The Petalwood Coaster Set Free Pattern – A Knitted Oasis of Leaf Stitches and Earthen Tones

Bring the serene beauty of a forest floor to your table with this set of six knitted coasters, each featuring a unique leaf motif and a palette of moss, clay, and cream. These textured circles are quick to knit and make a thoughtful handmade gift for any nature lover. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a weekend project or a beginner eager to learn new stitches, this pattern offers a rewarding experience that combines practicality with botanical artistry.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through every step of creating the signature "Fern Leaf" coaster, complete with detailed instructions, stitch explanations, and tips for mastering the other five leaf variations. By the end, you'll have a stunning set of coasters that will transform your coffee table into a cozy, natural retreat.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials. Having everything ready will make your knitting experience smooth and enjoyable.

Yarn

• Worsted weight cotton yarn in three colors:
  • Moss Green (MC) – approximately 50 yards
  • Terracotta (CC1) – approximately 50 yards
  • Cream (CC2) – approximately 50 yards
• Note: The total yardage is enough for the full set of six coasters. Cotton yarn is recommended for its absorbency, durability, and ability to hold stitch definition.

Needles and Tools

• US Size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles – or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle – for weaving in ends
• Stitch markers – 2 markers (optional but helpful)
• Scissors

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Gauge is not critical for this project, but a tighter gauge will create a sturdier coaster. If your coasters feel too floppy, try using a smaller needle size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is for a set of six coasters, each worked flat in rows. Each coaster uses a different leaf stitch pattern, but all follow the same basic construction: a square with a leaf motif in the center, bordered by a simple seed stitch edge. The instructions below are for the 'Fern Leaf' coaster, which is the signature design of the set. The other five coasters (Oak Leaf, Maple Leaf, Willow Leaf, Aspen Leaf, and Ivy Leaf) follow the same structure but with variations in the leaf stitch pattern, which are described in the 'Variations' section at the end.

Fern Leaf Coaster (Make 1 in MC, 1 in CC1, 1 in CC2)

You will make three Fern Leaf coasters, one in each color. The instructions are identical for all three; only the yarn color changes.

Cast On

With your chosen color, cast on 30 stitches using your preferred method (long-tail cast on works well).

Border Rows 1-4

Knit all stitches (garter stitch) for 4 rows. This creates a sturdy, non-curling edge for your coaster.

Row 5 (Right Side) – Setting Up the Leaf Chart

K3, place marker, work Row 1 of Leaf Chart over next 24 stitches, place marker, K3.

Tip: The markers help you keep track of where the leaf pattern begins and ends. The 3 knit stitches on each side form the garter stitch border.

The Leaf Chart (worked over 24 stitches)

This chart creates a beautiful fern leaf with a central stem, yarn overs, and decreases that form the leaf veins and edges. Follow each row carefully, reading from right to left on odd (right side) rows and left to right on even (wrong side) rows.

Row 1 (RS): K1, yo, k2tog, k8, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k8, ssk, yo, k1
Row 2 and all even rows: Purl all stitches.

Row 3 (RS): K2, yo, k2tog, k7, k2tog, yo, k4, yo, ssk, k7, ssk, yo, k2
Row 4: Purl all stitches.

Row 5 (RS): K3, yo, k2tog, k6, k2tog, yo, k6, yo, ssk, k6, ssk, yo, k3
Row 6: Purl all stitches.

Row 7 (RS): K4, yo, k2tog, k5, k2tog, yo, k8, yo, ssk, k5, ssk, yo, k4
Row 8: Purl all stitches.

Row 9 (RS): K5, yo, k2tog, k4, k2tog, yo, k10, yo, ssk, k4, ssk, yo, k5
Row 10: Purl all stitches.

Row 11 (RS): K6, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k12, yo, ssk, k3, ssk, yo, k6
Row 12: Purl all stitches.

Row 13 (RS): K7, yo, k2tog, k2, k2tog, yo, k14, yo, ssk, k2, ssk, yo, k7
Row 14: Purl all stitches.

Row 15 (RS): K8, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k16, yo, ssk, k1, ssk, yo, k8
Row 16: Purl all stitches.

Row 17 (RS): K9, yo, k2tog, k2tog, yo, k18, yo, ssk, ssk, yo, k9
Row 18: Purl all stitches.

Row 19 (RS): K10, yo, k2tog, yo, k20, yo, ssk, yo, k10
Row 20: Purl all stitches.

Abbreviation Key:

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• yo: Yarn over (bring yarn to front, then over the needle to the back, creating a new loop)
• k2tog: Knit two stitches together (decrease)
• ssk: Slip, slip, knit (decrease – slip two stitches knitwise one at a time, then knit them together through the back loop)

Understanding the Chart: The yarn overs (yo) create the small holes that form the leaf veins and the spaces between the leaflets. The decreases (k2tog and ssk) shape the leaf edges, pulling the fabric inward to create the characteristic fern silhouette. The center section (the k2, k4, k6, etc. between the decreases) forms the central stem of the leaf.

Continue the Pattern

Repeat Rows 1-20 of the Leaf Chart two more times, then work Rows 1-19 once more. You will have a total of 3 full leaf motifs and one partial (the last motif will be missing the final purl row).

Counting Tip: After completing the first full repeat (Rows 1-20), you'll have one complete leaf. After the second repeat, you'll have two leaves. After the third repeat plus Rows 1-19, you'll have three complete leaves and the beginning of a fourth. This creates a beautiful, layered effect.

Final Border Rows

Knit 4 rows of garter stitch (knit every stitch). This mirrors the border at the beginning and frames the leaf motif perfectly.

Bind Off

Bind off all stitches knitwise. Do not cut the yarn yet – leave a tail of about 6 inches for weaving in.

Weave in Ends

Using your tapestry needle, weave in all loose ends on the wrong side of the coaster. Make sure to weave through the purl bumps to hide the ends securely.

Blocking

Block the coaster lightly to shape. It should be a perfect square. To block:

1. Soak the coaster in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap for 10-15 minutes.
2. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring).
3. Lay flat on a towel and roll up to remove more water.
4. Pin the coaster to the desired square shape on a blocking mat or towel.
5. Allow to dry completely before unpinning.

Variations for the Other Five Coasters

Now that you've mastered the Fern Leaf coaster, you can create the other five designs. Each uses the same basic structure (30 stitches cast on, 4 garter stitch border rows on each end, and a 24-stitch leaf chart in the middle) but with different leaf patterns. Here's how to create each one:

Oak Leaf Coaster

Use the same structure, but replace the leaf chart with a simple oak leaf shape. Work a central stem with 3 pairs of leaves branching out. For each pair, work a series of yarn overs and decreases to create rounded lobes.

Simplified Oak Leaf Chart (24 stitches):

• Row 1: K1, yo, k2tog, k3, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k3, yo, k2tog, k1
• Row 2 and all even rows: Purl
• Row 3: K2, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k2
• Row 5: K3, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k3
• Row 7: K4, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k8, yo, k2tog, k8, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k4
• Row 9: K5, yo, k2tog, k10, yo, k2tog, k10, yo, k2tog, k5
• Row 11: K6, yo, k2tog, k8, yo, k2tog, k8, yo, k2tog, k6
• Row 13: K7, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, k7
• Row 15: K8, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k2tog, k8
• Row 17: K9, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k9
• Row 19: K10, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k10
• Row 20: Purl

Maple Leaf Coaster

Use a chart that creates a star-like leaf with 5 points. This can be achieved by working 5 separate leaf sections that meet at the center.

Simplified Maple Leaf Chart (24 stitches):

• Row 1: K2, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k2
• Row 2 and all even rows: Purl
• Row 3: K3, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k3
• Row 5: K4, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k8, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k4
• Row 7: K5, yo, k2tog, k10, yo, k2tog, k10, yo, k2tog, k5
• Row 9: K6, yo, k2tog, k8, yo, k2tog, k8, yo, k2tog, k6
• Row 11: K7, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, k7
• Row 13: K8, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k2tog, k8
• Row 15: K9, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, k9
• Row 17: K10, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k10
• Row 19: K11, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k11
• Row 20: Purl

Willow Leaf Coaster

Use a long, narrow leaf shape. Work a simple elongated leaf with a central vein, using yarn overs and decreases to create a gentle curve.

Simplified Willow Leaf Chart (24 stitches):

• Row 1: K1, yo, ssk, k8, yo, k2, yo, k2tog, k8, yo, k1
• Row 2 and all even rows: Purl
• Row 3: K2, yo, ssk, k7, yo, k4, yo, k2tog, k7, yo, k2
• Row 5: K3, yo, ssk, k6, yo, k6, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k3
• Row 7: K4, yo, ssk, k5, yo, k8, yo, k2tog, k5, yo, k4
• Row 9: K5, yo, ssk, k4, yo, k10, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k5
• Row 11: K6, yo, ssk, k3, yo, k12, yo, k2tog, k3, yo, k6
• Row 13: K7, yo, ssk, k2, yo, k14, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k7
• Row 15: K8, yo, ssk, k

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