Knit Pattern:

Leaves needn't be fancy! If you're new to knitting, or just don't want to deal with the restraints of a pattern, feel free to free form. Even a simple knitted square can be a leaf, when hung on the diagonal! If you're making squares for leaves, rows of about 12 seem to make a good sized leaf.

Abbreviations:
CO = Cast On
RS = Right Side
WS = Wrong Side
K = Knit
P = Purl
YO = Yarn Over
Ssk = Slip, slip, knit
K2Tog = Knit two together
Sl 1, K2tog, psso = Slip on stitch, Knit two together, pass slipped stitch over

click the image to see it enlarged

Using medium worsted weight yarn. Using 5.0 needles. I nabbed this pattern from one of my favorite knitting sites, knitty.com. Thanks to the designer! I'm a much better crocheter than I am a knitter, so my leaf actually looks pretty sloppy. Don't worry if yours looks sloppy, too!

Row 1 [RS]: CO 5 sts.
Even-Numbered Rows 2-12 [WS]: P all sts.
Row 3 [RS]: K2, yo, k1, yo, k2. 7 sts.
Row 5 [RS]: K3, yo, k1, yo, k3. 9 sts.
Row 7 [RS]: Ssk, k5, k2tog. 7 sts.
Row 9 [RS]: Ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts.
Row 11 [RS]: Ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
Row 13 [RS]: Sl1, k2tog, psso.

And don't tie it off!

This pattern was submitted by miss cyntergomes. Aren't they lovely? These are her leaves, my attempt at this pattern isn't so pretty! She's posted this pattern here. Thanks Cyntergomes!

To make a smaller leaf, try her variation on this pattern, posted here.