Frosted Pinecone Knitted Ornament: A Free Holiday Pattern

Bring a touch of woodland charm to your holiday tree this year with this delightful textured pinecone ornament. Knitted flat in cozy worsted weight yarn, this project features a gorgeous bobble-like scale texture that mimics a real pinecone, finished with a snowy white tip for that perfect rustic, handmade look. Whether you're decorating your own home or creating heartfelt handmade gifts, this free pattern is simple enough for beginners yet engaging for experienced knitters. Let's get started!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This project uses small amounts of yarn, making it perfect for using up scraps from your stash.

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in two colors:
  • Main Color (MC): Warm brown (e.g., Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Chestnut) – approximately 30 yards
  • Contrast Color (CC): Cream/white (e.g., Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Fisherman) – approximately 10 yards
• Needles: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Notions: Tapestry needle for finishing, polyester fiberfill for stuffing, scissors

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Exact gauge is not critical for this ornament, but consistent tension will help create a nice, even shape.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This ornament is knitted flat in one piece, then seamed and stuffed. The pinecone texture is created with a simple bobble stitch pattern that pops beautifully to the right side. Don't be intimidated by the number of rows – the pattern is repetitive and meditative once you get going!

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two stitches together (decrease)
• P2tog = purl two stitches together (decrease)
• P3tog = purl three stitches together (decrease)
• BO = bind off
• CO = cast on
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• MC = main color (brown)
• CC = contrast color (cream)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

Pinecone Body (Make 1)

With MC, CO 12 sts. Leave a tail of about 6 inches for seaming later.

Row 1 (RS): Knit all sts.
Row 2 (WS): Purl all sts.
Row 3: K1, * (K1, P1, K1) into next st (this increases 1 st to 3 sts), then P3tog (decrease back to 1 st) – this forms a bobble. Repeat from * to last st, K1. (Bobbles will pop to the RS.)
Row 4: Purl all sts.
Row 5: Knit all sts.
Row 6: Purl all sts.
Row 7: Repeat Row 3.
Row 8: Purl all sts.
Row 9: Knit all sts.
Row 10: Purl all sts.
Row 11: Repeat Row 3.
Row 12: Purl all sts.
Row 13: Knit all sts.
Row 14: Purl all sts.
Row 15: Repeat Row 3.
Row 16: Purl all sts.
Row 17: Knit all sts.
Row 18: Purl all sts.
Row 19: Repeat Row 3.
Row 20: Purl all sts.
Row 21: Knit all sts.
Row 22: Purl all sts.
Row 23: Repeat Row 3.
Row 24: Purl all sts.
Row 25: Knit all sts.
Row 26: Purl all sts.
Row 27: Repeat Row 3.
Row 28: Purl all sts.
Row 29: Knit all sts.
Row 30: Purl all sts.
Row 31: Repeat Row 3.
Row 32: Purl all sts.
Row 33: Knit all sts.
Row 34: Purl all sts.
Row 35: Repeat Row 3.
Row 36: Purl all sts.
Row 37: Knit all sts.
Row 38: Purl all sts.
Row 39: Repeat Row 3.
Row 40: Purl all sts.
Row 41: Knit all sts.
Row 42: Purl all sts.
Row 43: Repeat Row 3.
Row 44: Purl all sts.
Row 45: Knit all sts.
Row 46: Purl all sts.
Row 47: Repeat Row 3.
Row 48: Purl all sts.
Row 49: Knit all sts.
Row 50: Purl all sts.
Row 51: Repeat Row 3.
Row 52: Purl all sts.
Row 53: Knit all sts.
Row 54: Purl all sts.
Row 55: Repeat Row 3.
Row 56: Purl all sts.
Row 57: Knit all sts.
Row 58: Purl all sts.
Row 59: Repeat Row 3.
Row 60: Purl all sts.
Row 61: Knit all sts.
Row 62: Purl all sts.
Row 63: Repeat Row 3.
Row 64: Purl all sts.
Row 65: Knit all sts.
Row 66: Purl all sts.
Row 67: Repeat Row 3.
Row 68: Purl all sts.
Row 69: Knit all sts.
Row 70: Purl all sts.
Row 71: Repeat Row 3.
Row 72: Purl all sts.
Row 73: Knit all sts.
Row 74: Purl all sts.
Row 75: Repeat Row 3.
Row 76: Purl all sts.
Row 77: Knit all sts.
Row 78: Purl all sts.
Row 79: Repeat Row 3.
Row 80: Purl all sts.
Row 81: Knit all sts.
Row 82: Purl all sts.
Row 83: Repeat Row 3.
Row 84: Purl all sts.
Row 85: Knit all sts.
Row 86: Purl all sts.
Row 87: Repeat Row 3.
Row 88: Purl all sts.
Row 89: Knit all sts.
Row 90: Purl all sts.
Row 91: Repeat Row 3.
Row 92: Purl all sts.
Row 93: Knit all sts.
Row 94: Purl all sts.
Row 95: Repeat Row 3.
Row 96: Purl all sts.
Row 97: Knit all sts.
Row 98: Purl all sts.
Row 99: Repeat Row 3.
Row 100: Purl all sts.

Tip: As you work, the bobbles will naturally push to the right side, creating that beautiful pinecone scale texture. Keep your tension even for the best results.

Shaping the Top (Tip of Pinecone)

Now we'll shape the narrower top end of the pinecone.

Row 101: K2tog across (6 sts remain).
Row 102: Purl all sts.
Row 103: K2tog across (3 sts remain).
Row 104: Purl all sts.
Row 105: K2tog, K1 (2 sts remain).
Row 106: P2tog (1 st remains).

Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Pull the tail through the remaining loop to secure. This will be the top of the pinecone (the narrower end).

Shaping the Bottom (Base of Pinecone)

The cast-on edge will be the wider base of your pinecone. After seaming, you will gather it slightly to create a rounded bottom – this gives the pinecone its natural, organic shape.

Finishing

Now for the fun part – bringing your pinecone to life!

1. Seaming: Fold the piece in half lengthwise with right sides together. Using MC and a tapestry needle, sew the side seam from the cast-on edge up to the tip, leaving the cast-on edge open. Turn the piece right side out.
2. Stuffing: Stuff the pinecone firmly with polyester fiberfill. Be sure to fill the tip well so it holds its shape.
3. Gathering the bottom: Thread a tapestry needle with MC and run a running stitch around the cast-on edge. Pull tight to gather the bottom closed, creating a rounded base. Secure with a few firm stitches and weave in the end.
4. Creating the snowy tip: With CC, make a small pom-pom (about 1 inch in diameter) or a crocheted circle. For a crocheted circle: With CC, make a magic ring, ch 1, work 6 sc into ring, pull tight. Join with sl st. Fasten off. Sew this snowy accent securely to the tip of the pinecone.
5. Hanging loop: Cut a 6-inch piece of CC. Fold it in half. Using a tapestry needle, pull the folded end through the tip of the pinecone, just below the snowy tip. Thread the two loose ends through the loop and pull tight to create a hanging loop. Trim the ends neatly.
6. Weave in ends: Weave in all remaining yarn ends with your tapestry needle to give your ornament a clean, professional finish.

Your Frosted Pinecone Knitted Ornament is now ready to hang! Make several in different brown tones to create a cohesive woodland theme for your tree, or pair them with handmade gift tags for a personal touch. These ornaments also make wonderful stocking stuffers for the knitters in your life. Happy knitting, and enjoy your beautiful handmade holiday decor!