Laurel Crochet Flowers and Leaves Pattern (Free)
If you’ve been searching for a beautiful, versatile crochet pattern that works up quickly and looks absolutely stunning in finished projects, this free laurel crochet flowers and leaves pattern is exactly what you need. Whether you’re a beginner looking to practice your stitch work or an experienced crocheter wanting to add something elegant to your collection, this pattern delivers on every level. Laurel motifs have been beloved in decorative arts for centuries, symbolizing achievement and natural beauty, and translating them into crochet creates a timeless design you’ll use again and again.
In this post, you’ll find the complete free pattern with detailed instructions, material recommendations, sizing information, and plenty of ideas for how to use your finished laurel sprigs in real projects. Everything is written out in standard US crochet terminology so you can follow along with confidence. Let’s get into it.
What Is a Laurel Crochet Pattern?
A laurel crochet pattern typically features a series of small leaves arranged along a central stem or chain, often paired with tiny flowers or berries to create that classic wreath-like appearance. The design draws inspiration from the ancient laurel wreath, which has appeared in art, architecture, and fashion for thousands of years. In crochet form, laurel motifs show up on everything from baby headbands and hair accessories to garland decorations, table runners, and embellishments on clothing and bags.
What makes this particular pattern so useful is its flexibility. You can make a single laurel sprig as a brooch or hair clip, string several together into a continuous garland, or arrange them into a full circular wreath for wall décor or seasonal decoration. The small flowers add a soft, romantic touch that plain leaf designs sometimes lack, making this pattern a step above the basics.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the following supplies. You don’t need anything expensive or hard to find — most of these items are standard in any crocheter’s stash.
Yarn: A lightweight yarn works best for this pattern. DK weight or fingering weight gives the leaves a delicate, realistic appearance. You can use worsted weight if you want larger, bolder motifs. For the leaves, choose a medium green or sage green shade. For the flowers, white, cream, pale yellow, or soft pink all look lovely. You can also experiment with variegated greens for a more natural look.
Hook: A 3.5mm or 4mm crochet hook pairs well with DK or light worsted weight yarn. If you’re using fingering weight, drop down to a 2.5mm or 3mm hook. The goal is a slightly firm fabric that holds its shape well without being stiff or unpleasant to work.
Scissors: Sharp embroidery scissors make weaving in ends much easier, especially with delicate yarn.
Tapestry needle: You’ll need this for weaving in all your yarn ends neatly.
Stitch markers: Optional but helpful when you’re placing flowers along the stem in specific positions.
Floral wire or pipe cleaners (optional): If you’re making a structured wreath or garland and want the stems to hold a particular shape, inserting thin floral wire into the chain base gives wonderful dimensional results.
Wire cutters and jewelry findings (optional): For making brooches, hair clips, or appliqués, you’ll want some basic craft supplies on hand to finish off your pieces.
Abbreviations and Stitch Guide
This pattern is written in US crochet terminology. Here are the abbreviations used throughout:
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet
sp — space
st(s) — stitch(es)
rep — repeat
yo — yarn over
beg — beginning
rnd — round
rs — right side
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this decorative pattern, but as a general guide, 18 stitches and 20 rows in single crochet with DK weight yarn and a 3.5mm hook should measure approximately 4 inches by 4 inches. Your leaves and flowers will be small — roughly 1 to 1.5 inches per leaf and about 1 inch across per flower — which is ideal for accessories and appliqué work. If you want larger motifs, simply go up a yarn weight or hook size.
The Free Laurel Crochet Pattern
This pattern is broken into three sections: the basic leaf, the small flower, and the assembled laurel sprig. Once you’ve mastered each component, you can mix and match them freely.
Section One: Basic Laurel Leaf
This classic pointed oval leaf is the foundation of the entire design. Each leaf takes only a few minutes once you get the rhythm, and they’re genuinely satisfying to make.
Chain 9.
Row 1: Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, sc in the next st, hdc in the next st, dc in the next 2 sts, hdc in the next st, sc in the next st, then work 3 sc into the last chain st (this creates the rounded tip of the leaf). Now you’ll work back along the other side of the foundation chain. Sc in the next st, hdc in the next st, dc in the next 2 sts, hdc in the next st, sc in the next st. Sl st into the very first sc at the base to close the leaf shape.
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail for attaching to the stem later.
Leaf tip variation: For a slightly more elongated leaf, start with a chain of 11 instead of 9 and add one extra dc on each side before working the 3 sc at the tip. This gives you a willowy, slender leaf that looks particularly graceful in garlands.
Veining detail (optional): With a contrasting color or the same green yarn in a slightly lighter shade, you can surface embroider a simple center vein down the leaf using a running stitch after the leaf is complete. This elevates the look considerably if you’re making pieces for gifts or selling your work.
Section Two: Small Crochet Flower
These tiny five-petal flowers are quick to make and add so much charm to the finished laurel sprig. They look beautiful in white or cream against deep green leaves, but feel free to experiment with color.
Magic ring (or ch 4 and join with sl st to form a ring).
Round 1: Ch 1, work 10 sc into the ring, join with sl st to the first sc. (10 sts)
Round 2 (petals): Ch 3, work 1 dc and 1 hdc into the first ch-3 sp, then sl st into the next sc; rep from 5 times total, working each petal into every other sc around the ring. You should end up with 5 petals.
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing the flower onto the stem.
Larger flower variation: For a slightly fuller flower that stands out more dramatically against the leaves, work Round 2 as follows: ch 4, work 2 dc into the ch-4 sp, ch 4, sl st into the next sc; rep from 5 times. This creates petals with a more open, cupped shape.
Tiny berry accent (optional): To add berry clusters instead of or alongside flowers, simply work a magic ring, ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring, join and pull the tail to close the ring into a tight ball. These little bobbles look wonderful nestled among the leaves and give the design a different seasonal feel — particularly lovely for autumn or winter arrangements.
Section Three: Assembling the Laurel Sprig
Now that you have your leaves and flowers ready, it’s time to assemble them into a sprig. A standard laurel sprig uses 6 to 10 leaves arranged along a central stem, with 2 to 4 flowers placed at intervals.
Make the stem: Ch 30 (or longer depending on your desired finished length — ch 40 to 50 for a longer branch, ch 20 for a smaller sprig).
Sl st back along the chain, working into each chain stitch. This back sl st row stabilizes the chain and gives it a neat cord-like appearance that reads as a stem. Do not fasten off yet.
Attaching the leaves: Using your tapestry needle and the long tails left on your leaves, sew each leaf to the stem chain. Start from one end and alternate sides — attach one leaf to the left of the stem, then the next to the right, spacing them about 3 to 4 chain stitches apart. This alternating arrangement is what gives the laurel sprig its characteristic botanical look.
Smaller leaves look best near the tip of the sprig, with slightly larger ones toward the middle and base, just as real laurel branches grow.
Attaching the flowers: Sew your flowers directly onto the stem between leaves or at the very tip of the sprig where a small cluster of blooms would naturally appear. Use the flower’s tail thread and a tapestry needle to anchor each flower securely, then weave the end in on the wrong side of the stem.
Finishing: Weave in all remaining ends carefully. If you want the sprig to have a bit more structure, you can lightly starch it with a spray starch or a solution of water and white craft glue diluted to about half strength, shape it while damp, and allow it to dry completely on a flat surface.
Making a Full Laurel Wreath
To create a full circular laurel wreath — perfect for wall décor, holiday decorating, or a beautiful photo prop — you’ll need to make approximately 8 to 12 individual sprigs and join them together.
Lay out your completed sprigs on a flat surface and arrange them into a circle, overlapping the ends of each sprig with the beginning of the next. Use your tapestry needle and matching yarn to sew the ends together securely where they overlap. For extra stability, you can work the sprigs over a wire wreath frame or a simple ring cut from cardboard or thin craft foam. The result is a lush, dimensional wreath that photographs beautifully and looks genuinely impressive on a wall or door.
For a seasonal twist, consider making the leaves in autumn colors — burnt orange, golden yellow, and deep rust — and swapping the flowers for the small berry accents described above. A winter version works wonderfully in silver or white yarn with tiny pearl bead additions.
Project Ideas for Your Laurel Motifs
The versatility of this pattern is one of the things that makes it so worth learning. Once you’ve got the hang of making leaves and flowers, you’ll find yourself reaching for this pattern constantly.
Hair accessories: A single sprig attached to a hair comb or headband makes a stunning accessory for a wedding, graduation, or special event. Work the leaves in gold metallic thread for something truly eye-catching.
Garland: Make a long chain and attach sprigs at regular intervals for a beautiful mantel garland. These look incredible strung across a fireplace, along a staircase, or above a window.
Gift wrapping embellishment: A small laurel sprig tied onto a wrapped gift instead of a bow adds an artisan touch that recipients absolutely love. It becomes part of the gift itself.
Clothing appliqué: Sew a sprig or wreath onto the pocket of a denim jacket, the collar of a cardigan, or the hem of a baby dress. It transforms a plain piece into something special.
Table décor: Individual sprigs arranged around place settings or across a table runner create a beautiful tablescape for dinner parties, bridal showers, or holiday meals.
Bookmarks: A single sprig with a long tail makes a charming bookmark. Work the stem chain extra long and leave the tail end loose as the page marker portion.
Baby headbands: Small sprigs are perfectly sized for infant headbands. Work them in soft cotton yarn for something gentle against delicate skin.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
A few practical notes that will help your laurel motifs come out looking their best every time.
Keep your tension consistent throughout each leaf. If your tension varies, the leaves will look uneven and won’t lay flat. If you tend to crochet tightly, try going up half a hook size. If your work comes out floppy, go down half a size.
Block your leaves and flowers before assembly. A light steam blocking or a quick wet blocking opens up the stitches beautifully and makes everything lay flat and smooth. This one step dramatically improves the finished appearance of your work.
When sewing motifs onto the stem, take your time and use small, neat stitches. The assembly is the step that makes or breaks the final look. Rushed assembly shows, while careful assembly makes your work look truly professional.
Use a yarn with some structure for this pattern. Very soft, drapey yarns like bamboo blends can make the leaves floppy. Cotton, cotton blends, or wool DK weight yarns hold their shape much better for dimensional decorative pieces.
If you’re making multiple sprigs for a wreath or garland, make all your leaves first in a batch, then all your flowers, then assemble everything at once. Working this way is faster and ensures a more consistent look across the whole project.
Sharing Your Work
If you make this laurel crochet flowers and leaves pattern, please share your finished pieces! Tag your projects on social media and leave a comment below describing what you made with it. Seeing how different yarn choices, color combinations, and project applications bring this pattern to life is one of the most rewarding parts of sharing a free pattern. Your creativity and variations inspire others in the crochet community to try new things and develop the pattern further in directions no single designer could anticipate alone.
This pattern is free for personal use and for making items to sell in small quantities. Please do not republish the pattern itself as your own, but you are absolutely welcome to sell finished items made from it.
Final Thoughts
This free laurel crochet flowers and leaves pattern gives you a foundational set of motifs that you’ll find yourself returning to for years. The individual components — the classic pointed leaf, the five-petal flower, and the simple slip-stitched stem — are all quick to work up and easy enough for confident beginners while still being satisfying for experienced crocheters. The assembled sprigs are elegant, timeless, and genuinely useful across a huge range of projects.
Whether you’re making something for yourself, crafting a heartfelt handmade gift, or building a collection of pieces to sell, the laurel design carries a sense of beauty and meaning that never goes out of style. Print out this pattern, pour yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy the process. Happy crocheting.
