Little Leaves

I get a lot of questions about what to do with the top of a baby bootie. I shy away from suggestions because I’m all about creativity and doing what makes you happy. But there’s a simple rule of thumb I always use when tackling a decoration–and that’s scale.

It’s important to keep in mind that when you’re dealing with tiny baby booties, you need to scale everything that goes on top WAY down so that it will be in proportion with the overall shoe.

Several small flowers clustered together or one large flower in the center is always stunning.

Small appliques and even tiny stuffed animal heads are ADORABLE! Really, your imagination is the only limit when it comes to how a plain pair of booties are decorated.

Today I’m going to give you a pattern for a simple leaf to use under small flowers for the tops of baby booties.

We’ll start with the single leaf.

Little Leaves (Single Leaf)

Materials Needed:

Size D (3.25mm) crochet hook (Or size needed to create the length of the leaf you desire–this pattern will work with any size hook.)
Small amount of 4 ply worsted weight green yarn
Tapestry needle

Note: Leaf will be worked on both sides of the foundation chain (top and bottom). DO NOT turn your work.

Stitches Used:

Ch: Chain
Sc: Single crochet
Hdc: Half double crochet
Dc: Double crochet
Sl st: Slip stitch

Ch 5

Sc in first ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch. ROTATE your leaf so you can work the underside of your foundation ch.

Dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in the top and finish off. Weave in tails and sew to your project with a length of the same color green yarn.

Finished leaf using a D hook measures approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm).

The second way to tackle leaves is to crochet them both together. Not only does making two leaves combined into one piece save time, it’s easier on your hands when it comes time to sew them on the bootie.

Little Leaves (Double Leaf)

Materials Needed:

Size D (3.25mm) crochet hook (Or size needed to create the length of the leaf you desire–this pattern will work with any size hook.)
Small amount of 4 ply worsted weight green yarn
Tapestry needle

Note: Leaf will be worked on both sides of the foundation chain (top and bottom). DO NOT turn your work.

Stitches Used:

Ch: Chain
Sc: Single crochet
Hdc: Half double crochet
Dc: Double crochet
Sl st: Slip stitch

Ch 11

Sc in first ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next two chs, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, [2 sc, ch 1, 2 sc] in last ch. ROTATE your leaf so you can work the underside of your foundation ch.

Dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next two chs, sc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, [2 sc, ch 1, sc] in last ch, join in top on 1st sc and finish off. Weave in tails and sew to your project with a length of the same color green yarn.

Finished leaf using a D hook measures approximately 2 inches (5 cm).