Leaf in Rowan - Downloadable PDF

Rowan Leaf by Vicky Sedgwick – Free Knitted Leaf Pattern Summary

The Rowan Leaf is a free, beginner-friendly knitting pattern designed by Vicky Sedgwick and published by Rowan. As the name suggests, the finished project is a single knitted leaf — a small, versatile decorative piece that can be used as an embellishment on garments, accessories, home décor, or any number of creative projects. Because the pattern is so adaptable, it makes an excellent stash-buster and a wonderful introduction to simple shaping techniques for newer knitters.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a classic, symmetrical knitted leaf shape. The finished size varies depending on the yarn weight chosen: using a 4ply yarn produces a leaf of approximately 9cm (3½ inches), while using Big Wool — one of Rowan's chunky yarn options — results in a much larger leaf of approximately 15cm (6 inches). This flexibility makes the pattern suitable for a wide range of applications, from delicate floral embellishments on fine knitwear to bold, oversized decorative accents on chunky accessories.

Techniques Used

• Increasing: The leaf is shaped during its first half using yarn over (yo) increases placed symmetrically on either side of a central stitch. This creates the characteristic widening silhouette of a leaf and also forms a subtle decorative ridge running up the centre, mimicking a leaf's midrib.
• Decreasing: Once the leaf reaches its widest point at 21 stitches, the second half is shaped using slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) at the beginning of right-side rows and knit 2 together (K2tog) at the end, tapering the leaf back down symmetrically.
• Casting On and Fastening Off: The leaf begins with a simple cast-on of just 3 stitches and is finished neatly with a sl 2, K1, p2sso double decrease on the final row, with the yarn pulled through the last loop to fasten off securely — a tidy method that avoids a bulky bound-off edge at the leaf tip.
• Pressing and Finishing: The pattern instructs knitters to press the finished leaf as described on the yarn's ball band, which helps the piece hold its shape. Loose ends are sewn in for a clean finish.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) — used throughout the right-side rows to build the stocking stitch fabric of the leaf.
• Purl stitch (P) — all wrong-side rows are worked as plain purl rows, creating a smooth stocking stitch fabric on the right side of the leaf.
• Yarn over (yo) — the primary increase method, worked twice on each right-side row during the shaping-up phase, one on each side of the central stitch.
• Slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) — a left-leaning single decrease used at the beginning of right-side rows during the decrease phase.
• Knit 2 together (K2tog) — a right-leaning single decrease used at the end of right-side rows during the decrease phase.
• Sl 2, K1, p2sso — a central double decrease used on the very last row to close the tip of the leaf neatly.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

One of the most appealing aspects of this pattern is its complete yarn flexibility. Any yarn can be used, and the designer notes that the finished leaf size will vary according to both yarn weight and needle size. The pattern references the full range from lightweight 4ply yarn up to Rowan Big Wool as examples of what is possible. Knitters are advised to use the needle size stated on their chosen yarn's ball band in order to achieve the correct stocking stitch tension for that particular yarn. No specific needle type or size is mandated, making this pattern truly adaptable to whatever materials a knitter has to hand.

Who Is This Pattern For

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