Crochet Leaf and Flower Relief Pattern

🧶 Materials

• Yarn of your choice (DK or worsted weight works nicely for lace/relief detail)
• Crochet hook to match yarn gauge (e.g., 4 mm for DK, 5 mm for worsted)
• Scissors and tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Stitch marker (optional but helpful)
• (Optional) contrasting color for leaves/flowers if you want them to pop

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✏️ Abbreviations (US terms)

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half-double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet (if used)
• fpdc = front-post double crochet
• bpdc = back-post double crochet
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rep = repeat

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🌿 Overview of the Relief Pattern

The key elements:

• Raised “leaf” motifs and “flower” motifs worked in relief (post or surface stitches) on top of a base fabric.
• A base row/rows of regular stitches, then overlay of leaves/flowers by building up relief stitches.
• The result is a textured fabric where leaves and flowers appear to “sit on” the surface of the piece (rather than flat).
• According to the video description: “a unique leaf and flower embossed crochet pattern … you can use this pattern in any blouse, etc.”

✅ Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Foundation / Base Panel

1. Chain a multiple for your width + extra for edge stitches. For example: chain 30 + 2.
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd chain from hook, sc in each chain across. (If chain=32, you’ll have 31 sc).
3. Turn, ch 1.
4. Row 2: sc in each stitch across. Turn, ch 1.
   • Work a few rows (e.g., 4–6) of plain sc to create a stable base before beginning the relief motif.

2. Begin Relief Leaf & Flower Row

1. Turn to start the row. Chain 1 (does not count as st).
2. Sc in the next 3 sts.
3. In the next stitch, (or next chain-space) begin the “leaf” relief:
   • Insert hook around the post of a stitch from the row below (or around an earlier stitch) to create a front‐post double crochet (fpdc) so that the stitch stands up.
   • Then chain 1 (for leaf tip).
   • Then around the next stitch’s post do fpdc (to complete the leaf shape).
4. Continue: sc in next 3 sts, leaf relief (fpdc-ch1-fpdc) in next st.
5. Rep across row until the motif area; finish with sc across remaining regular sts.
6. Turn, ch 1.

3. Flower Motif Row (overlay on next row)

1. Row starts on right side, ch 1.
2. Sc in next 2 sts.
3. Begin flower relief: In next stitch, do (tr, ch 2, tr) all around the post of the stitch from two rows below (or an anchoring stitch) to form a “petal” cluster.
   • Then sl st into the next stitch to anchor.
4. Sc in next 2 sts.
5. Repeat: flower (tr-ch2-tr) around anchor st, sl st to next regular st until across.
6. Turn, ch 1.

4. Continue Alternating Rows for Texture

• On the next row you might return to leaf relief row, then follow with flower relief row, depending on the design in the video.
• Keep working: one row of regular sc base, then a row of relief motifs (leaf or flower).
• After repeating for desired length, you’ll have a chain of raised leaves + flowers against the flat background.

5. Finishing & Edging

1. After your last motif row, work 1–2 rows of sc across for a clean edge (ch 1, turn each row).
2. For a decorative finish, work a round of shells or picots around edges if the piece is a motif panel for blouse or shawl.
3. Fasten off, and weave all ends into back of work with tapestry needle.
4. (Optional) Lightly block the piece to open the motifs and flatten background.

📋 Quick Reference Table

Step	Action
Foundation	ch multiple +2, work 4–6 rows sc
Row A (Leaf relief)	sc x3, fpdc-ch1-fpdc in next st, repeat
Row B (Flower relief)	sc x2, tr-ch2-tr around anchor st, sl st next
Repeat motif rows	Alternate leaf & flower rows as desired
Edge rows	1–2 rows sc for finish
Border	Optional shell or picot round

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✨ Tips & Adaptations

• Use contrasting yarn colour for leaves/flowers to make motifs stand out.
• If you want flatter fabric, use hdc instead of sc for base rows.
• For blouse panels: scale width by using more chains, use smaller hook/yarn for finer fabric.
• Use stitch markers to mark beginning of row or anchor points for relief stitches so alignment stays correct.
• When repeating motif rows, keep track of which row is “leaf” and which is “flower” so pattern repeats evenly.
• Because these are relief stitches (fpdc, tr around posts), keep tension slightly loose to allow motifs to stand up without pulling the background.

Video Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh8d9Bn0DZw&t=38s