Easy Leaf Stitch Knitting Pattern with Eyelets
Leaves outlined with little eyelets, set in a frame of purl stitches that zig-zags as the leaves swap places. Every wrong-side row is simply worked as it appears.
This is a leaf knitting pattern, and it's easy to make. The leaves are outlined with little eyelets and framed by lines of purl stitches. Once one set of leaves finishes, the next set grows up between them. The back has a nice texture too.
Stitch count
Multiples of 16, plus 2 for the edges. My swatch is 50 stitches; I teach it on 34.
What you'll need
- Any smooth wool, merino, cotton or acrylic
- Knitting needles to suit your yarn
The first set of leaves (rows 1–8)
- Row 1 (RS):right side
Slip 1. *Knit 2, purl 3, knit 7, purl 3, knit 1.* Repeat. Knit the last stitch.
- Row 3 (RS):right side
Slip 1. *Knit 1, yarn over, slip-slip-knit (the next knit and purl together through the back loop), purl 3, knit 5, purl 3, knit 2 together, yarn over.* Repeat. Knit 1.
- Row 5 (RS):right side
Slip 1. *Knit 1, yarn over, knit 1, slip-slip-knit, purl 3, knit 3, purl 3, knit 2 together, knit 1, yarn over.* Repeat. Knit 1.
- Row 7 (RS):right side
Slip 1. *Knit 1, yarn over, knit 2, slip-slip-knit, purl 3, knit 1, purl 3, knit 2 together, knit 2, yarn over.* Repeat. Knit 1.
The 7 knit stitches in the middle shrink to 5, then 3, then 1, and that's your first leaf. (Rows 2, 4, 6 and 8 are the wrong-side rows, worked as they appear.)
The second set of leaves (rows 9–16)
- Row 9 (RS):right side
Slip 1. *Knit 4, purl 3, knit 3, purl 3, knit 3.* Repeat. Knit 1. The purl lines now start leaning the other way.
- Row 11 (RS):right side
Slip 1. *Knit 3, purl 3, knit 2 together (knit and purl), yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, slip-slip-knit, purl 3, knit 2.* Repeat. Knit 1.
- Row 13 (RS):right side
Slip 1. *Knit 2, purl 3, knit 2 together, knit 1, yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 1, slip-slip-knit, purl 3, knit 1.* Repeat. Knit 1.
- Row 15 (RS):right side
Slip 1. *Knit 1, purl 3, knit 2 together, knit 2, yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 2, slip-slip-knit, purl 3.* Repeat. Knit 1.
Rows 10, 12, 14 and 16 are the wrong-side rows. After row 16, go back to row 1 and repeat all 16 rows.
Where to use it
It's lovely for cardigans, children's sweaters, stoles and cushion covers, anywhere you want a pretty, lacy texture that's still easy to follow.
- leaf stitch
- leaf knitting pattern
- eyelet knitting
- lace knitting
- knitting stitch pattern
- hand knitting
- cardigan pattern
- wool
