This leaf motif is a single crocheted piece in soft turquoise yarn. It has a symmetrical pointed-oval shape with a center spine running from tip to tip. Columns of double crochet fan out on both sides of the spine and form a ribbed texture. A smooth single crochet edge finishes the outline and tapers to a fine point at each end.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished leaf measures 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long and 1.75 in (4.4 cm) wide at its widest point.
You start with a foundation chain, which becomes the spine. Round 1 works stitches along both sides of the chain. Short stitches near the tips and tall double crochet stitches in the middle give the leaf its oval shape. Round 2 is a single crochet border with a few increases along the curves and a small chain point at each tip.
The motif works up in about 15 minutes. It is a good pattern to learn from because the stitch math is short and easy to check.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long x 1.75 in (4.4 cm) wide
- Skill level: Easy
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (Category 4), cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6)
- Number of pieces: 1
- Layout: Single motif, worked in 2 joined rounds around a foundation chain
- Piece size: 3.5 in x 1.75 in (8.9 cm x 4.4 cm)
- Size before border (after Round 1): 3 in x 1.25 in (7.6 cm x 3.2 cm)
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on each edge
Materials
Yarn advice: A smooth, tightly plied worsted cotton gives the clearest stitch definition and makes the double crochet ribs stand out. Acrylic also works, but it curls more at the tips and needs firmer blocking. Avoid fuzzy or brushed yarns, because they hide the spine and the open gaps beside it.
Color:
– Turquoise / aqua: 6 g, about 11 m (12 yd)
The leaf uses about 4 g. The quantity above includes a margin for your gauge test, a possible restart, and the yarn tails.
Tools:
– 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook
– Tapestry needle
– Scissors
– Ruler or tape measure
– Rust-proof pins and a foam blocking mat
– Spray bottle with water
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sp – space
- rnd – round
- [ ] x times – repeat the instructions in brackets the stated number of times
Special stitch: Point
(sc, ch 2, sc) worked into the same stitch or space.
This makes the pointed tip of the leaf. It creates 2 sc and 1 ch-2 sp. In the stitch counts below, the 2 sc of a point are counted as stitches. The ch-2 sp is counted separately.
Gauge and Checkpoints
There is only one piece, so the leaf is your gauge test. Work Round 1, then measure before you continue.
Reference gauge: 18 sc x 20 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc worked flat. One dc stands about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall.
Checkpoints:
- Foundation chain: Lay 13 ch flat without stretching. It should measure about 2.75 in (7.0 cm).
- After Round 1: About 3 in (7.6 cm) long x 1.25 in (3.2 cm) wide.
- After Round 2: About 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long x 1.75 in (4.4 cm) wide.
If your leaf is too big: If it measures more than 0.25 in (0.6 cm) over at any checkpoint, change to a 3.75 mm hook and restart.
If your leaf is too small: If it measures more than 0.25 in (0.6 cm) under, change to a 4.5 mm hook and restart.
A tight foundation chain is the most common cause of a cupped leaf. If only your chain measures short, try working the chain with a hook one size larger. Then switch back to the 4.0 mm hook for Round 1.
Pattern: The Leaf
Foundation: Ch 13, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
Number the chains from the hook: the chain closest to the hook is ch 1, and the slip-knot end is ch 13.
- Ch 1 is skipped and becomes the small nub at the top tip.
- Ch 2 is the top tip.
- Ch 3 to ch 12 (10 chains) form the spine.
- Ch 13 is the bottom tip.
Round 1 (Spine and Ribs)
Work along the top loops of the chain first.
- Work a Point (sc, ch 2, sc) in the 2nd ch from the hook. (Top tip)
- Side A (ch 3 to ch 12): sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 6 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch. (10 sts)
- Work a Point (sc, ch 2, sc) in the last ch (ch 13). (Bottom tip)
- Rotate the work so the bottom loops of the chain are on top.
- Side B (bottom loops of ch 12 back to ch 3): sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 6 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch. (10 sts)
- Join with a sl st to the first sc of the top Point.
Stitch count: Count each long side as 1 Point sc + 10 sts + 1 Point sc = 12 sts. Two sides give 12 x 2 = 24 sts, plus 2 ch-2 sps.
The sc-hdc-dc-hdc-sc sequence is what shapes the leaf. Stitch height rises toward the middle and drops toward each tip, which creates the pointed oval. The tall dc stitches sit in a straight line along the chain, so they read as ribbed columns. Working into both sides of the same chain leaves small open gaps down the center, and these form the visible spine.
Checkpoint: The leaf should measure 3 in x 1.25 in (7.6 cm x 3.2 cm) and lie flat. Fix any issue now, before you add the border.
Round 2 (Smooth Edge Border)
This is a conversion round. You work 1 sc into each existing stitch, add 3 increases on each side, and work a new Point into each ch-2 sp. Full counts are in the Border section below.
- Sl st into the top ch-2 sp.
- Ch 1 (does not count as a st). Work a Point (sc, ch 2, sc) in the same ch-2 sp.
- Side A: sc in next sc (Point sc), sc in next sc, sc in next hdc, [sc in next dc, 2 sc in next dc] 3 times, sc in next hdc, sc in next sc, sc in next sc (Point sc).
- Work a Point (sc, ch 2, sc) in the bottom ch-2 sp.
- Side B: Repeat Step 3.
- Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
Stitch count: 34 sc, plus 2 ch-2 sps.
Checkpoint: The leaf should measure 3.5 in x 1.75 in (8.9 cm x 4.4 cm).
Border
Round 2 is the border. It is worked at the same density as the reference gauge, 4.5 sc per inch (18 sc per 4 in / 10.2 cm), so the edge matches the body.
Counts Per Side
A “side” runs from one tip to the other along one long edge. It includes 1 sc from the Point at each end. The ch-2 sps at the tips are not part of either side.
Round 1, per side:
– 1 Point sc + 10 sts + 1 Point sc = 12 sts
– Two sides: 12 x 2 = 24 sts
Round 2, per side:
– 12 sc worked 1-per-existing-stitch (one into each of the side’s 12 sts)
– + 3 sc added by the three increases
– + 2 sc from the new Points (1 sc from the Point at each tip)
– = 17 sc per side
– Two sides: 17 x 2 = 34 sc
Whole-round check: 24 sc (1 per existing st) + 6 sc (increases) + 4 sc (Point sc in the two ch-2 sps) = 34 sc.
Each Point’s 2 sc are split between the two sides, one per side. This means no stitch is counted twice.
Why the Math Works
The outer edge of Round 2 is longer than the tops of the Round 1 stitches. The dc fan outward, so their tops are spread farther apart than their bases.
The 17 sc per side measure about 3.75 in (9.5 cm) at 4.5 sc per inch. That matches the curved edge length of a leaf 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long.
All of the increases sit over the dc section, where the curve is widest. The sc and hdc near the tips get no increases, which keeps the tips narrow and sharp.
Too few increases make the leaf cup. Too many make the edge ruffle.
Point Shaping
Each Point adds about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) to the length at each tip. This explains the length change:
- 3 in (7.6 cm) + 0.25 in (0.6 cm) + 0.25 in (0.6 cm) = 3.5 in (8.9 cm)
The sc border adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) to each long edge. This explains the width change:
- 1.25 in (3.2 cm) + 0.25 in (0.6 cm) + 0.25 in (0.6 cm) = 1.75 in (4.4 cm)
Final Blocking
- Weave in both tails along the back of the stitches. Leave the trimmed ends on the back, not inside the spine gaps.
- Spray the leaf until it is evenly damp, or soak it briefly and press it in a towel.
- Lay it on the blocking mat, right side up.
- Pin each ch-2 Point. Use the mat’s grid to set the tips 3.5 in (8.9 cm) apart.
- Pin both sides at the widest point, 1.75 in (4.4 cm) apart.
- Run a finger down the spine to straighten it, and line up the dc columns so they are evenly spaced.
- Add 2 pins per side between the tip and the widest point to smooth the curve.
- Let the leaf dry completely before you unpin it.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- [ ] Round 1 has 24 sts and 2 ch-2 sps.
- [ ] Round 2 has 34 sc and 2 ch-2 sps.
- [ ] Each side has 17 sc in Round 2.
- [ ] The leaf measures 3.5 in x 1.75 in (8.9 cm x 4.4 cm).
- [ ] The spine runs straight down the center and the gaps are even.
- [ ] Each side has 6 dc columns, mirrored on the other side.
- [ ] Both tips are sharp and equally sized.
- [ ] The edge lies flat, with no cupping or ruffling.
- [ ] The tails are woven in securely and are not visible from the front.
Troubleshooting
The leaf cups or curls.
The foundation chain is too tight, or the Round 2 increases were skipped. Re-chain with a larger hook, and check that each side has 3 increases.
The edge ruffles.
There are extra sc on Round 2. Recount each side to 17 and remove any extra increases.
The sides do not match.
On Side B, it is easy to skip a chain. Count the bottom loops before you start Side B: there should be 10 between the two tips.
The tips are blunt.
The ch-2 in the Points is too loose, or you worked 3 sc instead of a Point. Work the Point exactly as written and pin it firmly when blocking.
The spine twists.
The chain twisted while you were working Side A. Keep the chain’s front facing you the whole time, then rotate the work flat for Side B.
The spine gaps look too big.
Your dc stitches are loose. Hold the yarn more firmly through Round 1, or go down 0.25 mm in hook size.
The leaf is the right length but too narrow.
Your dc are short. Pull up a slightly taller loop on each dc, or move up one hook size.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with a mild soap, press out the excess water in a towel, and dry flat. Re-pin the tips if they lose their shape.
Final Notes
The measurement chain for this leaf is short:
- The 13-ch foundation measures 2.75 in (7.0 cm).
- Round 1 has 24 sts and measures 3 in x 1.25 in (7.6 cm x 3.2 cm).
- Round 2 has 34 sc (17 per side) and finishes at 3.5 in x 1.75 in (8.9 cm x 4.4 cm).
If you hit each checkpoint, your leaf will match the one shown.
Optional: once you are comfortable with the motif, you can make several leaves to add to other projects. This pattern covers the single leaf only.
Happy crocheting!