Korean: Cha Mul Sul (Tea/Water/Alcohol) coaster

Amimoji Coaster - Korean Cha Mul Sul (Tea/Water/Alcohol) Knitting Pattern

What Is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern by Duke of Nikko produces decorative coasters featuring Korean Hangul characters. The pattern includes two distinct coaster designs: a single-sided Cha coaster featuring the Korean character meaning "tea," and a reversible Mul Sul coaster displaying two Korean characters meaning "water" and "alcoholic beverage." Each finished coaster measures approximately 5" x 5" (12.5cm x 12.5cm), making them ideal for protecting surfaces while adding cultural and linguistic interest to any table setting.

Difficulty Level and Skills Required

This pattern is rated Advanced Beginner to Intermediate, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to expand their technical abilities. The Cha coaster requires proficiency in stranded knitting using two colors, a technique that involves carrying multiple yarn colors across rows to create the design. The Mul Sul coaster demands more advanced skills, specifically two-pattern double knitting, which creates a reversible fabric with distinct patterns on both sides of the finished piece.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The pattern employs two primary knitting techniques depending on which coaster design you choose:

• Stranded knitting: Used for the Cha coaster, this colorwork technique involves knitting with two colors in the same row, carrying the unused yarn color inside the fabric to create the design. This method produces a dense, durable fabric ideal for coasters.
• Double knitting: Applied to the Mul Sul coaster, this advanced technique creates a reversible fabric with two distinct patterns—one on each side. Double knitting produces a thicker, more structured coaster while allowing both the water and alcohol characters to be visible depending on which side faces up.

Both techniques use standard knitting stitches worked in the round or flat, depending on the pattern instructions, with careful attention to color placement and pattern repeat to achieve the crisp Hangul character designs.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for DK weight yarn in two contrasting colors. The suggested yarn is CoBaSi DK by HiKoo Yarn, a premium blend containing 55% cotton, 16% viscose from bamboo, 8% silk, and 21% elastic nylon—a composition that provides durability, subtle sheen, and gentle elasticity suitable for functional coasters.

For the Cha coaster, the pattern recommends one 50g skein each of #050 Forestry (Color A) and #007 Kiwi (Color B), offering a natural green colorway that complements the tea theme. For the Mul Sul coaster, one 50g skein each of #011 Indigo (Color A) and #012 Iris Blue (Color B) provides a sophisticated blue palette evoking water and depth. Standard knitting needles appropriate for DK weight yarn are required to complete the project.