Aurora Bloom Coaster Set Free Pattern – A Knitted Northern Lights Dream

Aurora Bloom Coaster Set Free Pattern – A Knitted Northern Lights Dream

Bring the ethereal dance of the aurora borealis to your coffee table with this set of six knitted coasters, each a unique swirl of jewel-toned yarn. These thick, textured circles are as cozy to the touch as they are beautiful, making them a perfect handmade gift or a treat for your own home. Using a clever short-row shaping technique, you'll create a mesmerizing spiral effect that mimics the flowing lights of the night sky—all while practicing a fun, intermediate-level knitting skill that yields stunning results.

Whether you're looking for a quick weekend project, a stash-busting adventure, or a thoughtful handmade present, this pattern delivers. The worsted-weight cotton yarn ensures durability and absorbency, perfect for protecting your surfaces in style. Let's dive into creating these little works of art.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Each coaster uses approximately 20g of yarn, so a single 100g skein of each color will easily make all six coasters with plenty to spare.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton or cotton-blend yarn in six colors:
  • Deep Teal
  • Midnight Blue
  • Amethyst Purple
  • Magenta
  • Coral Pink
  • Golden Yellow
  (Approx. 20g of each color per coaster)
• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Tapestry needle (for seaming and weaving in ends)
• Stitch marker (optional, but helpful for tracking rows)

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch, after blocking. Gauge is important for achieving the correct finished size, so take a moment to swatch if you're unsure.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern creates a circular coaster using a simple short-row shaping technique that produces a beautiful spiral effect. Each coaster is worked flat, then seamed and blocked. The finished size is approximately 4 inches in diameter—perfect for standard mugs and glasses.

Coaster (Make 6, one in each color)

Cast On: Cast on 40 stitches loosely. A long-tail cast-on works beautifully here, but any stretchy cast-on method you're comfortable with will do.

Set-up Row (WS): Purl all stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit 30 stitches, wrap the next stitch (bring yarn to front, slip stitch purlwise, bring yarn to back, slip stitch back to left needle), turn work.

Row 2 (WS): Purl 20 stitches, wrap the next stitch (bring yarn to back, slip stitch purlwise, bring yarn to front, slip stitch back to left needle), turn work.

Row 3 (RS): Knit 10 stitches, wrap the next stitch, turn work.

Row 4 (WS): Purl 10 stitches, wrap the next stitch, turn work.

Row 5 (RS): Knit 20 stitches, wrap the next stitch, turn work.

Row 6 (WS): Purl 30 stitches, wrap the next stitch, turn work.

Row 7 (RS): Knit all 40 stitches, picking up and knitting the wraps together with their wrapped stitches as you come to them.

Row 8 (WS): Purl all 40 stitches.

Row 9 (RS): Knit 10 stitches, wrap the next stitch, turn work.

Row 10 (WS): Purl 20 stitches, wrap the next stitch, turn work.

Row 11 (RS): Knit 30 stitches, wrap the next stitch, turn work.

Row 12 (WS): Purl all 40 stitches, picking up and purling the wraps together with their wrapped stitches as you come to them.

Row 13 (RS): Knit all 40 stitches.

Row 14 (WS): Purl all 40 stitches.

Bind Off: Bind off all stitches loosely on the next row (RS). A stretchy bind-off is recommended to keep the edge flexible for seaming.

Finishing

With the right side facing, fold the cast-on edge to the bind-off edge, creating a circle. The short-row shaping will naturally create a spiral—this is the magic of the pattern! Sew the two edges together using a mattress stitch or whip stitch, creating a seamless circle. Take your time with this step; a neat seam makes all the difference in the final look.

Weave in all ends using your tapestry needle, being careful to hide them within the fabric so they're invisible from both sides.

Block the coaster flat to even out the shape and enhance the stitch definition. To block, simply wet the coaster with lukewarm water, gently squeeze out excess (don't wring!), lay it flat on a towel, and shape it into a perfect circle. Allow it to dry completely before using or stacking.

Repeat for the remaining five coasters, using a different color for each. Once all six are complete, you'll have a stunning set that captures the magic of the northern lights in yarn form.

Tips for Success

• Wrap and turn: If you're new to short rows, practice the wrap-and-turn technique on a swatch first. The key is to wrap the stitch snugly but not too tightly, so it's easy to pick up later.
• Picking up wraps: When you knit or purl the wraps together with their wrapped stitches on Rows 7 and 12, insert your needle under the wrap first, then into the stitch, and work them together. This hides the wrap completely.
• Consistency: Keep your tension even throughout, especially on the short-row sections. This ensures the spiral lies flat and looks intentional.
• Color placement: For a cohesive set, consider arranging your colors in a gradient (like the aurora itself) or mixing them randomly for a more playful look.

These Aurora Bloom coasters are more than just practical accessories—they're tiny pieces of art that bring warmth and color to any space. Whether you keep them for yourself or gift them to someone special, they're sure to be treasured. Happy knitting!