Anchor Green leaves - ANC0003-79 - Downloadable PDF

Anchor Green Leaves Embroidery Pattern ANC0003-79 by Pumora – Free Downloadable PDF

The Anchor Green Leaves pattern (ANC0003-79) is a free downloadable embroidery PDF designed by Pumora and published by Anchor Crafts. This charming botanical design features a collection of delicate leaf sprigs and twigs worked in a harmonious palette of greens and turquoise, making it an ideal project for anyone looking to build foundational hand embroidery skills. The finished piece measures 16 x 12 cm, making it a compact and satisfying project that can be completed relatively quickly.

Who This Pattern Is For

This pattern is rated beginner level, making it perfectly suited to those who are new to hand embroidery or who are looking to practise a small selection of classic stitches in a low-pressure, decorative context. The straightforward leaf and stem shapes provide an excellent canvas for learning stitch direction, tension, and colour blending without the complexity of a large or intricate design.

What Is Being Made

The finished embroidery depicts a botanical arrangement of green leaves organised into multiple numbered leaf groupings and twigs. Each leaf or twig section within the design is treated as a distinct element, allowing the embroiderer to work through the composition section by section. The overall effect is a fresh, nature-inspired piece that works beautifully as a framed artwork, hoop display, or decorative textile accent.

Designs and Leaf Sections Covered

The pattern includes several individually described leaf and twig sections, each with specific colour and stitch instructions:

Leaf Group / Twig (Crochet Border Leaf #5)

This twig section is worked in a combination of dark green (Anchor colour #00877) and middle green (Anchor colour #00879). The leaves are filled using satin stitch, a classic embroidery technique where parallel stitches are laid closely side by side to create a smooth, solid fill. Colour placement is carefully considered:

• The upper leaf is worked entirely in middle green (#00879)
• The two middle leaves are split, with one half in middle green and one half in dark green, creating a subtle two-tone effect
• The bottom leaf is worked entirely in dark green (#00877)
• The stem is embroidered in stem stitch using middle green (#00877)

Leaf #6 – Turquoise Twig

This smaller twig introduces a pop of colour using turquoise (Anchor colour #00187). It is a simpler section that uses two stitches:

• The stem is worked in stem stitch
• The leaves are created using small individual chain stitches (also known as single chain or detached chain stitches / lazy daisy stitches), giving the leaves a delicate, open appearance

Stitches Used

This pattern introduces and reinforces several foundational hand embroidery stitches that are essential to any embroiderer's repertoire:

• Satin stitch – used to fill leaf shapes with smooth, solid colour; stitches are worked closely together in a consistent direction to achieve an even, lustrous surface
• Stem stitch – used for all stems and twigs; this stitch creates a neat, rope-like line that follows curves beautifully, making it ideal for botanical embroidery
• Single chain stitch (detached chain stitch) – used for the small leaves on the turquoise twig; each stitch forms an individual loop anchored at one end, resembling a small leaf or petal shape

Materials Required

Thread

The pattern uses Anchor Stranded Cotton (8m skeins) from the Anchor 4635000 range. The specific colours required are:

• #00879 – Middle green
• #00877 – Dark green
• #00