The Starlit Evergreen Basket Trio Free Pattern – Knitted Twinkling Trees in Cozy Nesting Baskets

Bring the Magic of a Winter Forest to Your Hearth

There's something deeply satisfying about creating holiday decorations that feel both rustic and magical. The Starlit Evergreen Basket Trio is the perfect project for knitters who want to bring a touch of woodland charm to their home this season. This pattern creates three nesting baskets, each cradling a twinkling evergreen tree adorned with a subtle, woven star motif that catches the light beautifully.

What makes this set truly special is its versatility. The baskets use a sturdy, rustic stitch that gives them a homespun feel, while the trees feature a cleverly constructed triangle shape with a textured diamond pattern created through strategic increases and decreases. Whether you display them on a mantel, a side table, or as a centerpiece, these knitted trees in their cozy baskets will evoke the quiet magic of a winter evening.

This pattern is beginner-friendly, using basic knit, purl, increase, and decrease stitches. The crochet star accents are simple enough for anyone who has mastered single and double crochet. Let's gather our materials and begin this heartwarming project!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This project uses worsted weight yarn, which is perfect for creating that thick, cozy, handcrafted look.

Yarn Requirements

• For the Trees: Worsted weight yarn in three shades of green – Forest Green, Deep Pine, and Spruce. You'll need approximately 50g of each color.
• For the Baskets: Worsted weight yarn in Warm Oatmeal and Toasted Almond. Approximately 100g of each color.
• For the Star Accents: Small amounts of Gold or Amber yarn for the crocheted stars.

Tools and Notions

• Knitting Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles for the trees and baskets.
• Crochet Hook: US G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook for the star accents.
• Fiberfill: Polyester stuffing for the trees.
• Tapestry Needle: For seaming and weaving in ends.
• Stitch Markers: To mark the beginning of rounds.
• Optional: Small gold beads or sequins for a twinkling effect.

Gauge

20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (knitted). Gauge is important for achieving the correct size, so take a moment to knit a swatch before starting.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern creates three nesting baskets (small, medium, large) with matching trees. Each tree is knitted flat in a triangle shape, then seamed and stuffed. The baskets are knitted in the round from the bottom up. Let's begin with the trees, as they are the stars of this set.

Knitting the Trees

Each tree is worked flat in stockinette stitch, with increases on right-side rows to create the triangular shape, followed by decreases to form the pointed top. The subtle diamond pattern emerges naturally from these increases and decreases.

Small Tree

1. Cast on 3 stitches.
2. Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2: K1, M1 (make one), K1, M1, K1. (5 stitches)
4. Row 3: Knit all stitches.
5. Row 4: K1, M1, K3, M1, K1. (7 stitches)
6. Row 5: Knit all stitches.
7. Continue increasing 2 stitches every right-side row (rows 6, 8, 10, etc.) until you have 25 stitches on your needle.
8. Work even in stockinette stitch for 4 rows (no increases).
9. Next RS row: K1, k2tog (knit two together), knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1. (23 stitches)
10. Work 3 rows even (purl on wrong side, knit on right side).
11. Repeat the decrease row. (21 stitches)
12. Work 3 rows even.
13. Repeat the decrease row. (19 stitches)
14. Work 3 rows even.
15. Repeat the decrease row. (17 stitches)
16. Work 3 rows even.
17. Bind off all stitches.

Seaming the Small Tree: Fold the triangle in half with right sides together. Sew the side seam using a mattress stitch or whipstitch, leaving the bottom open. Turn right side out, stuff firmly with fiberfill, and sew the bottom closed.

Medium Tree

1. Cast on 3 stitches.
2. Increase as for the small tree (K1, M1, knit to last stitch, M1, K1 on every RS row) until you have 35 stitches.
3. Work even in stockinette for 6 rows.
4. Decrease as for the small tree (K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1 on RS rows), but work 5 rows even between decrease rows, until 23 stitches remain.
5. Bind off all stitches.
6. Seam and stuff as described for the small tree.

Large Tree

1. Cast on 3 stitches.
2. Increase as before until you have 45 stitches.
3. Work even in stockinette for 8 rows.
4. Decrease with 7 rows even between decrease rows, until 29 stitches remain.
5. Bind off all stitches.
6. Seam and stuff as described.

Crocheting the Star Accents

Each tree gets a beautiful gold star perched on top. These are quick to make and add that special twinkling touch.

1. With Gold yarn and your US G/6 crochet hook, make a magic ring.
2. Work 5 single crochet (sc) into the ring. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet.
3. Round 2: Into each of the 5 stitches, work the following: (Chain 3, 2 double crochet, chain 3, slip stitch). This creates the five points of the star.
4. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
5. Sew the star securely to the top point of each tree.

Knitting the Baskets

The baskets are knitted in the round from the bottom up, creating a seamless, sturdy vessel for your trees. The rolled rim is a lovely finishing touch that adds to the homespun aesthetic.

Small Basket

1. With Warm Oatmeal yarn, cast on 24 stitches.
2. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
3. Rounds 1-8: Knit in the round (stockinette).
4. Round 9: (K2, M1) around. (36 stitches)
5. Rounds 10-16: Knit.
6. Round 17: (K3, M1) around. (48 stitches)
7. Rounds 18-24: Knit.
8. Round 25: (K4, M1) around. (60 stitches)
9. Rounds 26-32: Knit.
10. Bind off loosely.

Finishing the Small Basket: Fold the top edge down to form a rolled rim. Sew the rim down with a whipstitch, using a tapestry needle and matching yarn.

Medium Basket

1. Cast on 30 stitches. Join in the round, place marker.
2. Knit 10 rounds.
3. Increase round: (K2, M1) around. (45 stitches)
4. Knit 8 rounds.
5. Increase round: (K3, M1) around. (60 stitches)
6. Knit 8 rounds.
7. Increase round: (K4, M1) around. (75 stitches)
8. Knit 10 rounds.
9. Bind off and roll rim as for the small basket.

Large Basket

1. Cast on 36 stitches. Join in the round, place marker.
2. Knit 12 rounds.
3. Increase round: (K2, M1) around. (54 stitches)
4. Knit 10 rounds.
5. Increase round: (K3, M1) around. (72 stitches)
6. Knit 10 rounds.
7. Increase round: (K4, M1) around. (90 stitches)
8. Knit 12 rounds.
9. Bind off and roll rim.

Finishing Touches

Now that all your pieces are complete, it's time to assemble your Starlit Evergreen Basket Trio.

1. Weave in all loose ends with your tapestry needle.
2. Place each tree inside its corresponding basket. The trees should sit snugly, with the basket rim just below the tree's widest point.
3. For a twinkling effect, you can sew a few small gold beads or sequins onto the trees in a scattered pattern. Alternatively, leave them plain for a more rustic, woodland look.

Your Starlit Evergreen Basket Trio is now complete! Display them together on a wooden table, mantel, or shelf with soft, warm lighting to evoke that cozy winter evening feeling. These handmade treasures will bring joy to your home for many holiday seasons to come.

Happy knitting, and may your hearth be filled with the magic of the winter forest!