Tree Skirt Decoration Knitting Pattern

Tree Skirt in Plymouth Yarn Holiday Lights

What Is Being Made

This is a festive tree skirt designed to encircle the base of a Christmas tree, measuring approximately 40 inches in diameter when completed. The tree skirt is constructed from 18 triangular wedges that are knitted separately and then joined together to form a complete circular skirt. The design features a colorful striped pattern created by alternating between three vibrant holiday colors throughout the construction process.

Construction Method and Design

The tree skirt is created using a unique wedge-based construction technique. Each of the 18 wedges is knitted individually using a short-row method that creates a triangular shape. The knitter begins by casting on 81 stitches and then progressively decreases by 3 stitches on every other row until only 3 stitches remain at the outer edge. This gradual decrease creates the characteristic triangular wedge shape. After completing one wedge, the knitter changes to a new color and repeats the process, cycling through the three available colors until all 18 wedges are finished. Once the final wedge is complete, a single row is knitted across all stitches before binding off to complete the circular tree skirt.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This project employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for crafters of various skill levels. The primary stitch used throughout is garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row on both the right side and wrong side. Garter stitch produces a textured, bumpy fabric with excellent drape and stability, making it ideal for a decorative tree skirt. The pattern utilizes short-row shaping to create the wedge structure, where rows are turned before reaching the end of the stitches on the needle. This technique allows the knitter to shape the triangular wedges without requiring increases or decreases, instead relying on the turning points to create the angled edges. Color changes are incorporated between wedges to create the striped holiday effect.

Materials and Specifications

This tree skirt is designed to be knitted using Plymouth Yarn Holiday Lights yarn. The project requires a total of six balls of yarn: two balls each in three coordinating holiday colors. The specific colors called for are Color A in red (#8386), Color B in white (#8208), and Color C in green (#8054). The pattern is worked on US Size 9 needles, and the recommended gauge is 16 stitches over 4 inches when working in garter stitch. This gauge specification ensures that the finished tree skirt will achieve the intended 40-inch diameter measurement. The yarn and needle combination creates a fabric with appropriate weight and structure for a decorative holiday accessory that will drape elegantly around the base of a Christmas tree.

Finished Specifications

The completed tree skirt measures 40 inches in diameter, providing ample coverage for most standard Christmas trees. The three-color striping pattern created by the sequential color changes between wedges produces a festive, coordinated holiday appearance. The garter stitch texture adds visual interest and dimension to the finished piece, while the circular construction ensures even distribution of the decorative wedges around the tree base.