Primrose leaf

I have this awful, awful, awful habit. I start something and struggle to complete it. Anyone else do this too?

So you’ll be pleased to know that this hasn’t happened with the primrose leaves pattern. Woohoo!

Here‘s the background story. I wanted to copy the cabbage-leaf effect which primrose leaves have. I’m super pleased with my idea to use front posts and back post stitches to create that cool ruffled effect without messing about with increases.

It works up quickly, and looks amazing on a wreath or a hoop (improvised wreath because I’m thrifty and inventive) with the primrose flowers from my earlier post.

Written in UK crochet terms.

Abbreviations

dc = double crochet

htr = half treble

tr = treble

dtr = double treble (start with 2 yarn over on hook)

ttr = triple treble (start with 3 yarn over on hook)

sl st = slip stitch

ch = chain

fp = front post (this will be used alongside dc, htr, tr, dtr, and ttr)

bp = back post (this will be used alongside dc, htr, tr, dtr, and ttr)

Materials and notions

• Using 2.5mm crochet hook

• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

• DK cotton yarn in spring green colour (I used Ricorumi shade 047 Pistachio)

Pattern

Ch 16.

In 3rd st from hook make tr st.

Working along the chain, tr in each of the next 12 st.

In the final st, work 5 tr.

Now you will be working into the the upside stitches of the ch. Tr in next 11 st.

4 tr in last st of the ch (also first st of the right-side up of the ch). Slip st to the first ch.

Fpdc around the first tr.

Bpdc around next tr.

Fphtr around next tr Bphtr around next tr.

You should get the gist that you’re alternating Fp and Bp.

Fptr, bptr, fptr, bptr, fptr

Bpdtr, fpdtr.

Bpttr.

Fpdtr.

You should be at the turning point of 5 tr you crocheted in a single st, so here’s how you go around the end:

bptr, fphtr, bphtr, fphtr, bptr.

This makes a blunter end for the leaf which serves as the base/bottom of the leaf.

Fpdtr, bpttr, fpdtr, bpdtr.

Now working a tr into each of the next 5 stitches (alternating fp and bp). Which should go like this:

Fptr, bptr, fptr, bptr, fptr.

You should be near the other end of the leaf now. So here’s how to do it:

bphtr, fphtr, bpdc, fpdc, bpdc, fpdc, bpdc (that last bpdc isn’t a deal breaker, if you can’t get your hook round the last stitch it’s ok!)

Your leaf so far is looking lovely, but the smooth edges aren’t very ruffled, are they? Here’s how to make it look like a proper bumpy ruffled primrose leaf...

You’ll now be doing ch3 and doing a front post (fp) slip stitch or back post (bp) slip stitch, depending on the direction of the stitch below. If it’s sticking upwards, you’ll be doing a fp slst like this:

And just alternate as you go round. Just look at those beautiful ruffles going up and down to match the ridges on the leaf.

Then repeat round the other side of the leaf:

I like to finish with sl st into my first ch3 I did for this finishing row. Sew in your ends. Admire your beautiful primrose leaf.

I made a few leaves for the wreath in the header photo. You can glue-gun them to your wreath/hoop or use fine floristry wire to attach them (it means you can swap out your flowers for different seasons if you like to have reusable decorations).

Let me know if you enjoyed the pattern!