There are a variety of crochet leaves you can make, and most are fairly easy to complete. The right leaf for your project generally depends on the style you are looking for.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Water Droplets
Step 1. Make eight chains
Thread the yarn onto the knitting needle using the starting knot, then work a basic eight chain stitch.
Check out the "Tips" section of this article if you need instructions on how to make a starting knot or how to work a chain stitch
Step 2. Make a triple crochet onto the chain
Work ten triple crochets into the fourth stitch of the knitting needle. These ten crochet must be worked into the same place.
- Note that there should be four blank stitches to the left of the knitting needle after completing this step.
- See the "Tips" section if you need help making a triple crochet.
Step 3. Double crochet once
Work one double crochet into the backmost loop of the next stitch in the base chain.
- There should be three blank stitches left after this step.
- You can find instructions on double crochet in the "Tips" section of this article.
Step 4. Do the half double crochet
Make one semi-double crochet to the back of the loop in the next stitch in the base chain.
- There should be two blank stitches left at the end of this step.
- See the "Tips" section for information on half double crochet.
Step 5. Single knit once
Work one single crochet into the next stitch in the base chain.
- There should be one empty stitch left at the end of this step.
- Check out the "Tips" section if you need help with single crochet.
Step 6. Make a one-time slip stitch
Work one slip stitch into the final stitch of the base chain, finishing one side of the leaf.
If you don't know how to make a slip stitch, see the "Tips" section
Step 7. Rotate and flip
Rotate your piece to the opposite side. Work the same stitch into each chain of the first four stitches, gradually moving toward the triple crochet set.
- Each stitch completed in this step becomes the back half of the stitch.
- Work one slip stitch into the first stitch.
- Work one single crochet into the second stitch.
- Work one half double crochet into the third stitch.
- Work one double crochet into the fourth stitch.
Step 8. Merge
Make a slip stitch once into the first top loop of the triple crochet set.
If done correctly, the outer edges of the leaf will look evenly connected
Step 9. Tie the thread
Cut the thread, leaving the end of the thread 5 cm. Pull through the loop on the knitting needle to tie your piece together.
- Use a sewing needle to weave the excess end of the thread onto the back side of the leaf, hiding it from view.
- The leaves are finished in this step.
Method 2 of 3: Round Leaves
Step 1. Make nine chains
Secure the yarn to the knitting needle in the starting knot, then work nine chain stitches from the loop on the knitting needle.
- This basic chain will be the center of your leaf.
- If you don't know how to make a starting knot or chain stitch, see the "Tips" section for more detailed instructions.
Step 2. Make a single crochet onto the chain
Work one single crochet into the second chain of knitting needles. Single crochet once into each chain after that.
- You will need to make a total of eight stitches in this step.
- Rotate your piece once it reaches the end of the line.
- For instructions on how to make a single crochet stitch, please see the "Tips" section of this article.
Step 3. Make a single crochet and a half double crochet
You will need to work a series of single crochet and half double crochet into each stitch of the previous row.
- Work one single crochet into every first three stitches of the knitting needle.
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Work one half double crochet into each of the next two stitches.
- If you don't know how to crochet a half double, see the "Tips" section.
- This half double crochet will create a rounded outer edge of the leaf.
- Work one single crochet into each of the last three stitches.
Step 4. Make one chain stitch
Once you've reached the end of the row and the top of the leaf, work one chain stitch.
Step 5. Repeat the same pattern on the opposite side
Use the same single crochet and half double crochet pattern to finish the other side of the leaf. Work each of these stitches to the straight edge, which is also the starting chain.
- Skip the chain stitch you just finished.
- Single crochet once into every next three stitches.
- Double crochet twice into each of the next two stitches.
- Work one single crochet into each of the last three stitches.
Step 6. Make a slip stitch into the base
Work one slip stitch into the first stitch from the opposite edge, creating a rounded base.
- This slip stitch joins the two edges. Once you've created it, you'll get a flat connected edge all around the leaf.
- Check out the "Tips" section of this article if you don't know how to make a slip stitch.
Step 7. Tighten the thread
Cut the thread, leaving the end of the thread at least 10 cm. Pull through the loop on the knitting needle to make a knot and then tie.
- You can trim the ends of this thread in half and weave the rest into the back of the leaf, if desired, or leave it alone and use it to connect the leaves to a larger piece.
- The leaves are finished at this step.
Method 3 of 3: Method Three: Holly Leaves
Step 1. Make ten chains
Thread the yarn onto the knitting needle using the starting knot, then work the base of ten chain stitches.
See the "Tips" section if you need further instructions on how to make a starting knot or chain stitch
Step 2. Make a single crochet into a chain
Work one single crochet into the second stitch of the knitting needle, then work another single crochet into the next stitch. While making this stitch, thread the knitting needle under both loops of the chain.
- You will need to work each new stitch into both circles for each stitch worked into the base chain.
- Make sure that there are still seven empty stitches from the base chain after you've worked those two stitches.
- See "Tips" for more information on single crochet stitches.
Step 3. Do the half double crochet and double crochet
Work one half double crochet into both circles of the next chain. Work one double crochet into both loops of the chain after that.
If you need help with half double crochet and double crochet, please see the "Tips" section
Step 4. Work two double crochets
Both double crochet must be worked into the same stitch. This stitch is the next stitch on the chain.
Step 5. Reverse the pattern
To complete the remaining sides, you will have to repeat the same double crochet, half double crochet, and single crochet pattern.
- Do not repeat the two double crochets made in the previous step.
- In the next stitch, work one double crochet.
- Work one half double crochet into the stitch after that.
- Work one single crochet into each of the last two stitches of the base chain, finishing the sides.
Step 6. Make one chain
Work one chain stitch from the loop on the knitting needle.
Step 7. Repeat the pattern on the opposite side
You will need to make the exact same sequence of stitches along the opposite side of the base chain to complete the second side. When making this stitch, you'll need to work the knitting needle under single, unused loops along the bottom edge of the base chain.
- Work a single crochet into every first two stitches.
- Work one half crochet into the next stitch, and one double crochet into the next stitch.
- Work two double crochets into the next stitch.
- Make one double crochet into the next stitch, followed by one half crochet in the next stitch.
- Finish the second side by making one single crochet into each chain of the last two chains.
Step 8. Close the ends with a slip stitch
Make a single slip stitch to the beginning of the base chain. This step closes the ends of the leaves.
See the "Tips" section if you need help making slip stitches
Step 9. Slip stitch into the first outer seam
Work one slip stitch into the first stitch along the first side.
- Pass the knitting needle through both loops of the stitch as you work. You will need to do this to complete this initial slip stitch and all the stitches after it.
- This step begins the process of forming a single "thorn" along the side of the leaf.
Step 10. Work one single crochet and two chains
Single crochet once into the second stitch on the leaf side, then work two chain stitches from the knitting needle.
The last chain should be a bit loose. If it is too tight, the spines along the edges of the leaf will bend and gather
Step 11. Make a point
Slip stitch into the second chain of knitting needles, then single knit once into the same stitch.
- Thread the knitting needle into the second chain and wind the yarn. Pull the thread through the stitch, then through the chain on the knitting needle. This process is quite difficult, so don't rush it.
- This step completes the first quill point and also completes the first quill as a whole.
Step 12. Repeat as needed, creating six more spines
The rest of the spikes are made using the same basic steps that were used to make the first spike.
- Slip stitch once into each of the next two stitches.
- Make a second thorn in the seam after that. Single crochet into that stitch, work two chains, then slip one stitch into the second chain of knitting needles, then single crochet once into the same chain.
- Slip stitch once into each of the next two stitches, then create another quill using the same technique.
- Slip stitch once into every two subsequent stitches, bringing the knitting needle closer to the one chain you made earlier at the end of the leaf. Use the same technique to make a burr into that one-chain stitch.
- Working on the opposite side, make three more spikes in exactly the same way you used to make the spikes on the first side.
- Slip stitches into the last stitch at the base of the leaf to complete the underside of the leaf.
Step 13. Make a chain as a rod
Make four chain stitches starting at the base of the leaf. Slip stitch once into the second chain of knitting needles, then one more time into each of the next two stitches.
Step 14. Make a chain through the center
Insert the knitting needle into the base of the leaf, near the center of the leaf. Wrap the thread, then pull the loop through the front of the leaf. Also pull this loop through the chain on the knitting needle.
- Thread the knitting needle further up through the center and repeat the stitch one more time.
- Continue working your way up through the center of the leaf in the same way until you reach the tip of the leaf. You should make about eight or nine of these stitches.
- Make sure that the seams remain slightly loose so the leaves can still lie flat.
- In this step, you work the center chain across the center of the leaf. This chain will appear as the central pulse.
Step 15. Tighten the thread
Cut the thread, leaving the end of the thread 10 cm. Pull the end of the yarn from the back of the leaf to the front and through the loop on the knitting needle to tie it.
- Use a sewing needle to weave the excess end of the thread along the center of the back of the leaf, making sure it stays in place.
- Completing this step also completes your leaf.
Tips
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To tie a starting knot on a knitting needle:
- Cross the long end of the yarn over the short end, creating a loop.
- Push the long end of the thread into this loop from below, creating a second loop. Tighten the first loop to hold the second loop.
- Insert the knitting needle into the second loop and tighten the yarn around it.
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To make a chain stitch:
- Wrap the long end of the yarn around the top of the knitting needle.
- Pull the thread through the loop on the knitting needle to complete the stitch.
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To make single crochet:
- Insert the knitting needle into the desired stitch.
- Catch the yarn with the knitting needle and pull it up to the front of the stitch.
- Wrap the yarn on the knitting needle
- Pull the wrapped thread through both loops on the knitting needle to complete the stitch.
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To do the half double crochet:
- Wrap the yarn around the knitting needle, then thread it into the desired stitch.
- Wrap the yarn over the knitting needle again and pull the yarn back into the front of the stitch.
- Wrap the yarn over the knitting needle one more time, then pull this loop of yarn through all three loops on the knitting needle to complete the stitch.
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To do double crochet:
- Wrap the yarn around the knitting needle.
- Insert the knitting needle into the desired stitch.
- Catch the yarn with the knitting needle and pull it back to the front of the stitch. You will have three loops on the knitting needle.
- Wrap the yarn over the knitting needle again, then pull the yarn through the first two loops on the knitting needle.
- Wrap the yarn over the knitting needle one more time, and pull this loop of yarn through the last two loops on the knitting needle to complete the stitch.
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To make a triple crochet:
- Wrap the yarn around the knitting needle twice.
- Insert the knitting needle into the desired stitch.
- Wrap the yarn over the knitting needle again, then pull the stitch forward.
- Wrap the yarn over the knitting needle again, then pull this loop of yarn through the two loops on the knitting needle.
- Wrap the yarn over the knitting needle again, and pull this yarn through the next two loops on the knitting needle.
- Wrap the yarn one more time, then pull through the last two loops on the knitting needle, finishing the stitch.
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To make a slip stitch:
- Insert the knitting needle into the desired stitch.
- Wrap the yarn around the knitting needle.
- Pull the thread through all the loops previously gathered on the knitting needle to complete the stitch.
