Make a delicate, decorative leaf garland you can style in many ways — from table edging to a seasonal hanging. This pattern uses simple chains and slip stitches to build an organic vine of small and large leaves with optional nodules. You can adapt yarn weight and spacing to create anything from napkin rings to a long festive garland. Follow the clear step-by-step instructions and photos to create a leafy accent for your home or gifts.
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— About this project :
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This pattern is a great one to have under your belt, because from the same basic design, you can work a great variety of things! You can make a lovely long decorative garland in colours to suit the seasons, or work short lengths to make napkin rings. You can work in a thick woollen yarn to make a warm leafy scarf, or with fine cotton or cobweb yarn to make a necklace with an organic vibe. Use a metallic yarn for a perfect Christmas garland, or household string for an unusual washing line! One of my customers has used this as an edging to a table runner. There really are endless permutations!
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Materials & Tools: Anything goes, depending on what you are aiming to create! Note that if you're making a long garland, or something you are going to hang something else from, it's best to choose a non-stretchy yarn - cotton, linen, hemp, etc are perfect. In my example in the pictures below, I am using a lovely organic cotton light worsted weight (DK, Category 3) yarn, and a 3.5mm (US size E-4) hook.
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Tension and Size: Size and tension are not critical in this project! Just choose the hook that feels right for you with the yarn you are using, or for the look you want to create.
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Patterns Notes & Abbreviations: This pattern uses UK crochet terminology (a US version is available) with standard crochet abbreviations as follows: sl st - slip stitch. ch - chain. dc - double crochet. htr - half treble. tr - treble crochet. BLO - back loop only. Unless otherwise stated, work through both loops of any given stitch. The whole piece is worked with right-side facing throughout.
— The pattern (UK terminology version) :
Instruction 1 :
* Make 9ch.
Make a Small Leaf :
6ch, sl st in the back loop only (BLO) of the second ch from the hook and the next 4 ch –5 sl st.
Make a Small Leaf :
Rotate your work (do not turn over, keep the right-side facing) and now work in the unworked loops of the 5 ch you just worked into: 1dc, 3htr, 1dc (first side of leaf formed).
Make a Small Leaf :
2ch, sl st into the BLO of the second chain from hook (point of leaf formed).
Make a Small Leaf :
Now working into the BLO of the slip stitches, work: 1dc, 3htr, 1 sl st (second side of leaf formed).
Make a Small Leaf :
Sl st again where the base of the leaf meets the long chain.
Make a Nodule :
2ch, sl st in BLO of second chain from hook.
Instruction :
Repeat this whole pattern from * to ** (beginning with the 9ch) until the garland is the length you require.
Make a Large Leaf :
8ch, sl st in BLO of second ch from hook and next 6 ch –7 sl st.
Make a Large Leaf :
Working in unworked loops: 1dc, 1htr, 2tr, 2htr, 1dc.
Make a Large Leaf :
2ch, sl st in BLO of second chain from hook.
Make a Large Leaf :
Working into BLO of slip stitches: 1dc, 2htr, 2tr, 1dc, sl st.
Make a Large Leaf :
Sl st again where base of leaf meets chain.
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Instead of repeating the pattern identically, however, you can vary the spacing of the leaves by working longer/shorter chains between them, according to the effect you want to achieve. Make 10ch to finish the vine.
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In my example, I have worked 5 identical repeats + 10ch, and my garland is about 65cm long.
— The pattern (US terminology version) :
Instruction 1 :
* Make 9ch.
Make a Small Leaf :
6ch, sl st in the back loop only (BLO) of the second ch from the hook and the next 4 ch – 5 sl st.
Make a Small Leaf :
Rotate your work (do not turn over, keep the right-side facing) and now work in the unworked loops of the 5 ch you just worked into: 1sc, 3hdc, 1sc (first side of leaf formed).
Make a Small Leaf :
2ch, sl st in the BLO of the second chain from hook (point of leaf formed).
Make a Small Leaf :
Now working into the BLO of the slip stitches, work: 1sc, 3hdc, 1 sl st (second side of leaf formed).
Make a Small Leaf :
Sl st again where the base of the leaf meets the long chain.
Make a Nodule :
2ch, sl st in BLO of second chain from hook.
Instruction :
Repeat this whole pattern from * to ** (beginning with the 9ch) until the garland is the length you require.
Make a Large Leaf :
8ch, sl st in BLO of second ch from hook and next 6 ch – 7 sl st.
Make a Large Leaf :
Working in unworked loops: 1sc, 1hdc, 2dc, 2hdc, 1sc.
Make a Large Leaf :
2ch, sl st in BLO of second chain from hook.
Make a Large Leaf :
Working into BLO of slip stitches: 1sc, 2hdc, 2dc, 1sc, 1 sl st.
Make a Large Leaf :
Sl st again where base of leaf meets chain.
Info :
Instead of repeating the pattern identically, you can vary the spacing of the leaves by working longer/shorter chains between them, according to the effect you want to achieve. Make 10ch to finish the vine.
Info :
In my example, I have worked 5 identical repeats + 10ch, and my garland is about 25 inches long.
— Working back along the vine (optional) :
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Now you can choose EITHER to fasten off at this point OR to start working back along the length of the vine as given below. Working slip stitches back along the length of the chain creates a thicker vine, and you can work more leaves and nodules (or none) as you wish.
Instruction :
In the BLO of the chain, starting in the second ch from hook, work as follows: 12 sl st.
Instruction :
Make a Small Leaf.
Instruction :
Continuing in the next chain of the main vine, 12 sl st.
Instruction :
Make a Large Leaf.
Instruction :
Continuing in the next chain of the main vine, 10 sl st.
Instruction :
Make a Nodule.
Instruction :
Continuing in the next chain of the main vine, 4 sl st.
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As before, you can now choose whether to work identical repeats of the pattern on the way back along the chain, or to improvise with different leaf spacing. In my example I have worked 5 identical repeats on the way back along the chain.
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Now continue slip-stitching to the end of your vine as necessary.
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Cut your yarn, fasten off and weave in the ends. All done!
This leaf garland is a tiny, versatile delight you can make again and again in different yarns and colours. 🍃 It transforms tables, walls and gifts with effortless handmade charm. ✨ Try cotton for a crisp look or metallic yarn for holiday sparkle — and enjoy crafting a little bit of nature for your home! 🌿