The Whispering Pines Coaster Set: A Free Crochet Pattern for Textured, Forest-Floor Inspired Drink Mats

Bring the Forest to Your Table: The Whispering Pines Coaster Set

Imagine the quiet, grounding feeling of walking through a mossy forest floor. Now, you can bring that serene beauty to your coffee table with the Whispering Pines Coaster Set. This free crochet pattern creates uniquely textured drink mats that are as tactile as they are visually stunning. Each coaster features a central 'moss' puff stitch surrounded by crisp, pine-needle-like post stitches, all worked in earthy tones of forest green, moss green, and bark brown. Perfect for beginners looking to expand their skills, this project is quick, rewarding, and makes a thoughtful handmade gift.

Materials Needed

To create one set of four coasters, you will need the following materials. Each coaster uses approximately 30 yards of each color, so a single 100g skein of each color will easily make the entire set.

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn (e.g., Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton) in three colors:
  • Color A - Forest Green (main color)
  • Color B - Moss Green (accent color)
  • Color C - Bark Brown (accent color)
• Hook: Size G (4.0 mm) crochet hook
• Notions: Stitch marker, yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors
• Gauge: First 4 rounds = 2.5 inches in diameter. Gauge is not critical for this project, but consistency will ensure all coasters are the same size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Important Notes: This pattern is worked in continuous rounds (spiral) unless otherwise specified. Do not join rounds with a slip stitch unless instructed. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round to keep track of your progress.

Coaster (Make 4)

Round 1: The Center

With Color A (Forest Green), make a magic ring. Chain 1 (this does not count as a stitch). Work 8 single crochet (sc) into the ring. Pull the yarn tail firmly to close the ring. (8 sc)

Round 2: Increase Round

Work 2 single crochet (sc) in each stitch around. This means you will increase in every stitch. (16 sc)

Round 3: Increase Round

*Single crochet (sc) in the next stitch, then work 2 sc in the next stitch (increase). Repeat from * around. (24 sc)

Round 4: Increase Round

*Single crochet (sc) in the next 2 stitches, then work 2 sc in the next stitch (increase). Repeat from * around. (32 sc)

Round 5: Color Change & Increase

Switch to Color B (Moss Green). *Single crochet (sc) in the next 3 stitches, then work 2 sc in the next stitch (increase). Repeat from * around. (40 sc)

Round 6: Increase Round

*Single crochet (sc) in the next 4 stitches, then work 2 sc in the next stitch (increase). Repeat from * around. (48 sc)

Round 7: Creating the V-Stitch Border

Switch back to Color A (Forest Green). Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet). Work 1 double crochet (dc) in the same stitch (the base of the chain 3). *Skip the next 2 stitches. In the following stitch, work (dc, chain 1, dc) – this is a V-stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the top of the beginning chain-3. You should have 16 V-stitches.

Round 8: Shell Stitch Round

Slip stitch (sl st) into the chain-1 space of the first V-stitch. Chain 3 (counts as first dc). Work (dc, chain 2, 2 dc) in the same chain-1 space. This creates a shell stitch. *Work (2 dc, chain 2, 2 dc) in each chain-1 space around. Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the top of the beginning chain-3. You should have 16 shell stitches.

Round 9: The Moss Puff Stitch Round

Switch to Color C (Bark Brown). Chain 1, single crochet (sc) in the same stitch (the top of the chain-3 from the previous round). *Single crochet (sc) in the next 3 stitches. Now work a puff stitch in the chain-2 space of the shell stitch: Puff Stitch: Yarn over (yo), insert hook into the chain-2 space, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into the same chain-2 space, yarn over and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on hook. Chain 1 to close the puff stitch. Then, single crochet (sc) in the next 4 stitches. Repeat from * around. At the end of the round, you will have worked sc in the last 3 stitches, a puff stitch in the last chain-2 space, and sc in the last stitch. Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the first single crochet. You should have 16 puff stitches.

Round 10: Smoothing Round

Chain 1. Single crochet (sc) in each stitch around, including the chain-1 spaces that close each puff stitch. This means you will work 1 sc in each sc from the previous round, and 1 sc in the top of each puff stitch's closing chain. Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the first single crochet. (80 sc)

Round 11: Final Border

Chain 1. Single crochet (sc) in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the first single crochet. Fasten off and weave in all ends securely.

Finishing

Block the coasters lightly to flatten them and even out the stitches. To block, wet the coasters with cool water, gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring), and lay them flat on a towel to dry. Shape them into perfect circles as they dry. Once dry, your Whispering Pines Coaster Set is ready to use or gift!