60-Stitch Tree Motif — Knitting Pattern
This is a centered tree motif worked to fit exactly 60 stitches across. The motif is shown as a two-colour tree (green) on a background (A) with a narrow trunk (brown). Use intarsia for large colour blocks or stranded/float for small transitions; see notes below.
Materials
- Yarn: Worsted weight (US 4). Color A (background): approx 150 yards / 137 m. Color B (tree, green): approx 75 yards / 69 m. Color C (trunk, brown): approx 30 yards / 27 m.
- Needles: US 7 / UK 7 / 4.5 mm. (Optional: use US 6 / UK 8 / 4.0 mm for a firmer fabric or if you prefer tighter colourwork tension.)
- Notions: tapestry needle, scrap yarn for bobbins if using intarsia, stitch markers, blocking tools.
Gauge & Finished Size
- Gauge: 18 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette on recommended needles (adjust needle if your gauge differs).
- Motif width: 60 sts = approx 13.3 inches / 34 cm (based on above gauge).
- Motif height: the chart below is 18 rows tall. Row gauge varies; if your row gauge is 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm), 18 rows ≈ 3 inches / 7.6 cm. Height will change with yarn/needle choice.
Abbreviations
- K = knit
- P = purl
- A = Background colour (use main/background yarn)
- B = Tree colour (green)
- C = Trunk colour (brown)
- RS = Right side; WS = Wrong side
Notes
- This pattern gives written counts for each row so it fits exactly 60 stitches across. If you prefer a visual chart, you can transcribe the counts to graph paper or charting software (60 columns).
- When changing colours: for intarsia, twist yarns at the join to avoid holes. For stranded work, catch floats if they would be longer than 4–5 stitches by twisting the working yarn with the carried yarn, or use intarsia for large separate blocks.
- If knitting flat (back-and-forth), follow the RS/WS instructions below. If knitting in the round, work all rows as written for RS (knit every round) and carry colours consistently; be mindful that WS rows in written counts correspond to purl rows when worked flat.
Chart (written counts per row, 60 sts wide)
Legend: A = background colour; B = tree green; C = trunk brown.
Row 1 (RS): K29 A, K2 B, K29 A
Row 2 (WS): P29 A, P2 B, P29 A
Row 3 (RS): K27 A, K6 B, K27 A
Row 4 (WS): P27 A, P6 B, P27 A
Row 5 (RS): K25 A, K10 B, K25 A
Row 6 (WS): P25 A, P10 B, P25 A
Row 7 (RS): K23 A, K14 B, K23 A
Row 8 (WS): P23 A, P14 B, P23 A
Row 9 (RS): K21 A, K18 B, K21 A
Row 10 (WS): P21 A, P18 B, P21 A
Row 11 (RS): K19 A, K22 B, K19 A
Row 12 (WS): P19 A, P22 B, P19 A
Row 13 (RS): K17 A, K26 B, K17 A
Row 14 (WS): P17 A, P26 B, P17 A
Row 15 (RS): K15 A, K30 B, K15 A
Row 16 (WS): P15 A, P30 B, P15 A
Row 17 (RS): K13 A, K34 B, K13 A
Row 18 (WS): P13 A, P34 B, P13 A
Row 19 (RS): K11 A, K38 B, K11 A
Row 20 (WS): P11 A, P38 B, P11 A
Row 21 (RS): K9 A, K42 B, K9 A
Row 22 (WS): P9 A, P42 B, P9 A
Row 23 (RS): K7 A, K46 B, K7 A
Row 24 (WS): P7 A, P46 B, P7 A
Rows 25–30 (trunk): K28 A, K4 C, K28 A (work 6 rows of trunk; purl on WS rows)
Notes on row numbering above: The tree shape is built from the top (Row 1) down. The block labelled B expands by 4 stitches every two rows until it reaches 46 stitches at Row 23–24; then the trunk (C) is centered and worked for 6 rows. If you prefer a taller tree, repeat any of the wider B rows to add vertical height.
How to work colour changes (flat knitting)
- On RS rows, knit across following the colour sequence. When colours change, bring the new colour up from under the old and twist the yarns to avoid holes (for intarsia) or carry floats if stranded.
- On WS rows (purl side), purl the colours in the order they appear on the WS. For example, Row 2 above is P29 A, P2 B, P29 A — purl each colour section in turn.
In-the-round option
- If you work this motif in the round: convert WS rows to the RS-equivalent by using the RS counts (all knit). You will need to manage floats on the wrong side; many knitters prefer intarsia for sections where the tree is separated from background on both sides.
Finishing
- Weave in all ends neatly on the WS, taking care at colour-change points. Block gently to even stitches and settle the motif. If you used different yarns for colours, wet-block carefully per the fibre recommendations.
Customisation
- To make the tree taller, repeat any B row(s) or add extra B-only rows near the widest section before starting the trunk.
- To change overall width: this chart is fixed to 60 sts. To make it wider keep the tree shape centered and add background (A) stitches evenly to both sides; add in multiples of 2 stitches (one on each side) to keep the motif centered.
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