A Simple Leaf for Your Crochet Stash 🍃

This might be one of the smallest crochet patterns I’ve ever made, but it’s definitely one of the most satisfying. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it has just the right amount of charm to work in almost anything, think garlands, keychains, gift toppers, bookmarks, you name it.

What You’ll Need

You can crochet this leaf in any colour you like (classic green, of course, or something wild and fall-y), and in any yarn that holds its shape well. I’ve made mine with 4-ply cotton and tried 4 ply-acrylic.

For this project, I’d say the acrylic works best.

But the cotton does work fine too. The kind of yarn isn’t really that important. It’ll just determine the size of the leaf. My acrylic one is about 4cm long and the one I made with the cotton thread about 3cm.

I used a 2mm hook for the cotton yarn and a 4mm for the acrylic. I recommend you use the size hook shown on the label of the yarn that you are using if you are unsure which one to use.

How to Crochet the Leaf

Start by making your starting slip knot, but don’t trim the tail too short. Leave about two inches of thread hanging. That tail will end up being quite helpful when you want to sew or weave in your leaf later.

Then chain 8.

Now, here’s where things get a little different. Instead of doing normal stitches into the chains, we’re just going to build loops.

Push your hook through the second chain from the hook as if you’re making a slip stitch—but don’t pull through. Just leave that loop sitting on your hook.

Then repeat that step in the next chain, and the next, until you’ve collected 7 loops total on your hook. (The final chain stays untouched—that’s the little stem of the leaf.)

Now yarn over and pull through two loops at a time, slowly working your way down until you’re back to just one loop on your hook. Chain 1.

Making the Other Side

Turn your work so that the rounded side faces downward. You should see the “spine” of the leaf starting to form.

Now, slip stitch into the second stitch from the hook and repeat the exact same process: go through each stitch, leaving the loops on your hook until you have 7 again. 

Finally, flip your work around one more time and slip stitch into the very first stitch of the leaf to join the two sides. Finish off and weave in your ends.

Done! Now What?

Now you’ve got a tiny, soft, curved leaf that’s surprisingly expressive for something so small. You can use this on its own or make a whole collection of them. I love attaching mine to bookmarks, tucking them into other crochet pieces, or even scattering them on tables for decoration.

Let me know how you use yours—I’d love to see it! 🍂