Crochet Maple Leaf Placemat Pattern with Decorative Raised Veins and Picot Border

Introduction

Celebrate the beauty of autumn indoors with a striking, textured crochet maple leaf placemat. This design features a rich teal background shaped perfectly like a broad maple leaf, brought to life with bold surface-raised veins in cream and gold yarn. The playful picot border in gold adds a whimsical, finished touch, giving the leaf a natural yet stylized look. Its beautiful colorwork and generous size make it a show-stopping centerpiece for any dining or coffee table, and its plush, sturdy texture offers both beauty and function.

This eye-catching leaf placemat is an excellent conversation starter as part of your seasonal tablescape, or simply as a striking decorative piece for any room. Whether used as a placemat for festive meals, a wall hanging, or even a chunky trivet, its vivid colors and detailed stitching invite admiration. Best of all, crocheting this project is a rewarding way to practice shaping, raised stitches, and creative border techniques. The process is fun, engaging, and satisfying from start to finish!

Project Overview

This maple leaf placemat is constructed as a single large piece, crocheted flat in rows with short row shaping to sculpt the indented lobes and points characteristic of a maple leaf. Surface slip stitches in contrasting colors are then worked atop the finished base to create raised central and lateral veins. A decorative picot border is crocheted around the outer edge for texture and definition. The entire project is made without cutting the yarn unnecessarily, minimizing ends and keeping the backside tidy.

Skill Level

Intermediate. This project involves shaping with increases and decreases, working short rows, surface slip stitch embroidery, color changes, and picot edging techniques. While no single technique is extremely difficult, familiarity with shaping and surface crochet will be very helpful. Determined advanced beginners can attempt it, but attention to detail is required for clean lines and symmetry.

Materials

Worsted weight (category 4) yarn:

Leaf Base (Teal) – Approx. 100g (180–200m)
Veins (Cream) – Approx. 20g (35–40m)
Veins & Border (Mustard/Gold) – Approx. 25g (45–50m)

Fiber: 100% cotton is recommended for best stitch definition and sturdy structure. Cotton/acrylic blends also work well.
Crochet Hook: 4.0mm (G-6) or 4.5mm (US 7), adjust as needed to meet gauge and achieve a dense, not floppy, fabric.
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and sewing veins if desired.
Small scissors
Stitch markers (helpful for shaping corners and lobe increases)
Row counter (optional but helpful for tracking short rows and symmetry)

Finished Size

Approx. 35 cm wide x 33 cm tall (including border)
Approx. 13.5 inches wide x 13 inches tall

To adjust the size, you may change yarn weight and hook size or alter the number of stitches in the base leaf. For a larger decorative piece, try bulky yarn with a 5.5–6.5mm hook; for a coaster or small accent, use DK/light worsted yarn and a 3.5mm hook. Keep all colors of yarn roughly the same thickness for a neat result.

Gauge

Approx. 17 sc x 18 rows = 10 cm (4 in) square, worked flat, after light blocking. Exact gauge is not critical for this pattern, but significant differences will affect finished size and yarn usage.

Stitches and Abbreviations

ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
inc – increase (2 sc in one st)
dec – decrease (sc 2 together)
sk – skip
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
st(s) – stitch(es)
surface sl st – surface slip stitch (worked onto the surface of crochet fabric)

Important Pattern Notes

Work is begun from the bottom tip of the leaf and shaped outward and upward.
Each row begins with a ch 1; this does not count as a stitch.
Shaping is performed with frequent increases and decreases to form points and lobes unique to a maple leaf.
Use stitch markers to denote the five leaf points and indentation valleys for symmetry.
All color changes are made by completing the last yarn-over of the stitch before the new color change with the new color.
Surface slip stitches are worked with separate yarn on top of the finished leaf, following visible ‘vein’ lines as a visual guide.
The border is worked in rounds evenly around the outer edge.
The RS is the side with raised surface slip stitch veins.

Detailed Crochet Pattern

Part 1: Leaf Base – Shaping the Maple Leaf

Begin with teal yarn.

Foundation Row (bottom leaf tip): Ch 9. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (8 sts)
Row 1 [RS]: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc in next 6, 2 sc in last st. (10 sts)
Row 2 [WS]: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc in next 8, 2 sc in last st. (12 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (12 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc in next 10, 2 sc in last st. (14 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (14 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc in next 12, 2 sc in last st. (16 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (16 sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc in next 14, 2 sc in last st. (18 sts)
Rows 9–13: Repeat as established: On odd-numbered rows, sc in each st. On even-numbered rows, (2 sc in first st, sc across, 2 sc in last st). You should reach 26 sts after Row 13.

Lobe Shaping Begins

Row 14: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 12 sts, leave remaining 14 unworked (mark st). (12 sts) [short row – first side lobe]
Row 15–17: Ch 1, turn. Dec over first 2 sts, sc to end. Repeat for 4 rows until 8 sts remain.
Row 18: Ch 1, turn. Sc in all 8 sts. Fasten off.

Rejoin Yarn at marked st for second (mirror) side lobe:

Attach yarn at first unworked st after previous lobe, ch 1. Sc in next 12 sts (12 sts).
Repeat dec row and sc rows as before for 4 more rows, finishing with 8 sts.
Fasten off. Weave in lobe ends.

Center Section:

Attach yarn at top center of last full row (should be between lobes). Ch 1, sc in next 10 center sts (leave 3 unworked on each side for gap between lobes). Work 6 total rows, sc in each row. Fasten off.

Top Leaf Points:

Each of the three tips at the top are worked separately.
- For left and right small tips: Attach yarn at corner, ch 1, sc2tog, sc to end (approx. 3–4 sts), dec at end. Rep 2 rows, fasten off each.
- For central top tip: Attach yarn at center of last center section, ch 1, dec, sc across, dec at end. Work 4 rows, dec both ends each row until one st remains. Fasten off.

Reference the photograph as you shape the lobes—there should be five pointed lobes with three deep valleys in between, giving it the distinctive maple form. Adjust stitch counts and rows if needed for neater symmetry: key is increasing/decreasing smoothly and consistently for a realistic maple leaf outline.

Part 2: Surface Veins

Using cream and gold yarns, surface slip stitch raised veins onto the RS of the leaf as follows:

Central vein: With cream, insert hook from RS to WS at bottom tip, pull yarn through, sl st up the center of the leaf, following the most prominent ridge toward the center top tip, mimicking the real maple’s main vein. End a couple stitches before border, weave in tail on WS.
Side veins: With gold and/or cream, starting partway up the stem (as in reference), draw a vein out and up toward each major lobe point, branching slightly for realism. Mimic the photo—there are about four prominent veins per side, fanning out from the central stalk.
- Work these one at a time, starting from the midrib and drawing each outward in a gentle curve.
- Work any overlapping veins by starting a new slip stitch line at the appropriate position, always working on RS.
- For a more 3D effect, double up lines or twist gold and cream together for the central vein as desired.
- Finish each vein line by drawing yarn to WS, secure, and weave in.

Optional: For more dimension, use a loose tapestry stitch to embroider thicker veins.

Part 3: Picot Border

With gold/mustard yarn, attach at any lobe tip. Ch 1. Work evenly spaced sc around the entire outer edge, placing 1 sc in the end of each row/edge and 2 sc in corners/tips for smooth curves.
At each main leaf tip, work: (sc, ch 3, sl st in 1st ch [picot], sc) in same st to form a defined point.
For the characteristic bumpy border: *sc in next 2 sts, (ch 3, sl st in 1st ch [picot]); repeat from * all around. Adjust picot spacing for your personal taste and symmetry.
At each valley (indentation), skip one st or sl st in the lowest point to avoid puckering.
Join with a sl st to first sc, fasten off, weave in ends.

Part 4: Decorative Finishing Touches

Optional: Using leftover yarn, embroider additional tiny veins with backstitch for detail.
If desired, block the leaf with gentle steam to even out edges and open up picot points.

Assembly and Finishing

Ensure all ends are securely woven into the WS of the leaf to avoid unraveling during wash or use.
Shape the piece gently with your hands and steam block if needed to relax stitches and crispen the leaf edges.
For maximum symmetry, lightly pin the wet leaf onto a blocking mat and shape each lobe and tip.
After blocking, your leaf should lay flat, with crisp defined veins and bumpy picot edges. Trim any stray yarn tails and smooth out any uneven points by hand.

Customization Ideas

Try autumnal shades—burgundy for base, orange or olive for veins, tan or rust for border.
Make multiple leaves for a full table runner, coasters, or garland.
Use cotton/acrylic blends for greater durability and easier care.
Make a mini version by halving the initial foundation and using DK weight yarn for drink mats.
Double the maple leaf and join three sides with sc to make a decorative pouch or autumn gift bag.
Mount a finished leaf on canvas or fabric as a dramatic wall hanging.

Troubleshooting Tips

Leaf base curls: Use a slightly larger hook, check for tight tension, and block the finished piece flat.
Uneven edges/lobes: Double-check your stitch count at the end of each row. Adjust increases/decreases evenly.
Motif too large or small: Adjust yarn weight/hook size, or reduce/start with fewer chains and rows proportionally.
Visible gaps at color changes: Always complete the last yarn-over of a stitch with the new color to close gaps neatly.
Surface veins too loose: Keep a firm but not tight tension while working surface slip stitches. Use a smaller hook if needed.
Picot border ruffles: Shorten the spacing between picots or use smaller chains for each bump. Block border into shape.

Care Instructions

Gently hand wash in cold or lukewarm water using mild detergent.
Lay flat to dry, reshaping leaf edges if needed.
Do not wring. Avoid bleach and high heat to preserve color vibrancy.
Iron on low under a pressing cloth only if necessary.

Final Notes

Careful stitch counting and patient shaping are the keys to crocheting a crisp, beautiful maple leaf. Adjust your tension so your leaf lies flat but remains sturdy. Use the image as a visual guide for lobe shaping and vein placement—no two leaves in nature are the same, so embrace a little creativity! This project is perfect for autumn, but with a simple color swap, you can enjoy it year-round as an artistic accent in your home.