Whirling Dervish Coaster Free Knitting Pattern – Spiraling Twists

Transform your table setting with a touch of dynamic elegance! The Whirling Dervish Coaster is a mesmerizing knitting project that captures the motion of a whirlwind in soft, chunky yarn. This unique spiral design, created with a clever combination of slipped stitches and delicate eyelets, adds a sophisticated, handmade touch to any home. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a quick weekend project or a confident beginner ready for a fun challenge, this free pattern will guide you through creating a stunning textured coaster that's as beautiful as it is functional.

This pattern is perfect for using up worsted weight cotton yarn from your stash. The two-color technique creates a subtle, swirling path that draws the eye, while the thick cotton yarn ensures your coaster is durable, absorbent, and heat-resistant. Let's dive into the whirlwind and knit this beautiful piece together!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth and enjoyable knitting experience. The quality of your materials will directly impact the final look and feel of your coaster.

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn (e.g., Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton) in two contrasting colors:
  • Main Color (MC): Sage Green – approximately 50 yards
  • Contrast Color (CC): Cream – approximately 30 yards
• Knitting Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles. Straight needles are perfect for this flat-knit project.
• Other Tools: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends, a pair of scissors, and a ruler or measuring tape to check your gauge.

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. While gauge is important for size, this coaster is quite forgiving. A slightly tighter or looser gauge will still produce a beautiful result, just with a slightly different final measurement.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This coaster is knitted flat in one piece, using a combination of knit, purl, and twisted stitches to create a spiraling effect. The pattern uses a simple two-color technique with slipped stitches to form the whirl design. Don't be intimidated by the length of the pattern – the rows are repetitive and rhythmic, making it a relaxing project once you get into the flow.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease)
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (a left-leaning decrease)
• YO = yarn over (creates an eyelet hole)
• Sl = slip stitch purlwise (insert needle as if to purl, but just move the stitch to the other needle)
• MC = Main Color (Sage Green)
• CC = Contrast Color (Cream)

Getting Started: Cast On and Foundation Rows

Cast On: With MC, cast on 41 stitches using your preferred method. A long-tail cast on works beautifully here, providing a neat, stretchy edge.

Row 1 (Right Side): With MC, knit all stitches. This establishes the right side of your work.

Row 2 (Wrong Side): With MC, purl all stitches. This completes the first stockinette section.

The First Slipped Stitch Section

Now we begin the colorwork. The slipped stitches will create horizontal bars of CC across the row, forming the base of the spiral.

Row 3: With CC, K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to end. (This creates a horizontal bar of CC across the row.)

Row 4: With CC, P1, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 5: With MC, K2, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.

Row 6: With MC, P2, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, P2.

Row 7: With CC, K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 8: With CC, P1, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 9: With MC, knit all stitches.

Row 10: With MC, purl all stitches.

Creating the First Spiral Eyelets

Here's where the magic happens! The yarn overs and decreases create the eyelets that will form the swirling vortex.

Row 11 (Spiral Start): With MC, K1, *K2tog, YO, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (This creates eyelets that will form the spiral.)

Row 12: With MC, purl all stitches.

Continuing the Slipped Stitch Pattern

We'll repeat the slipped stitch section to build the spiral's path.

Row 13: With CC, K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 14: With CC, P1, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 15: With MC, K2, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.

Row 16: With MC, P2, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, P2.

Row 17: With CC, K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 18: With CC, P1, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 19: With MC, knit all stitches.

Row 20: With MC, purl all stitches.

The Mirrored Spiral Twist

This section creates a mirrored eyelet pattern, giving the spiral its dynamic, twisting motion.

Row 21 (Spiral Twist): With MC, K1, *YO, SSK, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (This creates a mirrored eyelet pattern.)

Row 22: With MC, purl all stitches.

Repeating the Slipped Stitch Pattern

Continue building the spiral with another repeat of the slipped stitch section.

Row 23: With CC, K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 24: With CC, P1, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 25: With MC, K2, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.

Row 26: With MC, P2, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, P2.

Row 27: With CC, K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 28: With CC, P1, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 29: With MC, knit all stitches.

Row 30: With MC, purl all stitches.

Second Spiral Eyelet Section

We're now halfway through the pattern. This repeats the first eyelet section to continue the spiral.

Row 31: With MC, K1, *K2tog, YO, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.

Row 32: With MC, purl all stitches.

Continuing the Pattern

Keep the rhythm going with another slipped stitch repeat.

Row 33: With CC, K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 34: With CC, P1, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 35: With MC, K2, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.

Row 36: With MC, P2, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, P2.

Row 37: With CC, K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 38: With CC, P1, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 39: With MC, knit all stitches.

Row 40: With MC, purl all stitches.

Second Mirrored Spiral Twist

This completes the second half of the spiral's twist.

Row 41 (Spiral Twist): With MC, K1, *YO, SSK, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.

Row 42: With MC, purl all stitches.

Final Slipped Stitch Section

We're almost done! Finish the spiral with the final slipped stitch repeat.

Row 43: With CC, K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 44: With CC, P1, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 45: With MC, K2, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2.

Row 46: With MC, P2, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, P2.

Row 47: With CC, K1, *Sl 1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Row 48: With CC, P1, *Sl 1, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 49: With MC, knit all stitches.

Row 50: With MC, purl all stitches.

Binding Off and Finishing

You've completed all the pattern rows! Now it's time to finish your coaster.

Bind Off: With MC, bind off all stitches knitwise. Be careful not to bind off too tightly, as this will pull in the edge of your coaster.

Finishing: Weave in all ends using your tapestry needle, being sure to weave them in securely on the wrong side of the work. Block the coaster lightly to flatten and even out the stitches. To block, simply wet the coaster, gently squeeze out excess water (don't wring!), lay it flat on a towel, and shape it to a perfect square. Allow it to dry completely. The spiral pattern will emerge beautifully from the combination of eyelets and slipped stitches, creating a dynamic whirl effect.

And there you have it – your very own Whirling Dervish Coaster! This stunning piece is not only a functional addition to your home but also a testament to your knitting skill. The combination of textures and the mesmerizing spiral design make it a wonderful gift for a fellow crafter or a lovely treat for yourself. Enjoy your beautiful, handmade creation!

---