Enchanted Forest Moss Stitch Baby Cocoon: A Free Knitting Pattern

Wrap your little one in the cozy embrace of a woodland-inspired cocoon, featuring a lush moss stitch texture and a delicate leaf-shaped hood. This free pattern creates a heirloom-quality piece that's as beautiful as it is functional. The Enchanted Forest Baby Cocoon is the perfect project for knitters looking to create a memorable, handmade baby shower gift that will be treasured for years to come. With its natural, organic aesthetic and plush worsted weight yarn, this cocoon evokes the peaceful feeling of a forest glade, making it a stunning addition to any nursery.

Materials Needed

Before you begin your knitting adventure, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth and enjoyable crafting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in forest green (MC) and cream (CC), approximately 300g MC and 100g CC. Choose a soft, machine-washable yarn for baby comfort and easy care.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) circular knitting needles with a 24-inch cable. The circular needle is essential for accommodating the large number of stitches and later working the hood in the round.
• Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, scissors.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in moss stitch pattern. Always knit a gauge swatch to ensure your finished cocoon matches the intended size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This cocoon is knitted flat from the bottom up, then seamed, with a hood picked up and knitted in the round. Follow these detailed instructions carefully, and you'll have a beautiful cocoon in no time.

Cocoon Body

Cast On: With your forest green (MC) yarn, cast on 80 stitches using your preferred long-tail cast-on method.

Moss Stitch Pattern:

• Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1; repeat from * to end of row.
• Row 2 (WS): *P1, K1; repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1-2 until the piece measures 12 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row. This creates the beautiful, textured moss stitch that resembles a lush woodland floor.

Shape Bottom (Decrease Section)

Now we'll shape the rounded, tapered bottom of the cocoon. Follow these decrease rows carefully:

• Row 1 (RS): K2, K2tog, *K4, K2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (67 stitches remain)
• Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 3 (RS): K2, K2tog, *K3, K2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (54 stitches remain)
• Row 4 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 5 (RS): K2, K2tog, *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (41 stitches remain)
• Row 6 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 7 (RS): K2, K2tog, *K1, K2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (28 stitches remain)
• Row 8 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 9 (RS): K2tog across the row. (14 stitches remain)

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (about 12 inches). Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, then thread it through the remaining 14 stitches on your needle. Pull tight to gather the bottom, and secure with a knot.

Seaming: Using the mattress stitch, seam the bottom and side edges together. Fold the cocoon with the right sides facing, and sew along the side seam from the bottom to the top opening. Weave in all loose ends securely.

Hood

With the right side facing you and using your cream (CC) yarn, pick up and knit 40 stitches evenly around the top opening of the cocoon. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round and join in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches.

Hood Body:

• Round 1: Knit all stitches.
• Round 2: *K1, P1; repeat from * to end of round.
• Round 3: *P1, K1; repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 2-3 until the hood measures 5 inches from the pick-up round. This creates a delicate ribbed texture that beautifully contrasts with the moss stitch body.

Shape Hood Top

Now we'll shape the top of the hood with these decrease rounds:

• Round 1: K2, K2tog, *K4, K2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (34 stitches remain)
• Round 2: Knit all stitches.
• Round 3: K2, K2tog, *K3, K2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (28 stitches remain)
• Round 4: Knit all stitches.
• Round 5: K2, K2tog, *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (22 stitches remain)
• Round 6: Knit all stitches.
• Round 7: K2, K2tog, *K1, K2tog; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, K2. (16 stitches remain)
• Round 8: Knit all stitches.
• Round 9: K2tog around the round. (8 stitches remain)

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 8 stitches, pull tight to close the top of the hood, and secure. Weave in all loose ends.

Leaf Embellishment (Make 3)

These adorable leaf-shaped embellishments add the perfect woodland touch. Make three of them with your cream (CC) yarn:

• Cast On: Cast on 3 stitches.
• Row 1 (RS): K1, YO, K1, YO, K1. (5 stitches)
• Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 3 (RS): K2, YO, K1, YO, K2. (7 stitches)
• Row 4 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 5 (RS): K3, YO, K1, YO, K3. (9 stitches)
• Row 6 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 7 (RS): K2, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2. (7 stitches)
• Row 8 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 9 (RS): K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1. (5 stitches)
• Row 10 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 11 (RS): K2tog, K1, K2tog. (3 stitches)
• Row 12 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 13 (RS): K3tog. (1 stitch)

Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch to secure. Weave in the ends, then sew the three leaves onto the side of the hood, evenly spaced. Position them near the bottom edge of the hood for a charming, organic look.

Your Enchanted Forest Moss Stitch Baby Cocoon is now complete! Block it gently to even out the stitches and enhance the texture. This beautiful, handmade cocoon is sure to become a cherished keepsake, perfect for keeping your little one cozy and warm in true woodland style.