Christmas Crochet Leaf Doily Pattern

Materials

• DK cotton yarn – warm cream 250–300 g
• DK cotton yarn – sage or Christmas green 150–200 g
• DK cotton yarn – deep Christmas red 120–170 g
• 3.0–3.5 mm crochet hook 1
• Yarn needle 1
• Scissors 1 pair
• Stitch markers 6–8
• Blocking pins optional

Abbreviations – US Terms

Finished Size

Approximately 60–70 cm / 24–28 in across, depending on yarn, hook size and the number of outer leaves.

The central cream circle measures approximately 38–42 cm / 15–16.5 in before the leaf border is attached.

Construction Overview

The design is created in three sections:

1. Crochet the large round cream center.
2. Make individual dimensional leaf motifs in red, green and cream.
3. Arrange and attach the leaves around the outside edge.

The leaves overlap slightly, creating the rich layered appearance shown in the inspiration.

Part 1 – Cream Center

Round 1

Make a MR.

Ch 3, work 11 dc into the ring.

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

12 dc.

Round 2

Ch 3, 1 dc in same st.

Work 2 dc in each st around.

Join.

24 dc.

Round 3

Ch 3, 2 dc in next st.

Repeat [1 dc, 2 dc in next st] around.

Join.

36 dc.

Round 4

Repeat [dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st] around.

48 dc.

Part 2 – Continue the Circular Center

Round 5

Repeat [dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st] around.

Round 6

Repeat [dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st] around.

Round 7

Repeat [dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st] around.

Continue following the same increase principle, adding one additional stitch between increases on every round.

Keep checking that the circle lies completely flat.

Part 3 – Decorative Openwork Rounds

Once the center measures approximately 25–28 cm / 10–11 in, introduce subtle openwork.

Openwork Round 1

Ch 4.

Repeat:

[skip 1 st, dc in next st, ch 1]

around.

Join with sl st.

Next Round

Work 1 dc into each dc and 1 dc into each ch-1 sp, increasing evenly as needed to keep the piece flat.

Part 4 – Outer Cream Rounds

Continue alternating solid dc rounds with occasional openwork rounds until the center reaches approximately 38–42 cm / 15–16.5 in.

Finish the center with one round of sc.

Do not fasten off yet if you plan to crochet the leaves directly onto the border.

Part 5 – Large Crochet Leaf

The outer border uses pointed dimensional leaves with a raised center vein.

Ch 18.

Starting in the second chain from hook, work:

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

Work 3 sc into the final chain.

Continue along the opposite side of the foundation chain, mirroring the stitches:

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

Join at the base.

Part 6 – Shape the Leaf Points

Work one additional round around the leaf.

Along each side, alternate:

sc, hdc, dc, picot, dc, hdc, sc

at selected points to create the serrated maple-like edge.

At the tip work:

[sc, ch 3, sl st into first ch, sc]

This creates a defined pointed tip.

Part 7 – Raised Leaf Vein

Turn the leaf so the right side faces you.

Join yarn at the base.

Work surface slip stitches along the original foundation chain toward the leaf tip.

Alternatively, work FPsc around the central foundation stitches.

This raised line creates the prominent central vein visible on each leaf.

Part 8 – Side Veins

For extra texture, embroider two or three short diagonal lines from the center vein toward each side using a yarn needle.

Keep the embroidery loose so the leaf remains flat.

This step is optional but gives the motifs a more realistic botanical appearance.

Part 9 – Make the Leaves

For a full border similar to the inspiration, make approximately:

• 8–10 sage green leaves
• 7–9 deep red leaves
• 4–6 cream leaves

You may need a few additional motifs depending on your yarn and finished leaf size.

Before sewing anything, arrange every leaf around the center to determine the best spacing.

Part 10 – Smaller Accent Leaves

To fill small spaces between large motifs, make several smaller leaves.

Ch 13.

Starting in the second chain:

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

Work around the opposite side using the same sequence.

Add a pointed tip and surface crochet center vein.

Part 11 – Plan the Christmas Color Arrangement

Place the cream center flat on a table or blocking mat.

Arrange the large leaves around the outside.

Alternate the colors loosely:

green → red → cream → green → red

but avoid making the arrangement perfectly repetitive.

Allow neighboring leaves to overlap slightly.

Point some leaves directly outward and angle others gently left or right.

Part 12 – Attach the First Layer

Thread a yarn needle with matching yarn.

Position a leaf so approximately 2–3 cm / ¾–1¼ in overlaps the cream center.

Sew the bottom third of the leaf securely to the final rounds of the center.

Leave the outer two-thirds unattached so the leaf keeps its dimensional appearance.

Repeat around the entire circle.

Part 13 – Add the Second Layer

Place additional leaves over the gaps between the first layer.

Overlap the bases slightly.

Sew only near the base and lower center vein.

Keep the tips free.

This second layer creates the lush Christmas wreath effect around the mat.

Part 14 – Center Floral Detail

For the decorative flower in the middle, join red yarn into a central round.

Create six petal foundations:

[ch 5, sl st into the next appropriate stitch] × 6.

Into each loop work:

sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc.

FO.

Join cream yarn in the center and create a smaller six-petal flower using:

[ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st]

for each petal.

Part 15 – Optional Christmas Poinsettia Center

For an even more festive center, make two layers of pointed petals.

Large red layer: 6 petals.

Small cream layer: 6 petals.

Stack the cream layer over the red layer and sew securely into the center.

Add a small embroidered gold center if desired.

Part 16 – Final Border Stabilization

Turn the piece over.

Using cream yarn, work small hidden stitches between neighboring leaf bases.

This prevents the motifs from shifting while leaving the outer tips flexible.

Do not sew around the complete edge of each leaf.

Blocking

Blocking makes a major difference with this design.

1. Lightly dampen the finished mat.
2. Lay the cream center completely flat.
3. Spread each leaf individually.
4. Shape the pointed tips with your fingers.
5. Pin only where necessary.
6. Allow the piece to dry completely.

Keep the leaves slightly dimensional rather than pressing them completely flat.

Color Variations

Classic Christmas: cream, deep red and forest green.

Vintage Christmas: ivory, burgundy and muted sage.

Neutral Christmas: cream, oatmeal, taupe and olive.

Snowy Christmas: white, pale sage and dusty red.

Golden Christmas: ivory, dark green, burgundy and small touches of mustard gold.

Ways to Use the Finished Piece

• Christmas dining-table centerpiece
• Holiday coffee-table mat
• Decorative mat beneath a small Christmas tree
• Large festive doily
• Entryway table decoration
• Christmas gift-table centerpiece
• Winter wall hanging

Care Instructions

Hand wash gently in cool water.

Do not twist or wring the leaves.

Press excess water out between clean towels.

Lay flat and reshape the center.

Arrange each leaf before allowing the piece to dry.

Do not tumble dry.