The Highland Hearth Plaid Coaster Set: A Free Knitted Tartan Pattern

Bring the cozy charm of a Scottish highland cottage to your coffee table with these knitted plaid coasters. Featuring a classic tartan pattern in warm autumnal hues—deep rust, golden mustard, forest green, and cream—each coaster is a mini masterpiece of colorwork and texture. Finished with delicate fringe for a handcrafted touch, this set is as functional as it is beautiful. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a quick weekend project or a beginner eager to try stranded colorwork, this pattern is designed to guide you every step of the way. Let's get started!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This project uses simple, readily available materials, making it perfect for a spontaneous crafting session.

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in four colors:
  • Rust (Color A) – approximately 20 yards per coaster
  • Mustard (Color B) – approximately 20 yards per coaster
  • Forest Green (Color C) – approximately 20 yards per coaster
  • Cream (Color D) – approximately 20 yards per coaster
  Note: For a set of 4 coasters, you'll need roughly 80 yards of each color. Any worsted weight yarn (like wool, acrylic, or a blend) will work beautifully.
• Knitting Needles: US Size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
• Crochet Hook: A small crochet hook (size G/6 or similar) for adding fringe
• Scissors: For cutting yarn and trimming fringe
• Tapestry Needle: For weaving in loose ends
• Ruler or Measuring Tape: To check gauge and trim fringe evenly

Gauge

To ensure your coasters come out the correct size, it's important to check your gauge. In stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row), you should have 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches. If your gauge is off, simply switch to a larger or smaller needle size until you achieve the correct tension. This will ensure your coaster is a perfect 5-inch square.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern creates a 5-inch square coaster with a woven plaid effect using stranded colorwork and a simple fringe. The coaster is worked flat, back and forth, making it easy to follow even for beginners. Let's break it down into manageable sections.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• Rep = repeat

Coaster (Make 4)

Follow these instructions to create one coaster. Repeat the entire process three more times to complete your set of four.

Step 1: Cast On and Base Rows

With Color A (Rust), cast on 25 stitches. We'll start with a few solid rows to create a clean base for the plaid pattern.

• Row 1 (RS): With A, K all 25 sts.
• Row 2 (WS): With A, P all 25 sts.
• Row 3 (RS): With A, K all 25 sts.
• Row 4 (WS): With A, P all 25 sts.

Tip: Keep your tension even and relaxed. This will make the colorwork sections much easier.

Step 2: First Plaid Section (Colors A and B)

Now we'll begin the colorwork. This section creates the first set of vertical stripes in Rust and Mustard. Remember to carry the yarn loosely across the wrong side of your work to avoid puckering.

• Row 5 (RS): With A, K5; switch to B (Mustard), K5; switch to A, K5; switch to B, K5; switch to A, K5. (You'll have 5 sts in each color segment, totaling 25 sts.)
• Row 6 (WS): With A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5. (Carry yarns loosely across WS.)
• Row 7 (RS): With A, K5; with B, K5; with A, K5; with B, K5; with A, K5.
• Row 8 (WS): With A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5.
• Row 9 (RS): With A, K5; with B, K5; with A, K5; with B, K5; with A, K5.
• Row 10 (WS): With A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5.

Pro Tip: When switching colors, twist the new yarn around the old yarn on the wrong side to prevent holes from forming.

Step 3: Solid Green Section

Next, we'll add a solid block of Forest Green to create the horizontal stripe in the tartan pattern.

• Row 11 (RS): Switch to Color C (Forest Green), K all 25 sts.
• Row 12 (WS): With C, P all 25 sts.
• Row 13 (RS): With C, K all 25 sts.
• Row 14 (WS): With C, P all 25 sts.

Step 4: Second Plaid Section (Colors C and D)

Now we'll create another set of vertical stripes, this time using Forest Green and Cream. This will intersect with the solid green section to form the classic tartan check.

• Row 15 (RS): With C, K5; switch to D (Cream), K5; switch to C, K5; switch to D, K5; switch to C, K5.
• Row 16 (WS): With C, P5; with D, P5; with C, P5; with D, P5; with C, P5.
• Row 17 (RS): With C, K5; with D, K5; with C, K5; with D, K5; with C, K5.
• Row 18 (WS): With C, P5; with D, P5; with C, P5; with D, P5; with C, P5.
• Row 19 (RS): With C, K5; with D, K5; with C, K5; with D, K5; with C, K5.
• Row 20 (WS): With C, P5; with D, P5; with C, P5; with D, P5; with C, P5.

Step 5: Second Solid Green Section

We'll add another solid block of Forest Green to complete the horizontal stripe pattern.

• Row 21 (RS): With C, K all 25 sts.
• Row 22 (WS): With C, P all 25 sts.
• Row 23 (RS): With C, K all 25 sts.
• Row 24 (WS): With C, P all 25 sts.

Step 6: Repeat First Plaid Section (Colors A and B)

To complete the tartan pattern, we'll repeat the first plaid section with Rust and Mustard. This will mirror the top of the coaster with the bottom.

• Row 25 (RS): With A, K5; with B, K5; with A, K5; with B, K5; with A, K5.
• Row 26 (WS): With A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5.
• Row 27 (RS): With A, K5; with B, K5; with A, K5; with B, K5; with A, K5.
• Row 28 (WS): With A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5.
• Row 29 (RS): With A, K5; with B, K5; with A, K5; with B, K5; with A, K5.
• Row 30 (WS): With A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5; with B, P5; with A, P5.

Step 7: Border and Bind Off

Finally, we'll add a clean border in Rust to frame the plaid pattern and then bind off.

• Row 31 (RS): With A, K all 25 sts.
• Row 32 (WS): With A, P all 25 sts.
• Row 33 (RS): With A, K all 25 sts.
• Row 34 (WS): With A, P all 25 sts.

Bind off all 25 sts loosely with Color A. Tip: Bind off loosely to keep the edge from pulling in. You can use a larger needle for the bind-off row if needed.

Adding the Fringe

The fringe adds that perfect handcrafted, bohemian touch to your coasters. Here's how to add it evenly along the top and bottom edges.

1. Cut the strands: Cut 8 strands of yarn, each 6 inches long, in alternating colors (A, B, C, D). You'll need 4 strands for the top edge and 4 for the bottom edge.
2. Fold and insert: Take one strand and fold it in half. Using your crochet hook, insert the hook into the edge stitch along the cast-on edge (for the bottom) or bind-off edge (for the top).
3. Pull through: Pull the folded loop of yarn through the stitch, creating a small loop on the surface.
4. Tighten: Pull the two loose ends of the yarn through the loop and pull tight to secure the fringe.
5. Repeat: Place fringe evenly along the top and bottom edges, spacing them about 1 inch apart. You should have 4 fringe pieces on the top and 4 on the bottom.
6. Trim: Once all fringe is attached, trim the ends to an even length of about 1.5 inches.

Finishing Touches

To give your coasters a professional, polished look, follow these final steps.

1. Weave in ends: Using your tapestry needle, carefully weave in all loose yarn ends on the wrong side of the coaster. Make sure to weave them in securely so they don't come loose with use.
2. Block the coasters: Blocking is essential for evening out the stitches and enhancing the plaid pattern. To block, lightly wet the coaster with cool water, gently squeeze out excess moisture (don't wring!), and lay it flat on a towel. Shape it into a perfect 5-inch square and let it dry completely. This will also help the fringe hang nicely.
3. Repeat: Repeat the entire process for the remaining three coasters.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it—a beautiful set of Highland Hearth Plaid Coasters that will add a touch of Scottish warmth to any room. These coasters make wonderful gifts for housewarmings, holidays, or just because. The combination of rich colors and textured knit creates a piece that's both functional and decorative. We hope you enjoyed this pattern and feel inspired to create more cozy home decor. Happy knitting!