Pine Tree Sachets

It’s the bane of a knitter’s existence that preparations for the holiday season can’t start early enough. If, like me, you tend to get yourself into a knitting panic this time of year, or even if you’re un-neurotic enough to maintain perspective, you may appreciate this quick gift idea.
These little pine tree sachets are speedy to knit but don’t sacrifice the detailing that makes a knit gift special. Plus, they smell good. -Whitney
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoPineTreeSachets. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials

- Small amounts of green and white yarn. I used Nature’s Palette Fingering Weight in Light Teal, Spring Grass and Spruce and some Koigu KPM in White.
- A set of 5 double pointed needles, 1 or 2 sizes smaller than the yarn’s recommended size (I used US 4 (3.5 mm) Lantern Moon Ebony needles).
- A couple teaspoons of lentils or beans to weigh down the bottom of the sachet.
- Potpourri for stuffing. I concocted my own mixture of juniper berries, cut licorice, pine needles, dried orange peels, and essential lavender oil.
Shop our wonderful collection of fingering-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!

Pattern
A few little preliminary notes: This project is knit in one piece from the bottom to the top, so you’ll have to weave in your tails as you go. The same is true for the lentils and potpourri – start filling half way through the project, and keep filling as you knit. Finally, just change colors whenever the feeling strikes.
Begin
Cast on 8st. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On. Distribute st evenly on 4 double pointed needles and join to work in the round.
(This and the next round are a bit tricky. Try to stay calm and just address each needle in its turn, allowing the other 3 to spin and squirm. You can straighten each needle out when you get to it.)

Rnd 1: Knit into the front and back (kf&b) of every st. (16st)
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: Kf&b every stitch. (32st)
Rnds 4 and 5: Knit.
Rnd 6: *K1, kf&b, repeat from * to end of rnd. (48st)
Rnd 7: Knit.
Here’s what the bottom of the sachet should look like at this point:

Rnd 8: Purl.
Now that you’re done with the bottom, you can eliminate one of the needles. Just slip your stitches around so that there are 16st on each of three needles.
Rnd 9: *K6, knit 2 together (k2tog), repeat from * to end of rnd. (42st)
Knit 6 rnds.
Next rnd: *K5, k2tog, repeat from * to end of rnd. (36st)
Knit 5 rnds.
Next rnd: *K4, k2tog, repeat from * to end of rnd. (30st)
Knit 4 rnds.
Perfect moment for the first round of filling. Start with a good layer of lentils.

Next rnd: *K3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of rnd. (24st)
Knit 3 rnds.
If you’re fortunate enough to own a funnel, now would be a good time to use it. If you haven’t quite gotten around to that purchase, plan B is to roll a piece of paper into a cone. Pour some potpourri into your funnel.
.
Next rnd: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of rnd. (18st)
Knit 2 rnds.
Next rnd: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of rnd. (12st)
Knit 1 rnd.
Next rnd: K2tog, 6 times. (6st)
Cut an 18″ tail and weave it through remaining stitches. Pull tight. You can use the tail for the next step.

I think it looks kind of pine-y and cute to add some flecks of different color to each stripe. The Duplicate Stitch is a really easy way to do that. If you need some guidance, check out the Duplicate Stitch Tutorial.
To get from stitch to stitch, just push your needle through the sachet and out the place you want to start the next stitch.

All that’s left is a jaunty tassel for the top. So, cut a piece of yarn about 12″ long, and thread it down through the top of your sachet and out the side very near the top. Leave a short tail. Go back down through the top and out the side, making sure to leave a little loop.

Keep making loops the same way until you have about five of them.

Then wrap the yarn tightly around all the loops several times. Push the needle from below the wraps, up through the center of the tassel, and out the top.

Trim the tassel and that’s it!

Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
I wish I would have discovered this site WAYYYYY before the holidays. I just love to make stuff for people who have everything. The ideas here are beyond adorable. I will be starting in January to make wonderful things for next Christmas. Thanks for sharing the awesome creativity!!
"Whit's Knits", In this Pine Tree Sachet, you show how to start a "round circle" and increase on 4 needles. I have tried this many times, ended up throwing it on the floor in utter frustration.This Pattern & pictures are fantastic. Now I can do my round afghan. PLEASE do a tutorial on "How do Start a Circle on 4 Needles" (pictures). I am not sure if using correct terminology for your beginning? I don't think I am alone on this tricky beginning. Thank You, for all your patterns, love your Designs.
I love these and they make beautiful gifts with small amounts of leftover yarn. Thankyou for sharing the pattern and tutorial.