Monday Project - Crocheted Fall Leaves

These quick and easy fall leaves are based on a common way of making leaves for Irish crochet.  I started out trying to develop them into a maple leaf - it didn't quite work out, but I think these are great!  I'm still working on that maple leaf, though ...

Materials:
*embroidery floss - one skein will make one leaf with a little left over
*size 4 crochet hook

1.  Chain 16.  In the second chain from the hook, single crochet.  Single crochet all the way down to the end.  Do not turn around - you'll be going up the opposite side of the chain.  Chain 2 and single crochet in the same chain you made your last single crochet in.  So now, the last chain should have 1 sc, 2 ch, 1 sc.  Continue working single crochet up the opposite side of the chain until you are three chains from the top.  Stop here.  The remaining chains will form the top point of your leaf.

2.  Chain 2.  Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each single crochet back down in the direction the arrow is pointing, until you get to the chain 2 space.  Single crochet in the chain 2 space.  Chain 2.  Continue single crochet until you are 3 spaces from the top.

3.  Your leaf should look like this.  Chain 2.  Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each single crochet back down in the direction the arrow is pointing, until you reach the chain 2 space.  Single crochet in the chain 2 space.  Continue single crochet until you are 4 spaces from your last leaf point.

4.  Now your leaf will look like this.  Chain 2.  Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and continue single crochets in the direction the arrow is pointing, again stopping at the chain 2 space.  Single crochet in the chain 2 space.  Continue single crocheting until you are 4 spaces from your last leaf point. 

5.  This will give you a top leaf point and two lower leaf points on each side.  Continue working in the same way until you have 4 lower leaf points on each side.  After making your last leaf point, continue single crochet to the chain 2 space.  Single crochet in this space.

6.  To make the stem, chain 6.  Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in the rest of the chains in the direction of the arrow.  Single crochet onto the body of the leaf.

7.  Slip stitch in the next space.  This is the one I've put a black dot on.  Fasten thread off.

8.  Here is a completed leaf.  They roll up a bit - you can steam iron or block them if you'd rather have them be flat.

9.  With leftover thread from one of the other leaves you make, sew a running stitch up the center of the leaf for a vein.

I should warn you - these are addictive!  I have a small pile already!

Happy Creating!  Deborah