Welcome to the second pattern in my Granny Square Showcase series — the Leaf Square!
If you loved the classic lacy feel of the first Diamond Drift Square, get ready for a refreshing twist. The Leaf Square brings texture, movement, and a hint of the outdoors to your crochet collection. With its raised leaf motif and structured border, it’s perfect for anyone who loves botanical designs and cozy handmade details.
This square was inspired by nature’s symmetry — the gentle curve of leaves and the way they overlap in layers. Using a mix of front post and back post stitches and subtle shaping, the leaf motif seems to pop right out of the fabric. The result is a beautiful, textured square that stands out on its own or blends seamlessly in larger projects.
The Leaf Square pairs beautifully with solid or lacy granny squares, adding just the right touch of texture and visual interest.
Blocking Instructions
To bring out the crisp edges and defined leaf texture, blocking is essential!
Here’s how to do it:
- Soak or spray your finished square with cool water until it’s damp but not dripping.
- Shape the square to the correct size (for example, 3″ x 3″) on a blocking board or foam mat.
- Pin each corner and edge, adjusting until the sides are straight and the leaf sits centered.
- Let it dry completely — either overnight or in a sunny spot.
- Once dry, unpin and admire your perfectly shaped Leaf Square!
Blocking makes all the difference, especially for textured designs like this one — it relaxes the stitches and really shows off the leaf pattern.
Project Ideas for the Leaf Square
The Leaf Square adds a natural, handmade charm to many projects. Here are some ideas:
- Nature-Inspired Blanket: Combine Leaf Squares with plain granny squares in complementary colors for a garden-inspired afghan.
- Pillow Cover: Stitch several together for a cozy cushion with rich texture.
- Tote Bag Panels: Use two Leaf Squares as the front and back of a crochet tote for a stylish, nature-loving look.
- Wall Hanging: Join a few squares and add fringe for an earthy boho accent piece.
- Seasonal Decor: Perfect for spring or fall-themed table runners and throws.
These images were created with AI using my original Leaf Square crochet pattern as a reference to visualize how my Leaf Squares could look joined into a blanket.
VIDEO TUTORIAL OF LEAF SQUARE
WRITTEN PATTERN OF LEAF SQUARE
Materials
- Yarn: Sport (2) or DK weight (3) cotton or your favorite smooth yarn (Alize Bella cotton used in tutorial)
- Hook: 2.25 mm or size needed to match gauge
- Notions: Scissors, tapestry needle, blocking board and pins
Abbreviations:
ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
dc2tog = double crochet 2 together
dc = double crochet
fpdc = front post double crochet
beg = beginning
bpdc = back post double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
blo = back loops only
tr = triple crochet
tr2tog = triple crochet 2 together
Special stitches:
fpdc = yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front again around the post of next st, yarn over, pull the loop through, 3 loops on hook, (yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook) twice
bpdc = yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back again around the post of next st, yarn over, pull the loop through, 3 loops on hook, (yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook) twice
Pattern notes:
– 3ch in the beginning of rows with color A counts as 1st hdc.
– 2ch in the beginning of rounds with color B counts as 1st hdc.
Leaf
- With color A ch 13.
- Row 1 = hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in next 2 ch, dc2tog in next 2 ch, dc in next ch, dc2tog in next 2 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, hdc 2 in last ch.
- Row 2 = ch 3, turn, hdc in 1st st, hdc in next 2 st, dc2tog in next 2 st, fpdc in next dc, dc2tog in next 2 st, hdc in next 2 st, hdc 2 in 3rd beg ch.
- Row 3 = ch 3, turn, hdc in 1st st, hdc in next 2 st, dc2tog in next 2 st, bpdc in next fpdc, dc2tog in next 2 st, hdc in next 2 st, hdc 2 in 3rd beg ch.
- Row 4 = ch 3, turn, skip 1st hdc, hdc in next 2 st, dc2tog in next 2 st, fpdc in next bpdc, dc2tog in next 2 st, hdc in next 2 st, hdc in 3rd beg ch.
- Row 5 = ch 3, turn, skip 1st hdc, hdc in next st, dc2tog in next 2 st, bpdc in next fpdc, dc2tog in next 2 st, hdc in next st, hdc in 3rd beg ch.
- Row 6 = ch 3, turn, skip 1st hdc, dc2tog in next 2 st, fpdc in next bpdc, dc2tog in next 2 st, hdc in 3rd beg ch.
- Row 7 = ch 3, turn, skip 1st hdc, bpdc in next fpdc, skip next st, hdc in 3rd beg ch.
Leaf border
- Ch, sc in 1st st, sc 2 in end spaces of next 7 rows, sc 2 in 1st foundation ch loop, sc in next 4 foundation ch loops.
- Stem = ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next 3 ch.
- Sc in next 5 foundation ch loops, sc 2 in last foundation ch loop, sc 2 in end spaces of next 7 rows, sl st in 1st sc (total 42 sc around leaf.
- Cut off, fasten off color A.
Square border
- Round 1 =
- join color B with blo sc in 6th sc from stem, sc blo in next st, hdc blo in next st, dc blo in next 3 st, tr blo in next st, tr2tog blo in next 2 st, ch 2,
- tr2tog blo in next 2 st, dc blo in next 2 st, hdc blo in next st, sc blo in next 3 st, hdc blo in next st, dc2tog blo in next 2 st, ch 2,
- dc2tog blo in next 2 st, hdc blo in next 2 st, sc blo in next 3 st, hdc blo in next 2 st, dc2tog blo in next 2 st, ch 2,
- dc2tog blo in next 2 st, hdc blo in next 2 st, sc blo in next 4 st (3rd sc goes into the loop behind the stem, 4th sc goes into the base st of stem), hdc blo in next st, hdc2tog blo in next 2 st, ch 2, hdc2tog blo in next 2 st, sl st in 1st sc.
- Round 2 = ch 2 (counts as 1st hdc), hdc in next 6 st, hdc 2 in next st, in ch-sp: hdc2 + ch2 + hdc2, (hdc 2 in next st, hdc in next 7 st, hdc 2 in next st, in ch-sp: hdc2 + ch2 + hdc2) 3 times, finish the round with 2 hdc in last st, sl st in 2nd beg ch.
- Round 3 = ch 2 (counts as 1st hdc), hdc in each st, in ch-sp: hdc2 + ch2 + hdc2, (hdc in each 15 st, in ch-sp: hdc2 + ch2 + hdc2) 3 times, finish the round with 2hdc in last st, sl st in 2nd beg ch.
- Round 3 = ch, sc in same st, sc in each st, sc 2 in each ch-sp (total 84 sc), sl st in 1st sc.
- Cut off, fasten off color B, block the square.
HAPPY CROCHETING!
COPYRIGHT:
The Leaf Square is an original design of HandmadebyRaine. You may not sell my pattern or claim it as your own.
You may make items to sell (i.e. on Etsy, at craft fairs) from my pattern but I ask that you link back to my blog handmadebyraine.com and provide credit for the pattern. You are welcome to share my pattern on social media as long as you link back directly to my blog post (providing the link). No copy & paste of my pattern will be allowed under any circumstances.
