A few weeks back, one lucky winner claimed her #scissorsandsage contest prize.  I decided to make her a cozy coaster she could use on her breakfast table, night stand, or side table.  I had been wanting to learn how to knit the knot stitch, a beautiful stitch that creates perfect texture for a project like this one.  The Weekly Stitch provided a straightforward tutorial on how to create this stitch.  (I learn best from watching YouTube videos, so I was happy to see that her website had both a video and written tutorial.)

If you are looking for a last minute gift for the holidays, let me assure you that my slow knitting skills got me through this project in no time at all!  This knot stitch coaster would look great gifted in a set of 2 or 4, perhaps in different colors.  I used The Weekly Stitch’s pattern to create my own design with a border, and am really happy with how it turned out!

The Materials:

• 1 skein, or a decent amount of leftover yarn
• Size US 8 straight needles
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

How-To:

• Cast on 23 stitches
• Garter stitch for 6 rows
• Then:

1. Knit 1 row
2. Knit 3 stitches / purl 17 stitches / knit 3 stitches
3. Knit 4 stitches / make knot* / knit 3 stitches / make knot / knit 3 stitches / make knot / knit 4 stitches
4. Knit 3 stitches / purl 17 stitches** / knit 3 stitches
5. Knit 1 row
6. Knit 3 stitches / purl 17 stitches / knit 3 stitches
7. Knit 7 stitches / make knot / knit 3 stitches / make knot / knit 7 stitches
8. Knit 3 stitches / purl 17 stitches / Knit 3 stitches

• Repeat steps 1-8 two-and-a-half times (ending on step 4)
• Garter stitch for 6 rows
• Cast off 23 stitches
• Weave in ends with a tapestry needle

*To make a knot, purl 3 together and leave them on the left needle.  Knit these 3 together, and then purl these 3 together.  Finally, drop them off of the left needle.

**Be sure to purl each stitch on the backside of the knots separately.

That’s all there is to it!  Happy knitting!