Cream Maple Leaf Bedspread — Free Crochet Pattern

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) acrylic or wool blend yarn in Warm Beige / Cream[cite: 3, 6].
  • Main Color (Cream / Beige): ~3,800 meters (~4,150 yards) for the full queen bedspread and two pillow covers[cite: 3, 6].
• Crochet Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook, or size required to achieve proper gauge and drape[cite: 3, 6].
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, stitch markers, sharp yarn scissors, measuring tape[cite: 3, 6].
• Blocking Tools: Foam blocking mats, rust-proof stainless steel T-pins, and steam iron or spray bottle[cite: 3, 6].

Abbreviations

Instructions

Main Maple Leaf Motif — Cream / Beige (make ~180 motifs for Queen size)

Each leaf motif starts at the center ring, building out the 5 main radiating veins before shaping the central top lobe, two side lobes, two lower lobes, and ending with the stem[cite: 3, 6].

Center Core & Primary Veins

1. Round 1: With Cream yarn, make a magic ring[cite: 3, 6]. Ch 1, work 10 sc into the ring[cite: 3, 6]. Join with sl st to first sc[cite: 3, 6]. [10 sc]
2. Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, work 2 dc in each st around[cite: 3, 6]. Join with sl st to top of starting ch-3[cite: 3, 6]. [20 dc]
3. Round 3 (Vein Foundation): Ch 1, *1 sc in next st, 1 FPdc around next st; repeat from * 9 times more around[cite: 3, 6]. Join with sl st to first sc[cite: 3, 6]. [10 sc, 10 FPdc]

Central Top Lobe

1. Row 1: Working back and forth over the top 4 sts: ch 3 (counts as dc), 1 dc in next 3 sts, turn[cite: 3, 6]. [4 dc]
2. Row 2: Ch 3, dc in same st (inc), 1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in last st, turn[cite: 3, 6]. [6 dc]
3. Row 3 (Lobe Tip Shaping): Ch 1, 1 sc in first st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in next st, work [1 tr, picot, 1 tr] in next st (leaf tip), 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in last st[cite: 3, 6]. Fasten off central lobe[cite: 3, 6].

Left & Right Side Lobes (make 1 on each side)

1. Row 1: Reattach yarn at the base of the central lobe on adjacent sts[cite: 3, 6]. Ch 3, 1 dc in next 3 sts, turn[cite: 3, 6]. [4 dc]
2. Row 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in first st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in last st, turn[cite: 3, 6]. [6 dc]
3. Row 3: 1 sc, 1 hdc, [1 dc, picot, 1 dc] in next st, 1 hdc, 1 sc[cite: 3, 6]. Fasten off[cite: 3, 6]. Repeat symmetrically on opposite side for right lobe[cite: 3, 6].

Lower Lobes & Stem

1. Lower Lobes: Reattach yarn to remaining lower sts of center ring[cite: 3, 6]. Work 1 sc, 1 hdc, [1 dc, picot, 1 dc] in next st, 1 sc[cite: 3, 6]. Fasten off[cite: 3, 6].
2. Leaf Stem: Attach yarn to lower central base of leaf[cite: 3, 6]. Ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of remaining 6 chs back to leaf base[cite: 3, 6]. Join with sl st and fasten off, leaving a 20 cm tail for assembly[cite: 3, 6].

Bedspread Assembly & Border

1. Arrangement: Lay out all completed maple leaf motifs flat in staggered, interlocking rows so that leaf tips nestle between neighboring leaf lobes[cite: 3, 6].
2. Seaming: Using Cream yarn and a tapestry needle, whipstitch adjacent leaf picot tips and side edges together using the back loops only to keep joins flexible[cite: 3, 6].
3. Free Leaf-Point Edging: Leave the outer leaves around the entire bedspread unattached on their outer edges to form a dramatic, natural scalloped leaf-point border around the bed[cite: 3, 6].

Matching Throw Pillow Covers (make 2)

Each throw pillow features 9 joined leaf motifs on the front panel and a solid double crochet back panel[cite: 3, 6].

Pillow Front Panel

1. Join 9 maple leaf motifs in a 3×3 grid[cite: 3, 6].
2. Work a fill-in border around the outer edge (alternating sc, hdc, and dc) to square off the panel to 40 x 40 cm[cite: 3, 6].

Pillow Back Panel

1. Row 1: Ch 52[cite: 3, 6]. Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across[cite: 3, 6]. Turn[cite: 3, 6]. [50 dc]
2. Rows 2–28: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 1 dc in each st across[cite: 3, 6]. Turn[cite: 3, 6]. Fasten off after Row 28 [50 dc per row; square ~40 x 40 cm][cite: 3, 6].

Finishing

1. Pillow Assembly: Place front and back panels wrong sides together[cite: 3, 6]. Single crochet around 3 sides, insert a 40 x 40 cm pillow form, then sc across the 4th side to close[cite: 3, 6].
2. Weaving Ends: Thread all loose yarn tails through a tapestry needle and weave securely through back stitches[cite: 3, 6].
3. Steam Blocking: Pin the bedspread out to full dimensions on blocking mats[cite: 3, 6]. Lightly steam with a steam iron held 2 inches away from the fabric to open up the leaf shapes and lay all seams flat[cite: 3, 6].

Tips for Success

• Check Tension Frequently: Consistent gauge across all ~180 motifs ensures seamless alignment during assembly[cite: 3, 6].
• Use Stitch Markers: Mark the central FPdc stitch of each lobe to keep shaping increases perfectly symmetrical[cite: 3, 6].
• Block Motifs in Batches: Blocking groups of 20–30 leaves as you go makes the final seaming process much easier[cite: 3, 6].
• Keep Seaming Loose: Avoid pulling assembly stitches too tightly so the bedspread retains its soft, natural drape over the mattress[cite: 3, 6].
• Choose a High-Definition Yarn: Smooth yarns with crisp stitch definition highlight the post-stitch leaf veins beautifully[cite: 3, 6].

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping Motif Blocking — Unblocked leaf points tend to curl inward, leading to uneven or puckered seams[cite: 3, 6].
• Omitting Front-Post Stitches — Substituting plain double crochets for FPdc will flatten out the distinctive leaf vein texture[cite: 3, 6].
• Using Too Small a Hook — A small hook produces stiff fabric rather than a soft, fluid bed covering[cite: 3, 6].
• Pulling Stems Too Tight — Tight stems can pucker the lower base of the leaf motif[cite: 3, 6].

Ways to Customize This Pattern

• Autumn Colorway: Work motifs in vibrant shades of terracotta, rust, mustard yellow, and deep crimson for a fall palette[cite: 3, 6].
• Throw Blanket Size: Make ~60 motifs to create a smaller couch lapghan or throw (~120 x 150 cm)[cite: 3, 6].
• Leaf Table Placemats: Use individual single leaf motifs in cotton yarn as leaf-shaped trivets or coasters[cite: 3, 6].