Easy Crochet Leaf Pattern — Beginner-Friendly Monstera Wall Hanging
If you’ve ever walked into a beautifully decorated room and spotted a lush, botanical wall hanging that made you stop and think “I need that,” you’re not alone. Monstera leaves have become one of the most beloved design motifs of the past decade, and for good reason. Their dramatic, split-leaf silhouette brings an organic, tropical energy to any space. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert crafter to make your own. This easy crochet leaf pattern is designed specifically for beginners who want to create a stunning monstera wall hanging without feeling overwhelmed by complicated stitches or confusing instructions.
Whether you’re picking up a crochet hook for the first time or you’ve made a few dishcloths and granny squares and want to try something more decorative, this project is for you. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a gorgeous, textured wall hanging that looks like it came from a boutique home décor store — and it cost you almost nothing to make.
Let’s get into it.
Why Crochet Monstera Leaves Make the Perfect Wall Hanging
Before we dive into the pattern itself, let’s talk about why this particular project works so well for beginners. Unlike garments or accessories that need precise sizing and shaping, a wall hanging is forgiving. If your tension is a little uneven or your leaves come out slightly different sizes, it only adds to the handmade charm. Botanical shapes are inherently asymmetrical in nature, so any small variations in your work will look intentional rather than like mistakes.
Monstera deliciosa leaves, with their distinctive holes (called fenestrations) and deep cuts along the edges, are also surprisingly fun to interpret in crochet. You’re essentially working around spaces rather than filling them in, which gives you a chance to practice some fundamental techniques like chain spaces and slip stitches in a low-stakes, creative way.
This wall hanging also makes an excellent gift. A handmade piece of wall art feels thoughtful and personal, and because it’s lightweight fiber rather than heavy canvas or wood, it’s easy to ship and easy to hang.
Materials You’ll Need
One of the things beginners love about this project is how affordable it is to get started. You don’t need specialty yarn or expensive tools. Here’s everything you’ll want to gather before you begin.
For yarn, choose a worsted weight (size 4) cotton or cotton-blend yarn in forest green, sage, or whatever green shade speaks to you. Cotton is ideal for this project because it holds its shape well and gives the leaves a slightly structured, realistic look. You’ll need approximately 200 to 250 yards total, which is usually less than two standard skeins. If you want to add depth, pick up a second shade — a lighter lime green or a deep emerald — so you can alternate between leaves for a more dynamic display.
For your crochet hook, a size 5mm (H/8) hook is a great match for worsted weight cotton. If you tend to crochet tightly, consider going up to a 5.5mm (I/9) hook so your work stays relaxed and your stitches are easy to see.
You’ll also need a wooden dowel rod, roughly 12 to 14 inches long. Craft stores sell these inexpensively, and you can even find them at dollar stores. You’ll hang your finished leaves from this dowel to create the wall hanging display. Pick up a length of macramé cord or twine for hanging — about 24 inches of natural jute or cotton rope looks beautiful against the green leaves.
Finally, gather a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, a pair of scissors, and stitch markers if you have them (though they’re optional for this pattern). That’s truly all you need.
Understanding the Basic Stitches
This pattern uses only a handful of stitches that every beginner learns early on. If you already know how to chain, single crochet, and slip stitch, you’re almost entirely prepared. Here’s a quick refresher on the stitches used.
The chain stitch (abbreviated ch) is the foundation of crochet. You’ll use chains to start each leaf, to create the fenestration spaces inside the leaf, and to form decorative loops at the top for attaching your leaves to the dowel.
The single crochet (sc) is the most basic stitch, short and tight. You’ll use it along the sides of the leaf and around the inner holes to create clean, defined edges.
The half double crochet (hdc) is just one step taller than a single crochet. It creates a slightly looser, more relaxed fabric that works beautifully for the mid-sections of each leaf where you want a bit more drape.
The double crochet (dc) is the tallest stitch used in this pattern. It appears along the wider, central parts of the leaf where you need the shape to curve outward and look full and rounded.
The slip stitch (sl st) is used to join rounds, close off sections, and create seamless transitions between areas. It doesn’t add height; it simply connects your working yarn to another stitch.
If any of these feel unfamiliar, spend ten minutes watching a short tutorial video on each one before starting. Once your hands know the muscle memory, the pattern itself will flow naturally.
The Basic Monstera Leaf Pattern
This pattern creates one medium-sized monstera leaf, approximately 8 to 10 inches long and 5 to 6 inches wide. Make three to five of these leaves to create a full wall hanging, adjusting the number based on how wide your dowel is and how lush you want the display to look.
Begin by chaining 20. This is your foundation chain, and it forms the central spine of the leaf.
Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, single crochet in the first 3 chains. Half double crochet in the next 4 chains. Double crochet in the next 6 chains. Half double crochet in the next 4 chains. Single crochet in the last 2 chains. Work 3 single crochets into the very last chain to create the rounded tip of the leaf. Now you’ll work back along the other side of the foundation chain, mirroring what you just did. Single crochet in 2 chains, half double crochet in 4 chains, double crochet in 6 chains, half double crochet in 4 chains, single crochet in 3 chains. Slip stitch to join at the base of the leaf. Do not turn.
You now have the basic oval shape of the leaf. From here, you’ll add the characteristic fenestration holes and the deep side cuts that make a monstera look like a monstera.
To create the first side cut, join your yarn at the point on the left side of the leaf where the half double crochet section meets the single crochet section. Chain 8. Slip stitch back along those 8 chains into the first chain closest to the leaf edge, creating a small triangular notch. Fasten off this short section and weave in the end.
Repeat this step on the right side of the leaf to mirror the cut.
For the inner fenestration holes, return to the center of your leaf along the double crochet section. Using a stitch marker or your tapestry needle, identify the center 4 stitches of the double crochet area. You’ll work around these to create the appearance of a hole. Join your yarn at the first of these 4 stitches, chain 10, and slip stitch to the 4th stitch to form a loop. Work 12 single crochets evenly around this loop to give the hole a neat, finished edge. Fasten off and weave in your ends.
For a larger or more mature-looking monstera leaf, add a second smaller hole above the first one using the same technique with a chain 7 loop and 9 single crochets around it.
Your leaf is now complete. It should have a rounded tip, two notched cuts along the sides, and one or two open holes in the center — everything you need to capture that iconic monstera look.
Adding the Hanging Loop
Before attaching your leaf to the dowel, create a small loop at the base of the leaf’s stem area. Join your yarn at the very bottom center of the leaf. Chain 12, then slip stitch back into the base to form a loop. Work 12 single crochets around the loop for structure. Fasten off and weave in the end. This loop will slip over the dowel or can be tied directly onto the rod using your hanging cord.
Making Additional Leaf Sizes
A wall hanging with leaves all the same size can look a little flat. To add visual interest, make at least one smaller leaf and one larger leaf to create hierarchy and depth in your display.
For a small leaf, start with a foundation chain of 14 instead of 20, and work the same stitch progression on a smaller scale. Skip the second fenestration hole and make just one small side cut on each edge.
For a large leaf, start with a foundation chain of 26 to 28. Add an extra 2 double crochets on each pass through the center section. Create two fenestration holes stacked vertically, and add a third side cut slightly lower on the leaf. The larger leaf can serve as the centerpiece of your wall hanging, flanked by the medium and small leaves on either side.
Assembling the Wall Hanging
Once you’ve made your full set of leaves — ideally three to five depending on the width of your dowel — it’s time to bring everything together.
Lay your dowel on a flat surface and arrange your leaves across it, playing with the spacing until you find a layout you love. Odd numbers of leaves tend to look more natural and balanced than even numbers, so a grouping of three or five works especially well. Consider alternating between any different shades of green you’ve used, and vary the heights slightly by adjusting how high or low each leaf hangs from the dowel.
Once you’re happy with the arrangement, attach each leaf to the dowel. You can do this by simply looping the hanging loop you created over the dowel, or by threading a short piece of your macramé cord through the loop and tying it onto the rod. Use a simple double knot to secure each leaf firmly so it won’t slide along the rod when hung on the wall.
For the wall hanging cord, cut two equal lengths of macramé rope, each about 12 inches long. Tie one end of each piece to the far left and far right ends of the dowel, then tie the other ends together above the center of the dowel to form a triangular hanger. This is the simplest and most secure way to hang a dowel rod, and it keeps everything level.
If you want to add extra texture or visual interest, tie a few shorter pieces of natural jute twine between the leaves in loose, looping knots. You can also tuck in a few small dried leaves, sprigs of eucalyptus, or wooden beads along the dowel for a more layered, artisan look.
Tips for Beginners
A few things will make this project go more smoothly, especially if this is one of your first times working with a shaped piece rather than a flat square or rectangle.
Read through the entire pattern before you begin. This is a habit that every experienced crafter will tell you saves enormous amounts of frustration. When you’ve read the full instructions once, the individual steps feel much less mysterious.
Work slowly during the foundation chain. Uneven tension in your chain is the most common cause of a leaf that looks lumpy or pulls to one side. Take your time on those first 20 chains and try to keep each stitch roughly the same size.
Don’t be afraid to pull back and redo a section. Crochet is extremely forgiving — you can unravel stitches and redo them without any lasting damage to your yarn. Getting the shape right matters more than getting through the pattern quickly.
Block your finished leaves before assembling them. Blocking means lightly dampening your finished piece with water and pinning it flat on a foam mat or towel to dry in the shape you want. This makes an enormous difference with cotton yarn, smoothing out any uneven tension and giving your leaves a crisp, professional finish. Let them dry completely before assembling.
Use stitch markers generously. Even if the pattern doesn’t call for them at every step, placing a stitch marker at the beginning of each section helps you count accurately and keeps you from losing your place.
Customizing Your Monstera Wall Hanging
Once you’re comfortable with the basic pattern, there’s so much room to make this project your own.
Try switching up your color palette entirely. A set of cream or off-white monstera leaves creates a beautiful, neutral wall hanging that works in almost any room. Deep terracotta, rust, or burnt orange leaves look stunning in a bohemian or southwestern-inspired space. You could even make a set of variegated leaves using self-striping yarn for a more playful, colorful display.
Vary the textures by mixing yarn weights. Try one leaf in bulky yarn and another in fingering weight — the size contrast will be dramatic and eye-catching even if you follow exactly the same pattern.
Add embellishments like wooden rings, glass beads threaded onto the hanging cord, or small woven circles made from macramé cord interspersed between the leaves. The dowel itself can be painted, stained, or wrapped in yarn or twine to coordinate with your color palette.
For a more maximalist display, create seven to nine leaves of varying sizes and arrange them across a longer dowel or driftwood piece. This kind of lush, layered display becomes a true focal point in a room, the kind of piece people notice the moment they walk in.
Caring for Your Crochet Wall Hanging
Because this piece is purely decorative, you won’t need to wash it often. When it does collect dust, the easiest approach is to gently shake it outside or use the low-heat, no-brush attachment on a vacuum to remove surface dust without disturbing the shape.
If you need to wash it, hand washing in cool water with a gentle soap is best for cotton yarn. Lay it flat to dry rather than hanging it, which can stretch the fibers while wet. Once dry, give it a light steam with a garment steamer if needed to refresh its shape.
Store it folded loosely rather than rolled tightly if you ever need to put it away, and keep it somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight, which can fade even colorfast dyes over time.
A Project Worth Making
There’s something deeply satisfying about turning a ball of yarn into a piece of art that lives on your wall and brightens a room every single day. This easy crochet leaf pattern proves that you don’t need advanced skills or expensive materials to make something genuinely beautiful. All you need is a little patience, a few basic stitches, and the willingness to try.
Whether this is your very first crochet project or your fiftieth, the monstera wall hanging is one of those makes that you’ll be proud to display — and that people will always ask you about. So grab your hook, pick your green, and get started. Your wall is waiting.
