A maple leaf depends on five dominant lobes meeting at one vein junction, and this version makes that structure especially visible with cream surface crochet over a burnt-orange body. This crochet maple leaf placemat combines a solid textured fabric, pointed serrated edges, branching raised veins and a reinforced hanging-loop stem. Worked in cotton yarn, the finished leaf is approximately 40 cm wide and 50 cm long including the stem.
The Design: What Makes This Crochet Maple Leaf Different
The burnt-orange body carries almost the entire silhouette, so the lobe proportions have to do more work than color changes. One long central lobe establishes the vertical axis, two upper side lobes create width, and two lower lobes spread toward the stem. Smaller points between them produce the serrated maple profile visible in the reference.
Cream surface crochet is the second structural feature. Five primary veins radiate from the same lower-center junction, with shorter branches extending toward individual points. This raised contrast makes the leaf anatomy readable without changing the underlying fabric.
The stem is integrated at the base and finishes with a small loop. One common mistake is tightening the cream surface stitches. Even a slightly short vein can pull an otherwise flat lobe inward, so the contrast lines need relaxed tension.
Project Info at a Glance
| Skill Level | Time | Finished Size | Hook | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | 5–8 hours | Approx. 40 × 50 cm | 4.0 mm | Shaped flat leaf with surface-crochet veins |
The measurements are working targets for this photo-inspired design. The exact finished dimensions depend on yarn thickness, personal tension and the amount of blocking applied to the points.
Materials and Tools
Yarn
- Burnt orange or rust worsted-weight cotton — approximately 190–220 g
- Warm cream worsted-weight cotton — approximately 25–35 g for veins
Choose two yarns with similar thickness. A tightly twisted cotton produces clearly defined points and makes the cream vein stitches stand above the orange background.
Tools
- 4.0 mm crochet hook for the leaf
- 3.5 mm crochet hook for surface veins if needed
- Large-eye yarn needle
- Scissors
- Locking stitch markers
- Flexible measuring tape
- Blocking mat
- Rustproof pins
Abbreviations
- MR — magic ring
- ch — chain
- sc — single crochet
- hdc — half double crochet
- dc — double crochet
- tr — treble crochet
- dtr — double treble crochet
- inc — increase
- dec — decrease
- sl st — slip stitch
- BLO — back loop only
- sp — space
- st / sts — stitch / stitches
Surface slip stitch means the working yarn remains behind the fabric while the hook draws loops through the front. Keep each loop approximately the same size as the surrounding orange stitches.
Gauge and Finished Measurements
A useful gauge target is approximately 17–19 sc per 10 cm using worsted cotton and a 4.0 mm hook.
The completed orange body should measure approximately 38–40 cm across before final blocking. The long central lobe should extend approximately 24–26 cm above the vein junction.
The finished stem measures approximately 10–12 cm. Including the stem, target a total length close to 50 cm.
Burnt Orange Crochet Maple Leaf Pattern
Central Junction
Use burnt-orange yarn.
R1: 10 sc in MR. Join with sl st. (10)
R2: Ch 1, inc in each stitch around. Join. (20)
R3: Ch 1, [sc, inc] ×10. Join. (30)
Fasten off.
Mark five attachment zones around the final round. These markers indicate the directions of the central, upper-left, upper-right, lower-left and lower-right lobes.
Long Central Maple Lobe
Join orange yarn at the upper center marker.
Ch 29.
Starting in second ch from hook:
Sl st in next ch.
Sc in next 2 ch.
Hdc in next 3 ch.
Dc in next 5 ch.
Tr in next 9 ch.
Dc in next 4 ch.
Hdc in next 2 ch.
Sc in next 2 ch.
At the outer end, work 5 sc around the turning point.
Continue down the opposite side of the foundation chain, reversing the stitch sequence.
Sl st into the central junction.
Central Lobe Serrations
Work sc around the outside of the completed central lobe.
Create the first small point approximately 5 cm above the base:
Ch 5, sl st in second ch, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in final ch, sl st into the leaf edge.
Continue approximately 3–4 cm.
Create a second point with ch 6, using sl st, sc, hdc, dc and tr back toward the edge.
Continue toward the central tip.
At the main point work:
(sc, ch 3, sl st into first ch, sc).
Mirror the smaller points down the opposite side.
Fasten off.
Upper Left Lobe
Join orange yarn at the upper-left marker.
Ch 24.
Starting in second ch:
Sl st, sc in next 2 ch, hdc in next 3 ch, dc in next 5 ch, tr in next 6 ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, sc.
Work 5 sc at the outer turning point.
Mirror the stitches down the opposite side.
Attach to the central junction.
Work one shaping round around this lobe and add two outer points with ch 5 and one smaller inner point with ch 4.
Fasten off.
Upper Right Lobe
Repeat the upper-left lobe at the corresponding right-side marker.
Before fastening off, place the leaf flat and measure from the central junction to both upper points. Keep the difference below approximately 5 mm.
Lower Left Lobe
Join orange yarn at the lower-left marker.
Ch 19.
Starting in second ch:
Sl st, sc, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 4 ch, tr in next 5 ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc, sc.
Work 3 sc at the turning point.
Mirror the sequence along the opposite side.
Attach to the center.
Work one shaping round and add two pointed teeth along the outer edge.
Fasten off.
Lower Right Lobe
Repeat the lower-left construction on the opposite side.
The leaf should now show five main directions, with the central point extending noticeably farther than the four side lobes.
Broad Lower Wings – Make 2
The photographed maple leaf includes broad pointed sections beside the stem.
Join orange yarn at the lower-left side of the central junction.
Ch 15.
Starting in second ch:
Sl st, sc, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 4 ch, tr in next 3 ch, dc, hdc, sc.
Work 3 sc at the outer point.
Mirror the stitch sequence back toward the center.
Attach securely.
Repeat on the lower-right side.
Angle these sections downward by approximately 25–35 degrees from the horizontal centerline.
Connecting the Main Lobes
Join orange yarn at the base of the central lobe.
Work sc toward the first valley.
Use hdc and dc to bridge any open area between adjacent lobes.
At the deepest part of the valley, use one sl st.
Continue onto the neighboring lobe.
Repeat for each major gap.
Keep the valleys clearly visible. The reference silhouette relies on deep cuts between the main sections rather than a rounded perimeter.
First Orange Perimeter Round
Join orange yarn beside the stem position.
Work sc evenly around the entire maple leaf.
At every major lobe point work:
(sc, ch 2, sc).
At each secondary tooth work:
(sc, ch 1, sc).
Work one sl st in deep valleys.
Continue around the full perimeter and join at the base.
Second Orange Perimeter Round
Ch 1.
Sc around.
Maintain each major point by working (sc, ch 2, sc) into the existing point.
Use one stitch per stitch along flat edges.
At the valleys, skip one stitch if the fabric begins to flare.
Fasten off.
Crochet Maple Leaf Stem
Join burnt-orange yarn at the center base.
Ch 25.
Starting in second ch from hook, sc in each chain. (24)
Ch 1 and turn.
Sc in each stitch toward the stem tip.
At the tip, ch 7.
Join with sl st to form a small loop.
Work 10 sc around the loop.
Continue down the opposite edge of the stem with evenly spaced sc.
Sl st into the base of the leaf.
Fasten off with a long tail.
Stem Reinforcement
Thread the remaining orange tail through a yarn needle.
Run the yarn through the center of the stem from the leaf junction toward the hanging loop.
Return through a neighboring line of stitches.
Keep the reinforcement relaxed so the stem remains flat.
Weave the remaining tail into the dense base of the leaf.
Cream Central Vein
Switch to warm cream yarn.
Insert the hook through the orange fabric at the central junction.
Bring the cream yarn from the reverse side.
Surface sl st along the middle of the central lobe.
Continue toward the main point, following a straight path through the orange stitches.
Stop approximately 1 cm before the tip.
Fasten off on the reverse.
Cream Upper-Left Vein
Join cream yarn at the central junction.
Surface sl st diagonally toward the upper-left lobe.
Follow the centerline of the lobe.
Stop approximately 1–1.5 cm before its outer point.
Fasten off.
Cream Upper-Right Vein
Repeat the same process toward the upper-right lobe.
Compare the left and right vein lengths before securing the final tail.
Cream Lower-Left Vein
Join cream at the central junction.
Surface sl st toward the lower-left point.
Keep the line centered through the orange stitches.
Fasten off approximately 1 cm before the edge.
Cream Lower-Right Vein
Repeat for the lower-right lobe.
Five primary cream lines should now radiate from the central junction.
Secondary Cream Veins
The photographed leaf uses numerous short branches to make the vein structure more prominent.
Begin approximately one-third of the way along a primary vein.
Surface sl st diagonally toward a nearby secondary point.
Stop 1–2 cm before the perimeter.
Fasten off.
Move farther along the same primary vein and add another branch in the opposite direction.
Work approximately 2–4 secondary branches on each large lobe.
Use fewer branches on the two lower lobes.
Optional Double Central Vein
For a thicker center line similar to the reference, add a second cream surface-crochet line directly beside the first.
Begin at the same lower junction.
Keep the two lines within approximately 3–4 mm of each other.
Stop the second line slightly before the first at the top.
This produces a stronger central axis without increasing the thickness of every side vein.
Optional Decorative Eyelets
Small openings can be placed beside the primary veins to add definition.
When working a connecting or shaping row, replace one stitch with ch 1, skip 1.
On the next row, work one stitch into the chain space.
Keep the eyelets at least 2 cm apart.
Arrange them along both sides of the central and upper veins rather than scattering them across the entire leaf.
Creating Sharper Maple Points
If a point looks rounded after the perimeter rounds, join orange yarn one stitch before its tip.
Work:
Sc, ch 3, sl st into second ch, sc in next ch, sl st into next perimeter stitch.
Fasten off and weave the tails into the reverse.
Use this correction only on points that need additional length.
Blocking the Burnt Orange Maple Leaf
Dampen the finished leaf according to the yarn care instructions.
Place it face up on a blocking mat.
Pin the central vein junction first.
Pull the top lobe into position and pin its main point.
Measure the two upper side lobes from the center and pin them at equal distances.
Repeat with the lower lobes.
Shape the broad lower wings and all secondary points.
Pin the stem last, keeping it centered beneath the leaf.
Target approximately 40 cm across the widest section and approximately 50 cm from top point to stem tip.
Allow the project to dry completely before removing the pins.
Assembly
- Crochet the 30-stitch orange central junction and mark all five primary lobe directions before beginning the shaped sections.
- Work the long center lobe first, followed by the matching upper-left and upper-right lobes.
- Add both lower lobes and the broad lower wings, comparing the left and right measurements before continuing.
- Connect the gaps between the lobes while preserving deep valleys in the maple silhouette.
- Work the orange perimeter rounds and correct any rounded points before adding surface decoration.
- Crochet the 10–12 cm stem, form its end loop and reinforce the stem internally with its yarn tail.
- Surface crochet the cream central vein from the common junction toward the top lobe.
- Add the four primary side veins, then work shorter cream branches toward the secondary points.
- Lay the complete leaf flat and release any cream surface stitches that cause an orange section to curl.
- Block the five main points, smaller teeth and stem to the final measurements, then weave all remaining tails into the reverse.
The completed piece should have one long central lobe, four dominant side lobes, smaller serrated points, a narrow orange stem and cream veins radiating from a single junction.
7 Technical Tips for a Better Crochet Maple Leaf Placemat
- Measure matching lobes before edging. A difference larger than 5–7 mm becomes more obvious after the perimeter is added. Compare each left lobe with its corresponding right lobe before fastening off.
- Preserve 3–5 cm valleys between major points. Too much connecting fabric turns the maple silhouette into a broad oval. Use compact stitches at the deepest sections.
- Keep cream surface stitches relaxed. A vein shortened by approximately 1 cm can lift an entire lobe from the table. Check flatness after every primary vein.
- Place eyelets away from the perimeter. An opening less than 1 cm from a pointed edge can weaken that tooth during blocking. Keep decorative spaces closer to the major veins.
- Do not add increases along every edge stitch. Excess stitches cause the broad lower sections to ruffle. Concentrate increases at points and broad curves only.
- Reinforce the stem before blocking. A 10–12 cm stem can stretch when wet. Run the orange tail through its center before pinning it to final length.
- Pin the five primary points before smaller teeth. Starting with every tiny point can distort the overall geometry. Establish the major maple shape first, then refine the serrations.
How to Make a Smaller Crochet Maple Leaf
Use DK cotton with a 3.0–3.5 mm hook and reduce each lobe foundation chain by approximately 25 percent.
Keep all five major lobes. Removing sections changes the recognizable maple structure.
Reduce the stem to approximately 16–18 chains.
A smaller version can finish around 25–30 cm wide and works as a decorative table mat or centerpiece accent.
How to Make a Larger Maple Leaf Centerpiece
Increase the central lobe by 5–7 foundation chains.
Add approximately 4 chains to each upper lobe and 2–3 chains to the lower sections.
Use additional treble stitches through the center of the enlarged lobes rather than increasing every perimeter stitch.
For a piece around 50–55 cm wide, add a third orange perimeter round before working the cream veins.
Choosing the Burnt Orange Yarn
The reference uses a saturated autumn orange positioned between rust and pumpkin. Burnt orange, copper, terracotta and cinnamon are suitable alternatives.
Choose a matte yarn if you want the cream veins to provide most of the contrast. Mercerized cotton creates more reflected highlights and can make the orange stitches appear more dimensional.
Check the color in daylight before beginning a large version. Warm artificial light can make rust yarn appear considerably redder than it does during the day.
Choosing the Cream Contrast
Warm ivory, natural cotton and oatmeal coordinate well with burnt orange.
A bright optical white creates a sharper graphic effect, while beige produces a quieter contrast.
The cream yarn should remain clearly visible against the orange from several feet away. If the shades are too close in value, the raised vein structure can disappear in photographs.
Keeping the Maple Leaf Flat
Check flatness after every major construction stage.
First inspect the orange body before surface crochet. Next, inspect it after the five primary cream veins. Check again after adding the secondary branches.
If the leaf begins cupping only after the cream details are added, the surface stitches are too tight rather than the orange body being incorrectly shaped.
Pull out the affected vein and rework it with a larger hook or looser loops.
Using the Leaf as a Placemat
For table use, keep the central orange area as flat as possible. The raised cream veins create texture but should not become thick cords beneath plates.
A dinner plate can sit across the central junction and lower part of the main lobe.
The pointed outer sections remain visible around the plate, which preserves the maple shape during use.
The stem can face the edge of the table or point toward the center depending on the place-setting arrangement.
Using the Leaf as Fall Decor
The same piece can be used beneath a vase, candle arrangement or seasonal bowl when tableware clearance is not required.
The loop at the end of the stem also permits decorative hanging, provided the yarn is firm enough to support the weight of the leaf.
For wall display, add a second reinforcement strand through the stem and central junction.
Making a Coordinated Set
Complete and block the first leaf before starting additional pieces.
Record the finished dimensions of the central lobe, both upper lobes and stem.
Use those measurements as the template for later placemats.
A fall set can combine burnt orange, mustard, dark red and olive leaf bodies while retaining the same cream vein color.
Another option is to keep every leaf orange but change the vein yarn from cream to dark brown on alternate pieces.
Care Instructions
Follow the washing instructions for the selected cotton yarn.
When washing by hand, support the wet leaf with both hands rather than lifting it by the stem.
Press excess moisture between clean towels. Do not twist the pointed lobes.
Reshape the central lobe first, then the matching side sections.
Dry flat.
If the small points soften after washing, pin them while damp and leave them undisturbed until completely dry.
Store the placemat flat or loosely rolled to protect the raised cream veins.
Conclusion
The defining structure of this burnt orange crochet maple leaf placemat is the shared junction where five cream veins meet before branching through the pointed lobes. Build the orange silhouette first, preserve the deep valleys and compare matching sections before adding any surface crochet. The cream veins should remain relaxed enough for the leaf to lie flat, while the reinforced stem provides the final vertical line beneath the design. Begin with the central junction and longest top lobe, then measure it before making the side sections. Save the finished project to Pinterest or share it on Instagram with #BurntOrangeMapleLeaf. For a matching second placemat, would you choose mustard, deep red or keep the same burnt-orange body?
