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Leaf lace motif

A small leaf drawn in eyelets on stocking stitch: two lines of holes open out from a point and close again at the tip. Pairs of yarn overs make the outline of the leaf, and the decreases next to them lean towards or away from the centre: k2tog leans right, ssk leans left, and a centred double…

What you work it with

Hand knitting · Tools: Needles for the yarn, a smooth yarn, blocking pins; a row marker helps.

Symbol chart

One or two repeats of the stitch pattern, drawn as seen from the right side.
123456Knit on RS, purl on WSSSK (left-leaning decrease)Yarn overK2tog (right-leaning decrease)CDD (centred double decrease)Read from the bottom: RS rows (odd) right to left, WS rows (even) left to right.

Steps

  1. Work 2 rows of stocking stitch.
  2. Row 1 (RS): k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2.
  3. Row 2 and all WS rows: purl.
  4. Row 3: k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1.
  5. Row 5: k3, yo, cdd, yo, k3.
  6. Repeat the 6 rows, or work stocking stitch between leaves.
  7. Block with pins to open the eyelets.

The full card

What it looks like
A small leaf drawn in eyelets on stocking stitch: two lines of holes open out from a point and close again at the tip.
How it behaves
Flat once blocked; the decreases tilt the stitches inside the leaf so the solid part stands out a little.
How it works
Pairs of yarn overs make the outline of the leaf, and the decreases next to them lean towards or away from the centre: k2tog leans right, ssk leans left, and a centred double decrease (cdd) makes the tip.
Tools
Needles for the yarn, a smooth yarn, blocking pins; a row marker helps.
Parameters
Motif: 7 stitches wide with a plain edge stitch each side, 6 rows high, the WS rows purled. Repeat it side by side for an all-over leaf pattern[inference].
Steps
1) Work 2 rows of stocking stitch. 2) Row 1 (RS): k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2. 3) Row 2 and all WS rows: purl. 4) Row 3: k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1. 5) Row 5: k3, yo, cdd, yo, k3. 6) Repeat the 6 rows, or work stocking stitch between leaves. 7) Block with pins to open the eyelets.
Charting
Read from the right side: chart rows 1–6 are the pattern rows 1–6 (the 2 set-up rows are not drawn). Circles are yo, a right slash k2tog, a left slash ssk, the cdd square the leaf tip. WS rows are plain purl rows, so they are often left off the chart.
Limits and common problems
Each yo has its own decrease in the same row: count to 9 stitches after every RS row. Lace that is not blocked looks crumpled.
Combines with
Eyelet rows (simple lace), Feather and fan (old shale), Stocking stitch (stockinette)
Pieces and assembly
Scarves, shawl borders, the yoke or sleeve of a summer top; a single leaf on a hat brim.

Written in our own words from machine manuals, knitting references and swatching. Knit a test swatch before a whole piece.

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