Golden Maple Leaf Table Cover

Crochet maple-leaf table mat in four sizes

(Taplak meja daun maple — worked with a crochet hook / hakpen)

A five-lobed maple leaf worked in one piece from the base to the tip, with a picked-up stem, picot tips, and surface-crochet veins. Make a small mat, a placemat, a centerpiece, or a table topper from the same shaping recipe. Cotton worsted blocks crisply and sits well on a table.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted weight (medium #4), preferably cotton or cotton blend for table use (heat, wash, and blocking). Acrylic is acceptable if you prefer easy care.

Yardage:

• S: 150 yd (137 m)
• M: 280 yd (256 m)
• L: 520 yd (475 m)
• XL: 1000 yd (914 m)

Allow a little extra for a contrasting vein color. Typical 100 g / 200–220 yd skeins: 1 (2, 3, 5) skeins.

Color ideas: rust, golden yellow, burgundy, olive, cream, or a long-color-change autumn yarn.

Hook: US I/9 (5.5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions:

• Yarn needle
• 6 stitch markers
• Scissors
• Blocking pins and a towel or blocking mats
• Optional: contrasting leftover yarn for veins

Gauge

12 dc and 8 rows = 4" (10 cm) in double crochet, blocked.

Swatch at least 6" (15 cm), wet-block, then measure the center 4" (10 cm).

• Too few stitches per 4": go down a hook size.
• Too many stitches per 4": go up a hook size.
• Slightly looser than gauge is fine for drape; the leaf will simply finish a bit larger.

Sizes

Finished measurements after wet blocking, width × length including stem:

Instructions for the leaf body are written separately by size so stitch counts stay easy to follow. Stem, edging, veins, and finishing are shared.

To go larger than XL: work the XL stitch counts in bulky yarn with a US K/10.5 (6.5 mm) hook. Expect roughly 40" × 46" (101.5 × 117 cm).

Abbreviations (US)

• beg — beginning
• ch — chain
• dc — double crochet
• dc2tog — double crochet 2 together (see Special Stitches)
• dc3tog — double crochet 3 together
• pm — place marker
• rem — remaining
• rep — repeat
• rnd — round
• RS — right side
• sc — single crochet
• sk — skip
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• WS — wrong side
• yo — yarn over

Pattern Notes

• This is crochet, worked flat in turning rows with a hook.
• Ch 3 at the start of a row counts as the first dc unless a row says otherwise.
• Work the last dc of every standard row into the top of the previous row’s ch-3.
• Read each Inc- and Dec- row from Special Stitches — do not improvise extra stitches at the edges.
• Row 1 is the base of the leaf (stem end of the blade). The stem is added later.
• Odd-numbered body rows are RS if you treat Row 1 as RS; the leaf is reversible until veins are added.
• Blocking is not optional. Unblocked, the piece looks like a wavy diamond. Pinned out, it reads as a maple leaf.
• Stitch counts appear in parentheses at the end of each row. Inline checks (✓) confirm the math.
• Size key for shared sections only: S (M, L, XL).

Special Stitches

dc2tog: Yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook); yo, insert hook in following st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook); yo, pull through all 3 loops. (1 dc decreased)

dc3tog: Work as dc2tog but over 3 stitches, leaving the extra loops on the hook, then yo and pull through all 4 loops.

Inc-2 (increase 2 sts, 1 at each end): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in first st, dc in each st to last st, 2 dc in last st.

Inc-4: Ch 3, 2 dc in first st, dc in each st to last st, 3 dc in last st.

Inc-6: Ch 3, 3 dc in first st, dc in each st to last st, 4 dc in last st.

Dec-2 (use only when you have 6 dc or more): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc2tog over the next 2 sts, dc in each st to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st.

Dec-4 (use only when you have 10 dc or more): Ch 3, [dc2tog] twice, dc in each st to last 5 sts, [dc2tog] twice, dc in last st.

Dec-6 (use only when you have 14 dc or more): Ch 3, [dc2tog] 3 times, dc in each st to last 7 sts, [dc2tog] 3 times, dc in last st.

Work even: Ch 3, dc in each st across (including top of turning ch). Count does not change.

Close Row (always worked on 6 dc): Ch 2 (does not count as a st), [dc2tog] 3 times. (3 dc)

Picot Point (always worked on 3 dc): Ch 2 (does not count), dc3tog, ch 3, sl st in top of dc3tog. Fasten off.

Pattern

Leaf Body

Work only your size.

Size S — 12" × 15" (30.5 × 38 cm)

Row 1 (RS): Ch 10. Dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped ch-3 counts as first dc) and in each ch across. (8 dc)

Row 2: Inc-6. (8 + 6 = 14 dc ✓)

Row 3: Inc-6. (14 + 6 = 20 dc ✓)

Row 4: Inc-6. (20 + 6 = 26 dc ✓)

Row 5: Inc-4. (26 + 4 = 30 dc ✓)

Row 6 (lower-lobe peak): Inc-2. Pm in first and last st. (30 + 2 = 32 dc ✓)

Row 7: Dec-2. (32 − 2 = 30 dc ✓)

Row 8: Dec-2. (30 − 2 = 28 dc ✓)

Row 9: Inc-2. (28 + 2 = 30 dc ✓)

Row 10: Inc-4. (30 + 4 = 34 dc ✓)

Row 11 (middle-lobe peak, widest): Inc-2. Pm in first and last st. (34 + 2 = 36 dc ✓)

Row 12: Dec-2. (36 − 2 = 34 dc ✓)

Row 13: Dec-4. (34 − 4 = 30 dc ✓)

Row 14: Dec-4. (30 − 4 = 26 dc ✓)

Row 15: Dec-2. (26 − 2 = 24 dc ✓)

Row 16 (center-lobe shoulder): Inc-2. (24 + 2 = 26 dc ✓)

Row 17: Dec-2. (26 − 2 = 24 dc ✓)

Row 18: Dec-4. (24 − 4 = 20 dc ✓)

Row 19: Dec-4. (20 − 4 = 16 dc ✓)

Row 20: Dec-4. (16 − 4 = 12 dc ✓)

Row 21: Dec-4. (12 − 4 = 8 dc ✓)

Row 22: Dec-2. (8 − 2 = 6 dc ✓)

Row 23: Close Row. (6 → 3 dc ✓)

Row 24: Picot Point. (3 → 1 st ✓)

Do not weave in the tip tail yet — you may use it to neaten the picot. Proceed to Stem.

Size M — 16" × 19" (40.5 × 48.5 cm)

Row 1 (RS): Ch 12. Dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped ch-3 counts as first dc) and in each ch across. (10 dc)

Row 2: Inc-6. (10 + 6 = 16 dc ✓)

Row 3: Inc-6. (16 + 6 = 22 dc ✓)

Row 4: Inc-6. (22 + 6 = 28 dc ✓)

Row 5: Inc-6. (28 + 6 = 34 dc ✓)

Row 6: Inc-4. (34 + 4 = 38 dc ✓)

Row 7 (lower-lobe peak): Inc-4. Pm in first and last st. (38 + 4 = 42 dc ✓)

Row 8: Dec-2. (42 − 2 = 40 dc ✓)

Row 9: Dec-2. (40 − 2 = 38 dc ✓)

Row 10: Dec-2. (38 − 2 = 36 dc ✓)

Row 11: Inc-4. (36 + 4 = 40 dc ✓)

Row 12: Inc-4. (40 + 4 = 44 dc ✓)

Row 13 (middle-lobe peak, widest): Inc-4. Pm in first and last st. (44 + 4 = 48 dc ✓)

Row 14: Work even. (48 dc ✓)

Row 15: Dec-2. (48 − 2 = 46 dc ✓)

Row 16: Dec-4. (46 − 4 = 42 dc ✓)

Row 17: Dec-4. (42 − 4 = 38 dc ✓)

Row 18: Dec-4. (38 − 4 = 34 dc ✓)

Row 19: Dec-2. (34 − 2 = 32 dc ✓)

Row 20: Inc-2. (32 + 2 = 34 dc ✓)

Row 21 (center-lobe shoulder): Inc-2. (34 + 2 = 36 dc ✓)

Row 22: Dec-2. (36 − 2 = 34 dc ✓)

Row 23: Dec-4. (34 − 4 = 30 dc ✓)

Row 24: Dec-4. (30 − 4 = 26 dc ✓)

Row 25: Dec-4. (26 − 4 = 22 dc ✓)

Row 26: Dec-4. (22 − 4 = 18 dc ✓)

Row 27: Dec-4. (18 − 4 = 14 dc ✓)

Row 28: Dec-4. (14 − 4 = 10 dc ✓)

Row 29: Dec-4. (10 − 4 = 6 dc ✓)

Row 30: Close Row. (6 → 3 dc ✓)

Row 31: Picot Point. (3 → 1 st ✓)

Proceed to Stem.

Size L — 22" × 25" (56 × 63.5 cm)

Row 1 (RS): Ch 14. Dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped ch-3 counts as first dc) and in each ch across. (12 dc)

Row 2: Inc-6. (12 + 6 = 18 dc ✓)

Row 3: Inc-6. (18 + 6 = 24 dc ✓)

Row 4: Inc-6. (24 + 6 = 30 dc ✓)

Row 5: Inc-6. (30 + 6 = 36 dc ✓)

Row 6: Inc-6. (36 + 6 = 42 dc ✓)

Row 7: Inc-6. (42 + 6 = 48 dc ✓)

Row 8: Inc-6. (48 + 6 = 54 dc ✓)

Row 9 (lower-lobe peak): Inc-4. Pm in first and last st. (54 + 4 = 58 dc ✓)

Row 10: Dec-2. (58 − 2 = 56 dc ✓)

Row 11: Dec-4. (56 − 4 = 52 dc ✓)

Row 12: Dec-4. (52 − 4 = 48 dc ✓)

Row 13: Inc-4. (48 + 4 = 52 dc ✓)

Row 14: Inc-4. (52 + 4 = 56 dc ✓)

Row 15: Inc-4. (56 + 4 = 60 dc ✓)

Row 16: Inc-4. (60 + 4 = 64 dc ✓)

Row 17 (middle-lobe peak, widest): Inc-2. Pm in first and last st. (64 + 2 = 66 dc ✓)

Row 18: Work even. (66 dc ✓)

Row 19: Dec-2. (66 − 2 = 64 dc ✓)

Row 20: Dec-4. (64 − 4 = 60 dc ✓)

Row 21: Dec-4. (60 − 4 = 56 dc ✓)

Row 22: Dec-6. (56 − 6 = 50 dc ✓)

Row 23: Dec-4. (50 − 4 = 46 dc ✓)

Row 24: Dec-2. (46 − 2 = 44 dc ✓)

Row 25: Inc-4. (44 + 4 = 48 dc ✓)

Row 26 (center-lobe shoulder): Inc-2. (48 + 2 = 50 dc ✓)

Row 27: Dec-2. (50 − 2 = 48 dc ✓)

Row 28: Dec-4. (48 − 4 = 44 dc ✓)

Row 29: Dec-4. (44 − 4 = 40 dc ✓)

Row 30: Dec-4. (40 − 4 = 36 dc ✓)

Row 31: Dec-4. (36 − 4 = 32 dc ✓)

Row 32: Dec-4. (32 − 4 = 28 dc ✓)

Row 33: Dec-4. (28 − 4 = 24 dc ✓)

Row 34: Dec-4. (24 − 4 = 20 dc ✓)

Row 35: Dec-4. (20 − 4 = 16 dc ✓)

Row 36: Dec-4. (16 − 4 = 12 dc ✓)

Row 37: Dec-4. (12 − 4 = 8 dc ✓)

Row 38: Dec-2. (8 − 2 = 6 dc ✓)

Row 39: Close Row. (6 → 3 dc ✓)

Row 40: Picot Point. (3 → 1 st ✓)

Proceed to Stem.

Size XL — 30" × 35" (76 × 89 cm)

Row 1 (RS): Ch 18. Dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped ch-3 counts as first dc) and in each ch across. (16 dc)

Row 2: Inc-6. (16 + 6 = 22 dc ✓)

Row 3: Inc-6. (22 + 6 = 28 dc ✓)

Row 4: Inc-6. (28 + 6 = 34 dc ✓)

Row 5: Inc-6. (34 + 6 = 40 dc ✓)

Row 6: Inc-6. (40 + 6 = 46 dc ✓)

Row 7: Inc-6. (46 + 6 = 52 dc ✓)

Row 8: Inc-6. (52 + 6 = 58 dc ✓)

Row 9: Inc-6. (58 + 6 = 64 dc ✓)

Row 10: Inc-6. (64 + 6 = 70 dc ✓)

Row 11: Inc-4. (70 + 4 = 74 dc ✓)

Row 12 (lower-lobe peak): Inc-4. Pm in first and last st. (74 + 4 = 78 dc ✓)

Row 13: Dec-2. (78 − 2 = 76 dc ✓)

Row 14: Dec-4. (76 − 4 = 72 dc ✓)

Row 15: Dec-4. (72 − 4 = 68 dc ✓)

Row 16: Dec-4. (68 − 4 = 64 dc ✓)

Row 17: Dec-2. (64 − 2 = 62 dc ✓)

Row 18: Inc-4. (62 + 4 = 66 dc ✓)

Row 19: Inc-6. (66 + 6 = 72 dc ✓)

Row 20: Inc-6. (72 + 6 = 78 dc ✓)

Row 21: Inc-6. (78 + 6 = 84 dc ✓)

Row 22: Inc-4. (84 + 4 = 88 dc ✓)

Row 23 (middle-lobe peak, widest): Inc-2. Pm in first and last st. (88 + 2 = 90 dc ✓)

Rows 24–25: Work even. (90 dc ✓)

Row 26: Dec-2. (90 − 2 = 88 dc ✓)

Row 27: Dec-4. (88 − 4 = 84 dc ✓)

Row 28: Dec-4. (84 − 4 = 80 dc ✓)

Row 29: Dec-6. (80 − 6 = 74 dc ✓)

Row 30: Dec-6. (74 − 6 = 68 dc ✓)

Row 31: Dec-4. (68 − 4 = 64 dc ✓)

Row 32: Dec-4. (64 − 4 = 60 dc ✓)

Row 33: Dec-2. (60 − 2 = 58 dc ✓)

Row 34: Inc-4. (58 + 4 = 62 dc ✓)

Row 35: Inc-4. (62 + 4 = 66 dc ✓)

Row 36 (center-lobe peak): Inc-2. (66 + 2 = 68 dc ✓)

Row 37: Work even. (68 dc ✓)

Row 38: Dec-2. (68 − 2 = 66 dc ✓)

Rows 39–53: Dec-4 fifteen times.
(66 − 4 = 62, 58, 54, 50, 46, 42, 38, 34, 30, 26, 22, 18, 14, 10, 6 ✓ — 15 rows × 4 = 60; 66 − 60 = 6 dc ✓)

Row 54: Close Row. (6 → 3 dc ✓)

Row 55: Picot Point. (3 → 1 st ✓)

Proceed to Stem.

Stem (all sizes)

The stem is worked onto the unused loops of the foundation chain, centered, leaving 2 chains free on each side so the leaf base is slightly wider than the petiole (as on a real maple).

With RS facing, join yarn with sl st in the 3rd foundation chain.

Stem Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in the next 3 (5, 7, 11) foundation chains. Leave the last 2 foundation chains unworked.
4 (6, 8, 12) dc ✓
(S: chains 3–6 of 8; M: 3–8 of 10; L: 3–10 of 12; XL: 3–14 of 16.)

Stem Rows 2–6 (2–8, 2–10, 2–14): Work even on these sts.
6 (8, 10, 14) stem rows total ✓
Length: 3 (4, 5, 7)" / 7.5 (10, 12.5, 18) cm.

Fasten off.

Edging (all sizes)

With RS facing, join yarn with sl st at the stem tip.

Rnd 1: Ch 1. Work sc evenly around the entire leaf as follows:

• 3 sc in the stem tip.
• 2 sc in each dc row-end along the stem and both sides of the blade.
• 1 sc in each leftover foundation chain at the leaf base (the 2 unused chains on each side of the stem).
• At each marked lower-lobe and middle-lobe tip (4 markers): (sc, ch 3, sc) in the same row-end. Remove markers as you go.
• At the Picot Point (top lobe): sc in the picot ring, or work (sc, ch 3, sc) in the point if you prefer a matching picot.
• In each sinus (the four inward dips between lobes), work sc without extra stitches so the dip stays deep — do not put 3 sc in those “corners.”

Join with sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.

Optional Rnd 2 (XL and L, for a more finished tablecloth edge): Ch 1, sc in each sc around, working (sc, ch 3, sc) again in each of the 5 lobe picots. Join, fasten off.

Veins (all sizes)

Veins are worked on the RS in surface slip stitch. Use the same yarn, or a darker leftover (brown, burgundy, or deep rust) for contrast.

Keep the working yarn under the fabric. Insert the hook from the RS down through a gap, yo, pull up a loop, *insert the hook down through the next gap along your path, yo, pull the new loop through the fabric and through the loop on the hook; repeat from * for a chain that sits on the surface.

1. Midrib: Begin at the stem–leaf junction (center of Row 1). Surface-sl-st in a straight line up the center of the leaf to the Picot Point. Fasten off, or continue into a branch without cutting.

2. Middle-lobe veins (2): From a point about 40% of the blade length up from the base, surface-sl-st out toward each middle-lobe marker, stopping ½–1" (1.5–2.5 cm) before the picot.

3. Lower-lobe veins (2): From a point about 20% of the blade length up from the base, surface-sl-st out toward each lower-lobe marker, stopping ½–1" (1.5–2.5 cm) before the picot.

Keep veins slightly curved, not ruler-straight. Weave in vein tails on the WS.

Finishing

1. Weave in all remaining ends on the WS.
2. Wet-block (required):
   • Soak in lukewarm water with a drop of wool wash or mild soap for 15–20 minutes.
   • Press out water (do not wring). Roll in a towel.
   • Pin to the schematic measurements:
     • Pull the 5 lobe tips out and pin.
     • Push the 4 sinuses inward and pin (this is what makes it read as maple, not as a spade).
     • Pin the stem straight.
     • Ease the sides into gentle curves, not straight lines.
   • Dry completely before unpinning.
3. If the leaf cups, block again and pin more aggressively at the sinuses.
4. For table use, a light press on WS with a damp cloth (cotton yarn only) can flatten the dc fabric. Do not crush the picots.

Care: Cotton — gentle machine or hand wash, reblock, lie flat. Acrylic — machine wash cool, lie flat to dry.

Schematic (after blocking)

                    /\
                   /  \          center lobe (tip picot)
                  /    \
                 /      \
            ____/        \____
           /                  \     middle lobes (widest point)
           \                  /
            \                /
             \              /
              \            /        sinuses pinned IN
               \          /
           _____\        /_____
          /                    \    lower lobes
          \                    /
           \______    ______/
                  |  |              stem
                  |  |
                  |  |

Tips for a Crisp Maple Shape

• Count at the end of every shaping row. One missed inc/dec on an XL row is 90 stitches of regret.
• If a lobe looks weak after blocking, you can add a second (sc, ch 3, sc) in that tip on a later pass.
• A set of S + M + L in related autumn colors makes a strong table story; use XL alone as a topper on a round or square table.
• For a lacy, vintage tablecloth look, work L or XL in a slightly larger hook (US J/10 / 6 mm) and add Optional Edging Rnd 2.
• Do not skip the surface veins — they are what turn a five-point silhouette into a maple leaf.

Skill level: Intermediate
Craft: Crochet (US terms)
Construction: Flat, base-to-tip, picked-up stem, worked-around edging