Blossom & Berry Harvest Wreath Free Pattern
Blossom & Berry Harvest Wreath: A Cozy Knitted Autumn Door Decoration
Celebrate the abundance of autumn with a knitted wreath that captures the rich hues of the season. This textured piece combines cozy cables and delicate bobbles to create a stunning door decoration that feels like a warm hug. Whether you're an experienced knitter looking for a unique seasonal project or a beginner eager to try cable stitches for the first time, this wreath pattern offers a rewarding and beautiful result. The combination of burnt orange, deep burgundy, mustard yellow, and olive green creates a warm, earthy palette that will welcome guests to your home all season long. Best of all, this handmade gift is perfect for housewarmings, hostess gifts, or simply treating yourself to some cozy fall crafting.
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth knitting experience:
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in burnt orange, deep burgundy, mustard yellow, and olive green (approximately 150g total). The main strip should be in burnt orange, with burgundy for bobbles and olive green for leaves.
- Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
- Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and assembly
- Wreath Form: 12-inch foam wreath form
- Optional: Cable needle for the cable stitches (or use a spare double-pointed needle)
- Felt: Olive green felt (if you choose not to knit the leaves)
Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. While gauge is not critical for this project (since the strip is wrapped around a form), maintaining consistent tension will ensure your strip is even and attractive.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Part 1: Knitting the Main Strip
This wreath is made by knitting a long, textured strip that is wrapped around a foam wreath form and sewn together. The strip features a repeating pattern of cables and bobbles to mimic the look of intertwined branches and berries. The cable pattern creates a beautiful, twisted branch effect, while the reverse stockinette borders add structure and depth.
Cast on 20 stitches with your burnt orange yarn.
Follow the pattern below, repeating rows 1-12 until your strip measures approximately 40 inches long (or long enough to wrap around your wreath form with a slight overlap of about 1-2 inches).
Row 1 (RS): K4, P2, K8, P2, K4
Row 2 (WS): P4, K2, P8, K2, P4
Row 3: K4, P2, C4F, C4B, P2, K4
Stitch Guide:
- C4F (Cable 4 Front): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front of work, K2, then K2 from cable needle.
- C4B (Cable 4 Back): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back of work, K2, then K2 from cable needle.
Row 4: P4, K2, P8, K2, P4
Row 5: K4, P2, K8, P2, K4
Row 6: P4, K2, P8, K2, P4
Row 7: K4, P2, K8, P2, K4
Row 8: P4, K2, P8, K2, P4
Row 9: K4, P2, C4B, C4F, P2, K4
Note: This row crosses the cables in the opposite direction, creating a beautiful braided effect.
Row 10: P4, K2, P8, K2, P4
Row 11: K4, P2, K8, P2, K4
Row 12: P4, K2, P8, K2, P4
Repeat rows 1-12 until your strip reaches the desired length. Bind off loosely to maintain the stretch and flexibility of the fabric. Weave in the ends at the cast-on and bind-off edges.
Part 2: Creating the Bobble Embellishments
These plump, spherical bobbles in deep burgundy resemble ripe berries and add wonderful dimension to your wreath. Make 8-10 bobbles, or more if you prefer a berry-heavy look.
Bobble Pattern (make 8-10):
Using a separate strand of burgundy yarn, work the following:
- Knit into the front and back of the same stitch until you have 5 stitches on the needle (increase 4 times).
- Turn your work. Purl 5.
- Turn. Knit 5.
- Turn. Purl 5.
- Turn. Knit 5.
- Now, pass the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th stitches over the 1st stitch to decrease back to 1 stitch. This creates the rounded bobble shape.
- Cut yarn, leaving a long tail (about 6-8 inches) for sewing onto the wreath. Pull the tail through the remaining stitch to secure.
Pro Tip: Leave a generous tail on each bobble so you can use it to sew the bobble onto the wreath form later.
Part 3: Knitting Simple Leaf Shapes (Optional)
For a fully knitted look, create simple leaves in olive green. If you prefer a quicker option, you can cut leaf shapes from olive green felt instead.
Knitted Leaf Pattern (make 5-7):
- Cast on 3 stitches with olive green yarn.
- Row 1 (RS): K1, yarn over (YO), K1, YO, K1 (5 stitches)
- Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl all stitches.
- Row 3: K2, YO, K1, YO, K2 (7 stitches)
- Row 5: K3, YO, K1, YO, K3 (9 stitches)
- Row 7: K4, YO, K1, YO, K4 (11 stitches)
- Row 8: Purl all stitches.
- Now decrease: Row 9: K2, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K2 (9 stitches)
- Row 10: Purl all stitches.
- Row 11: K2, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2 (7 stitches)
- Row 12: Purl all stitches.
- Row 13: K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (5 stitches)
- Row 14: Purl all stitches.
- Row 15: K2tog, K1, K2tog (3 stitches)
- Row 16: Purl all stitches.
- Bind off. Leave a long tail for sewing.
Alternative: If you're short on time, simply cut simple leaf shapes from olive green felt using fabric scissors.
Part 4: Assembly
Now comes the fun part—bringing all your pieces together to create your beautiful wreath.
- Wrap the strip: Starting at the top of the foam wreath form, wrap the knitted strip around it, covering the foam completely. Overlap the ends slightly (about 1 inch) and sew them together securely using a tapestry needle and matching yarn.
- Secure the strip: To prevent the strip from shifting, you may want to add a few discreet stitches along the inner and outer edges of the wreath, catching the foam form. This will keep everything in place.
- Attach the bobbles: Using the long tails left on each bobble, sew them evenly around the wreath. Cluster them in groups of 2-3 to look like natural berry clusters. Vary their placement—some near the inner edge, some near the outer edge, and some in the middle—for a more organic look.
- Add the leaves: Sew the knitted (or felt) leaves near the bobbles for contrast. Tuck them slightly under or between the bobbles to create a natural, layered appearance. Position them so they peek out from behind the berries.
- Create a hanging loop: Braid three strands of yarn (each about 12 inches long) together. Fold the braid in half and attach the ends to the top of the wreath form, creating a loop for hanging. Sew securely.
- Weave in all ends: Use your tapestry needle to weave in any remaining loose ends on the back of the wreath to keep the front looking clean and polished.
Finishing Touches and Display Ideas
Once assembled, give your wreath a gentle shaping—fluff the bobbles and arrange the leaves so they sit nicely. Hang it on your front door, above the mantel, or on a interior wall to bring autumn warmth to any space. This wreath also makes a thoughtful handmade gift for friends and family who appreciate cozy, rustic decor.
Customization Ideas:
- Swap the color palette to match your home decor—try cream and gold for a more elegant look, or forest green and rust for a woodland vibe.
- Add a few mustard yellow bobbles alongside the burgundy for extra visual interest.
- Incorporate small wooden beads or cinnamon sticks for a sensory touch.
This Blossom & Berry Harvest Wreath is more than just a decoration—it's a labor of love that brings the cozy spirit of autumn into your home. Happy knitting!