Ash Leaf Bracelet Free Pattern & Tutorial (featuring the Forward Loop Chain)

When I wrote this pattern on a cold October morning, the thermometer read 23º and I was wearing mitts and long sleeves. But somewhere in the world, it's still bare-arms-and-bracelet weather. So here, for your crochet pleasure, is the Ash Leaf Bracelet.

Forward Loop Chains give stability and body to this easy leafy pattern. Add a few double crochets, a standard chain, and a slip stitch or two, and the Ash Leaf Bracelet will fly off your hook in no time.

Simple bead chains at each end mimic ash keys and allow yarn ends to remain in plain sight as part of the design - no pesky weaving in!

Ideas for Ash Leaf Variations:

• Make a longer version for a necklace
• Use a button for the clasp
• For a minimalist look, eliminate the starting and ending bead chains, and instead weave in yarn ends
• Work pattern in different colours for different seasons
• For leafy bunting, use bulky yarn, large beads, and space leaves farther apart

Ash Leaf Bracelet

Size: Custom.

Yarn Requirements: Small amount of Light/DK (#3) weight cotton yarn
(Pattern will also work with any weight yarn and the appropriate size hook)

Gauge: 1 leaf per 3/4" of bracelet length when worked in DK weight cotton yarn.

Notions: 6º beads  (2 per leaf, plus 8 extra - see gauge above to calculate number of leaves)

Yarn I Used: Planet Penny Cotton Club, colour Buttercup

How Did the Yarn Behave? Delightfully as always. (I'm a big fan of Planet Penny Cotton Club yarn.)

Hook Size: US D/3.25 mm

All crochet terminology is American.

Ash Leaf Bracelet Pattern in Mostly Plain English:

Special Stitches and Abbreviations:

Forlpch (Forward Loop Chain): (Click here for tutorial)

Bead chain: Slide a bead down to hook, yarn over, draw through hook enclosing bead in chain

Inverse bead sl st (inverse bead slip stitch): holding working yarn in front, insert hook back to front in indicated stitch, slide a bead down to hook, yo and draw through all loops on hook.
Double crochet (dc)
Slip stitch (sl st)

String beads onto yarn. Allow 2 beads per leaf, plus 8 extra. If using different colours at the stem and tip, string in this order: stem colour, tip colour, stem colour, tip colour, ending with tip colour.

Ash Key: Start with slipknot on hook. Bead ch 4.

First Leaf (acts as clasp): Chain 1, forlpch 5, bead chain 1, forlp ch 2, dc in back bump of 5th forlpch, dc in next back bump, skip 2 back bumps, sl st in next back bump, inverse bead sl st in back bump of regular chain (leaf made).

Spacers and following leaves: *Forlpch 3 (spacer made), chain 1, forlpch 5, bead chain 1, forlp ch 2, dc in back bump of 5th forlpch, dc in next back bump, skip 2 back bumps, sl st in next back bump, inverse bead sl st in back bump of regular chain (leaf made).

Repeat from * to desired length. (Remember that bracelet will stretch when worn.)

Clasp loop: Forlp ch 9, sl st in top 2 strands of 1st forlpch. Bead ch 3 or 4, cut yarn and tie off tightly. Trim yarn ends and lightly block bracelet.

Ash Leaf Bracelet Phototutorial

First string your beads (see Pattern above), then follow the photos. (Click here for Forward Loop Chain tutorial.)

Tug yarn ends to tighten knots. Trim yarn ends close to knots. Block lightly.

To wear bracelet, slip first leaf with bead chain through clasp loop.

You may do whatever you like with the items you make from this pattern, but you may not sell the pattern or re-post the text elsewhere. (Links are always welcome.)

Thanks for viewing, and happy crocheting!

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