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Holly Leaf (R3)

holly leaves with berries

Unlike the other leaves I've knitted holly isn't supposed to be flat. Short rows at the edge of the leaf warp the sides so the spikes point in different directions.

A printable version of this pattern is available.

You will need:

  • yarn in dark green and red (double knit)
  • 4 x double ended knitting needles (3.25mm)
  • tapestry needle
  • scissors

Pattern:

(A list of abbreviations is available.)

Leaf

In this pattern we will use the abbreviation S1. This means Spike 1 and is worked on as follows:

  • k1
  • slip knit stitch back onto first needle
  • taking yarn around the back of the stitch (as for i-cord) knit the same stitch again
  • repeat 2nd and 3rd bullet once more

Cast on 8sts in green and join into the round.

  1. Round 1: [k1, p1] x 4
  2. Round 2: [k1, pfb, kfb, p1] x 2 (12)
  3. Round 3: [k1, p1, pfb, kfb, p2] x 2 (16)
  4. Round 4: [k1, p3] x 4
  5. Round 5: [k1, pfb, p2, k1, p1, pfb, p1] x 2 (20)
  6. Round 6: [k1, p4, k1, p2, w&t/ k1, kfb, pfb, k2, w&t/ p2, pfb, kfb, p5] x 2 (28)
  7. Round 7: [k1, p6, S1, p5, w&t/ k4, p2togtbl, k2tog, k3, w&t/ p3, k2tog, p2tog, p3] x 2 (20)
  8. Round 8: [k1, pfb, p3, k1, p2, pfb, p1] x 2 (24)
  9. Round 9: [k1, p5] x 4
  10. Round 10: [k1, p5, k1, p2, w&t/ k1, kfb, pfb, k2, w&t/ p2, pfb, kfb, p6] x 2 (32)
  11. Round 11: [k1, p7, S1, p5, w&t/ k4, p2togtbl, k2tog, k3, w&t/ p3, k2tog, p2tog, p4] x 2 (24)
  12. Round 12 & 13: [k1, p5] x 4
  13. Round 14: [k1, p5, k1, p2, w&t/ k1, kfb, pfb, k2, w&t/ p2, pfb, kfb, p6] x 2 (32)
  14. Round 15: [k1, p7, S1, p5, w&t/ k4, p2togtbl, k2tog, k3, w&t/ p3, k2tog, p2tog, p4] x 2 (24)
  15. Round 16: [k1, p1, p2tog, p2, k1, p3, p2tog] x 2 (20)
  16. Round 17: [k1, p4] x 4
  17. Round 18: [k1, p1, p2tog, p1, k1, p2, w&t/ k1, kfb, pfb, k1, w&t/ p1, pfb, kfb, p3, p2tog] x 2 (24)
  18. Round 19: [k1, p5, S1, p3, w&t/ k2, p2togtbl, k2tog, k2, w&t/ p2, k2tog, p2tog, p2] x 2 (16)
  19. Round 20: [k1, p3] x 4
  20. Round 21: [p2tog, p1, k2tog, p2tog, p1] x 2 (10)
  21. Round 22 to 24: [p2, k1, p2] x 2
  22. Round 25: [p1, k2tog, p2tog] x 2 (6)
  23. Round 26: [k2tog, p1] x 2 (4)

Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight.

Berry

Cast on 5 stitches in red and join into the round.

  1. Round 1: kfb x 5
  2. Rounds 2 & 3: k –

Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight.

Making Up:

Sew in all but one loose end on the leaves and berries. Use the remaining thread to attach the berries and leaves together.

Notes:

Neater Leaves

Picking up wrapped stitches isn't usually necessary on a reverse stocking stitch fabric. However I started to notice small holes forming just to the left of the central vein in between the rounds with short rows. Keep an eye out for gaps as you knit and, if necessary, pick up stitches from the previous round and knit together with current stitches to pull gaps close.

Needle/Yarn Size

As with most ODDknit patterns the yarn and needle sizes in the "you will need" section are just a guide. Feel free to improvise with whatever needles and yarn you have lying around - that's half the fun!