Whispering Pines Pocket Tissue Holder Free Pattern – A Cozy Knit Forest Keeper

There's something deeply satisfying about turning a simple necessity into a small work of art. This charming knitted tissue holder wraps your pocket packs in a soft, textured forest-inspired cover with a delicate leaf motif. It's a quick, mindful project that adds a touch of handmade warmth to your bag or desk. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a satisfying weekend project or a beginner ready to tackle your first colorwork, this pattern offers the perfect blend of simplicity and charm. The earthy spruce green and birch white colorway evokes quiet woodland walks, making this a delightful handmade gift for nature lovers, teachers, or anyone who appreciates the little comforts in life.

This pattern creates a snug envelope-style holder for a standard pocket tissue pack (approx. 4.5 x 2.5 x 1 inches). It is worked flat in one piece, then seamed. The construction is clever and straightforward: you'll knit a bottom flap, work increases to create room for the tissue pack, knit a beautiful leaf motif panel in the center, then finish with a top flap featuring a simple buttonhole closure. The result is a functional, beautiful, and completely unique accessory that you'll be proud to pull out of your bag.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather your supplies. This project uses simple, readily available materials, making it accessible for knitters of all levels.

Yarn

• Worsted weight yarn in two colors:
• Main Color (MC): Forest green – approximately 50-60 yards (e.g., Cascade 220 in Spruce)
• Contrast Color (CC): Cream or birch white – approximately 15-20 yards (e.g., Cascade 220 in Natural)

Needles & Notions

• US Size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming
• Stitch marker (optional, but helpful for tracking rows)
• Small button (approx. 0.5 inch / 12 mm diameter)
• Sewing needle and thread to attach the button

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Be sure to check your gauge before starting. If your gauge is off, your tissue holder may end up too tight or too loose for a standard pocket pack. If you need to adjust, try a different needle size – smaller needles for a tighter fabric, larger needles for a looser one.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked flat in one piece, from the bottom flap up to the top flap. Follow along carefully, and you'll have a beautiful tissue holder in no time. Let's begin!

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• K: knit
• P: purl
• K2tog: knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• St(s): stitch(es)
• MC: main color
• CC: contrast color
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• M1: make one (increase) – lift the bar between stitches and knit through the back loop
• YO: yarn over (increase, creates a hole for the buttonhole)

Bottom Flap (worked first)

With MC, CO 22 sts.

Row 1 (RS): Knit all sts.

Row 2 (WS): Purl all sts.

Repeat Rows 1-2 until piece measures 2.5 inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. This creates a sturdy, stockinette base that will form the bottom of your tissue holder. The stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) creates that classic smooth, V-shaped fabric that's both beautiful and durable.

Main Body (increase for tissue pocket)

Now we'll add a few stitches to create a little extra room for the tissue pack to slide in comfortably.

Next Row (RS): K1, M1 (make one by lifting bar between sts and knitting through back loop), knit to last st, M1, K1. (24 sts)

Work in stockinette stitch (K on RS, P on WS) for 1.5 inches, ending with a WS row. This section forms the main body of the holder where the tissue pack will sit.

Leaf Motif Panel (worked over center 8 sts)

This is the heart of the pattern – a delicate leaf shape created with decreases in the contrast color. The leaf is worked over the center 8 stitches, while the 8 stitches on each side remain in the main color. Don't worry if this seems complex; we'll take it row by row. Remember to carry the unused yarn loosely up the side of your work, or weave it in as you go to keep the back neat.

Row 1 (RS): With MC, K8, switch to CC, K8 (center leaf panel), switch to MC, K8. (24 sts)

Row 2 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P8, with MC, P8.

Row 3 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, K2, SSK, K2, K2tog, K2, with MC, K8. (22 sts – leaf shaping begins)

Row 4 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P8, with MC, P8.

Row 5 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, K1, SSK, K2, K2tog, K1, with MC, K8. (20 sts)

Row 6 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P8, with MC, P8.

Row 7 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, SSK, K2, K2tog, with MC, K8. (18 sts)

Row 8 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P8, with MC, P8.

Row 9 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, SSK, K2tog, with MC, K8. (16 sts)

Row 10 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P8, with MC, P8.

Row 11 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, SSK, K2tog, with MC, K8. (14 sts)

Row 12 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P8, with MC, P8.

Row 13 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, K2tog, with MC, K8. (12 sts)

Row 14 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P2, with MC, P8.

Row 15 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, K2tog, with MC, K8. (10 sts)

Row 16 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P2, with MC, P8.

Row 17 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, K2tog, with MC, K8. (8 sts)

Row 18 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P2, with MC, P8.

Row 19 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, K2tog, with MC, K8. (6 sts)

Row 20 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P2, with MC, P8.

Row 21 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, K2tog, with MC, K8. (4 sts)

Row 22 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P2, with MC, P8.

Row 23 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, K2tog, with MC, K8. (2 sts)

Row 24 (WS): With MC, P8, with CC, P2, with MC, P8.

Row 25 (RS): With MC, K8, with CC, K2tog, with MC, K8. (0 sts – leaf complete, CC cut and weave in ends)

Now continue with MC only. You have 16 sts on needle (8 from each side). The leaf motif is complete! You should see a beautiful, tapered leaf shape in the center of your work, framed by the forest green main color on either side.

Top Flap (worked over remaining sts)

Now we'll create the top flap that folds over the front of the tissue pack and secures with a button.

Row 26 (WS): Purl all sts.

Row 27 (RS): Knit all sts.

Repeat Rows 26-27 until top flap measures 2 inches from leaf panel, ending with a WS row. This gives you a nice, even flap that will comfortably cover the top of the tissue pack.

Buttonhole Row

This row creates a neat little hole for your button to pass through.

Buttonhole Row (RS): K7, K2tog, YO (yarn over), K7. (16 sts – buttonhole created)

Work in stockinette stitch for 3 more rows, ending with a WS row. This creates a nice border above the buttonhole, giving the flap a finished look.

Edging (optional)

Bind off all sts knitwise on RS. Weave in all ends. Binding off knitwise creates a nice, stretchy edge that won't pucker.

Finishing

Now for the fun part – assembling your tissue holder!

Fold the bottom flap up over the tissue pack, then fold the top flap down over the front. The tissue pack should fit snugly inside, with the opening of the pack accessible from the top. Use a small button (approx. 0.5 inch) sewn on the bottom flap to align with the buttonhole. Position the button so that when the top flap is folded down, the buttonhole slips easily over the button. Sew button securely with matching thread. Weave in all remaining ends. Block lightly if desired – this will even out your stitches and give your project a professional finish.

And there you have it – your very own Whispering Pines Pocket Tissue Holder! This little project is perfect for using up small amounts of worsted weight yarn from your stash, and it makes a wonderful, thoughtful gift. The combination of the deep spruce green and creamy birch white evokes the quiet beauty of a forest in winter, bringing a touch of nature's calm to your everyday life.

Whether you're making one for yourself or as a handmade gift for someone special, this tissue holder is sure to bring a smile. It's a quick, satisfying knit that proves even the smallest projects can be filled with charm and character. Happy knitting!