The Mosaic Mosaic Coaster: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Colorful, Textured Home Accent

Introducing the Mosaic Mosaic Coaster: A Modern Knit for Your Home

This isn't your grandma's coaster. The Mosaic Mosaic Coaster uses a clever slipped-stitch technique to create a stunning, woven-like pattern with multiple colors, all while only working with one color per row. It's a quick, satisfying knit that adds a pop of modern art to your coffee table. Perfect for beginners looking to try colorwork without the complexity of carrying multiple strands, this pattern builds confidence and creates a beautiful, functional piece.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. The gauge is crucial for a perfect coaster, so take a moment to check your tension.

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn (e.g., Lily Sugar'n Cream) in 4 contrasting colors: Color A (Main), Color B, Color C, Color D. Approximately 10 yards of each color.
• Needles: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles (or size needed to achieve gauge).
• Gauge: 20 stitches x 28 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch. To check gauge, knit a small swatch in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) and measure the center 4 inches. Adjust needle size if necessary.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, blocking pins (optional but recommended for a professional finish).

Step-by-Step Instructions

Important Technique Note: This pattern uses a slipped stitch mosaic technique. You will only work with one color per row. When slipping stitches, always slip them purlwise with the yarn held in the back (wyib) on knit rows and in the front (wyif) on purl rows. This ensures the floats (the yarn carried behind the slipped stitches) are hidden and the pattern is crisp.

Coaster (Make 1)

Setup Rows:

• With Color A, cast on 30 stitches using your preferred method (long-tail cast-on works well).
• Row 1 (RS): With Color A, knit across all 30 stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): With Color A, purl across all 30 stitches.

Pattern Repeat (Rows 3-32): This section creates the mosaic design. Follow each row carefully, changing colors as indicated. Remember to slip stitches purlwise with yarn held in back (wyib) on RS rows and in front (wyif) on WS rows.

• Row 3 (RS): With Color B, k1, *sl1 wyib, k1; repeat from * to last stitch, k1. (You will have a pattern of knit, slip, knit, slip... ending with a knit.)
• Row 4 (WS): With Color B, p1, *sl1 wyif, p1; repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
• Row 5 (RS): With Color C, k2, *sl1 wyib, k1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
• Row 6 (WS): With Color C, p2, *sl1 wyif, p1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p2.
• Row 7 (RS): With Color D, k1, *k1, sl1 wyib; repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
• Row 8 (WS): With Color D, p1, *p1, sl1 wyif; repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
• Row 9 (RS): With Color A, k2, *k1, sl1 wyib; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
• Row 10 (WS): With Color A, p2, *p1, sl1 wyif; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p2.
• Row 11 (RS): With Color B, k1, *sl1 wyib, k1; repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
• Row 12 (WS): With Color B, p1, *sl1 wyif, p1; repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
• Row 13 (RS): With Color C, k2, *sl1 wyib, k1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
• Row 14 (WS): With Color C, p2, *sl1 wyif, p1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p2.
• Row 15 (RS): With Color D, k1, *k1, sl1 wyib; repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
• Row 16 (WS): With Color D, p1, *p1, sl1 wyif; repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
• Row 17 (RS): With Color A, k2, *k1, sl1 wyib; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
• Row 18 (WS): With Color A, p2, *p1, sl1 wyif; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p2.
• Row 19 (RS): With Color B, k1, *sl1 wyib, k1; repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
• Row 20 (WS): With Color B, p1, *sl1 wyif, p1; repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
• Row 21 (RS): With Color C, k2, *sl1 wyib, k1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
• Row 22 (WS): With Color C, p2, *sl1 wyif, p1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p2.
• Row 23 (RS): With Color D, k1, *k1, sl1 wyib; repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
• Row 24 (WS): With Color D, p1, *p1, sl1 wyif; repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
• Row 25 (RS): With Color A, k2, *k1, sl1 wyib; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
• Row 26 (WS): With Color A, p2, *p1, sl1 wyif; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p2.
• Row 27 (RS): With Color B, k1, *sl1 wyib, k1; repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
• Row 28 (WS): With Color B, p1, *sl1 wyif, p1; repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
• Row 29 (RS): With Color C, k2, *sl1 wyib, k1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
• Row 30 (WS): With Color C, p2, *sl1 wyif, p1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p2.
• Row 31 (RS): With Color D, k1, *k1, sl1 wyib; repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
• Row 32 (WS): With Color D, p1, *p1, sl1 wyif; repeat from * to last stitch, p1.

Finishing Rows:

• Row 33 (RS): With Color A, knit across all 30 stitches.
• Row 34 (WS): With Color A, purl across all 30 stitches.
• Bind off all stitches loosely with Color A. To bind off loosely, knit two stitches, then pass the first stitch over the second and off the needle. Knit one more stitch, pass the previous stitch over, and repeat until one stitch remains. Cut yarn and pull through the last loop.

Finishing

Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle. To weave in ends securely, thread the yarn through the back of several stitches of the same color, then reverse direction and weave back through a few more stitches. Trim excess yarn close to the work. Block gently to shape: wet the coaster, gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring), lay flat on a towel, and shape to a perfect square. Allow to dry completely. This will even out the stitches and give your coaster a professional, polished look.