Autumn Maple Leaf Crochet Centerpiece Pattern

Materials

• DK cotton yarn – warm cream 70–90 g
• DK cotton yarn – mustard yellow 25–35 g
• DK cotton yarn – burnt orange 25–35 g
• DK cotton yarn – deep burgundy 20–30 g
• DK cotton yarn – sage / olive green 25–35 g
• 3.5–4.0 mm crochet hook 1
• Yarn needle 1
• Scissors 1 pair
• Stitch markers optional

Abbreviations – US Terms

Finished Size

Approximately 45–50 cm / 18–20 in diameter from the tip of one maple leaf to the opposite leaf.

The cream lace center measures approximately 28–32 cm / 11–12.5 in across before the leaves are attached.

Construction Overview

1. Crochet the round cream lace centerpiece.
2. Block the center completely flat.
3. Crochet approximately 12 maple leaves in four autumn colors.
4. Add a narrow stem and surface-crochet vein to each leaf.
5. Arrange the leaves around the outer edge.
6. Sew the leaf bases securely to the cream centerpiece.
7. Block and shape the completed piece.

Part 1 – Cream Lace Center

Round 1

Using cream yarn, make a MR.

Ch 3, then work 15 dc into the ring.

Join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3.

16 dc.

Round 2

Ch 4.

Repeat around:

[dc in next st, ch 1]

Join with sl st into the third chain of beginning ch-4.

Round 3

Sl st into first ch-1 space.

Ch 3, 2 dc in same space, ch 2.

Repeat around:

[3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 2]

Join with sl st.

Part 2 – Build the Openwork Lace

Round 4

Sl st to first ch-2 space.

Ch 5.

Sc in next ch-2 space.

Repeat:

[ch 5, sc in next ch-2 sp]

around.

Round 5

Sl st into first ch-5 loop.

Work:

sc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, sc

into each ch-5 loop.

Repeat around.

Round 6

Sl st to the center of the first shell.

Repeat around:

[ch 6, sc into center of next shell]

Join with sl st.

Part 3 – Large Lace Fans

Round 7

Into each ch-6 space work:

sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc.

Round 8

Sl st to the center dc of first fan.

Repeat:

[ch 7, sc into center dc of next fan]

around.

Round 9

Into each ch-7 loop work:

sc, hdc, dc, 3 tr, dc, hdc, sc.

Repeat around.

Part 4 – Final Cream Lace Rounds

Round 10

Work behind the previous fans.

Repeat around:

[ch 8, sc between the next two fans]

Round 11

Into each ch-8 loop work:

sc, hdc, 2 dc, 3 tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc.

Round 12

Work evenly around the entire outer edge:

[sc in next 3 sts, ch 3, skip 1 st]

Adjust slightly where necessary so the final round lies completely flat.

Join and FO.

Part 5 – Crochet Maple Leaf

Make approximately 12 leaves.

A balanced color arrangement can be:

• 3 mustard yellow leaves
• 3 burnt orange leaves
• 3 sage / olive green leaves
• 3 burgundy leaves

Each leaf is worked from the center outward to create the characteristic pointed maple shape.

Leaf Center

Ch 10.

Starting in second ch from hook, work:

sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr, tr, dc, hdc, sc.

Do not fasten off.

Part 6 – First Side of Maple Leaf

Working around the side of the center section:

Ch 5.

Starting in second ch from hook:

sl st, sc, hdc, dc.

Sl st back into the center section.

This creates the first small point.

Next:

Ch 7.

Starting in second ch:

sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr, dtr.

Sl st into the center.

This creates the large side lobe.

Next:

Ch 5.

Work:

sl st, sc, hdc, dc.

Sl st into the center.

Part 7 – Top Point

At the top of the leaf:

Ch 9.

Starting in second ch from hook, work:

sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr, dtr, tr, dc.

Sl st securely into the center.

This creates the long central maple point.

Part 8 – Second Side of Maple Leaf

Mirror the first side.

Make one ch-5 small point.

Make one ch-7 large side point.

Make one final ch-5 small point.

Sl st at the base.

The leaf should now have a recognizable maple silhouette with a tall center point and symmetrical side lobes.

Part 9 – Define the Leaf Edges

Work one round of sc around the entire leaf.

At the tip of each major point work:

sc, picot, sc

into the tip stitch.

Between the points, use slip stitches or sc to create slightly deeper valleys.

This contrast between pointed tips and narrow valleys gives the leaf its crisp maple shape.

Part 10 – Crochet the Stem

At the bottom center of the leaf:

Ch 8–10.

Starting in second ch from hook, sl st back along every chain.

Sl st into the leaf base.

FO leaving a long sewing tail.

The stem should extend slightly inward over the cream lace when the leaf is attached.

Part 11 – Add the Raised Leaf Vein

Join matching yarn at the base of the leaf.

Surface crochet a line of slip stitches from the stem through the center and toward the tip.

For the side veins, embroider short diagonal lines extending from the center vein toward the main leaf points.

Keep the surface stitches slightly raised.

This detail gives the maple leaves the textured, dimensional appearance of the inspiration.

Part 12 – Arrange the Leaves

Place the blocked cream centerpiece on a flat surface.

Arrange the 12 maple leaves around the outer edge before sewing anything.

Alternate the colors rather than grouping identical shades together.

A beautiful sequence is:

mustard → sage → burnt orange → burgundy → mustard → sage → orange → burgundy, continuing around the circle.

Allow neighboring leaves to overlap slightly.

The pointed ends should face outward while the stems point toward the center.

Part 13 – Attach the Leaves

Use the long yarn tails and a yarn needle.

Begin by sewing the base of each leaf securely to the outer cream round.

Add several small stitches along the lower center vein.

Leave most of the outer points unattached.

This allows the edges to lift naturally and gives the centerpiece its dimensional appearance.

Repeat for all leaves.

Part 14 – Secure the Stems

Lay each stem toward the center of the cream lace.

Sew approximately the first half of the stem to the lace.

Leave the final section slightly raised if you want a more dimensional botanical appearance.

Weave all yarn ends securely into the back of the work.

Part 15 – Final Blocking

Lightly dampen the finished centerpiece.

Lay it flat on a blocking mat or thick towel.

Pin the cream lace center into a perfect circle.

Shape every maple leaf individually.

Pull the central point gently outward.

Spread the side lobes and define the valleys between them.

Allow neighboring leaves to overlap naturally.

Leave completely flat until dry.

Color Palette

Classic Autumn: mustard, rust orange, burgundy and olive green.

Soft Fall: caramel, dusty orange, sage, cream and muted wine.

Thanksgiving: pumpkin orange, golden yellow, dark brown and forest green.

Modern Neutral: beige, terracotta, mocha and eucalyptus green.

Woodland: moss green, burnt sienna, ochre and deep brown.

Elegant Autumn: ivory, wine red, antique gold and dark sage.

Ways to Customize It

• Use only three leaf colors for a calmer palette.
• Add tiny crochet acorns between some of the leaves.
• Add small orange or burgundy crochet berries.
• Make the cream center larger for a dining-table centerpiece.
• Use fewer leaves for a lighter, more minimal design.
• Add a thin brown border around the cream lace.
• Use variegated autumn yarn for naturally changing leaf colors.
• Create matching maple-leaf coasters.
• Use individual leaves as fall garland decorations.
• Make smaller leaves for napkin rings.

Using It With a Candle

The finished centerpiece looks beautiful with a candle placed in the middle, but always use a glass candle holder or flameless LED candle.

Keep open flame well away from yarn and raised crochet leaves.

For everyday decor, an LED candle gives the same warm autumn effect without exposing the crochet to flame or melted wax.

Care Instructions

Hand wash gently in cool water.

Use a mild detergent.

Do not twist or wring.

Press excess water gently between towels.

Lay completely flat to dry.

Reshape every maple leaf while damp.

Do not tumble dry.

Store flat between seasons whenever possible.