Inspired by snowy pines in classic Christmas card scenes, I created this little knitted tree in green and white initially and then saw its potential as a cheery tinsel clad Christmas tree. Decorating our tree is one of my favourite Christmas moments each year and I think it was my most enquired after pattern so far!
After Christmas I was reluctant to box up all my cheery trees and wondered if others would still enjoy them too, so I developed the pattern further to become a natural fragrance sachet filled with our homegrown lavender and red or yellow rose petals, matching the fragrance to the tree’s textured stripes. They are ideal for maintaining a fresh, natural aroma in our wardrobes, drawers and even in the car. Here are a few natural fragrance ideas. There are more in the pattern too, now available from my Ravelry Store. See below for details of the introductory offers.
They are still a great option for Christmas décor too, with or without the fragrance. Decorating the tree is one of my favourite Christmas moments each year. I like to do it with Christmas carols on and a mince pie as a treat at the end while we admire the tree with so many ornaments that remind us of special moments: treasured ones made by small hands at pre-school; a jokey photo one of me (looking quite alarmed) and my husband the year we met; and ones my mum and I have made over the years. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll probably know that I love to have a poinsettia in the porch at Christmas too and my little trees looked great on the windowsill behind it (much better than that huge cobweb I somehow missed in front of the blue glass, oops!)
The tree is made in stocking and garter stitch so the tinsel stands out on the tree background. It has a little ribbon at the top to hang it and a wooden button at the base to act as a trunk/base. It looks a little different front and back but the back also works well if it turns round by itself.
Although this pattern works well on straight needles, I found it fun to knit back and forth on a set of DPNs so I could see it taking shape, otherwise it just looks scrunchy until you cast off. A circular needle lets you see the shape form too.
I think it could be a fun project to embellish in different ways, maybe a star at the top and some bead or embroidery baubles for Christmas decorations and perhaps some birds and pine cones for fragrance sachets. What would you add to yours? Let me know in the comments.
Fragrant Fir Tree sachets originally featured as Textured Tinsel Trees in Knit Now Magazine's Crafts for Christmas supplement in November 2022.
The pattern for Fragrant Fir Tree sachets is now available from my Ravelry Store and there is a discount of 20% automatically applied until the end of February (UK time) but if you subscribe to my mailing list you'll receive a code to save 50% instead plus monthly news, updates, behind the scenes info and exclusive offers just for subscribers.
Do let me know if you make the ornament. I'm always so excited when I see that someone has used one of my patterns!