The Sushi Roll Coasters: A Free Knitting Pattern for Textured, Playful Drink Protectors

Knit Your Own Sushi Roll Coasters: A Playful & Textured Home Decor Project

Transform your coffee table into a Japanese izakaya with these adorable knitted sushi roll coasters. Each coaster mimics a California roll with textured rice, vibrant fillings, and a nori wrap, adding a whimsical touch to your home decor. This beginner-friendly pattern creates a set of 4 coasters, each representing a different California roll variation. The coasters are knit flat in pieces and seamed together, making them a perfect weekend project for knitters of all skill levels.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in the following colors:
  • White (for rice base) – approx. 50 yards
  • Light green (avocado) – approx. 20 yards
  • Orange (salmon) – approx. 20 yards
  • Dark green (nori) – approx. 30 yards
  • Small amounts of black and red (for details)
• Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional)
• Gauge: 20 stitches x 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Step-by-Step Instructions

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• K: knit
• P: purl
• St(s): stitch(es)
• K2tog: knit two together
• SSK: slip slip knit
• BO: bind off

Coaster Base (Rice Layer) – Make 4

1. Using white yarn, CO 20 sts.
2. Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
3. Row 2 (WS): Purl across.
4. Repeat rows 1-2 until piece measures 4 inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. This will create a square of stockinette stitch.
5. BO all sts knitwise. Do not cut yarn; leave a 6-inch tail for seaming.

Filling Strips – Make 4 of each color

Avocado (light green):

1. CO 6 sts with light green yarn.
2. Work in stockinette stitch (K on RS, P on WS) for 4 inches.
3. BO all sts. Leave a 6-inch tail.

Salmon (orange):

1. CO 6 sts with orange yarn.
2. Work in stockinette stitch for 4 inches.
3. BO all sts. Leave a 6-inch tail.

Crab (white with red stripes):

1. CO 6 sts with white yarn.
2. Work in stockinette stitch, knitting 2 rows white, then 2 rows red, alternating until piece measures 4 inches. End with a WS row of the current color.
3. BO all sts. Leave a 6-inch tail.

Nori Wrap (Dark Green) – Make 4

1. CO 24 sts with dark green yarn.
2. Work in stockinette stitch for 6 rows. This creates a short rectangle.
3. BO all sts. Leave a 6-inch tail.

Assembly

1. Lay one rice base flat with the right side facing up.
2. Arrange three filling strips vertically on top of the rice base, side by side. Alternate colors for visual interest (e.g., avocado, salmon, crab). The strips should be centered and parallel to each other, with about 1/4 inch between them.
3. Place the nori wrap over the top of the fillings, centering it so it covers the fillings and extends slightly beyond the edges of the rice base. The nori wrap should be positioned horizontally across the top third of the coaster.
4. Using a tapestry needle and matching dark green yarn, sew the nori wrap to the rice base along the top and bottom edges of the nori wrap. Use a whip stitch or mattress stitch for a neat finish. Leave the sides of the nori wrap open to show the fillings.
5. For a realistic look, use black yarn to embroider small sesame seeds on the nori wrap. To do this, thread a tapestry needle with black yarn and make small straight stitches (about 1/8 inch long) scattered randomly across the dark green rectangle. Make 6-8 seeds per coaster.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 for the remaining three coasters, varying the order of fillings (e.g., salmon, crab, avocado; crab, avocado, salmon; etc.).

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle, being careful to hide them on the wrong side of the work.
2. Block coasters lightly to flatten if needed. To block, dampen the coasters with a spray bottle, then lay them flat on a towel and shape them into perfect squares. Allow to dry completely.
3. Your sushi roll coasters are ready to use! They make excellent gifts and conversation starters.

Pro tip: For extra texture, you can use a cotton/linen blend yarn for the rice base to give it a more realistic, grainy appearance. Enjoy your playful, food-inspired home decor!