The Ember Glow Coaster Set: A Free Knitting Pattern for Textured, Color-Blocked Drink Mats

Introducing the Ember Glow Coaster Set

Elevate your coffee table with these stunning, heat-resistant coasters that feature a mesmerizing interplay of slipped stitches and bold color blocks. Each coaster is a quick, satisfying knit that adds a touch of modern artisan charm to any home. The Ember Glow Coaster Set is the perfect project for beginners and experienced knitters alike, offering a chance to practice slipped stitches while creating a functional, beautiful home decor item. With just a few hours of knitting, you'll have a set of four textured, color-blocked drink mats that are as practical as they are stylish.

Materials Needed

To create your own Ember Glow Coaster Set, you'll need the following materials. These coasters are designed to be durable and heat-resistant, making them perfect for everyday use.

Yarn

• Weight: Worsted weight cotton yarn (e.g., Lily Sugar'n Cream)
• Colors: Three colors:
  • Color A: Burnt Orange (approximately 20 yards per coaster)
  • Color B: Cream (approximately 20 yards per coaster)
  • Color C: Charcoal (approximately 20 yards per coaster)
• Total Yardage: Approximately 60 yards of each color for the full set of 4 coasters.

Needles and Notions

• Knitting Needles: US Size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular, whichever you prefer)
• Other Notions:
  • Yarn needle for weaving in ends
  • Scissors
  • Ruler or tape measure (optional, for checking gauge)

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. While gauge is not critical for this project, matching it will ensure your coasters are approximately 4 inches square.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create one coaster. Repeat the process to make a set of four. Each coaster is worked flat from the bottom up.

Finished Size

Approximately 4 inches square.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Sl1 wyif: Slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front (the yarn is held to the front of the work, between you and the needle)
• Sl1 wyib: Slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in back (the yarn is held to the back of the work, away from you)
• BO: Bind off

Pattern Instructions

Coaster (Make 4)

Step 1: Cast On
With Color A (Burnt Orange), CO 20 stitches using your preferred method. Leave a 6-inch tail for weaving in later.

Step 2: Foundation Rows
Row 1 (RS - Right Side): With Color A, K all 20 stitches.
Row 2 (WS - Wrong Side): With Color A, P all 20 stitches.

Step 3: First Color Block (Cream)
Row 3 (RS): With Color B (Cream), K1, *Sl1 wyif, K1; repeat from * to the last stitch, K1. (This creates a slipped stitch pattern where the yarn is held in front of the slipped stitch.)
Row 4 (WS): With Color B, K1, *Sl1 wyib, K1; repeat from * to the last stitch, K1. (On the wrong side, the yarn is held in back of the slipped stitch.)

Step 4: Return to Base Color
Row 5 (RS): With Color A, K all 20 stitches.
Row 6 (WS): With Color A, P all 20 stitches.

Step 5: Second Color Block (Charcoal)
Row 7 (RS): With Color C (Charcoal), K1, *K1, Sl1 wyif; repeat from * to the last stitch, K1. (Note: The slipped stitch pattern is offset from the previous color block.)
Row 8 (WS): With Color C, K1, *K1, Sl1 wyib; repeat from * to the last stitch, K1.

Step 6: Return to Base Color
Row 9 (RS): With Color A, K all 20 stitches.
Row 10 (WS): With Color A, P all 20 stitches.

Step 7: Repeat the Pattern
Repeat Rows 3-10 two more times. This means you will work the following sequence:
- Rows 11-12: Color A (K all, P all)
- Rows 13-14: Color B (slipped stitch pattern)
- Rows 15-16: Color A (K all, P all)
- Rows 17-18: Color C (slipped stitch pattern)
- Rows 19-20: Color A (K all, P all)
- Rows 21-22: Color B (slipped stitch pattern)
- Rows 23-24: Color A (K all, P all)
- Rows 25-26: Color C (slipped stitch pattern)
- Rows 27-28: Color A (K all, P all)
- Rows 29-30: Color B (slipped stitch pattern)
- Rows 31-32: Color A (K all, P all)
- Rows 33-34: Color C (slipped stitch pattern)
- Rows 35-36: Color A (K all, P all)

Total rows: 36 rows (including the initial 2 foundation rows and 3 full repeats of the 8-row pattern).

Step 8: Final Border
With Color A, BO all 20 stitches knitwise. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail, and pull through the last loop to secure.

Step 9: Finishing
Weave in all ends using a yarn needle. Be sure to weave in the tails from the cast-on and bind-off edges, as well as any color changes. Block lightly by wetting the coaster and pinning it to the desired shape, then allowing it to dry flat. This will help the stitches even out and the coaster lie flat.

Assembly

Arrange the coasters in a set of four. Optionally, you can sew them together along one edge to create a coaster holder, or leave them as individual pieces for flexible use. Your Ember Glow Coaster Set is now complete and ready to protect your surfaces in style!