The Whispering Willow Tissue Box Cover: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Modern Home Accessory

Introducing the Whispering Willow Tissue Box Cover

Elevate your everyday essentials with this uniquely textured tissue box cover, featuring a delicate leaf motif that adds a touch of nature to any room. Knit in a soft, heathered yarn, this pattern is a quick and satisfying project for intermediate knitters. The Whispering Willow design transforms a simple household item into a modern home accessory, with a dense, cozy texture and a clean, folded top flap that creates a polished finish.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) yarn in two colors:
  • Main Color (MC): 150 yards (e.g., Heathered Moss Green)
  • Contrast Color (CC): 50 yards (e.g., Soft Cream)
• Needles: US Size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles (or size to obtain gauge)
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers

Gauge: 20 stitches x 28 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch. Adjust needle size if necessary to match gauge.

Finished Size: Fits a standard rectangular tissue box (approx. 9.5 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches).

Step-by-Step Instructions

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• MC: Main Color
• CC: Contrast Color
• RS: Right side
• WS: Wrong side
• K2tog: Knit two together
• M1: Make one (increase)

Pattern Notes

• The cover is worked flat in two main pieces (front/back and sides) and then seamed.
• The leaf motif is created using a simple slipped stitch pattern.
• The top opening is created by working a flap that folds over.

Front/Back Panel (Make 2)

With MC, CO 48 sts.

Ribbed Edge:

• Row 1 (RS): K2, *P2, K2; repeat from * to end.
• Row 2 (WS): P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * to end.
• Repeat Rows 1-2 for 1 inch (about 6 rows), ending with a WS row.

Begin Leaf Motif Pattern:

• Row 1 (RS): With MC, K all sts.
• Row 2 (WS): With MC, P all sts.
• Row 3 (RS): With MC, K all sts.
• Row 4 (WS): With MC, P all sts.
• Row 5 (RS): With MC, K1, *slip 1 st purlwise with yarn in back (wyib), K3; repeat from * to last 3 sts, slip 1 wyib, K2.
• Row 6 (WS): With MC, P1, *slip 1 st purlwise with yarn in front (wyif), P3; repeat from * to last 3 sts, slip 1 wyif, P2.
• Row 7 (RS): With MC, K1, *K3, slip 1 wyib; repeat from * to last 3 sts, K3.
• Row 8 (WS): With MC, P1, *P3, slip 1 wyif; repeat from * to last 3 sts, P3.
• Row 9 (RS): With MC, K all sts.
• Row 10 (WS): With MC, P all sts.
• Row 11 (RS): With MC, K all sts.
• Row 12 (WS): With MC, P all sts.
• Row 13 (RS): With CC, K1, *K3, slip 1 wyib; repeat from * to last 3 sts, K3.
• Row 14 (WS): With CC, P1, *P3, slip 1 wyif; repeat from * to last 3 sts, P3.
• Row 15 (RS): With CC, K1, *slip 1 wyib, K3; repeat from * to last 3 sts, slip 1 wyib, K2.
• Row 16 (WS): With CC, P1, *slip 1 wyif, P3; repeat from * to last 3 sts, slip 1 wyif, P2.
• Row 17 (RS): With CC, K all sts.
• Row 18 (WS): With CC, P all sts.
• Row 19 (RS): With CC, K all sts.
• Row 20 (WS): With CC, P all sts.

Repeat Rows 1-20 for pattern until piece measures 8 inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Top Flap:

• Next Row (RS): With MC, K all sts.
• Work in Stockinette stitch (K on RS, P on WS) for 2 inches.
• Next Row (RS): K2, *K2tog, K4; repeat from * to last 4 sts, K2tog, K2. (40 sts)
• Next Row (WS): P all sts.
• Next Row (RS): K2, *K2tog, K3; repeat from * to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. (32 sts)
• Next Row (WS): P all sts.
• Next Row (RS): K2, *K2tog, K2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2tog. (24 sts)
• Next Row (WS): P all sts.
• Next Row (RS): K2, *K2tog, K1; repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2tog. (16 sts)
• Next Row (WS): P all sts.
• Next Row (RS): K2tog across. (8 sts)
• Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining sts and pull tight to close. Weave in end.

Side Panel (Make 2)

With MC, CO 24 sts.

• Work in 2x2 Rib (K2, P2) for 1 inch.
• Continue in Stockinette stitch (K on RS, P on WS) until piece measures 8 inches from cast-on edge.
• Bind off all sts.

Assembly

1. Sew the side panels to the front and back panels using mattress stitch, matching the ribbed edges at the bottom.
2. The top flap will fold over the top of the tissue box. The opening is created by the flap. You can optionally add a button and loop closure to keep the flap in place.
3. Weave in all ends.
4. Place over tissue box.

Your Whispering Willow Tissue Box Cover is now complete! Enjoy the modern, textured look it brings to your home.