Leaf Stitch
The Leaf Needlepoint Stitch is used to create the appearance of leaves in needlepoint. It's a versatile stitch that can be used to depict a variety of leaf shapes and sizes.
How to Do the Leaf Stitch - Video Tutorial
Here's a video tutorial we created to help you better understand how to make this amazing needlepoint stitch.
Stitch Details
- Stitch Structure: Flat, Pattern, Diagonal
- Related Stitches: Fan Stitch, Ray Stitch
- Also Known as: Fir Stitch
- Recommended for: Large areas, Flowers, Mountains
Leaf Stitch Instructions & Diagram
You can see the diagram of this stitch below.
- Make a sequence of three diagonal upward stitches to the left by skipping three canvas threads to the left and four canvas threads up each
- Move the needle to three canvas intersections downward to the right (behind the canvas), insert the needle, and make a diagonal stitch moving two canvas threads to the left and four canvas threads up
- Move two canvas threads to the right and three canvas threads down, insert the needle, then from there make a stitch skipping one canvas thread to the left and four canvas threads up
- Move one canvas thread to the right and two down (behind the canvas), then make a vertical stitch from top to bottom skipping three canvas threads
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 but change the left for the right, creating a mirror effect with the previous stitches
- Go one canvas hole down and make a sequence of three diagonal upward stitches to the right by skipping three canvas threads to the right and four canvas threads up each (one below the other)
- Work the rows from top to bottom and be sure to tuck the ends of the stitches under the last stitch of the top row
Stitch Guides where Leaf Stitch is used
See it in action in these needlepoint kit stitch guides:
- Smokies Needlepoint Kit - Stitch Guide · Shop the kit
- Christmas Ornaments - Stitch Guides · Shop the kit
Browse all our needlepoint kit stitch guides for more ideas.
If you have doubts about what stitches to choose for your project - check our Tips to select Needlepoint Stitches or Our favorite Needlepoint Decorative Stitches.
Happy stitching :)
