Stitchfinder: Knit Floral Block: Spring Leaf
This generic pattern can be used with whatever yarn and hook/needle size you prefer.
Intermediate
This fresh, green leaf can be used with the Daisy design or the Lily. It has twist-stitch veins and sits on a diagonal garter-stitch block.
METHOD
Special abbreviations
M1L - make a stitch by lifting strand between stitches from the front and knit in the back of strand to make a stitch that slants to the left (also called m1)
M1R - make a stitch by lifting strand between stitches from the back and knit in front of strand to make a stitch that slants to the right
T2L - knit in back of second stitch, then knit in front of first stitch, slip both stitches off left-hand needle together
T2R- knit in front of second stitch, then knit in back of first stitch, slip both stitches off left-hand needle together
Yarn DK wool in pale green (A) and leaf green (B)
Equipment A pair of knitting needles
STEM
Using A, cast on 3 sts. Beginning with a k row, work 12 rows st-st.
Do not break yarn and continue.
LEAF
Note All slip stitches are slipped purlwise.
1st row (RS) K1, slip 1, k1.
2nd row K1, p1, k1.
3rd row K1, m1R, slip 1, m1L, k1. 5 sts.
4th row K1, p3, k1.
5th row K1, m1R, k1, slip 1, k1, m1L, k1. 7 sts.
6th and WS rows K1, p to last st, k1.
7th row K1, m1R, t2R, slip 1, t2L, m1L, k1. 9 sts.
9th row K1, m1R, t2R, k1, slip 1, k1, t2L, m1L, k1. 11 sts.
11th row K1, m1R, [t2R] twice, slip 1, [t2L] twice, m1L, k1. 13 sts.
13th row K1, m1R, [t2R] twice, k1, slip 1, k1, [t2L] twice, m1L, k1. 15 sts.
15th row K1, m1R, [t2R] 3 times, slip 1, [t2L] 3 times, m1L, k1. 17 sts.
17th row K1, [t2R] 3 times, k1, slip 1, k1, [t2L] 3 times, k1.
19th row K2, [t2R] 3 times, slip 1, [t2L] 3 times, k2.
21st row As 17th row.
23rd row As 19th row.
25th row K1, k2tog, [t2R] twice, k1, slip 1, k1, [t2L] twice, ssk, k1. 15 sts.
27th row K1, k2tog, [t2R] twice, slip 1, [t2L] twice, ssk, k1. 13 sts.
29th row K3tog, t2R, k1, slip 1, k1, t2L, sk2po. 9 sts.
31st row K3tog, s2kpo, sk2po. 3 sts.
32nd row K1, p1, k1.
33rd row S2kpo.
Fasten off remaining one st.
BLOCK
Using B, cast on 2 sts.
1st row (RS) Kfb, k1. 3 sts.
2nd and WS rows K.
3rd row [Kfb] twice, k1. 5 sts.
5th row Kfb, k2, kfb, k1. 7 sts.
7th row Kfb, k4, kfb, k1. 9 sts
9th row Kfb, k6, kfb, k1. 11 sts.
Continue to increase in this way on RS rows until there are 31 sts.
Next RS row K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Continue to decrease in this way on RS rows until 7 sts remain.
Next RS row K1, [k2tog, k1] twice. 5 sts.
Next RS row K1, sk2po, k1. 3 sts.
Next RS row Sk2po.
Fasten off remaining one st.
Making up
Square up the block and press lightly. Using A, backstitch the leaf in place on RS, one stitch in from the edge stitch. Catch down the edge stitches of the stem.
Excerpted with permission from 75 Floral Blocks to Knit by Lesley Stanfield, St. Martin's Griffin, 2013.