Crochet Fern Leaf

I designed these delicate fern leaves as a component for my crochet Winter Wreath. They would also make a very pretty addition to a crochet flower corsage or brooch project (I can picture them with roses and daisies!)

I've used merino yarns for my leaves, using both DK and 4ply weights with a 3mm hook. The finished leaf measures 10cm in length.

They are made using a combination  of chain stitches and slip stitches.

Slip stitch [Sl st] :: insert hook into the chain stitch, yarn over, hook the yarn back through the chain stitch and then through the loop on the hook.

The leaf is started with a foundation chain, then worked from the top down one side of the foundation chain, then back up the other side (single loops) of the foundation chain.

:: To begin :: Chain 24. In the pattern, this will be referred to as the foundation chain.

:: First side ::

Sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 3,  sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next chain {1st small leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains (shown above)

Chain 3,  sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next chain {2nd small leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains (shown above)

Chain 4, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 2 chains {1st medium leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 4, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 2 chains {2nd medium leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains (as above)

Chain 5, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 3 chains {1st large leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 5, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 3 chains {2nd large leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains (as above)

Chain 6, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 4 chains {1st X-large leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 6, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 4 chains {2nd X-large leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 6, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 4 chains {3rd X-large leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 3 chains (as above)

You should have reached the bottom of the foundation chain now (I hope you have!)

Chain 2.

:: Second Side ::

You will now be working up the opposite side of the foundation chain, picking up remaining single loops only (as shown above) and mirroring the leaves made on the first side.

Sl st in each of the first 3 chain stitches (this forms the bottom of the stem)

Chain 6, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 5 chains {1st X-large leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 6, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 5 chains {2nd X-large leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 6, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 5 chains {3rd X-large leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains (as above)

Chain 5, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 3 chains {1st large leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 5, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 3 chains {2nd large leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 4, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 2 chains {1st medium leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 4, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 2 chains {2nd medium leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 3,  sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next ch {1st small leaf made}

In foundation chain, sl st in next 2 chains.

Chain 3,  sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next ch {2nd small leaf made}

Fasten off and darn in ends.

Your fern leaf will naturally curl a bit, which is quite nice and fern like (!) but if you prefer, you can pin out the leaves and lightly steam with a cool iron to create a more open/flat leaf shape.

I know that for new crocheter's, slip-stitching can sometimes be quite tricky to do as there is a little bit of fiddle in getting the yarn to hook through without catching threads or losing it altogether. It takes a bit of practice and a certain twisting manoeuvre of the hook, but once you've got it, you'll be away with this quick and easy little pattern. It might be an idea to practice with slightly thicker yarn and bigger hook (ie a standard DK weight with a 4mm hook) until you get the hang of it.

Good luck!

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Comments

[Darla Sherwood]

Such a lovely design!!! Thank you for sharing it!

[Dorian C Cory]

been looking for you!!!!!!

[Jaci]

Just made my first fern leaf a nice change from flowers, they are lovely thanks for sharing this great idea.

[Jenn koenig]

I have been following you for years!!!❤️ You are such an inspiration a true artist!! Love the ferns so delicate and lovely😍

[Naomi Paz Greenberg]

Tried this last night with some variegated green sock yarn and a US "C" hook.

Beautiful!

Much nicer than any similar pattern I've tried before.

I did the first side through the back bumps of the chain stitches and the second side through the back loop only of the front side of the chain stitches. This allowed the first color in the yarn to show through on the front as a shallow zig zag line and to contrast with the later colors. Then I left about 18 inches of yarn at the end before I cut and I stem-stitched up along the back spine so that no 'dots' appeared and again the different shades of the yarn contrasted with the spine. It also gave the stem a three dimensional quality.

Great fun.

Thank you very much.

[phyllis williams]

what colors did you use for the ferns, and what does DK meabs

[Victoria]

Hi, love this pattern, tho I wondered if I wanted to up scale this with having to use bulky wool how might I do that? I fancy some life size fern leaves like a foot or more high... Thanks Victoria

[Tooske]

Prachtig die krans en de kleurtjes bedankt voor het delen Ik ga hem zeker maken

[Barb]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing :)

[MO]

Just made my first fern leaf...that was fun to do. I'm going to make bunches! Thinking of fall colors too. mmmmmmm...possibilities...Hugs, MO

[Kathie Griffiths]

I've just discovered your site today and am so excited. I'm so looking forward to making a wreath before too long. I love your fern leaves and also your delightful helebore flowers. Thank you so much for sharing your work. X

[SARAH DAVIES]

Just begun work on one of you wreaths, thank you so much for sharing your lovely ideas!

[Francia]

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful patterns, have made one fern leaf so far, just to see if I could, and it is almost beautiful! ; )

[Jeni Entwistle]

Have started making some of these to use on a "crochainting" ala Pukado! Dandelions and ferns so far :)

[Lyn Gosling]

Thanks so much for the pattern. i really want to try these!!
Lyn

[helene]

Thanks for the great idea - I am going to try and create some earrings with the concept - will send pic of result - when it rises to the top of my to-do-list. So generous to share
many thanks again
helene currently wintering in a motorhome inSpain

[Rebecca Crouch]

I just finished my first fern frond. i used scrap yarn and a size f hook. i cant wait to get the proper yarn and hook. thank you for sharing. i also noticed the typo on the large leaf.

[Gillian McM]

Dear Lucy, these are absolutely beautiful, I've made two already - I decided to do a spring wreath with fresh green ferns because here in New England the winter is so awful, we long desperately for spring, which doesn't come till May! I wanted to point out what I think may be a typo - when you go back down the 2nd side of the fern the instruction for the x-lge leaf reads: "Chain 6, sl st in 2nd chain from hook, sl st in next 5 chains {1st X-large leaf made}". I think it should say "sl st in next 4 chains" - you can't have more than 5 total in a 6-chain leaf, if you see what I mean. I hope this is helpful. Again, thanks for all the beauty and love you bring into our lives!

[Suzy Compton]

The national emblem of New Zealand is the silver fern leaf so I think lots of Kiwi crocheters would love this pattern! Even though I am a knitter I will now have to learn how to make these for my daughter, who spent a year in NZ and loves the country very much. Thank you so much for the wonderful pattern and step by step instructions.

[Jacqueline Ford]

Lucy, I am in awe of your crocheted leaves, and your wreath is coming on so well. Thank you for sharing and loving your blogs.

[Pat Gerace]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful leaf. I love it. I'm crocheting it with DMC Cecelia number 20 crochet thread.

[Marie]

Thank you for sharing this lovely pattern. I am definitely going to give this a go! :)

[Marlies]

Thanks for sharing this beautiful pattern. They are lovely!

[Rebecca S Stacks]

Thank you. I can hardly wait to try making these and your wreath. Your talent is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing. Rebecca

[Kristina]

These are just beautiful, will definitely have a go! Thanks Lucy.