Pretty Leaf Knitting Patterns for Fall

It’s been a while (since 2023, it turns out) since I’ve done a post on leaf knitting patterns, so I wanted to share a few more. Leaves are fun to knit, take a small amount of yarn, and they’re great to use in your decor year after year.

I’ve been wanting to knit a scarf made out of knit leaves for years; maybe this will actually be the year I do it! In the meantime, I hope these leaf knitting patterns inspire you to knit up some fall decor.

These sweet little autumn leaves from Everything Shapes Us are similar in design to my dreamed of scarf leaf (though mine would be worked in super bulky yarn). This is a great basic shape to start with if you’ve never knit leaves before. It calls for sock yarn but you can use two strands held together to make bigger leaves if you like.

The little leaves from JaNae Knits are also great beginner projects because they’re worked in garter stitch. These use worsted weight yarn and are so pretty when you work a bunch of them in a multicolored yarn because it looks like your leaves are turning right on the needles! The designer says these are inspired by elm leaves.

If you’d like an array of leaves to knit in a single pattern, this collection from Tiny Knitting includes five different leaves and an acorn pattern for extra cuteness. The pattern notes don’t indicate the weight of yarn used but it looks like DK to worsted (and of course you can use different weights to make different sizes of leaves).

Or if you want your leaves more on the chunky side, check out this pattern for a coaster-sized leaf from 3 Monkeys Inc. This one mostly uses garter stitch as well, and while the pattern shows them being used as coasters, I think this size would be great for knitting a fall leaf garland.

Svetlana Gordo’s Knitted Maple Leaf gives you a ton of options for your leaf knitting. The pattern includes three sizes of leaf and also encourages you to play with the yarn weight. Make a tiny leaf with lace weight yarn you can wear as a brooch, or use super bulky and the larger pattern to make a rug. Either way you’re sure to enjoy this pretty pattern, which you can find on Ravelry.

Vicki Monthe’s ginko leaf knitting pattern isn’t strictly fall, but I found it and couldn’t resist sharing because ginko leaves are such a fun shape. This design calls for fingering weight yarn and comes out to about 3.75 inches wide by 2.5 inches long (that’s 9.4 by 6.4 cm). The designer says each leaf takes about two hours to make. The pattern is free on Ravelry.

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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