Autumn Maple Leaf Crochet Placemat Pattern

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A large, multicolored crochet placemat in the shape of a maple leaf with red, orange, and cream stripes and a textured border on a dining table.

Introduction

Nothing welcomes autumn quite like handmade table decor inspired by nature’s most iconic symbols. This project is a visually striking maple leaf placemat, crocheted in luxurious shades of red, orange, rust, and cream. The placemat’s bold, lobed shape mimics a real maple leaf, with five distinct sections that branch out from a central stem. Each lobe is accentuated with rich stripes, creating a gradient effect reminiscent of fall foliage. The surface is ridged and textured by working in the back loops, and the entire edge is finished with a pretty picot border, echoing the leaf’s scalloped margin.

This placemat isn’t just beautiful—it’s also functional. It’s large enough to be the centerpiece of your autumn table, ideal for place settings, centerpieces under candles, or as a decorative mat for seasonal displays. Its bold design elevates any tablescape and celebrates the cozy spirit of fall. Crocheting this leaf makes for a satisfying, creative challenge, and it’s a fantastic showcase of colorwork, shaping, and texture in practical form.

Project Overview

This maple leaf placemat is constructed by crocheting five individual lobes (leaf sections) starting at the central base and fanning outward, with each lobe worked in rows using color changes to achieve the variegated effect. The lobes are joined together as you go, then outlined with a picot border for crisp definition. The leaf’s stem is crocheted separately and sewn to the base. Finally, all ends are woven in and the piece is lightly blocked for shape retention.

Skill Level

Intermediate. While the pattern uses mostly basic stitches, it involves shaping with increases and decreases, frequent color changes, joining motifs, working in back loops, and finishing details like the picot border. Some experience with motif assembly and non-rectangular pieces is recommended.

Materials

  • Yarn: DK weight (#3) cotton yarn for crisp stitch definition and easy washing.
    • Color A: Deep burnt orange (approx. 40g)
    • Color B: Rusty red (approx. 30g)
    • Color C: Golden orange (approx. 25g)
    • Color D: Soft cream (approx. 20g)
  • Crochet hook: 4.0 mm (G-6), or size needed for gauge
  • Tapestry needle
  • Sharp scissors
  • Removable stitch markers
  • Blocking pins and mat (for shaping)

Finished Size

  • Approximate diameter: 41cm wide x 34cm tall (16″ x 13.5″ including stem)

To adjust the size, use a thicker/thinner yarn and corresponding hook or add/remove starting chains for each lobe, maintaining the established shaping pattern.

Gauge

  • 14 sc and 16 rows in BLO = 10cm x 10cm (4″ x 4″)

Gauge is not critical but differing gauge will affect overall size and yarn usage.

Stitches and Abbreviations

  • ch – chain
  • sc – single crochet
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sc2tog – single crochet two together (decrease)
  • BLO – back loop only
  • picot – ch 3, sl st in first ch
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • RS – right side

Important Pattern Notes

  • Ch 1 at beginning of rows does not count as a stitch unless stated.
  • Work all stitches in BLO unless otherwise specified.
  • Carry unused colors neatly along the edge or fasten off and rejoin as needed.
  • Join lobes with a slip stitch in the outer edge of the previous lobe for a seamless center.
  • Use stitch markers to track the beginning/end of each lobe or to mark increase points.
  • The RS is the outer, more textured side. Watch color placement to ensure stripes radiate symmetrically.

Detailed Crochet Pattern

Part 1: Central Foundation and First Lobe

  1. With Color A (deep burnt orange), ch 41.
  2. Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 39 ch. (40 sc)
    • Mark the 21st st. This will become the central axis.
  3. Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in BLO of each st (40 sc).
  4. Rows 3-9: Repeat Row 2, changing to Color B at Row 5, Color C at Row 7 for a gradient. (Carry yarn or fasten off as preferred)
  5. Shaping the Lobe: Starting from Row 10, you will begin increasing at one edge and decreasing at the other to form the pointed tip.
    • Row 10: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog in BLO over first 2 sts (decrease made), sc in BLO to last st, 2 sc in last st (increase). (40 sts)
    • Rows 11-23: Repeat Row 10, alternating colors every 2-3 rows per your preference or to mimic leaf veining (see image: most lobes are variegated).
    • Keep track that as you decrease at one edge and increase at the other, the lobe will form an angled, tapered shape. Maintain 40 sts per row for 14 more rows.
    • After Row 23, fasten off and leave a long tail for joining at the leaf center if not working continuous.

Part 2: Additional Lobes (Make Four)

  1. Repeat Part 1 to make four more lobes, varying your color sequence to create the stripe effect shown.
    • Color suggestions: For a symmetrical look, try: Lobe 2 – Alternate Color B/C/A, Lobe 3 – C/B/D, Lobe 4 – D/A/B, Lobe 5 – B/D/A.
  2. Joining the Lobes: Before fastening off the last row of each lobe (Row 23), join with a sl st to the marked edge of the previous lobe’s starting row (the marked 21st st). This ensures a neat central gathering.
  3. Arrange all five lobes in a star/leaf shape, lining up their bases and gently overlapping them at the center.
    • Sew the lobes together at their base with the long tails, whipstitching through the first 3-4 sts of each lobe for security, then weave in tails.

Part 3: Maple Leaf Picot Border

  1. With Color A or your preferred accent color, join yarn at the tip of one lobe on the RS.
  2. Border Round: *Sc in the edge of each row down one lobe side, working approx. 1 sc per row end. At every fifth st along the edge, make a picot (ch 3, sl st in first ch). At the lobe tips, make 2 consecutive picots. Continue in this manner around all five lobes. When you reach the center base, do not cut yarn—proceed to the stem if working continuously.

Part 4: Crocheted Leaf Stem

  1. With Color A, ch 31.
  2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (30 sc)
  3. Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in each to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (28 sts)
  4. Repeat Row 2 four more times until only 20 sts remain. Fasten off.
  5. Stem Ball (Optional): With Color A, MR, work 6 sc in ring, join with sl st. Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sts). Rnd 3: Sc in each st. Rnd 4: (Sc2tog, sc in next st) around (8 sts). Stuff gently, cut yarn leaving tail, close and sew to stem tip.
  6. Sew or sl st-attach the wide end of the stem to the center bottom of the maple leaf base.

Part 5: Assembly

  • Lay the assembled leaf flat, RS up. Use blocking pins to gently stretch the lobes into crisp points and curves as desired. Steam or wet block to hold shape. Allow to dry completely.
  • Weave in all ends securely along ribs or within color stripes for camouflage.
  • Neaten the center join by sewing a few small, invisible stitches underneath if needed.
  • If any gaps appear between lobes, gently sew the edges together with matching yarn.

Assembly and Finishing

  • Thoroughly weave in all visible ends, especially at color changes.
  • Shape the piece by gently pulling points outward and pinning in place for blocking.
  • Steam block or wet block until flat and crisp. Do not over-stretch.
  • Check that the leaf center is tight and not puckered.
  • Fluff picot edges by hand if flattened during blocking.

Customization Ideas

  • Switch yarn colors for spring or summer palettes (greens, yellows, pinks).
  • Try chunky acrylic or cotton for an oversized centerpiece or table runner effect.
  • Work the pattern with fewer or more starting chains for larger/smaller placemats or coasters.
  • Add metallic thread with your cotton for a shimmery finish.
  • Join multiple leaves for a table runner or use a single lobe as a mug rug or wall hanging appliqué. Frame a blocked leaf in a deep shadow box as a decorative art piece.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • If your leaf curls, check that you haven’t pulled increases/decreases too tight; gentle blocking usually resolves mild curling.
  • Uneven edges typically result from inconsistent row placement—place scs evenly along row ends and count when adding the border.
  • If motif is too large or small, check gauge and tension, adjust hook/yarn weight accordingly.
  • If color stripes look untidy, fasten off and rejoin at the row ends instead of carrying yarn.
  • If you notice loose joins at the center, reinforce with extra stitches in seaming.

Care Instructions

  • Gently hand wash in cool water with mild detergent.
  • Press excess water out with a towel, do not wring.
  • Lay flat to dry, reshaping points as needed.
  • Avoid ironing; if smoothing is needed, use a steamer lightly at a distance.

Final Notes

Double-check stitch counts for each lobe and make sure sections are joining without puckering at the center. Adjust your tension if lobes flare or contract too much. The accompanying visual guide will help you match striping and placement for a cohesive look. Take your time with assembly and blocking to get those crisp maple points and a bold, professional finish—your handmade leaf will truly become the star of your table!

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