During the past month or so I've been crocheting a collection of Autumn leaves to make into a seasonal garland for my fireplace.
I've used oddments of Stylecraft Special DK to make my leaves using a 4mm hook. The finished garland measures 160cm.
I'm using UK crochet terms, as follows :
dc [double crochet] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US sc stitch)
htr [half treble]:: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all three loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US hdc stitch)
tr [treble] :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US dc stitch)
If you are an experienced crocheter, you can by-pass the photo tutorial and go straight to a traditionally written pattern - scroll down to the end to find it.
🍁 BEECH LEAF 🍁
I love mixing colours in my work and these two-tone leaves were inspired by the changing colours of the Beech hedge that I walk past every day. In the autumn, the leaves range from a rich brown, through coppery golden tones to mustard, lime and green. These leaves measure 6cm, including the stem.
Round 1
Chain 8; then begin working in 2nd chain from hook, as follows :
1 dc; 1 htr; 1 tr; 2 tr; 1 tr; 1 htr.
You should have 1 stitch remaining.
Work 3 dc into the last stitch - this will take you round the corner and form a rounded end to your leaf shape.
Now you'l be working into the single loops of the foundation chain, mirroring the stitches you worked for the first side.
Work the following stitches to make the second side of the leaf :
1 htr; 1 tr; 2 tr; 1 tr; 1 htr; 1 dc.
To close the round, find the little loop that was formed by the starting chain (shown by my needle in the above photo) and work a slip stitch into it.
That's the first colour of your leaf done - now choose a second colour to go with it. You can go either lighter or darker, but choose a shade that closely compliments your main colour (eg two shades of green, or something like Spice and Copper which I'm using here).
Round 2
Begin by inserting your hook into the turning chain where you completed your closing slip stitch at the end of round 1. It should be right at the very pointy end of the leaf (shown by my needle in the above photo).
Pull a loop of the new colour through to the front, then chain 1 (as shown above).
Work 1 dc into each of the next 8 stitches (as shown above).
The next stitch should be at the very middle/end of your leaf.
In the next stitch, work 1 dc; chain 2; slip stitch into the 2nd chain from the hook (this is your picot point); 1 dc (as shown above).
Work 1 dc into each of the next 8 stitches, then chain 1.
See where my needle is pointing in the above photo? It's the exact same place where you pulled your yarn through to start round 2. Insert your hook right there and make a slip stitch.
Chain 3 (you are making a short stem), then slip stitch into the 2nd chain from the hook; slip stitch in the next chain.
See my needle? Yup, it's that same place again, right at the centre/base of the leaf. So insert your hook right in there where my needle is showing you....
....then yarn over and pull a loop up through your leaf (from the back to the front) and slip stitch it through the loop on your hook. You should now have one loop on your hook at the front of the leaf, and the yarn sitting at the back of your leaf.
We're now going to work a line of surface crochet chains down the centre of the leaf to create a central leaf vein. This is basically a line of slip stitches which will sit on the surface of your crochet. Keep your tension quite loose and space your stitches an even distance apart.
Insert your hook into the leaf a short way along from your last slip stitch (where my needle is pointing in the above photo)....
....yarn over, then pull a loop up through your leaf (from the back to the front) and slip stitch it through the loop on your hook.
Continue to work a neat line of slip stitches, inserting your hook at evenly spaced intervals along the centre line and pulling the yarn through from the back to the front each time. Keep the stitches running straight and even up the centre line of the leaf, and don't pull them too tight or your leaf will curl.
When you reach the end, snip off your yarn (leaving a 15cm tail end for darning), then pull your hook upwards so that you draw the tail end right up through your crochet from the back to the front.
Now thread the tail end onto a darning needle....
...and insert the hook into the very point of the leaf, pulling the end through to the back.
Darn in all your ends neatly, and there you have it - one two tone autumn leaf. Cute eh? You may well find that your leaf curls a little, so you might want to give it a bit of cool steam treatment with an iron to gently persuade it to lay flat.
These Beech leaves are great fun to make using different Autumn colours, and would be fabulous worked into a garland or wreath design.
🍁 OAK LEAF 🍁
This is another little two-tone leaf which echoes the colours found as the Autumn season takes hold. I found fallen oak leaves in shades of mustard and green, copper and brown. The oak leaf measures 9cm long, including the stem.
Round 1
Chain 12; then begin working in 2nd chain from hook, as follows :
1 dc in each of the next 6 stitches; 3 htr in each of the next 3 stitches; 1 tr in each of the next 2 stitches.
Fasten off. [11 stitches in total]
Round 2
Keep your crochet with right side facing (tail ends over on the left), insert your hook into the first stitch (shown by my needle in the above photo).
Pull a loop of the new colour through to the front, then chain 1 (as shown above).
First Lobe (worked over 3 stitches, as shown above)
(1) (1 dc; 1 htr) in next stitch.
(2) (1 htr; chain 2; slip stitch) in next stitch.
(3) Slip stitch in next stitch.
Second Lobe (worked over 3 stitches, as shown above)
(1) (1 dc; 1 tr) in next stitch.
(2) (1 tr; chain 3; slip stitch) in next stitch.
(3) Slip stitch in next stitch.
Third Lobe (worked over 3 stitches, as shown above)
(1) (1 dc; 1 tr) in next stitch.
(2) (1 tr; chain 3; slip stitch) in next stitch.
(3) Slip stitch in next stitch.
You should have one last stitch remaining - work 2 dc into the last stitch.
Work 2 dc stitches right into the post of the end treble stitch, pushing your hook right into the stitch, spacing the 2 stitches evenly.
Now you'l be working into the single loops of the foundation chain.
Work 2 dc in first stitch (you've now formed a rounded end to your oak leaf).
Three more lobes to make now, using 3 stitches for each lobe.
First Lobe (worked over 3 stitches, as shown above)
(1) Slip stitch in next stitch.
(2) (slip stitch; chain 3; 1 tr) in next stitch.
(3) (1 tr; 1 dc) in next stitch
Second Lobe (worked over 3 stitches, as shown above)
(1) Slip stitch in next stitch.
(2) (slip stitch; chain 2; 1 htr) in next stitch.
(3) (1 htr; 1 dc) in next stitch
Third Lobe (worked over 3 stitches, as shown above)
(1) Slip stitch in next stitch.
(2) (slip stitch; chain 2; 1 htr) in next stitch.
(3) (1 htr; 1 dc) in next stitch.
You should have one stitch remaining - work 1 dc into this last stitch; chain 1.
Slip stitch into the chain-1 you made at the very beginning of round 2.
Chain 4 (you are making a short stem), then slip stitch into the 2nd chain from the hook; work 1 slip stitch into each of the next 2 chains.
Slip stitch into the centre/base of the leaf, fasten off and darn in all ends.
You can experiment with different Autumn colour combinations (eg mustard and gold, lime and meadow green), then when you've got a pile of oak leaves, how about making some little acorns to go with them?
🍁 ACORNS 🍁
Choose two colours that work well together - a darker shade for your acorn cup and a lighter shade for your acorn nut. Try two shades of green together or two shades of brown together
Acorn Nut
Make your starting slip knot leaving a long tail end approximately 90 cm long (from the tip of your nose to the tip of your fingers when you stretch your arm out straight!)
Round 1
(note : you will be working in a continuous spiral for the acorn. The crochet is really too small/fiddly to use stitch markers so make sure you aren't going to be disturbed and count like crazy!)
Chain 2; work 6 dc in 2nd chain from hook (as in above photo).
Six stitches in total, a teeny-tiny circle!
Round 2
2 dc in first stitch; 1 dc in next stitch.
2 dc in next stitch; 1 dc in next stitch.
2 dc in next stitch; 1 dc in next stitch.
You should have nine stitches in total, a small flat circle.
Rounds 3, 4 and 5
Work 1 dc in each stitch around - do this for three rounds in total (I find it easiest just to count to 27 then I know I've made 3 complete rounds)
(note - your acorn should now look like a thimble which can sit on the end of your finger. Make sure your hook stays on the outside of the crochet as in the above photo, otherwise your crochet will be inside out).
Remember the long 90 cm tail end you left at the start? This is your acorn stuffing! Roll the yarn around your finger until you end up with a tight little yarn nest.....
....then use the end of your crochet hook to stuff the yarn up inside the acorn nut.
There you go - one stuffed nut!
Now it's time to decrease. A reminder how to make a dc decrease across two stitches:
Insert hook in first stitch, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all three loops on hook.
So, here we go with the final bit of shaping....
Round 6
*Work 1 dc decrease; 1 dc*
Repeat between * 4 or 5 times in total until you no longer have a hole. Your nut should look a bit like this......
Fasten off, adding a few stitches to completely close the hole if you need to. Darn in the end.
You should end up with a neat little acorn nut shape.
Acorn Cup
Round 1
(note : you will be working in a continuous spiral for the acorn cup).
Make your starting slip knot leaving a long tail end approximately 45 cm long.
Chain 2; work 6 dc in 2nd chain from hook.
Six stitches in total.
Round 2
2 dc in first stitch; 1 dc in next stitch.
2 dc in next stitch; 1 dc in next stitch.
2 dc in next stitch; 1 dc in next stitch.
Nine stitches in total - a flat circle.
Round 3
Work 1 dc in each stitch around - you should now have a small cup shape which will sit on the tip of your finger.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail end for stitching.
Acorn Stalk
Take your starting tail end and use a needle or your hook to thread it through the centre hole so that it comes out on the outside of the acorn cup.
Insert your hook in through the little hole at the centre of your cup, then back out again a very short distance away (as shown in the above picture). Hold your tail end as if it's a working length of yarn, yarn over, and slip stitch through the acorn cup and through the loop on your hook.
Chain 3; slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook; slip stitch in next chain. Fasten off.
Thread the yarn onto a darning needle and pass the needle down through the central hole, pulling tight to secure the stalk end. Darn in end securely.
That's the little stalk made on your acorn cup, it's unbelievably cute don't you think?
Thread the tail end left at the top edge of your acorn onto a darning needle. Place the acorn nut into the cup (make sure you have the starting end of the nut showing, and the finishing end hidden inside the cup). Stitch around the cup edge to attach it to the nut, passing the needle through each of the nine stitches around to secure.
Once you've stitched all around the cup, pass the needle up through the acorn nut to emerge at the centre/end.
Push the needle back through the centre of the acorn nut, leaving a teensy gap between where the needle came out and where it goes back in....
....you are aiming to make a teeny stitch right at the end of your nut. Keep this little stitch loose so that it looks a bit like a tiny bobble. Fasten off the yarn at the base of the acorn cup, taking care not to pull on your little end stitch.
These acorns are quick to make and look adorable in pairs. Use them to make a hanging garland, or to add to an Autumn wreath. A leaf with a couple of acorns would also make a very lovely little Autumn brooch to pin to your coat.
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Here are the patterns in a condensed version so you can copy/paste/print if you wish :
🍁 BEECH LEAF 🍁
Round 1 (colour A)
Ch 8. Beginning In 2nd ch from hook, work 1 dc; 1 htr; 1 tr; 2 tr; 1 tr; htr; 3 dc.
Work the following sts in the single loops of the foundation chain :
1 htr ; 1 tr ; 2 tr; 1 tr; 1 htr; 1 dc.
Sl st into loop of beg turning ch to close round. Fasten off.
Round 2 (colour B)
Insert hook into the last sl st of round 1 and pull through a loop of new colour yarn. Ch 1.
1 dc in each of next 8 sts.
Work (1 dc; ch 2; sl st in 2nd ch from hook (picot point); 1 dc) in next st.
1 dc in each of next 8 sts; ch 1; sl st into beg ch-1.
Ch 3; sl st in 2nd ch from hook; sl st in next ch; insert hook into centre/base of leaf where round 2 started and ended and work a sl st. Work a line of evenly spaced slip stitches up the centre of the leaf to create a surface chain. When you reach the end, work an invisible fasten-off and darn ends on reverse.
🍁 OAK LEAF 🍁
Round 1 (colour A)
Ch 12. Beginning in 2nd ch from hook, work 1 dc in each of next 6 sts; 3 htr in each of next 3 sts; 1 tr in each of next 2 sti.
Fasten off. [11 sts] Do not turn.
Round 2 (colour B)
Insert hook in beg dc of round 1 and pull through a loop of new colour yarn. Ch 1.
First Lobe (worked over 3 sts, numbered in bold text)
(1) (1 dc; 1 htr) in next st; (2) (1 htr; ch 2; sl st) in next st; (3) Sl st in next st.
Second Lobe (worked over 3 sts, numbered in bold text)
(1) (1 dc; 1 tr) in next st; (2) (1 tr; ch 3; sl st) in next st; (3) Sl st in next st.
Third Lobe
Repeat as for second lobe.
2 dc in next st; 2 dc evenly spaced in post of end tr st;
Work the following sts in the single loops of the foundation chain :
2 dc in next st.
First Lobe (worked over 3 sts, numbered in bold text)
(1) Sl st in next st; (2) (sl st; ch 3; 1 tr) in next st; (3) (1 tr; 1 dc) in next st.
Second Lobe (worked over 3 sts, numbered in bold text)
(1) Sl st in next st; (2) (sl st; ch 2; 1 htr) in next st; (3) (1 htr; 1 dc) in next st.
Third Lobe
Repeat as for second lobe.
1 dc into last st; ch 1; sl st into beg ch-1;
Ch 4 ; sl st in 2nd ch from hook; sl st in each of next 2 ch; insert hook into centre/base of leaf where round 2 started and ended and work a sl st. Fasten off and darn in ends.
🍁 ACORN NUT 🍁
Note - worked in a continuous spiral - count carefully!
To begin (colour A)
Make your starting slip knot leaving a long tail end approximately 90 cm long (from the tip of your nose to the tip of your fingers when you stretch your arm out straight!)
Round 1 (colour A)
Ch 2; 6 dc in 2nd ch from hook [6 sts]
Round 2
(2 dc in first stitch; 1 dc in next stitch) 3 times [9 sts]
Rounds 3, 4 and 5
1 dc in each st [9 sts - count to 27 to complete all three rounds]
Stuffing
Roll up your long tail end and use the end of your crochet hook to stuff the yarn up inside your acorn nut.
Round 6/7
(1 dc decrease; 1 dc) 4 times, or until you no longer have a hole. Fasten off and darn in the tail end, stitching the hole completely closed at the same time.
🍁 ACORN CUP 🍁
Note - worked in a continuous spiral - count carefully!
To begin (colour B)
Make your starting slip knot leaving a long tail end approximately 45 cm long.
Round 1
Ch 2; work 6 dc in 2nd ch from hook [6 sts]
Round 2
(2 dc in first st; 1 dc in next st) 3 times [9 sts]
Round 3
1 dc in each stitch around [9 sts]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail end for stitching.
ACORN STALK
Thread you starting tail end down through the central hole so that the yarn is on the outside of the acorn cup.
Insert your hook in through the central hole, then back out again a very short distance away (between rounds 1 & 2). Hold your tail end as if it's a working length of yarn, yarn over, and slip stitch through the acorn cup and through the loop on your hook.
Ch 3; sl st into 2nd ch from hook; sl st in next ch. Fasten off and darn in end.
STITCHING UP
Place your acorn nut inside the cup. Using the tail end still attached to the top of the acorn cup, stitch around the top edge to attach the cup securely to the nut. Pass the needle up though the centre of the acorn nut to the top end and make a very small stitch, passing the needle back down through the centre of the nut to the base of the cup. Fasten off neatly.
I made my garland by simply crocheting a chain and attaching each leaf/acorn with a slip stitch. I made 10 chains in between each slip stitch/attachment, and the garland measures approx. 160cm long in total.
You can find more details about my garland and lots of pictures in my Autumn Garland Ta-dah post.
I hope you might feel inspired to crochet yourself a little bit of seasonal goodness to decorate your home.... as always, I am more than happy to provide my patterns and picture tutorials for free here on my blog. If you have used these patterns and would like to donate a few pennies it would be very much appreciated. Thank you so much for your support, and wishing you happy hooky times!
♥
Comme c’est merveilleux tout ça 🤩 J’aimerais tellement avoir la traduction des tutos en français 🥹🥹🥹
Merci beaucoup pour la beauté de votre travail 🤩🤩🤩😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰
Posted by: Marine Detchéverry | September 28, 2022 at 09:40 AM
Hello, love this pattern which I am using to crochet a wreath for my wedding. Could you show me where on your site is the maple leaf pattern
Thank you so much, thrilled you are so open and happy to share your talents and love of crochet
Posted by: Beth | August 06, 2022 at 11:17 AM
Lovely !
Nature never lets us down ~
I have another media I work in for this but I am going to try yours too, Thank you !
I also have the Derwents :)
~ x ~
Posted by: Louise Fisher | May 02, 2022 at 07:47 AM
Beautiful garland I love the colors.
Is there a list of the yarn colors you use?
I would like to make one for my fireplace.
Please send me the yarn and color you used for this garland.
Thanking you in advance. Amalia V. Avila
Posted by: Amalia Avila | October 02, 2021 at 12:29 AM
The above is beautiful
could I ask you the colours for the Autumn garland please i think I have the colours just want to make sure
Anne
Posted by: Anne McDonagh | September 22, 2021 at 03:16 PM
this is a good idea but i have something to share that you would like.
Posted by: Angel Eland | September 19, 2021 at 09:26 AM
Bless your heart for sharing this incredibly lovely garland tutorial and pattern. I’ve been feeling a little down and lost here at home in this semi state of quarantine because of the COVID 19 virus. I have really needed something new and beautiful to make after making nothing but face masks for people for the past several months. Autumn is my favorite time of year and this project soothes my craving for all those autumn colors I love. Thank you again so much for your generosity in sharing this project. It’s exactly what I needed when I needed it. Thank you!😉
Posted by: Gwendolyn | December 03, 2020 at 10:10 PM
Such creativity, such generosity!Thank you so much!
Posted by: Lan | November 03, 2020 at 10:37 PM
Hi Lucy. I can’t find your photos of your Autumn Wreath. Would it be possible for you to post me one?
Thank you,
Melanie
Posted by: Melanie Nicolaidis | November 01, 2020 at 10:16 PM
Thank you for such lovely patterns. Can't wait to get my autumn garland hung up!😃xx
Posted by: Lisa | October 31, 2020 at 02:44 PM
I can't find the pattern for the big red leave in the middle.... Am I missing something here...?
Posted by: Sizqa | October 10, 2020 at 08:10 PM
I Meant to ask when making the acorns are carrying your yarn tail up?
Posted by: Kim YOder | August 27, 2019 at 03:32 PM
Are you carrying your yarn tail up?
Posted by: Kim Yoder | August 27, 2019 at 03:31 PM
Thank you very much from Martinez,Buenos Aires, Argentina. Your work is so beautifull! 💖
Posted by: Hebe Cecilia Cochetti | November 08, 2018 at 04:53 PM
Thanks from Holland!
Posted by: Inge | September 22, 2018 at 10:50 AM
Hello Lucy, I've been trying to find an Ivy leaf pattern to crochet for ages without success. Can you please help me? I want to create something with that as a motif as my neighbour has had a granddaughter named Ivy and it would be delightful. Many thanks
Posted by: Polly Wright | December 25, 2017 at 09:37 AM
Hi Lucy, I love your autumn leaves garland and would like to try to make it ahead of commencing the woodland blanket in January 2018. Could you p,ease share the colours with me as I think they are beautiful......Autumn is my favourite time of year.
I am so looking forward to commencing the Woodland blanket but after completing three cosy stripe blankets this year I need a smaller project over the next few weeks.
Thanks in anticipation , and thanks also for the lovely inspirational patterns!
Posted by: Kathryn Grimshaw | November 15, 2017 at 05:22 PM
Love your wreath pattern with leaves do you do a printed pattern at all that I could have sent
Posted by: Pauline ansell | November 15, 2017 at 03:06 PM
Beautiful pattern thanks xxx
Posted by: Sarah Cliffe | November 10, 2017 at 05:57 PM
Do you have a pattern for the pumpkins? Thanks
Posted by: Johanna van Tonder | November 08, 2017 at 07:07 PM
I cannot see the pictures for the acorns, just shows the starting knot but no other photos( it says see photo but none there.finding it a bit tricky without)have enjoyed making the beech leaf and oak leaf( plenty of pics with them) not sure what is wrong, have always been able to see all photos on your tutorials before.any ideas .
Posted by: Anne | November 08, 2017 at 03:57 PM
Is there a pattern for the maple leaf? So cute
Posted by: Addis Walker | November 07, 2017 at 09:03 PM
It looks beautiful.
Posted by: Margaret Gilbert | November 05, 2017 at 02:07 PM
111 Tranquil Lane
Posted by: Beverly Bliss | November 04, 2017 at 11:58 PM
Could you share the colors you used? I'm making this for next year! I don't have fall colors in my stash!
Posted by: Carly | November 04, 2017 at 06:54 PM