How To Crochet The Braided Leaves Stitch (With Video Tutorial)

The Braided Leaves Stitch is an easy braided leaves crochet stitch tutorial that creates dense rows of intertwining, raised leaf shapes across your fabric. I designed this original textured crochet stitch to combine the solid coverage of linked stitches with dimensional botanical details that look like braided foliage.

By working modified clusters behind and in front of extended stitches, each leafy stem interlocks smoothly with the next row. This crochet leaf stitch creates a thick, hole-free fabric that stays warm and keeps its shape.

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Several textured crochet swatches in green, beige, orange, and brown show raised rows of the Braided Leaves Stitch, with one orange swatch held in a hand. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Project Overview

This tutorial shows you how to work a solid, thick fabric with raised leaf details using modified linked stitches and alternating cross placements.

Orange, brown, and green crochet swatches show the Braided Leaves Stitch in solid and striped color combinations, with a ball of orange yarn and a crochet hook nearby. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

BEST FOR: Blankets, warm scarves, structured tote bags, winter sweaters, and cushion covers
PATTERN MULTIPLE: 2x+1 (uneven number of chains)
ROW/ROUND REPEAT: 4 row repeat
COLOR CHANGE: after 4 rows

PATTERN TYPE: Textured, Solid, One-sided
YARN USAGE: Heavy (Thick/Dense)
VIDEO TUTORIAL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnp_lRgYDTo&list=PLKCBBlbOlqZhgm9g5tPe4v2mT2C8MReb0&index=80&pp=iAQBsAgC

How I turned a simple leaf into a braided branch

This pattern came to life while I was making swatches for my Sedum Stitch.

As I was working back and forth trying to make the leaves face the right way, I started wondering what would happen if I made the leaves look braided instead.

A few tries later, and after quite a bit of frogging, I finally came up with a way to reverse the angle on the leaf clusters. That small adjustment allowed the alternating rows to interlock cleanly across the fabric.

The finished texture looks just like a continuous braided vine. I am so glad I kept experimenting, and now I get to show you exactly how to make it.

If you found this post helpful, please like and share. Follow me on Pinterest for more crochet inspiration. Follow us on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook @CraftingHappinessCrochet.

A green crochet swatch shows raised rows of the Braided Leaves Stitch above two close-up views of hands working the same crochet technique with a hook and green yarn. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Table Of Contents

Project Overview
How I turned a simple leaf into a braided branch
Why you will want to make this stitch
What can you make with the Braided Leaves Stitch?
Watch the step by step video lesson
Yarn and hook choices for my sample
Color swatches for Braided Leaves Stitch
Crochet Abbreviations
Special Stitches
How to crochet the Braided Leaves Stitch
Common questions about the Braided Leaves Stitch
Thank you for crocheting with me
Looking for similar stitches to Braided Leaves Stitch?
Copyright

Why you will want to make this stitch

Solid fabric: The modified linked double crochet stitches eliminate gaps and holes between posts to give you solid coverage.
Beautiful braided relief: The modified leaf clusters cross over each other smoothly to build a realistic braided plant motif.
Clean edges: Stacked single crochet stitches at the start of rows keep your borders straight and tidy without gaps.
Great color options: The stitch definition looks striking in a single solid color, or you can switch colors every two to four rows to highlight the braided sections.

Several crochet swatches in orange, beige, brown, and green show the textured Braided Leaves Stitch, with a green yarn ball, crochet hook, and leafy greenery nearby. The Braided Leaves Stitch was designed by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and all the crochet work shown here was made by her.

What can you make with the Braided Leaves Stitch?

This crochet leaf stitch with video tutorial makes a dense, sturdy fabric that is well suited for heavy winter projects.

You can use it to make warm throw blankets, thick baby blankets, and solid cushion covers that hold their shape.

It is also great for wearable winter accessories like thick cowls, long scarves, and textured cardigans.

Because the stitch has no holes, it works especially well for making sturdy tote bags that will not stretch out or let small items slip through.

An orange crochet swatch featuring repeating raised rows of the Braided Leaves Stitch is held in both hands beneath green leafy foliage. The Braided Leaves Stitch was designed by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was made by her.

Watch the step by step video lesson

I made a complete crochet leaf stitch with video tutorial to show you every single stitch placement and technique.

You can follow along on my YouTube channel to see exactly how to place your hook for the modified linked stitches and front post work.

How To Crochet My Braided Leaves Stitch

A close-up view shows green yarn being worked into the textured Braided Leaves Stitch with a blue 5 mm crochet hook held between two hands. The Braided Leaves Stitch was designed by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was made by her.

Yarn and hook choices for my sample

For this sample, I used an Aran weight yarn paired with a 5mm crochet hook to give the raised leaves good definition.

You will also need a pair of scissors and a tapestry needle to weave in your ends when you finish.

You can use any yarn weight you have in your collection for this pattern, from lightweight acrylic to thick wool. Just pick the crochet hook size recommended on your yarn label so your fabric has the right tension.

Color swatches for Braided Leaves Stitch

You can work this pattern in a single solid shade to keep the focus on the textured leaf relief, or change yarn colors to create clear bands.

For defined stripes, change your color every four rows at the start of the repeat, or change every two rows to give each set of leaves a contrasting background.

A close-up green crochet swatch shows repeating raised rows of the Braided Leaves Stitch separated by neat horizontal ridges. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her. — Braided Leaves stitch in green

Braided Leaves Stitch Crochet Tutorial And Video - Crafting Happiness.jpg A close-up orange crochet swatch shows the Braided Leaves Stitch worked in repeating textured rows with raised braided leaf details. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her. — Braided Leaves stitch in red

Close-up of crocheted fabric showing textured stitches in alternating horizontal stripes of dark brown and orange yarnA close-up crochet swatch in orange and brown shows alternating textured rows of the Braided Leaves Stitch with raised leaf-like details. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her. — Braided Leaves stitch in brown and red

Crochet Abbreviations

Written in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

st(s) – stitch(es)
ch(s) – chain(s)
yo – yarn over
sc – single crochet
sk – skip

Mdc2tog – Modified double crochet 2 together
Mldc – Modified linked double crochet
Esc – Extended single crochet
STsc – Stacked single crochet
FP Mldc – Modified linked double crochet in the front post of stitches

Special Stitches

Stacked single crochet (STsc) – This stitch is made out of 2sc one on top of the other. The result is a taller stitch that looks like a double crochet.

Make 1sc as usual, insert hook behind the left loop of the sc , yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through the 2 loops

Three close-up tutorial views show hands working the STsc crochet technique into a green foundation chain with a blue crochet hook for the Braided Leaves Stitch. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Modified Double Crochet 2 Together (Mdc2tog) – this is a regular dc2tog modified to have a longer shape that looks like a leaf.
*Insert hook into the stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook. Leave the incomplete dc stitch on the hook* x 2 (you will have 3 loops on your hook), yo and pull through first 2 loops (2 loops on your hook), yo and pull through the 2 remaining loops on your hook.

Five close-up tutorial views show hands working the Mdc2tog crochet technique with green yarn and a blue crochet hook for the Braided Leaves Stitch. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Modified linked double crochet (Mldc) – I modified the linked double crochet to remove the horizontal lines that made it look like 2 rows of sc, but still keep the connection between the dc posts and make the fabric solid with no holes.

Insert hook through the left loop of the previous stitch (this replaces the yarn over portion of the regular dc stitch), yo and pull up a loop, you will have 3 loops on your hook. Yo and pull theough 2, yo and pull through 2.

Five close-up tutorial views show hands working the MLdc crochet technique with green yarn and a blue crochet hook for the Braided Leaves Stitch. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Extended single crochet (esc) – insert hook in the stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through only the first loop on your hook, yo and pull through the 2 remaining loops on your hook

Three close-up tutorial views show hands working the Esc crochet technique with green yarn and a blue crochet hook as part of the Braided Leaves Stitch. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Modified Linked Double Crochet in the Front Post of Stitches (FP Mldc) – The front post modified linked dc is made the same way as the regular front post hdc, except, instead of yarning over, you insert the hook in the left loop of the stitch.

Insert hook in left loop of the stitch then insert hook, from front to back, around the post of the following stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (you will have 3 loops on your hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops left on the hook), yarn over and pull through the remaining 2 loops on the hook.

Six close-up tutorial steps show hands working the Modified Linked Double Crochet in the Front Post of Stitches (FP Mldc) with green yarn and a blue crochet hook as part of the Braided Leaves Stitch. The Braided Leaves Stitch was designed by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

How to crochet the Braided Leaves Stitch

A green crochet swatch featuring repeating textured rows of the Braided Leaves Stitch sits beside a matching yarn ball and blue crochet hook. The Braided Leaves Stitch was designed by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was made by her.

Starting chain: Chain 21

Two hands hold a green foundation chain for Row 1 of the Braided Leaves Stitch, with a blue crochet hook held in the right hand. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Row 1: STsc, Mldc in each remaining chain, ch1, turn =21

Two hands hold a narrow green crochet row showing the early base of the Braided Leaves Stitch before the raised leaf texture is added. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Row 2: esc, *sk1, Mdc2tog, esc in the skipped stitch (made at the back of the Mdc2tog)*, repeat ** until you have 1 st left, esc in the last st, ch1, turn

A narrow green crochet swatch shows Row 3 of the Braided Leaves Stitch with raised textured sections forming along the row and a blue crochet hook resting above it. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Row 3: esc, *sk1, Mdc2tog, esc in the skipped stitch (made at the front of the Mdc2tog)*, repeat ** until you have 1 st left, esc in the last st, ch1, turn

A green crochet swatch shows another view of Row 3 of the Braided Leaves Stitch, with raised leaf-like sections beginning to form across the row. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Row 4: sc in each stitch , ch1, turn

A green crochet swatch shows Row 4 of the Braided Leaves Stitch with a completed textured leaf row and a blue crochet hook resting across the top. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Row 5: STsc, FP Mldc until you have 1st left, Mldc in the last st, ch1, turn.

A green crochet swatch shows Row 5 of the Braided Leaves Stitch, with raised leaf-like texture forming across the fabric and a blue crochet hook resting along the top edge. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Repeat Rows 2 -5 until you have the desired length to your work.

A green crochet swatch shows several completed rows of the Braided Leaves Stitch with raised leafy texture and a blue crochet hook resting at the top. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

If you found this post helpful, please like and share. Follow me on Pinterest for more crochet inspiration. Follow us on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook @CraftingHappinessCrochet.

Orange and brown crochet swatches show thick raised rows of the Braided Leaves Stitch, including a close-up view of the textured leaf design in alternating colors. The Braided Leaves Stitch was created by Ariana Wimsett, a known crocheter and author, and the crochet work shown here was also made by her.

Common questions about the Braided Leaves Stitch

Is the Braided Leaves Stitch reversible?

No, the Braided Leaves Stitch is one-sided. The raised braided leaf texture appears across the front side of your work, while the reverse side stays flat, solid, and smooth.

Does the Braided Leaves Stitch use a lot of yarn?

Yes, the Braided Leaves Stitch uses a heavy amount of yarn because it creates a thick, solid fabric using modified linked double crochet and textured clusters. If you are planning a large blanket, make sure to get extra yarn compared to basic flat stitches.

Can beginners crochet the Braided Leaves Stitch?

The Braided Leaves Stitch is best suited for confident beginners and intermediate crocheters who know basic stitches and want to try special hook placements. Following along with my step-by-step video makes learning the modified leaf cluster techniques straightforward.

Thank you for crocheting with me

Thank you so much for choosing my tutorial and spending your making time with me today. I hope you enjoy watching these braided leaves stitch take shape across your rows. Happy Crocheting.

Looking for similar stitches to Braided Leaves Stitch?

Copyright

© 2026 Crafting Happiness. All rights reserved.
The photographs in this tutorial are subject to copyright and are the property of Crafting Happiness. Don’t use them to advertise your own creations. You may use photos from this post only if you directly link back to this tutorial.

About the Author: Ariana Wimsett is a professional crochet designer and the author of Amigurumi Loveys & Blankets. She specializes in creating modern, easy-to-follow patterns that bring a touch of handmade joy to every home.