How to Knit a Tree Panel
Tree panels make lovely additions to many knitted projects. You may want to add a knitted tree panel to a simple sweater, use one for a pillow, or compose an afghan out of tree panels. You might even choose a very large knit tree panel as the focal point of an afghan or wall hanging. Knitting a tree panel requires that you know how to read a knitting chart, knit, purl, increase and decrease. This is a fairly advanced knitting project.
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Things You'll Need
- Yarn
- Knitting needles in size needed to obtain gauge
- Tree chart
- Pattern for finished item (if desired)
- Stitch markers
- Row counter
- Cable needle
Instructions
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Decide how you plan to use your tree panel. If you want to integrate a tree panel into another knitted project, you will need to work that out within the pattern. Keep in mind that many sweaters are not conducive to this sort of knit tree panel because of shaping, but an oversize sweater may work. You might need some knit pattern drafting skills to make this sort of modification. Let's assume you plan to use your knit tree panel for a rectangular or square project, ranging from a home decor project to a bag. You could also choose a lace tree panel chart and plan to knit a lacy shawl or scarf with an image of a tree as part of the design.
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Choose the right knit tree panel. You will find that there are simple knit tree panel charts that use only purl stitches to create an image in reverse stockinette. While these sorts of knit charts are most commonly used for simple projects such as dishcloths, they also can be great on a child's sweater. Cotton yarns show these stitch patterns well. but other yarns will work, too. These are the easiest options when you want to knit a tree design. Colorwork or intarsia will also allow you to knit a tree into a garment, and can be done without impacting the pattern you have chosen. You can also knit a tree using cable work. This works well with yarns ranging from a DK weight to a bulky weight, depending upon your intended project. Animal fibers, like wool and alpaca, may provide the best cable definition for your knitted tree. Advanced knitters might consider a tree knit in lace. Lace knitting requires finer gauge yarn most often, and significant knitting skill. A knit tree might be incorporated into a lace shawl or scarf.
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Knit a gauge swatch. While a gauge swatch is not necessary for a project without fit issues, if you are knitting a sweater or other garment, a swatch will help you determine how the yarn will fit. Even in a project that is not wearable, a gauge swatch can give you valuable information about how the yarn will knit up, whether you are happy with the needle size you have chosen, and how the yarn washes. Be sure to wash and block your swatch before you begin knitting. If you are knitting in pattern, consider knitting your gauge swatch in a smaller version of the pattern to help you get the most information from this evening's knitting.
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Begin knitting. You will certainly want a printout of your chart, and may wish to transcribe your chart into a standard knitting notation if you prefer to work from written instructions. Knitting charts are typically read right to left on odd rows and left to right on even rows. This can be confusing, and having the written version of the chart available may be helpful, especially if you are still learning. This can also be a useful step if you are integrated a knit tree panel into another project so you can retain details of the sweater, vest or bag you are knitting.
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Pay close attention to your knitting when working on anything in a pattern, even a knitted tree. Missing a single stitch can leave you ripping out a substantial amount of knitting. Use stitch markers liberally, typically every repeat if you are doing lace or cable work, and as appropriate for colorwork or other stitch patterns. You may also want to use a highlighter pen to mark your chart, and a row counter to keep track of the number of rows you have knitted and your place in the pattern.
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Once you have finished knitting your tree panel and the rest of your garment or decorative item, do any finishing the knitting project requires, including seaming. Knits of all sorts, but especially animal fibers like wool, will benefit from blocking. Gently dampen or wash the finished item. Lay it out carefully on a flat surface, spreading any lacework or cables to show them to their best advantage. The natural stretch in these fibers will allow you a bit of fitting ease since you can lengthen sleeves or stretch a slightly tight sweater during blocking.
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