videos under the free coaster knitting patterns.

Pattern 1: Lots of Triangles Coaster

This is a very masculine looking coaster with a unique pattern design. It would make a great gift for any special man in your life. This pattern is perfect for beginners, because it is an easy knitting project with a satisfying result.

There are many options for this coaster pattern. You could knit all four of these coasters in the same color to bring conformity to the set, or you could mix the colors of the coaster set up for variety.

Equipment Needed:

• US 8 knitting needles
• Favorite color of worsted weight yarn
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Measurements: approximately 5” x 5”

Length of Time to Create: Approximately 1 hour

Pattern

CO 20

R1-3: K3, *K*, K3
R4: K3, P1, K16
R5: K4, P11, K5
R6: K3, P3, K9, P2, K3
R7: K6, P7, K7
R8: K3, P5, K5, P4, K3
R9: K8, P3, K9
R10: K3, P7, K1, P6, K3
R11: K3, P6, K1, P7, K3
R12: K9, P3, K8
R13: K3, P4, K5, P5, K3
R14: K7, P7, K6
R15: K3, P2, K9, P3, K3
R16: K5, P11, K4
R17: K16, P1, K3
R18: Repeat R4-R11
Finish with R1-R3.

BO and weave in the ends.

Pattern 2: Welded Laddered Love Coaster

This is one of my favorite original pattern designs for coasters. It is the perfect gift for anyone! It has the elegant look for any women on your holiday shopping list, but it still has that cohesiveness needed for a coaster set for anyone. This knitting pattern is perfect for beginner knitters, because it is fast and easy.

There is a variety of ways to complete this coaster set. You can mix and match the colors or make them all the same color. It really depends on who you are making the set for. You may want to consider what their favorite colors are, where they will keep the coaster set, and what colors conform to their style.

Equipment Needed:

• US 7 knitting needles
• Favorite color of worsted weight yarn
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Measurements: approximately 6” s 6”

Length of Time to Create: approximately 30 minutes

Pattern

CO 22

Knit 4 rows.
R1: *K*
R2: K3, P4, (K2, P4) X2, K3
R3: *K*
R4: K3, P1, K2, (P4, K2) X2, P1, K3
Repeat R1-4 five more times.
Knit 4 rows.

BO and weave in the ends.

Pattern 3: Squared or Blocked Knitted Coaster

This is a common knitting pattern design, usually called basket-weave. While this is not completely a basket-weave pattern, it is similar. It is very symmetrical and neat looking. This coaster is appropriate for males or females. Anyone could use a set like this.

Beginner knitters can knit this coaster with only the knit and purl stitches. The satisfaction of what this coaster looks like when it is done is very high, because it turns out looking quite advanced. Mix and match colors for this coaster set or use the same color for all 4 coasters. With this design, the coaster set looks nice either way.

Equipment Needed:

• US 8 knitting needles
• Favorite color of worsted weight yarn
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Measurements: approximately 5” x 5”

Length of Time to Create: approximately 30 minutes

Pattern

CO 20

R1: *K*
R2: *P*
R3: K2, *P4, K2*
R4: P2, *K4, P2*
R5: Row 3
R6: Row 4
R7: Row 1
R8: Row 2
R9: P3, *K2, P4*, K2, P3
R10: K3, *P2, K4*, P2, K3
R11: Row 9
R12: Row 10
R13-20: Row 1-8
R21-22: *K*

BO and weave in ends.

More Knitting Tips, Videos, and Tutorials

• Knitted Coasters: Tips, Photos, Videos, and How to Knit
  How to knit lessons and videos to help you make beautiful knit coasters.

Comments

Michele Kelsey from Edmond, Oklahoma on December 10, 2018:

Chris,

Great question! X means times and the 2 is the quantity so X2 means "two times" or repeat what you did two more times (X2). Let me know if that is not clearer. I am addicted to math so I forget what a nerd I am and I don't realize that I don't explain things normally! :P

Thank you for bringing that up - in case another reader might have the same question and please let me know if you see anything on another pattern of mine!

Thanks!

Michele

Chris on December 03, 2018:

In the ladder coaster what is x2 in row 2 and 4?

Michele Kelsey (author) from Edmond, Oklahoma, USA on May 01, 2018:

Kayla,

I'm not sure I answered your question. K = knit the stitch, but *K* = knit all the way across the row (knit every stitch).

Any time you see * * in a knitting pattern, the pattern is calling for you to do the action in between the * and * all the way across the row.

I hope that answers the question better! Let me know! :)

Michele Kelsey (flirtyknitter)

Kayla on February 14, 2018:

Is *k* and k mean the same?

Me on January 30, 2018:

What do you mean *K*?

Michele Kelsey (author) from Edmond, Oklahoma, USA on November 13, 2017:

In knitting terms, K means Knit, and P means Purl. Does that help with your question?

Kate on July 07, 2017:

What does the *K* mean?

Michele Kelsey (author) from Edmond, Oklahoma, USA on November 16, 2016:

I was thinking about you today and was wondering if you made the placemats or if you'd like me to create a free knitting pattern for them?

I'll be happy to help!

Michele :)

Michele Kelsey (author) from Edmond, Oklahoma, USA on September 24, 2016:

It really depends on how big you want your placemats to be. My guess would be 3 or 4 times the cast on that the coasters call for. Please let me know if you have further questions and I will happily make placemats to test them out myself.

Aine Mc Donnell on September 04, 2016:

In the Welded Laddered Love Knitted Coaster and the block coaster how many extra stitches should I cast on to make matching place mats?

Michele Kelsey (author) from Edmond, Oklahoma, USA on October 17, 2015:

Awesome! What color are yours? We got stone ones as a wedding present so I've never kept a set. I have given lots away as gifts as I find them perfect for guy recipients. Did you use double yarn or chunky? These patterns were single worsted weight, but I have had guys say they worry they are too thin and will leak. Thanks for following! :) Michele Kelsey

Donna Herron from USA on October 16, 2015:

Great patterns! I particularly like the Laddered Love coasters. Coasters are a great little knitting project, especially for beginning knitters. I made a set of knitted coasters a few years ago and we use them all the time. Thanks for posting and sharing!