Decorative knitted maple Leaf by Svetlana Gordon. Project photo © agasi.
Decorative knitted maple Leaf by Svetlana Gordon is a beautifully shaped knitted leaf motif inspired by the dramatic colors and distinctive silhouette of autumn maple leaves.
Rather than knitting a simple flat leaf outline, this design uses thoughtful shaping to create the characteristic lobes of a maple leaf. The pattern includes three different sizes and can be worked in many yarn weights, making it surprisingly versatile.
A small leaf can become a brooch or embellishment, a medium leaf can be used as seasonal home decor, and thicker yarn can transform the same concept into a much larger decorative piece.
Availability update: the exact Svetlana Gordon pattern featured here is currently a paid pattern. During our latest review, we did not find an authorized free version of this exact design, so the link near the end of this guide goes to the designer's current pattern page.
Decorative Knitted Maple Leaf at a Glance
- Pattern: Decorative knitted maple Leaf
- Designer: Svetlana Gordon
- Published: September 2013
- Category: Applique / embellishment
- Sizes: Small, Medium and Large
- Sample yarn weight: Lace
- Suggested yarn: Zitron Filigran
- Sample needle size: US 0 / 2 mm
- Gauge: 28 sts × 34 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in garter stitch
- Construction: Seamless
- Shaping: Short rows
- Fabric: Reversible
- Instructions: Written with detailed photographs
- Language: English
- Current availability: Paid pattern
Three Maple Leaf Sizes
The original pattern contains instructions for three different leaf sizes.
- Small: approximately 12 × 10.5 cm (4.7 × 4.1 in)
- Medium: approximately 18 × 17 cm (7 × 6.6 in)
- Large: approximately 20 × 22 cm (7.8 × 8.6 in)
These measurements are based on the yarn and gauge used for the designer's samples. Changing yarn weight can substantially change the final dimensions.
Use Almost Any Yarn Weight
One of the most creative features of this pattern is that you are not limited to lace-weight yarn.
Svetlana Gordon explains that the motif can be worked using other yarn weights as well.
Thin yarn produces a smaller, more delicate leaf, while thicker yarn creates a progressively larger decorative piece.
This gives knitters considerable freedom to adapt the same leaf concept to different projects.
Make a Tiny Maple Leaf Brooch
Work one of the smaller versions in fine yarn and the finished leaf can become a lightweight seasonal embellishment or brooch.
Autumn shades such as red, burnt orange, mustard and russet work beautifully, but there is no reason to limit the design to realistic leaf colors.
Turn It Into a Coaster
A medium-sized leaf can make an attractive decorative coaster or table accent.
If you plan to use the leaf beneath cups or dishes, choose a practical yarn that can tolerate the intended use and cleaning method.
Use the Leaf as an Embellishment
The designer suggests using the knitted maple leaf to decorate many different handmade or purchased items.
Possible uses include:
- Scarves and wraps
- Hats
- Jackets and cardigans
- Sweaters
- Fabric bags
- Decorative pillows
- Autumn table displays
- Seasonal wreaths and garlands
- Brooches and accessories
Try Bulky Yarn for a Large Leaf
Working the design in a much thicker yarn changes the scale dramatically.
The designer even suggests using bulky yarn to create a large decorative leaf suitable for the home.
When changing yarn weight, choose needles appropriate for that yarn rather than automatically using the 2 mm needles from the lace-weight sample.
Original Yarn: Zitron Filigran
The original sample uses Zitron Filigran, a fine lace-weight merino yarn.
The yarn contains approximately 600 meters per 100 grams, allowing the detailed shaping of the leaf to remain light and refined.
You do not need the original yarn to explore this pattern because the designer specifically allows for different yarn weights.
Choosing Yarn for an Autumn Leaf
Color is one of the most enjoyable parts of this project.
A single solid shade gives the leaf a clean sculptural appearance, while gently variegated yarn can imitate the natural color changes found in autumn foliage.
Consider shades such as:
- Crimson red
- Burnt orange
- Golden yellow
- Rust
- Burgundy
- Olive green
- Brown
Multicolored yarn can also create a striking leaf, particularly when its color changes are gradual rather than extremely busy.
Garter Stitch Forms the Fabric
The sample gauge is measured in garter stitch.
Garter stitch is useful for a decorative motif because it produces a flexible fabric with texture on both sides.
Its horizontal ridges also interact beautifully with the changing direction of the leaf shaping.
A Reversible Decorative Leaf
Ravelry identifies the design as reversible.
That is particularly useful for decorations such as garlands, embellishments and hanging pieces where both sides of the knitting may remain visible.
Careful finishing and neatly woven yarn ends will help preserve that polished appearance.
Seamless Construction
The maple leaf is also classified as seamless.
This means you do not knit five completely separate leaf lobes and sew them together afterward.
Instead, the distinctive maple shape develops through the pattern's knitting and shaping techniques.
Short Rows Create the Shape
Short-row shaping is one of the important techniques used in this design.
Short rows allow a knitter to work only part of a row before turning the work. This adds extra rows to selected areas of the fabric and allows curves, angles and three-dimensional shaping to develop.
In a maple leaf motif, that technique helps create the complex outline without relying on seams between separate pieces.
What Does Wrap and Turn Mean?
The pattern uses short-row shaping that includes wrapping and turning.
Instead of knitting all the way to the end of a row, you stop at the specified point, prepare the turning stitch and reverse direction.
If short rows are new to you, practicing the technique on a small swatch before beginning the leaf can make the project much easier to follow.
Selvedge Stitches Matter
Svetlana Gordon gives specific treatment to the selvedge stitches along the edges.
Maintaining those edge stitches consistently helps produce the clean, defined outline that is particularly important in a decorative motif.
Avoid automatically working the first and last stitches according to your usual habits; follow the designer's edge instructions carefully.
Needle Size
The lace-weight sample uses approximately US 0 / 2 mm needles.
This needle size corresponds to the fine sample yarn and should not be treated as the required size for every version of the leaf.
If you use DK, worsted or bulky yarn, choose a needle size appropriate for that yarn and the fabric you want to create.
Gauge
For the original lace-weight sample, the published gauge is approximately 28 stitches and 34 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in garter stitch.
Gauge determines the scale of the finished motif.
Because this is a decorative piece rather than a fitted garment, you have more freedom to experiment with scale as long as you are happy with the resulting fabric.
Is This a Beginner Pattern?
This is not simply a basic knit-and-purl leaf.
The pattern uses short rows, specialized shaping and careful edge treatment to achieve its realistic maple outline.
A knitter who already understands the basic stitches and wants to learn more advanced shaping techniques may find it a rewarding small project.
The detailed photographs included with the original pattern are particularly useful when working through unfamiliar steps.
Skills That Will Help
- Casting on
- Knit and purl stitches
- Garter stitch
- Working increases and decreases
- Short-row shaping
- Wrap and turn
- Slipping stitches
- Working selvedge stitches
- Following written instructions
- Binding off
- Weaving in yarn ends neatly
Detailed Photo Tutorial
One of the strengths of Svetlana Gordon's pattern is the inclusion of detailed photographs.
The designer describes the instructions as a row-by-row guide supported by photos for all three leaf sizes.
That visual support can be particularly valuable when working the short rows and shaping that form the leaf's distinctive points.
Keep Track of Your Rows
Shaped motifs are less forgiving of misplaced rows than a simple rectangular scarf.
Use a row counter or mark completed rows on your pattern as you work.
If the shaping begins to look asymmetrical in an unexpected way, check your progress before continuing.
Do Not Rush the Short Rows
The beauty of the finished maple shape depends on working the turns in the correct places.
Take your time when you reach a turning point and confirm that you are working the correct size and row before reversing direction.
Block the Leaf Into Shape
Careful blocking can help emphasize the points and lobes of the finished maple leaf.
Arrange the leaf on a suitable blocking surface and gently encourage the different sections into their intended shape.
Avoid stretching the knitting excessively. The goal is to refine the outline, not distort the stitch structure.
Always choose a blocking method appropriate for the fiber content of your yarn.
Make an Autumn Leaf Collection
Because the pattern offers several sizes and works with different yarn weights, you can create a collection of leaves rather than knitting only one.
Try combining several autumn colors and sizes for a table display, seasonal garland or decorative arrangement.
Using related colors while varying the size can create a more natural, collected-leaves appearance.
A Creative Scrap-Yarn Project
Decorative leaves can be a useful way to experiment with smaller quantities of yarn left from other projects.
The amount required will depend heavily on the size of leaf and yarn weight you choose.
Before using leftover yarn, make sure you have enough to complete the selected leaf or be prepared to turn the color change into an intentional design feature.
Decorative Knitted Maple Leaf Pattern Availability
Decorative knitted maple Leaf by Svetlana Gordon is currently a paid knitting pattern.
The exact original design featured on this Amazing Knitting page is currently sold through Svetlana Gordon's Ravelry Store.
During our latest review, we did not verify a legitimate free source for this exact pattern.
Other free knitted maple-leaf patterns do exist online, but they are different designs. Amazing Knitting does not substitute a similarly named free pattern and present it as though it were Svetlana Gordon's original design.
Get the Decorative Knitted Maple Leaf Pattern
Visit Svetlana Gordon's current pattern page for the complete instructions, detailed photographs and all three leaf sizes.
View the Decorative Knitted Maple Leaf Pattern →
Decorative knitted maple Leaf is designed by Svetlana Gordon. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted row-by-row instructions or photographs from the pattern. The exact pattern is currently sold by the designer, and availability or pricing may change. Please check the linked source for current information.
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