Enchanted Orchard Harvest Basket Trio Free Pattern – Knitted Cable & Leaf Motif Bags

Bring the cozy charm of a fall orchard into your home with this trio of knitted baskets, each adorned with intricate cable twists and delicate leaf motifs. Perfect for storing yarn, trinkets, or as festive decor, these bags are as beautiful as they are functional. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a beginner looking for a rewarding project, this pattern offers a delightful way to create rustic, textured storage solutions that will elevate any room.

This pattern creates three bags of increasing size—Small (6 inches tall), Medium (8 inches tall), and Large (10 inches tall)—each knitted in the round from the bottom up. The front panels feature a stunning leaf motif and, for the large bag, an additional cable twist, while the back remains smooth stockinette. The result is a trio of bags that are both visually striking and incredibly practical.

Materials Needed

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

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn in three colors:
  • Deep Burgundy (Color A) – for the Small bag
  • Golden Amber (Color B) – for the Medium bag
  • Forest Green (Color C) – for the Large bag
  Approximately 200g of each color.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles, US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles (16-inch) for small bags.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, cable needle.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always check your gauge to ensure the correct size.

Abbreviations

Familiarize yourself with these standard knitting abbreviations before starting:

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two together (decrease)
• SSK: Slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• C4F: Cable 4 front (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 from cable needle)
• C4B: Cable 4 back (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 from cable needle)
• Yo: Yarn over
• PM: Place marker
• RM: Remove marker

Pattern Panels

Leaf Motif Panel (worked over 12 stitches)

This delicate lace-like panel creates the beautiful leaf shapes. Work these rows back and forth or in the round as indicated in the bag instructions.

• Row 1: K2, yo, SSK, K4, K2tog, yo, K2
• Row 2 and all even rows: Purl all stitches
• Row 3: K3, yo, SSK, K2, K2tog, yo, K3
• Row 5: K4, yo, SSK, K2tog, yo, K4
• Row 7: K3, yo, SSK, K2, K2tog, yo, K3
• Row 9: K2, yo, SSK, K4, K2tog, yo, K2
• Row 11: K1, yo, SSK, K6, K2tog, yo, K1
• Row 12: Purl

Repeat rows 1-12 for the leaf pattern.

Cable Panel (worked over 8 stitches)

This elegant cable twist adds depth and dimension to the large bag.

• Row 1: C4F, C4B
• Row 2: Purl all stitches
• Row 3: K8
• Row 4: Purl all stitches

Repeat rows 1-4 for the cable pattern.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Small Bag (Color A – Deep Burgundy)

1. Cast On: CO 48 stitches. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. PM at the beginning of the round.
2. Ribbing: Rounds 1-10: K1, P1 ribbing. This creates the sturdy, stretchy top edge.
3. Begin Pattern: Round 11: K16 (back), PM, work Leaf Motif Panel over 12 stitches, PM, K20 (front).
4. Continue in Pattern: Work the leaf panel on the front and stockinette on the back until the bag measures 5 inches from the cast-on edge. Pro tip: Place a removable marker on the first round of the pattern to track your progress.
5. Shape the Bottom:
   • Next round: K2tog, K22, K2tog, K22 (46 stitches).
   • Next round: K2tog, K20, K2tog, K20 (44 stitches).
   • Continue decreasing in this manner (2 decreases per round, one at each side) until 20 stitches remain.
6. Finish: Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure. Weave in the end.

Medium Bag (Color B – Golden Amber)

1. Cast On: CO 60 stitches. Join in the round, PM.
2. Ribbing: Rounds 1-12: K1, P1 ribbing.
3. Begin Pattern: Round 13: K20 (back), PM, work Leaf Motif Panel over 12 stitches, PM, K28 (front).
4. Continue in Pattern: Work the leaf panel on the front and stockinette on the back until the bag measures 7 inches from the cast-on edge.
5. Shape the Bottom: Decrease 2 stitches every other round (as in small bag) until 24 stitches remain. Note: For this size, the decreases are spaced every other round, not every round.
6. Finish: Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.

Large Bag (Color C – Forest Green)

1. Cast On: CO 72 stitches. Join in the round, PM.
2. Ribbing: Rounds 1-14: K1, P1 ribbing.
3. Begin Pattern: Round 15: K24 (back), PM, work Cable Panel over 8 stitches, PM, work Leaf Motif Panel over 12 stitches, PM, K28 (front).
4. Continue in Pattern: Work the cable and leaf panels on the front and stockinette on the back until the bag measures 9 inches from the cast-on edge.
5. Shape the Bottom: Decrease 2 stitches every round until 28 stitches remain.
6. Finish: Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.

Handles (make 2 for each bag)

The handles are knitted flat and then folded to create a sturdy, braided-looking strap.

1. Cast On: CO 8 stitches.
2. Work in Stockinette: Knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side, for:
   • 12 inches for the Small bag
   • 14 inches for the Medium bag
   • 16 inches for the Large bag
3. Bind Off: Bind off all stitches.
4. Create the Strap: Fold each handle in half lengthwise (with the right sides together) and sew the long edges together to create a sturdy strap. Turn right side out if desired, or leave as is for a thicker look.
5. Attach Handles: Attach handles to the inside of the bag, opposite each other, using a tapestry needle and matching yarn. Sew securely with several passes to ensure durability.

Finishing Touches

1. Weave in All Ends: Use a tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends carefully, ensuring they are secure and invisible.
2. Block the Bags: Lightly block the bags to shape them, if desired. This helps the leaf motifs and cables stand out beautifully. Simply wet the bags, gently squeeze out excess water, and lay flat to dry in the desired shape.

Your Enchanted Orchard Harvest Basket Trio is now complete! These charming bags are perfect for storing yarn, trinkets, or as festive fall decor. The rich, earthy colors and intricate stitch patterns make them a joy to create and a treasure to display. Happy knitting!