MAPLE LEAF knitting pattern
This pattern was originally published in 2020. It has been fully updated for 2026 with a new high-resolution chart, revised instructions and project summary.
Capture the golden crispness of the season with the 🍁 Maple Leaf block. This design is a highlight of The Botanical Garden Collection, featuring the intricate silhouette of a falling leaf created entirely with simple knit and purl stitches. It’s also a special nod to my wonderful Canadian followers—a little piece of the north for your needles!
Whether you’re knitting a set of dishcloths to celebrate the fall, or adding a rustic, seasonal touch to your next modular blanket project, this pattern will be a great addition to your library.
| Project Detail | Requirement |
| Skill Level | Beginner (only knits and purls) |
| Yarn Weight | DK or Worsted |
| Needle Size | 4mm / US 6 (and 4.5mm / US 7 for casting on and binding off stitches) |
| Finished Size | 8.5” x 8.5” (22 cm x 22 cm) |
Materials & Tools for the Maple Leaf block
- Yarn: 70 yds (64 m) of DK yarn (8 ply). OR 140 yds (128 m) of light fingering yarn (approx 3 ply) USED DOUBLE.
- Needles: 4mm / US 6 (and 4.5mm / US 7 for casting on and binding off stitches).
- Tools: tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, scissors.
- Gauge: 21 sts x 28 rows in stocking st with US 6 (4 mm needles) and DK yarn = 4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm)
NOTE: You can change the yarn weight and needle size to obtain different sized blocks. Let me know in the comments if you need help!
Maple Leaf: Knitted square instructions
Abbreviations:
- CO: cast on
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- st(s): stitch(es)
- k: knit
- p: purl
The Pattern: General Instructions
- Cast on sts
CO 43 sts with US 7 (4.5 mm) needles.
I always cast on and bind off stitches with larger needles than I use for the main work. This prevents my cast on and bind off rows from being too tight. - Garter stitch bottom border
With US 6 (4 mm) needles, knit 4 rows.
Slip first stitch on every row as if you were to knit it, but without knitting it (except on the first row). It will form a neat and sturdy border. - Main pattern with garter stitch side borders
Continue working the next 55 rows as follows:
4 garter sts, Maple Leaf knitting pattern over 35 sts, 4 garter sts
You can follow either the row-by-row written instructions or the chart below for the Maple Leaf knitting pattern. - Garter stitch top border
Knit 4 rows.
- Bind off
Bind off all sts with a US 7 (4.5 mm) needle. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
- (Optional) Blocking
Block your square to its final measures.
Maple Leaf Knitting Pattern: Row-by-Row Instructions
Row 1) and every following odd row (RS) k all sts
Row 2) p all sts
Row 4) p all sts
Row 6) p all sts
Row 8) p17, k1, p17
Row 10) p17, k1, p17
Row 12) p17, k1, p17
Row 14) p7, k7, p3, k1, p3, k7, p7
Row 16) p9, k7, p1, k1, p1, k7, p9
Row 18) p10, k5, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k5, p10
Row 20) p8, k7, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k7, p8
Row 22) p6, k8, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k8, p6
Row 24) p4, k9, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k9, p4
Row 26) p6, k6, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k6, p6
Row 28) p6, k5, p1, k5, p1, k5, p1, k5, p6
Row 30) p4, k5, p1, k7, p1, k7, p1, k5, p4
Row 32) p5, k7, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k7, p5
Row 34) p6, k3, p3, k5, p1, k5, p3, k3, p6
Row 36) p5, k2, p5, k5, p1, k5, p5, k2, p5
Row 38) p4, k1, p6, k6, p1, k6, p6, k1, p4
Row 40) p11, k1, p3, k5, p3, k1, p11
Row 42) p15, k5, p15
Row 44) p16, k3, p16
Row 46) p17, k1, p17
Row 48) p17, k1, p17
Row 50) p all sts
Row 52) p all sts
Row 54) p all sts
Row 55) k all sts
Maple Leaf Knitting Chart
- Read all odd rows from right to left, and all even rows from left to right.
💡Note & Tip: These charted instructions represent the 35-stitch design area. Remember to work your 4-stitch garter borders at the beginning and end of every row. I recommend using stitch markers to separate the borders from the main design area.
Looking for more blocks?
Check out these patterns from the Textures Collection, The Animal Kingdom, and The Travel Log:
Download the Printable PDF
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You can also buy this pattern in Etsy and Ravelry.
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From a Canadian: FABULOUS looking Maple Leaf. Thanks!
Wow, THANK YOU! It’s always nice to have the opinion of an expert 😃😘
Your pattern does not match the picture and neither does the chart. Your top, bottom and side instructions aren’t what’s pictured.
Hello Susan. I think you didn’t read the complete instructions. Please do. The chart and row-by-row directions are only for the central part of the pattern.
I did read the pattern. The edge stitches are not garter in the picture, it is seed stitch which is knit pearl knit pearl. Only the top and bottom rows are garter in the picture.
My apologies, the picture looks like the edge on the sides is seed stitch, but I now see it is garter.