Emberstone Coasters Free Pattern – A Knitted Slate & Cinder Set

Bring the warmth of a hearthside evening to your table with these textured, stone-inspired knitted coasters. Each coaster features a unique blend of slip stitches and seed stitch, creating a rugged, organic surface that protects your furniture in style. Whether you're cozying up with a hot mug of tea or setting down a chilled glass, these coasters add a touch of rustic elegance to any setting. Perfect for beginners and experienced knitters alike, this free pattern will guide you through creating a set of four beautiful, tactile coasters that mimic the natural beauty of river stones.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth and enjoyable knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors: 50g each of Slate (dark grey) and Cinder (charcoal black). Cotton is ideal for coasters as it is absorbent, durable, and machine washable.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles. These are perfect for achieving the gauge and texture required for this pattern.
• Tapestry Needle: For weaving in loose ends and finishing your coasters neatly.
• Scissors: For cutting yarn.

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. This gauge ensures your coasters come out to the correct size and density.

Finished Size: Approximately 4.5 inches square (each coaster). This size is perfect for standard mugs and glasses.

Abbreviations

Familiarize yourself with these knitting abbreviations before starting:

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Sl: Slip stitch purlwise (insert needle as if to purl, slip stitch to right needle without knitting)
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together (decrease)
• BO: Bind off

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create your Emberstone Coasters. The pattern is worked flat and includes a textured border, a center panel, and a neat bind-off. Make 4 coasters total—2 in each color or mix as you prefer.

Coaster Base (Worked Flat)

This section creates the foundation and the beginning of the textured border.

1. Row 1 (RS): CO 20 stitches with Color A (Slate).
2. Row 2 (WS): K all stitches. This row creates a clean base edge.
3. Row 3: K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1. This creates a slipped stitch pattern that adds texture.
4. Row 4: K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1. The purl stitches create the seed stitch effect.
5. Row 5: K1, *K1, Sl 1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1. This alternates the slip stitch placement for a woven look.
6. Row 6: K1, *K1, P1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1. Continue the seed stitch pattern.
7. Rows 7-10: Repeat Rows 3-6 once more. This completes the border section.
8. Row 11: K all stitches. This row separates the border from the center panel.
9. Row 12: K all stitches. This completes the base.

Textured Center Panel

This section forms the main body of the coaster with a denser, stone-like texture.

13. Row 13: K1, *K2tog, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2tog (now 14 stitches). This decrease row shapes the center panel.
14. Row 14: K all stitches. This row stabilizes the decreases.
15. Row 15: K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1. Begin the slip stitch pattern for the center.
16. Row 16: K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1. Add the purl stitches for texture.
17. Row 17: K1, *K1, Sl 1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1. Alternate the slip stitch placement.
18. Row 18: K1, *K1, P1; repeat from * to last stitch, K1. Continue the seed stitch.
19. Rows 19-22: Repeat Rows 15-18 once more. This completes the center texture.
20. Row 23: K all stitches. This row prepares for the final decrease.
21. Row 24: K all stitches. This completes the center panel.

Border and Bind Off

This section creates the final border and finishes the coaster neatly.

25. Row 25: K1, *K2tog, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2tog (now 10 stitches). This decrease shapes the top border.
26. Row 26: K all stitches. This row stabilizes the decreases.
27. Row 27: BO all stitches knitwise. This creates a clean, stretchy edge.

Finishing

Complete your coasters with these final steps:

1. Weave in Ends: Use a tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends securely. This ensures your coasters are durable and neat.
2. Block the Coasters: Lightly block the coasters to flatten them and even out the texture. To block, wet the coasters, gently squeeze out excess water, and lay them flat to dry on a towel, shaping them into perfect squares.
3. Repeat: Make the remaining coasters, alternating colors as desired. For a cohesive set, make two in Slate and two in Cinder.

Pro Tip

For a more pronounced stone effect, try using a tweed or heather yarn in your chosen colors. The subtle flecks of color will enhance the rugged, organic texture of the coasters, making them look even more like natural river stones.

Enjoy your new Emberstone Coasters! They make wonderful gifts and add a touch of handcrafted warmth to any home. Happy knitting!