Free Crochet Maple Leaf Pattern – Easy Fall Applique

Q: How do you crochet a maple leaf for beginners?

This free crochet maple leaf pattern is designed for advanced beginners. If you are comfortable with single crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet, you can make this leaf with ease. The simple shaping helps build confidence.

Q: Can I make the maple leaf bigger or smaller?

Yes. The finished size of your maple leaf crochet applique changes with yarn and hook choice. A larger hook and thicker yarn produce a bigger leaf; a smaller hook and thinner yarn create a smaller applique.

Q: What yarn is best for this crochet maple leaf pattern?

Worsted weight (#4) yarn works well. Try cotton for coasters or acrylic for appliques and garlands. Fall colors like red, orange, yellow, and brown look especially seasonal.

Q: What can I use crochet maple leaf appliques for?

Use them as appliques on hats and scarves, string them into a garland, make coasters, scatter them across a Thanksgiving table, or add them as gift toppers.

Fall is the perfect time to bring cozy, handmade touches into your home, and this free crochet maple leaf pattern makes it easy! These little leaves work up quickly, use simple stitches, and are ideal for beginners. With just a small amount of yarn, you can create beautiful maple leaves in all your favorite autumn colors.

Not only are they fun to make, but this maple leaf crochet pattern is also incredibly versatile. From home décor to handmade gifts, these leaves can be used in so many creative ways to celebrate the season. If you love making appliques, you might also enjoy my free crochet sunflower applique pattern and free crochet pumpkin applique pattern. Both pair beautifully with this maple leaf and make the perfect seasonal decorations. Scroll down for the full free pattern.

Quick and easy crochet maple leaf applique pattern. Free step-by-step tutorial showing how to make colorful fall leaf appliques in green, brown, orange, and yellow yarn.

Ways to use your crochet maple leaf

One of the best things about this project is how many ways you can use your finished leaves. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Appliques – Sew them onto hats, scarves, bags, or blankets for a seasonal touch. Try mixing them with my sunflower crochet applique pattern to create a full autumn theme.
Garlands – String a set together in fall colors to hang across your mantel, doorway, or window. Add in other shapes from my free leaf applique patterns for variety.
Coasters – Make a set in cotton yarn for a festive and functional autumn coaster collection.
Table décor – Scatter them across your Thanksgiving table or use them as napkin ring accents. Pair them with sunflower appliques for a rustic farmhouse look.
Gift toppers – Add one to a wrapped present for a handmade finishing touch.
Craft fairs – Quick to make and always popular, these leaves are great sellers at fall markets.

With so many possibilities, this free crochet maple leaf pattern is a must-try seasonal project that you’ll find yourself making again and again.

Six colorful crochet maple leaf appliques in green, brown, orange, yellow, and gold with a purple crochet hook. Easy fall crochet maple leaf pattern.

Crochet maple leaf pattern details

Skill level

Advanced beginner – This pattern uses basic stitches and simple shaping, making it a great project if you’re comfortable with the crochet basics and ready to try something a little more detailed.

Materials you’ll need

Crochet hook size G-6 (4 mm) – Adjusting your hook size will change the finished size of the leaf; larger hooks make bigger leaves, smaller hooks make smaller ones.
Worsted weight yarn (#4) – Use your favorite fall colors for realistic or decorative leaves.
Yarn needle – For weaving in ends neatly.
Scissors – To cut your yarn.
Stitch markers (optional) – Helpful for keeping track of rounds and stitch counts.

Finished size

The leaf applique measures approximately 4 inches (10 cm) wide by 4 inches (10 cm) tall.

Gauge

Gauge isn’t important for this applique since the size doesn’t need to be exact.

Crochet abbreviations

dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet
sc = single crochet
ch / chs = chain / chains
st / sts = stitch / stitches
sl st = slip stitch

Pattern notes

This flat maple leaf is worked in the round.
Chain 1 at the start of each round (does not count as a stitch).
Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch of the round.
The pattern is written in US terms.

Free crochet maple leaf pattern instructions

Round 1:
Make a magic circle. Ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring. Join with a sl st. (6 sts)
Round 2:
Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Join. (12 sts)
Round 3:
Ch 1, *2 sc in first/next st, sc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (18 sts)
Round 4:
Ch 1, *2 sc in first/next st, sc in next 2 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (24 sts)
Round 5:
Ch 2, *2 sc in first/next st, sc in next 3 sts; repeat from * around. Join. (30 sts)
Round 6 (shaping the leaf):

Stem: Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 chs. Sl st in next 2 sts.
Point 1: In next st (sc, hdc). In next st (dc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook). Dc in next st. In next st (hdc, sc). Sl st in next st.
Point 2: In next st (hdc, dc). In next st (tr, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook). Tr in next st. In next st (dc, hdc). Sl st in next 2 sts.
Point 3: In next st (hdc, dc, tr). In next st (tr, tr, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook). 2 tr in next st. In next st (tr, dc, hdc). Sl st in next 2 sts.
Point 4: In next st (hdc, dc). In next st (tr, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook). Tr in next st. In next st (dc, hdc). Sl st in next st.
Point 5: In next st (sc, hdc). In next st (dc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook). Dc in next st. In next st (hdc, sc). Sl st in last st. Join.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Frequently asked questions

How do you crochet a maple leaf for beginners?
This free crochet maple leaf pattern is designed for advanced beginners. If you’re comfortable with basic stitches like single crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet, you’ll be able to make this leaf with ease. The simple shaping makes it a great project to build confidence.

Can I make the maple leaf bigger or smaller?
Yes! The finished size of your maple leaf crochet applique will change depending on the yarn and hook you use. A larger hook and thicker yarn will give you a bigger leaf, while a smaller hook and thinner yarn will create a smaller applique.

What yarn is best for this crochet maple leaf pattern?
Worsted weight (#4) yarn works perfectly for this project, but you can experiment with cotton yarn for coasters or acrylic yarn for appliques and garlands. Using fall colors like red, orange, yellow, and brown makes the leaves look especially seasonal.

What can I use crochet maple leaf appliques for?
These crochet leaves are versatile! You can turn them into coasters, sew them onto hats and scarves as appliques, string them together for a garland, scatter them across your Thanksgiving table, or use them as gift toppers.

How long does it take to make one crochet maple leaf?
This free crochet maple leaf pattern works up quickly—most crocheters can complete one leaf in just 15–20 minutes.