Whisker & Whimsy Cat Face Coasters Free Knitting Pattern – Playful Kitchen Knits

Whisker & Whimsy Cat Face Coasters: A Purr-fect Beginner Knitting Project

Bring a touch of feline charm to your coffee table with these adorable cat face coasters! Knitted in soft cotton yarn with charming embroidered whiskers, this quick and satisfying project is perfect for using up scrap yarn and makes a delightful handmade gift for cat lovers. Whether you're decorating your own kitchen or looking for a thoughtful present, these whimsical coasters are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face.

This pattern is ideal for beginners who want to practice basic increases and decreases while creating something functional and adorable. The stockinette stitch body is simple to master, and the embroidery details add a personalized touch that makes each coaster unique. Plus, cotton yarn ensures your coasters are absorbent and durable—perfect for protecting your surfaces from condensation rings.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies:

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn (e.g., Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton) in two colors:
  • Main Color (MC): Cream (or any light color of your choice)
  • Contrast Color (CC): Charcoal Gray (or a darker shade for contrast)
• Small amounts of black and pink yarn for embroidery (eyes, nose, and whiskers)
• Knitting Needles: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Tapestry needle for embroidery and weaving in ends
• 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 stiffer, more durable coaster.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked flat from the bottom up. Each coaster is knitted in one piece, then the face details are embroidered on. The finished size is approximately 4 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two stitches together (decrease)
• Kfb = knit into the front and back of the same stitch (increase)
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• MC = Main Color
• CC = Contrast Color

Coaster (Make 4)

With MC, cast on 20 stitches.

Row 1 (Right Side): Knit all stitches.
Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl all stitches.
Rows 3-10: Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 4 more times (you will have a total of 10 rows of stockinette stitch).

Shape the Ears

Now we'll begin shaping the distinctive cat ears by increasing stitches at the center and decreasing at the edges.

Row 11 (RS): K2tog, K6, Kfb, K2, Kfb, K6, K2tog. (22 sts)
Row 12 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 13 (RS): K2tog, K7, Kfb, K2, Kfb, K7, K2tog. (24 sts)
Row 14 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 15 (RS): K2tog, K8, Kfb, K2, Kfb, K8, K2tog. (26 sts)
Row 16 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 17 (RS): K2tog, K9, Kfb, K2, Kfb, K9, K2tog. (28 sts)
Row 18 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 19 (RS): K2tog, K10, Kfb, K2, Kfb, K10, K2tog. (30 sts)
Row 20 (WS): Purl all stitches.

Tip: The Kfb increases create the ear points, while the K2tog at the edges shape the outer curves of the ears.

Shape the Top of the Head

Now we'll decrease to round off the top of the head between the ears.

Row 21 (RS): K2tog, K11, K2tog, K2tog, K11, K2tog. (26 sts)
Row 22 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 23 (RS): K2tog, K9, K2tog, K2tog, K9, K2tog. (22 sts)
Row 24 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 25 (RS): K2tog, K7, K2tog, K2tog, K7, K2tog. (18 sts)
Row 26 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 27 (RS): K2tog, K5, K2tog, K2tog, K5, K2tog. (14 sts)
Row 28 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 29 (RS): K2tog, K3, K2tog, K2tog, K3, K2tog. (10 sts)
Row 30 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 31 (RS): K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2tog, K1, K2tog. (6 sts)
Row 32 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Row 33 (RS): K2tog, K2tog, K2tog. (3 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining 3 stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in end securely.

Finishing & Embroidery

Now for the fun part—bringing your cat to life!

1. Weave in all loose ends except the cast-on edge.
2. Embroider the ears: Using the CC yarn, with the right side facing you, use a simple whip stitch or duplicate stitch to outline the triangular ear shapes on the top corners of the coaster. The ears should be approximately 1 inch tall and 1 inch wide at the base. This contrast outline adds beautiful definition to the ear shape.
3. Embroider the eyes: Using black yarn, place them about 1 inch apart, centered horizontally, and about 1 inch below the top of the head. Use a French knot or a small satin stitch for each eye. French knots create a cute, dimensional look, while satin stitches give a flatter, more graphic appearance—choose whichever you prefer!
4. Embroider the nose: Using pink yarn, embroider a small triangle for the nose, centered between and slightly below the eyes. A simple satin stitch works beautifully for this.
5. Embroider the whiskers: Using black yarn, from the nose, create three small straight stitches radiating outward on each side, curving slightly upward. These delicate whiskers add the whimsical charm that makes these coasters so special.
6. Block the coasters flat to ensure they lie nicely. To block, wet the coasters, gently squeeze out excess water, and lay them flat to dry, shaping them as needed. This step is important for creating a professional-looking finished product that will lay flat on your table.

Tips for Success

• Keep your tension consistent throughout the project for a uniform look.
• Count your stitches after each row to ensure you haven't accidentally dropped or added any.
• Use stitch markers if you find it helpful to mark the center of your work.
• Practice your embroidery on a scrap piece of knitting first if you're new to French knots or satin stitches.

These charming cat face coasters are perfect for using up scrap yarn from other projects, making them both economical and eco-friendly. They also make wonderful housewarming gifts, hostess presents, or stocking stuffers for the cat lovers in your life. The whimsical design adds a touch of personality to any kitchen or dining space, and the cotton yarn ensures they're as practical as they are adorable.

Once you've mastered this pattern, feel free to experiment with different color combinations—imagine a ginger cat, a tuxedo cat, or even a calico version! You could also adjust the size by changing your needle size or yarn weight. The possibilities are endless, and each variation will be uniquely yours.

Happy knitting, and may your coffee table be filled with whiskers and whimsy!