heart coaster pattern

I haven't done a free pattern for a while and so with Valentines day nearly upon us, I have designed a heart coaster......maybe there is someone in your life who could do with a mug rug for their tea, or a coaster for their glass of lager.
It is knitted with two strands of double knit yarn, so knits up very quickly. I used moss stitch for a subtle textured heart.

   HEART COASTER

   THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED ONLY FOR PERSONAL OF CHARITABLE USE  

ITEMS KNITTED FROM THIS PATTERN CANNOT BE SOLD FOR PROFIT

DO NOT REPRODUCE OR USE FOR ANY COMMERCIAL USE

ABBREVIATIONS 
st(s): stitch(es)
k: knit
p: purl
rep: repeat

MATERIALS 
two 4mm / US 6 needles
dk / 8ply yarn
tapestry needle

Approximate size is 11cms x 10cms.
 

Cast on 19 sts with two strands of yarn.

ROW 1: (p, k) rep to last st, p (right side).

ROW 2: (p, k) rep to last st, p.

ROW 3: (p, k) rep to last st, p.

ROW 4: p, k, p15, k, p.

ROW 5: p, k, p, k13, p, k, p.

ROW 6: p, k, p15, k, p.
The following stitch or stitches in bold print are the mid point of the heart.

ROW 7: p, k, p, k6, p, k6, p, k, p.

ROW 8: p, k, p6, k, p, k, p6, k, p.

ROW 9: p, k, p, k4, p, k, p, k, p, k4, p, k, p.

ROW 10: p, k, p4, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p4, k, p.

ROW 11: p, k, p, k2, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k2, p, k, p.

ROW 12: p, k, p2, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p2, k, p.

ROW 13: p, k, p, k2, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k2, p, k, p.

ROW 14: p, k, p2, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p2, k, p.

ROW 15: p, k, p, k2, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k2, p, k, p.

ROW 16: p, k, p2, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p2, k, p.

ROW 17: p, k, p, k2, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k2, p, k, p.

ROW 18: p, k, p4, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p4, k, p.

ROW 19: p, k, p, k2, p, k, p, k3, p, k, p, k2, p, k, p.

ROW 20: p, k, p4, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p4, k, p.

ROW 21: p, k, p, k4, p, k3, p, k4, p, k, p.

ROW 22: p, k, p15, k, p.

ROW 23: p, k, p, k13, p, k, p.

ROW 24: (p, k) rep to last st, p.

ROW 25: (p, k) rep to last st, p.

ROW 26: (p, k) rep to last st, p.

Cast off in pattern.

I have also drawn up a chart for those who prefer charts. This is the first time I have done this, so would be glad if anybody has any constructive criticsm. I used Chart Minder, a free tool for knitters. For more details click here.
I know some knitters use Excel, but I find it very complicated, on the other hand I found Chart Minder very easy to use.

 

Legend
There is no facility for making a legend on Chart Minder, so for the purpose of this chart, a blank square is a knit stitch on both the wrong and the right side. A dot is a purl stitch again on both the right and wrong side.

To Finish
Weave away yarns on reverse side.
To highlight the moss stitch heart thread a length of double stranded yarn on a tapestry needle. Starting at the mid base point of the heart, bring yarn up from the wrong side. Stitch round the edge of the heart catching the loop of the purl stitch. 

Gently press with a cool dry iron. Use the tip of the iron to press around the heart shape so that it stands up.


Two different coloured yarns can be used for an interesting effect, However when highlighting the heart with stitches its best to use two strands of the same colour.

                                    For a plain coaster with no heart motif.....

Cast on 19 sts with two strands of yarn.

ROW 1: (p, k) rep to last st, p.
ROWS 2 - 26: rep ROW 1.
Cast off in pattern. 
Weave away yarn tails on reverse side.
Block if required.  

Happy Knitting

Till next time, Ali