The Frosted Fir Coaster Set: A Free Knitting Pattern for Textured, Winter Woodland Decor

Bring a Touch of Winter Woodland Charm to Your Table

There's something magical about handcrafted holiday decor, and these Frosted Fir Coasters are the perfect way to add a cozy, hygge-inspired touch to your winter table. This free knitting pattern creates a set of four charming coasters, each one mimicking the silhouette of a snow-dusted Christmas tree. Using a clever combination of garter stitch and dropped stitches, you'll achieve a lacy, frosted effect that looks intricate but is surprisingly simple to knit. This quick project is ideal for using up small amounts of worsted-weight yarn and makes a wonderful handmade gift or a festive addition to your own home.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Each coaster uses very little yarn, so you can easily make multiple sets from single skeins.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) yarn in two colors:
  • 20 yards of a dark forest green (Main Color, MC) per coaster
  • 10 yards of a soft cream or white (Contrast Color, CC) per coaster
  Sample used: Cascade 220 in 'Forest Green' and 'Natural'.
• Knitting Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
• Other: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, pins for blocking

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch (blocked). Gauge is not critical for this project, but consistency will ensure all four coasters are the same size.
• Finished Size: Each coaster is approximately 4.5 inches wide and 5 inches tall after blocking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Notes: The coaster is knit flat from the bottom up. The tree shape is created by increasing and decreasing stitches. The 'frost' effect is achieved by knitting a dropped stitch pattern with the cream yarn. Read through all instructions before beginning.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together (decrease)
• M1: Make one stitch (increase) by picking up the bar between stitches and knitting it through the back loop
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• RS: Right side
• WS: Wrong side
• YO: Yarn over

Pattern: Coaster (Make 4)

Step 1: Cast On & Begin Increases (Tree Base)

With MC (green), CO 3 sts.

• Row 1 (RS): K1, M1, K1, M1, K1. (5 sts)
• Row 2 (WS): Knit all sts.
• Row 3: K1, M1, K to last st, M1, K1. (7 sts)
• Row 4: Knit all sts.
• Row 5: K1, M1, K to last st, M1, K1. (9 sts)
• Row 6: Knit all sts.
• Row 7: K1, M1, K to last st, M1, K1. (11 sts)
• Row 8: Knit all sts.
• Row 9: K1, M1, K to last st, M1, K1. (13 sts)
• Row 10: Knit all sts.
• Row 11: K1, M1, K to last st, M1, K1. (15 sts)
• Row 12: Knit all sts.

Step 2: Begin Tree Shape (Decreases)

• Row 13 (RS): K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. (13 sts)
• Row 14 (WS): Knit all sts.
• Row 15: K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. (11 sts)
• Row 16: Knit all sts.
• Row 17: K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. (9 sts)
• Row 18: Knit all sts.
• Row 19: K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. (7 sts)
• Row 20: Knit all sts.

Step 3: Frosted Top (Dropped Stitch Section)

• Row 21 (RS): With CC (cream), K1, *YO, K2tog* repeat from * to * until 1 st remains, K1. (7 sts – YOs count as stitches)
• Row 22 (WS): With CC, K1, *drop the YO from the needle, K1* repeat from * to * across. (7 sts – the dropped YOs create long loops)

Tip: When dropping the YO, simply let it fall off the left needle without knitting it. This creates the long, lacy loops that look like frost.

• Row 23 (RS): With MC, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1. (5 sts)
• Row 24 (WS): Knit all sts.
• Row 25: K1, K2tog, K2tog. (3 sts)
• Row 26: Knit all sts.
• Row 27: K2tog, K1. (2 sts)
• Row 28: K2tog. (1 st)

Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Pull the tail through the last stitch and tighten to secure.

Finishing

• Weave in Ends: Using a tapestry needle, weave in all ends neatly on the wrong side of the coaster. Be careful not to pull too tightly, as this can distort the shape.
• Blocking (Essential for Best Results): Blocking opens up the dropped stitch loops and gives the coaster a crisp, professional look.
  1. Soak each coaster in cool water for 10-15 minutes.
  2. Gently squeeze out excess water – do not wring or twist.
  3. Lay the coaster flat on a blocking mat or towel. Gently stretch and pin it to the correct triangular shape, ensuring the bottom edge is straight and the sides are even.
  4. Allow to dry completely (usually 24 hours). Remove pins.

Repeat for all four coasters. Enjoy your handcrafted winter woodland decor!