A New Leaf
As a little distraction from the ongoing work on the Blue Mystery, I played around with an idea that's been in my head for a while. It's a pattern for a mountain laurel leaf, inspired by the annual Laurel Parade at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. On the day before commencement, graduating seniors (wearing white in solidarity with those who fought for women's right to vote), carry garlands made of mountain laurel leaves as they march in a parade to the grave of College founder Mary Lyon. Alumnae attending reunion march with them and also wear white. At the gravesite, the laurel garlands are wound around the cast-iron fence surrounding Mary Lyon’s grave.
I work at the College, and in the days following commencement I always enjoy seeing the laurel garlands on the fence. It’s a moving reminder that all of us associated with Mount Holyoke are connected thanks to one woman’s vision and determination. So, for Mount Holyoke knitters everywhere, I offer this laurel leaf pattern. Make two, and you’ve got a pair of earrings; make three or more and be clever about attaching them to a chain or cord, and you’ve got a bracelet or a necklace. Make lots—and you’ve got a garland!
Of course, you don’t need to be affiliated with Mount Holyoke to knit this pattern. I hope anyone who loves mountain laurel or leaves of any kind will enjoy making it.
Mountain Laurel Leaf Pattern
Materials needed: a few yards of fingering weight yarn or laceweight yarn held double; double-pointed needles, US1/2.50mm or US2/2.75mm; tapestry needle
Abbreviations:
k – knit
p = purl
kfb = knit into the front and back of the same stitch (1 st increased)
skp = slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over (1 st decreased; leans left)
k2tog = knit 2 together (1 st decreased; leans right)
Stem
Cast on 3 stitches, leaving an 8-inch tail. Knit a 3-st I-cord for a half inch or so. Turn work.
Base
Set-up row (WS): k1, p1, k1
R1 (RS): kfb, k1, kfb (5 st)
R2 and all WS rows: knit to center stitch, p1, knit to end
R3: kfb, k to last st, kfb (7 st)
R5: same as R3 (9 st)
R7: same as R3 (11 st)
End with a WS row.
Body
R1 (RS): Knit all st
R2 (WS): Knit to center st, p1, knit to end
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the leaf body is the desired length.
Tip
R1 (RS): k1, skp, k to last 3 st, k2tog, k1 (9 st)
R2 (WS): knit to center st, p1, knit to end
R3: knit all st
R4: knit to center st, p1, knit to end
R5: k1, skp, k to last 3 st, k2tog, k1 (7 st)
R6: knit to center st, p1, knit to end
R7: knit all st
R8: knit to center st, p1, knit to end
R9: k1, skp, k to last 3 st, k2tog, k1 (5 st)
R10: knit to center st, p1, knit to end
R11: knit all st
R12: knit to center st, p1, knit to end
R13: skp, k1, k2tog (3 st)
R14: k1, p1, k1
R15 (RS): skp, k1
R16 (WS): k2tog
Draw yarn through last st, thread on tapestry needle, and weave in. The cast-on tail can be thread on a tapestry needle, drawn through the stem, and cut, or used to attach the leaf to a chain or cord.
To make leaves of different sizes and shapes: The width of the leaf can be varied by working more or fewer increase rows on the leaf base. The shape of the base and the tip can be varied by working more or fewer RS “knit all st” rows between the increase and decrease rows.
In the photo above, the top leaf was knit with Jaeger Baby Merino 4-ply, color #125; the middle leaf with a double strand of Knit Picks Shadow in Lost Lake; and the bottom leaf with Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Loden.
The pattern is also available as a free PDF in my Ravelry store.
Labels: Mountain Laurel Leaf
posted by Bonnie at 4/06/2008
8 Comments:
Bonnie,
Those leaves are really cute and they would do well as Earrings and a matching Pin. I will see you end of May.
Mom
Mountain Laurels! What I wouldn't do to see one in full bloom in the spring again.
Those are fabulous! I had an obsession with all things Roman (ended up majoring in Classics...), and one year, I went as a Roman emperor. I made a lauren wreath out of my mom's bay leaves. But these would be so much better!
Nice design, Bonnie. Perfect for this time of year.
Love these! Thanks for sharing your pattern!
Ang
Lovely! They would make great bookmarks with the stem knitted longer. I can see them as brooch pins too! Thanks for the pattern!
Hi Bonnie! I've made the bookmarks. I wished I used a different yarn but my mother-in-law likes her new leaf bookmarks. I will be making more :) I've added the bookmark project in Ravelry. Thanks for the pattern!
Hello Bonnie, I am also an artist and knitter. I love your pattern. I'm working on a project called Mothers Transform the Environment and asking for mothers to send me leaves (knitted, crocheted, fiber, paper) to contribute to a performance/installation. Would you allow me to post your pattern on my blog? And would you like to contribute a leaf?
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