Spring Leaves

I designed these little Spring Leaves to add a bit of colour to a jug of bare twigs that live on my mantel. I love decorating with the seasons, and these bare twigs are always decked out for Easter and Christmas. In previous years I've made little crochet hearts and blossom flowers to add to this twiggy arrangement, but this year I was inspired to make something new :)

To make these Spring Leaves, I've used Stylecraft Classique Cotton DK with a 4mm hook. You can use any oddments of DK weight yarn, but cotton yarn works especially well as it holds it's shape and doesn't cause leaf-droop!

I'm writing this pattern using UK crochet terms, as follows ::

sl st [slip stitch] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.

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)

:: To Begin :: Chain 5, sl st into 1st chain to form a ring.

:: Round 1 :: {note - crochet over your tail end with every stitch in this round - hold the tail end horizontally and make sure your hook passes under it each time you make a stitch, as shown in the above picture}

Chain 2 (counts as 1 dc), then work the following stitches into the ring ::

1 dc; 2 htr; 3 tr; chain 2 (above picture)

Now work the following stitches into the ring ::

3 tr; 2 htr; 2 dc (above picture)

Slip stitch into the 2nd chain of the beginning chain-2 to close the round (shown by my needle in the above picture). Fasten off.

If you managed to crochet over the tail end when you made your stitches in this round, turn your leaf over to the wrong side and give the tail end a firm pull. This should close up and neaten the hole in the centre of your leaf.

:: Round 2 :: {note - work out of Back Loops Only in this round}

Insert hook into the back loop of the 1st stitch (shown by my needle in the above picture), and pull through a loop of the new colour.

Chain 2 (counts as 1 dc); 1 dc into same stitch (above picture). Remember to work in the back loops only now....

1 dc into each of the next 7 stitches; chain 2 (above picture)

Work 1 dc into each of the next 7 stitches; 2 dc into the next stitch. You should now be back to where you started. Slip stitch into the 2nd chain of the beginning chain-2 to close the round. Fasten off.

If like me you want to add these little leaves to the end of some twigs, you can use your tail end to stitch a small loop on the back of the leaf, then darn the ends in securely.

These leaves are super-fast to hook up........

....., they whizz off your hook and before you know it, you'll have a small leaf pile gathering.

I've loved using lots of bright colours for my leaves, but they would also look lovely in more traditional shades of fresh green.

If you'd like to have a peek at how these leaves look on my Spring twigs, the blog post is {HERE}

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SPRING LEAVES

:: To Begin :: Ch 5, sl st into 1st chain to form a ring.

:: Round 1 :: Ch 2; then work (1 dc; 2 htr; 3 tr; ch 2; 3 tr; 2 htr; 2 dc) into the ring. Sl st into 2nd chain of beginning ch-2 to close round. Fasten off.

:: Round 2 :: Work in Back Loops Only for this round. Insert hook into back loop of 1st st and pull through a loop of new colour.

Ch 2; 1 dc into same st; 1 dc into each of the next 7 sts; ch 2; 1 dc into each of the next 7 sts; 2 dc into next st. Sl st into 2nd chain of beginning ch-2 to close round. Fasten off and darn in ends.

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I am always very happy to provide my patterns and picture tutorials for free here on my blog, I hope you enjoy using them. If you have used this pattern and would like to donate a few pennies it would be very much appreciated. Thank you so much for your support.

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♥

 

 

 

 

Comments

[basketball stars]

I am currently engaged in the process of acquiring crochet skills. I feel fortunate to have encountered your essay.

[Dianne Dockree]

I love this. Thank you so much.

[TigerKim]

Adorable! I love these on the twigs and these would make awesome wreaths.

[taty ralph]

beeeeeeeeeeeeellas....
felicitaciones

[PixieMum]

So enjoyable to see these leaves being made.

[Laura]

Lucy ~ I so look forward to reading your posts and get so excited to see new patterns! I've already made your Cozy, Sunshine granny stripes and I am currently half way through the Coastal ripple blanket, which have all been (or will be given as gifts) I just placed my order for the Cottage yarn pack and am eagerly awaiting it's arrival, I may just keep this one for myself, but I guess we shall see about that! I think I'll use the left over yarn from my these yarn packs to make up some of these lively little leaves to use as decorations for Mother's Day gifts! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful patterns and your inspirational ideas and thoughts...it is much appreciated! Best wishes from the coast of the Jersey Shore ~ Laura