Frosted Fir Knitted Coaster & Placemat Set Free Pattern – A Nordic Forest Table Accent

Bring the quiet beauty of a snow-dusted pine forest to your holiday table with this textured knitted coaster and placemat set. The combination of deep evergreen, creamy white, and warm wood tones creates a cozy, Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic that elevates any winter gathering. Whether you're hosting a festive dinner or simply enjoying a quiet cup of tea by the fire, this set adds a handcrafted touch that feels both elegant and inviting.

This pattern is perfect for confident beginners looking to expand their skills with simple intarsia and duplicate stitch techniques. The result is a set of four coasters and two placemats, each featuring a central pine tree motif framed by a delicate eyelet border. The thick, worsted-weight cotton yarn ensures durability and a soft, slightly stretchy feel that protects your table in style.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials. All items are readily available at your local yarn shop or online.

Yarn

• Worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn in three colors:
  • Deep Forest Green (MC) – Main color for the background
  • Snow White (CC1) – Contrast color for the tree motif
  • Birch Bark Tan (CC2) – Accent color for the tree trunk and optional fringe
• Yardage requirements:
  • Coaster set (4 coasters): Approximately 120 yards MC, 60 yards CC1, and 30 yards CC2.
  • Placemat set (2 placemats): Approximately 350 yards MC, 180 yards CC1, and 90 yards CC2.

Needles & Notions

• US Size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles – or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle – for weaving in ends and duplicate stitch
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional, for keeping track of pattern repeats)

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Gauge is not critical for this project, but consistent tension ensures even sizing across all pieces. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern creates a set of four coasters and two placemats. Each piece is knitted flat from the bottom up, creating a neat, rectangular shape. The tree motif is worked using simple intarsia and duplicate stitch, making it accessible to confident beginners. We'll start with the coaster, then move on to the placemat.

Coaster (Make 4)

Each coaster measures approximately 4 inches square. Follow these steps carefully for each of the four coasters.

Cast On & Base

1. Cast on 30 stitches with MC (Deep Forest Green).
2. Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
4. Repeat Rows 1-2 until the piece measures 2 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row. This creates the solid green base of the coaster.

Tree Motif

Now you'll begin the central pine tree motif. The tree is worked over the center 10 stitches, with 10 MC stitches on each side. You'll join CC1 (Snow White) for the tree body.

1. Row 1 (RS): K10 MC, join CC1 and K10, join MC and K10. You now have three yarn balls attached: MC on the left, CC1 in the center, and MC on the right.
2. Row 2 (WS): P10 MC, P10 CC1, P10 MC. Continue working in stockinette, following the tree chart below. Important: When changing colors, twist the yarns around each other on the wrong side to prevent holes.

Tree Chart (worked over center 10 stitches):

Tree Trunk: After completing Row 12, you'll add the small trunk in CC2 (Birch Bark Tan) using duplicate stitch. This is done after the piece is complete, so set this aside for now.

Top Section

1. After completing the tree motif, continue in stockinette with MC only for 2 more inches, ending with a wrong-side row. This creates the solid green top section of the coaster.

Eyelet Border

This delicate border adds a touch of elegance to the finished piece.

1. Row 1 (RS): K1, *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to last stitch, K1. This creates a series of eyelet holes across the row.
2. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
3. Row 3 (RS): Knit all stitches.
4. Bind off loosely. A loose bind-off ensures the edge doesn't pucker.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle. Be sure to secure the yarn tails from the color changes neatly on the wrong side.
2. Add the tree trunk: Using CC2, work a small duplicate stitch (about 2 stitches wide and 2 rows tall) at the base of the tree, centered under the tip. This creates the trunk.
3. Block to shape. Wet block the coaster by soaking it in lukewarm water, gently squeezing out excess, and pinning it to the correct dimensions (4 inches square). Allow to dry completely.

Placemat (Make 2)

Each placemat measures approximately 12x18 inches. The construction is identical to the coaster, but with a wider cast-on and additional repeats of the tree motif.

Cast On & Base

1. Cast on 50 stitches with MC (Deep Forest Green).
2. Work in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) for 3 inches, ending with a wrong-side row.

Tree Motif

For the placemat, you'll work the tree chart twice across the row, with 10 MC stitches between each tree.

1. Row 1 (RS): K10 MC, join CC1 and work Tree Chart Row 1 (K10 CC1), K10 MC, join second ball of CC1 and work Tree Chart Row 1 again (K10 CC1), K10 MC.
2. Row 2 (WS): P10 MC, P10 CC1, P10 MC, P10 CC1, P10 MC.
3. Continue working the tree chart for both trees simultaneously, following the same row-by-row instructions as the coaster. Remember to twist yarns at color changes to avoid holes.

Tree Trunk: As with the coaster, add the trunk in CC2 using duplicate stitch after the piece is complete.

Top Section

1. After completing the tree motif, continue in stockinette with MC only for 3 inches, ending with a wrong-side row.

Eyelet Border

1. Row 1 (RS): K1, *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to last stitch, K1.
2. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
3. Row 3 (RS): Knit all stitches.
4. Bind off loosely.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends carefully, securing the color-change yarn tails.
2. Add the tree trunks in CC2 using duplicate stitch at the base of each tree.
3. Block to shape. Wet block to the correct dimensions (12x18 inches) and allow to dry completely.

Optional Fringe

For a rustic, Nordic touch, add a fringe of CC2 along the short edges of each placemat.

1. Cut CC2 yarn into 6-inch lengths.
2. Fold each strand in half. Insert a crochet hook through the edge of the placemat, catch the folded loop, and pull through.
3. Pull the yarn ends through the loop and tighten. Repeat every ½ inch along both short edges.
4. Trim the fringe evenly.

Final Thoughts

Once your set is complete, you'll have a beautiful, handmade addition to your holiday table. The deep forest green, crisp snow white, and warm birch bark tan evoke the serenity of a snowy pine forest, while the eyelet border adds a delicate, elegant finish. These pieces also make wonderful handmade gifts for friends and family.

Remember, the key to a polished result is consistent tension and careful blocking. Take your time, enjoy the process, and soon you'll be admiring your very own Frosted Fir table accent set. Happy knitting!