June 24th, 2026
Knit Tree Skirt Pattern: Cozy Cable Braid in Two Sizes
There is something about a hand knit tree skirt pattern that a store-bought skirt never quite matches — the weight of it, the texture, the way a chunky cable braid catches the light at the base of the tree. This knit tree skirt pattern gives you that cozy, designed look with a three-strand cable braid border and a smooth, flat skirt that fans into eight clean spokes. Best of all, it works up fast in super bulky yarn and comes in two sizes, so you can make one for a tabletop tree and one for a full floor tree.
Below I will walk you through how this knit tree skirt comes together, what you will need, and a few tips for getting it to lie perfectly flat.
Why You Will Love This Knit Tree Skirt Pattern
This is the kind of holiday make that looks far harder than it is. A few reasons it is worth adding to your list:
- Knit Cable Braid Table Runner Pattern (the matching set!)
- A chunky cable braid border — a three-strand braid that looks intricate but uses just two simple cable crosses.
- Two sizes included — a 30-inch skirt for tabletop and slim trees, and a 48-inch skirt for full floor trees.
- One piece, no seaming — the skirt is knit flat and slips right around the trunk through an open back.
- Quick to knit — super bulky yarn on big needles means the small size takes just two skeins and a cozy weekend.
- A free video tutorial for the cable braid, so the technique is never a guessing game.
If you have made our cable knit Christmas ornament or our traditional knit Christmas stocking, this knit tree skirt pattern is the natural next piece to tie your handmade holiday decor together.
What You Will Need
The materials list is short and beginner-friendly:
- Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick (super bulky, weight 6) in Whipped Cream — about 2 skeins for the small skirt, 5 for the large. It is made from 100% recycled polyester, so each skein gives new life to roughly six plastic bottles.
- Needles: 10 mm (US 15) circular needles — a 24-inch cord for the small size, 40-inch for the large.
- Notions: a cable needle, 8 stitch markers, a tapestry needle, and scissors.
Shop the materials
Any solid super bulky yarn will work, so this is a great pattern for using a color you love — cream for a soft Scandinavian look, or classic red for traditional Christmas charm.
How This Knit Tree Skirt Is Made
The construction is what makes this knit tree skirt pattern so satisfying. Instead of fighting fiddly increases, you build the skirt in two simple stages.
1. The cable braid band
You start by knitting one long strip — the cable braid border that wraps the outer edge of the skirt. It is only 11 stitches wide and uses an easy eight-row repeat, so it is wonderfully portable, take-along knitting. The length of this band is what sets your finished size.
2. Picking up the body
Once the band is done, you pick up stitches along its inner edge and work inward. Because the band already forms the rim, you never have to cast on hundreds of stitches at once.
3. The spoke decreases
The body is divided into eight wedges, and a pair of mirrored decreases at each wedge line forms a clean spoke that radiates toward the center — the same tidy decrease used in a hand-knit sock toe. Worked evenly, the skirt lies flat on the floor instead of cupping.
4. Finishing the center
A few plain rows and a loose bind-off leave a neat 5-inch hole for the trunk, and the open back slit lets the whole skirt slip around the tree. There is no seaming anywhere.
Skill Level & Finished Sizes
This knit tree skirt pattern is rated intermediate, but confident beginners are very welcome — the only new skill is the cable cross, and the free video tutorial walks you through it step by step. The finished skirt comes in two sizes:
- Small: about 30 inches across — perfect for tabletop and slim trees.
- Large: about 48 inches across — sized for full floor trees.
Watch: Free Cable Braid Video Tutorial
New to cables? This short tutorial walks through both crosses used in the braid — C6B (cable 6 back) and C6F (cable 6 front) — so you can knit the border with confidence.
Tips for a Tree Skirt That Lies Flat
A flat skirt is all about even shaping. A few things that help:
- Keep your decrease rows evenly spaced. A flat circle loses stitches at a steady rate, so resist the urge to bunch decreases near the center.
- Work the cable band a touch loosely. Cables pull in, and a relaxed band keeps the outer edge from cupping upward.
- Pick up at an even rate along the band so the body starts smooth and balanced.
Because the body is worked in stockinette, a 3-stitch garter border along each slit edge keeps the opening from curling.
Make It Your Own
The beauty of a solid-color skirt is how easily you can change the mood. Knit it in Whipped Cream for a calm, modern look, or in a rich red for a classic Christmas feel. You could even work the cable band in a contrast color for an extra-special finish. However you make it, this knit tree skirt pattern is designed to be a piece you reach for every December.
Get the Printable PDF
Knit Cable Braid Tree Skirt Pattern PDF
Both sizes, step-by-step instructions, stitch counts, and the cable video link in one printable PDF. Use code SEELOVE15 for 15% off.
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More Holiday Knit & Crochet Patterns
Keep the handmade holiday going with a few more favorites:
- Traditional Folded-Cuff Knit Christmas Stocking
- Cable Knit Christmas Ornament Pattern
- Peppermint Candy Ornament Pattern
- All Crochet Christmas Patterns
Knit Tree Skirt Pattern — FAQ
What yarn do I need for this knit tree skirt?
The pattern is written for Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick, a super bulky (weight 6) yarn. You will need about 2 skeins for the small size and 5 for the large, and any solid super bulky yarn can be substituted.
How big is the finished tree skirt?
Two sizes are included: a 30-inch skirt for tabletop and slim trees, and a 48-inch skirt for full floor trees. The center hole is about 5 inches across in both sizes.
Is this a beginner knitting pattern?
It is rated intermediate, but the only new skill is a simple cable cross, and a free video tutorial is included. Confident beginners who can knit, purl, and pick up stitches can absolutely make this knit tree skirt pattern.
Do I need a cable needle?
Yes, a cable needle makes the three-strand braid easy to work. The pattern and video show exactly how to use it for the C6B and C6F crosses.
Can I sell tree skirts I make from this pattern?
Yes — you are welcome to sell finished items you make from this pattern. Please credit SeeLoveShare as the designer. The pattern PDF itself may not be copied, shared, or resold.
Ready to Cast On?
Grab the printable PDF, pick your favorite color, and make a cozy skirt your tree will wear for years. Happy knitting!