Whisker & Wool Cat Nap Coaster Free Pattern
Whisker & Wool Cat Nap Coaster: A Purr-fectly Easy Knitting Project
Are you looking for a quick, charming, and functional knitting project? Look no further than the Whisker & Wool Cat Nap Coaster! This delightful pattern is the perfect way to add a playful, cozy touch to your coffee table or to create a thoughtful, handmade gift for the cat lover in your life. Using simple knit and purl stitches and a touch of colorwork, you'll create a textured, minimalist feline design that fits right in with modern or farmhouse decor. Best of all, it's an easy knit that works up in no time, making it an ideal weekend project for beginners and seasoned knitters alike.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know, from gathering your materials to the final blocking. Let's get those needles clicking and create a cozy companion for your favorite mug!
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This project is wonderfully portable and requires very little yarn, making it a great stash-buster.
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors:
- Main Color (MC): Warm gray (approximately 30-40 yards)
- Contrast Color (CC): Cream (approximately 15-20 yards)
- Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles. Straight or circular needles both work fine for this flat project.
- Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a ruler or measuring tape (optional, for checking gauge).
Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. While gauge is important for sizing, this is a forgiving project. As long as your tension is consistent, your coaster will be functional even if it's slightly larger or smaller than the original.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This coaster is knit flat, from the bottom up, using a simple intarsia technique for the cat face. Don't be intimidated by the colorwork—you'll only be working with two colors at a time, and the sections are large enough to be easy to manage. We'll use separate balls or bobbins of yarn for each color section to avoid long floats on the back.
Abbreviations:
- K = Knit
- P = Purl
- MC = Main Color (gray)
- CC = Contrast Color (cream)
- st(s) = Stitch(es)
- RS = Right Side (the front of the work)
- WS = Wrong Side (the back of the work)
Getting Started: With your MC yarn, cast on 20 stitches loosely. This will be the bottom edge of your coaster.
Knit the Border:
We'll begin with a simple garter stitch border (knit every row) to create a neat, stable edge.
- Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches with MC.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches with MC.
Knit the Cat Face Motif:
Now, we'll start shaping the cat's ears and face. When you switch colors, simply drop the old yarn and pick up the new one, twisting the yarns around each other at the color change to prevent holes. Remember to carry the yarn you're not using loosely along the back of the work, or better yet, use separate small balls or bobbins for each section.
- Row 3 (RS): K10 MC, K10 CC (This starts the left ear area).
- Row 4 (WS): P10 CC, P10 MC.
- Row 5 (RS): K8 MC, K4 CC, K8 MC.
- Row 6 (WS): P8 MC, P4 CC, P8 MC.
- Row 7 (RS): K7 MC, K6 CC, K7 MC.
- Row 8 (WS): P7 MC, P6 CC, P7 MC.
- Row 9 (RS): K6 MC, K8 CC, K6 MC.
- Row 10 (WS): P6 MC, P8 CC, P6 MC.
- Row 11 (RS): K5 MC, K10 CC, K5 MC.
- Row 12 (WS): P5 MC, P10 CC, P5 MC.
Creating the Eyes: In the next rows, we'll create the eyes by adding small MC blocks within the CC face area. This will require you to have a separate small ball of MC yarn for the center section.
- Row 13 (RS): K5 MC, K3 CC, K4 MC, K3 CC, K5 MC. (You will now have three active yarn sections: MC on the left, CC, MC in the center, CC, and MC on the right).
- Row 14 (WS): P5 MC, P3 CC, P4 MC, P3 CC, P5 MC.
- Row 15 (RS): K5 MC, K3 CC, K4 MC, K3 CC, K5 MC.
Finishing the Face: Now, we'll close the eye section and continue with the lower part of the face.
- Row 16 (WS): P5 MC, P10 CC, P5 MC. (Drop the center MC yarn; you will only have two sections again).
- Row 17 (RS): K5 MC, K10 CC, K5 MC.
- Row 18 (WS): P6 MC, P8 CC, P6 MC.
- Row 19 (RS): K7 MC, K6 CC, K7 MC.
- Row 20 (WS): P8 MC, P4 CC, P8 MC.
- Row 21 (RS): K9 MC, K2 CC, K9 MC. (This creates the tiny nose).
Knit the Top Border: We'll finish with another simple border to match the bottom.
- Row 22 (WS): Purl all stitches with MC.
- Row 23 (RS): Knit all stitches with MC.
- Row 24 (WS): Purl all stitches with MC.
Binding Off: On the next row (which will be a RS row), bind off all 20 stitches loosely in knit. This will create a flexible edge that won't pucker.
Finishing Touches
Congratulations! Your cat face is complete. Now for the final steps to make it look professional and polished.
- Weave in Ends: Carefully weave in all loose yarn ends on the wrong side of the work using your yarn needle. Make sure to weave them in securely so they don't come undone with use.
- Blocking: This is a crucial step for a neat finish. Soak the coaster in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap for about 10 minutes. Gently squeeze out the excess water (do not wring). Lay it flat on a towel and roll it up to remove more moisture. Then, place the coaster on a flat surface and gently shape it into a perfect square, smoothing out any uneven stitches. Allow it to dry completely.
And there you have it—your very own Whisker & Wool Cat Nap Coaster! This charming piece is not only a practical accessory for your beverages but also a wonderful conversation starter. Make a set of four for a unique housewarming gift, or keep one for yourself to enjoy a cozy cup of tea with a feline friend by your side. Happy knitting!
