A beautiful crochet flower arrangement needs a little greenery, too!
This crochet leaf stem is part of the Wildflowers Collection and makes a lovely filler for a crochet flower pot, bouquet, or other floral arrangement. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to crochet each leaf around floral wire, create the individual leaf stems, and attach all three leaves to a sturdy center stem.
The floral wire makes the leaves and stem flexible, so once your crochet leaf stem is finished, you can gently bend and shape the leaves until they sit exactly the way you want.
Want to Save This Pattern for Later?
If you prefer learning visually, you can follow along with the complete video tutorial as you work.
Download the Free PDF to access the video!
Difficulty Level
Intermediate
Skill You Should Know
Basic crochet stitches, crocheting in the round, crocheting in the back bump of a chain
Finished Size
Approximately 7 in (18 cm) tall by 3.5 in (9 cm) wide
Materials
- Premier; Basix Worsted; size 4; [100% acrylic; 359 yards / 328 m per 7oz / 200g skein]; fern; 1 skein each
- F-5 (3.75mm) crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- 15 in (39 cm) of 22-gauge green floral wire
- Wire cutters
- 16.5 in (42 cm) of 18-gauge green floral wire
- Fabric or Hot Glue
- Hot Glue Gun
- (1) Stitch marker
Take a look at what I use when I crochet
https://tinyurl.com/FavoriteMaterials
Abbreviations
- ch - chain
- hdc - half double crochet
- sc - single crochet
- sl st - slip stitch
- st(s) - stitch(es)
- [ ] - repeat the directions between [ and ] as many times as stated
- ( ) - the number of stitches at the end of each round
Gauge
30 sc by 5 rounds = 2 in (5 cm)
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is worked in continuous rounds.
- Mark first stitch of each round, moving marker up each round.
- Finished size may vary based on yarn, hook size, and tension.
- Using a "yarn under" method when working in rounds/rows creates a tighter stitch.
- Ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
Helpful Videos
Did you know I have a YouTube channel? Here are some videos that go along with this pattern.
Video #1: Crocheting in the Back Bumps: https://youtu.be/rd3VL6nn0UQ
Video #2: Leaves Tutorial: https://youtu.be/tnGVPE-8oWk
Before You Begin
You will need to crochet three leaves before assembling the finished leaf stem.
For each leaf, cut a piece of 22-gauge floral wire approximately 5 inches (13 cm) long.
Leave approximately 4 inches (10 cm) of beginning yarn tail when starting each leaf. Do not weave this beginning tail in—you will use it later to wrap the individual leaf stem.
Step 1: Chain 7
Using your fern-colored yarn and 3.75 mm crochet hook, leave approximately 4 inches (10 cm) of beginning yarn tail.
Ch 7.
You will work the first round into the back bumps of the foundation chain while crocheting around the 22-gauge floral wire.
Step 2: Position the Floral Wire
Turn your foundation chain so you can see the back bumps.
Lay your 5-inch piece of 22-gauge floral wire on top of the back bumps of the chain.
When inserting your hook into each back bump, keep the floral wire positioned over the hook. This allows you to crochet around the wire so it becomes enclosed inside your stitches.
Working into the back bumps also creates a clean foundation for the center of the leaf.
Step 3: Crochet Round 1 of the Leaf
Insert your hook into the first back bump while keeping the floral wire positioned over the hook.
Yarn over and pull up a loop, then yarn over again and pull through both loops to complete a single crochet.
Continue working down the foundation chain.
Work 6 sc along the back bumps of the chain, crocheting around the floral wire as you go.
You should now have six single crochet stitches along the first side.
Step 4: Bend the Wire Around the Foundation Chain
Once you reach the end of the first side, gently bend the floral wire around the end of the foundation chain.
You will now work along the opposite side of the chain.
As you crochet, you can also carry your beginning yarn tail toward the bottom of the leaf. This saves you from needing to weave that tail down through the leaf later.
If you prefer not to crochet over your yarn tail, you can weave it from the top of the leaf toward the bottom after the leaf is complete.
Step 5: Crochet Along the Opposite Side
Continue crocheting around the floral wire as you work along the opposite side of the foundation chain.
Work 6 sc along the opposite side.
You should now have both ends of the floral wire extending from the bottom of the leaf.
Do not cut them. Those two wire ends will eventually be twisted together to create the individual leaf stem.
Step 6: Crochet Round 2
Now you’ll add the stitches that give the crochet leaf its finished shape.
Continue working around the leaf as follows:
- Work 1 sl st and 1 sc in the same stitch
- Work 4 hdc
- Work 1 sc
- Ch 2
- Work 1 sl st in the second ch from the hook
- Work 1 sc in the next stitch
- Work 4 hdc
- In the next stitch, work 1 sc and 1 sl st in the same stitch
The chain-2 and slip stitch at the center create the pointed tip of the crochet leaf.
Step 7: Fasten Off the Leaf
Fasten off your yarn.
At this point, weave in the ending yarn tail only.
Leave the long beginning yarn tail attached because you will use it to cover the floral wire and create the leaf stem.
When weaving in the ending tail, try weaving it along the back of the crochet leaf so the yarn is less noticeable from the front.
Your first crochet leaf is complete!
Step 8: Crochet Two More Leaves
Repeat the same instructions until you have three completed crochet leaves.
Each leaf should have:
- Two ends of 22-gauge floral wire extending from its base
- One long beginning yarn tail remaining
- The ending yarn tail woven in
Once all three leaves are complete, you can begin turning them into individual wired leaf stems.
Step 9: Twist the Floral Wire Into a Leaf Stem
Take the two 22-gauge wire ends extending from the bottom of your first leaf.
Twist the two pieces of wire around one another so they form one stem.
Twisting the wires together creates a stronger base and makes it easier to wrap the stem with yarn.
Repeat this step for all three leaves.
Step 10: Wrap the Individual Leaf Stem With Yarn
Take the long beginning yarn tail from your first leaf.
Apply a small dab of fabric glue near the base of the leaf to secure the yarn to the floral wire.
You can also use hot glue if you prefer.
Begin tightly wrapping the yarn around the twisted floral wire, starting at the base of the leaf and working toward the opposite end.
Try to keep your wraps close together so none of the wire shows through.
When you reach the end:
- Cut the yarn.
- Apply a small dab of glue.
- Secure the yarn end to the wire.
Repeat this process for the remaining two leaves.
You should now have three individually wrapped crochet leaf stems.
Step 11: Prepare the Main Stem
Cut a piece of 18-gauge floral wire approximately 5½ inches (14 cm) long.
This stronger floral wire will become the center stem that holds all three leaves together.
The individual leaves will first be glued to this wire and then wrapped together with yarn.
Step 12: Attach the First Leaf
Position one crochet leaf at the top of the 18-gauge floral wire.
Apply a small amount of hot glue to the back of the leaf stem.
Lightly press the leaf stem against the main floral wire until it is attached.
This will become the top leaf on your finished crochet leaf stem.
Step 13: Position the Second Leaf
Place the second leaf approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the first leaf.
Before adding glue, gently bend and position the leaf until you are happy with its angle.
The floral wire allows you to add a little movement to the leaves rather than having all three sit perfectly straight.
Once you like the placement, apply hot glue to the side of the leaf stem and attach it to the 18-gauge floral wire.
Tip: Check your placement before adding the glue. Hot glue sets quickly, so it’s much easier to make your adjustments first.
Step 14: Position the Third Leaf
Place the third crochet leaf approximately ½ inch (1 cm) below the second leaf.
Again, gently bend the leaf to give your finished stem a little more shape and dimension.
Once you are satisfied with the placement, apply hot glue to the side of the leaf stem and attach it to the main wire.
You should now have all three leaves attached to your center stem.
Step 15: Wrap the Main Crochet Leaf Stem With Yarn
Using the same fern-colored yarn, begin wrapping the entire center stem.
Start at the top, near the base of the first leaf.
Apply a small dab of hot glue and attach the yarn.
Begin tightly wrapping the yarn around the 18-gauge floral wire, working your way down the stem.
Step 16: Wrap Around Each Leaf Stem
As you reach each individual leaf, continue wrapping the yarn around both the main stem and the attached leaf stem.
This secures everything together while also hiding the floral wire.
Take your time around these sections.
It can be a little tricky to wrap neatly where the individual leaves join the main stem, so move the leaves out of the way as needed.
Keep checking your work to make sure:
- The floral wire is completely covered
- The individual leaf stems are securely wrapped
- There are no large gaps between the yarn wraps
Once you move below all three leaves, wrapping the remainder of the stem will become much easier.
Step 17: Finish the Bottom of the Stem
Continue wrapping until you reach the bottom of the floral wire.
Don’t worry if the wrapped portion where the leaves join the stem looks slightly thicker than the lower section.
The thinner bottom portion of the stem is designed to sit inside the Wildflowers pot, so that section will be hidden in the finished project.
Once you reach the bottom:
- Cut the yarn.
- Apply a small dab of glue.
- Secure the yarn firmly to the stem.
Your crochet leaf stem is complete!
How to Shape Your Finished Crochet Leaf Stem
One of the benefits of using floral wire is that you can shape the finished piece after assembly.
Gently bend:
- The individual leaves
- The small leaf stems
- The main center stem
Try angling each leaf slightly differently to create a more natural appearance.
There’s no need to make them perfectly symmetrical. Real leaves certainly didn’t get that memo, and your crochet ones don’t need it either.
Ways to Use Your Crochet Leaf Stem
This leaf stem was designed specifically for the Wildflowers Collection, but you can use crocheted greenery in many different projects.
Try adding your finished leaf stems to:
- Crochet flower pots
- Crochet bouquets
- Amigurumi flower arrangements
- Floral wreaths
- Spring and summer home décor
- Handmade centerpieces
- Crochet gifts
Adding a few leaves between your crochet flowers can help fill empty spaces and create a fuller, more dimensional arrangement.
Watch the Crochet Leaf Stem Video Tutorial
Need to see exactly how the floral wire is positioned or how the leaves are attached?
Download the free pattern to watch the crochet leaf stem video tutorial.
In the video, I’ll show you how to crochet around the floral wire, create the shape of each leaf, wrap the individual stems, and assemble all three leaves onto the finished stem.
Make the Wildflowers Collection
Once your leaves are complete, add them to your flower pot and gently shape them around your crocheted flowers.
The combination of flowers and flexible crochet greenery helps give the finished arrangement a full, natural appearance—and unlike real flowers, these won't decide to dramatically wilt three days later.
You can also browse more free and paid crochet patterns and tutorials on the Squibbles Crochet Corner website.
And if you make your own Wildflowers Collection, I’d love to see how you use your finished crochet leaves.
Happy crocheting!
