I first knitted Leaf a few years ago, I knew I wanted something simple with a touch of detail and it had to be knitted in one of my favourite yarns, Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM). A gorgeous hand painted fingering weight merino. There was no blood, and I don’t recall any sweat, but there were tears. Tears of frustration, tears from the pain of my fingers seizing up and tears of joy when I cast off the last stitch.
I can’t tell you the number of times I pulled down the work, starting over and over because there weren’t enough stitches, or there were too many, or I miss counted, and the decreases weren’t right. I threw down my needles several times, but each time, after a few days of cooling off I’d pick up my knitting determined to see this through. Eventually I found my rhythm.
The thought of publishing hadn’t really crossed my mind until last year. I received many compliments while wearing it and several people asked if there was a pattern. After proding and encouragement from Marie, I reknitted it and wrote it. Luckily I had a few rough scribbles that I could work from, but there were still a few stumbling blocks and adjustments. Almost a year later I feel that its ready, I’m super excited and a little nervous about putting it out here. It’s an unfussy, and versatile piece, that’s prefect for chilly days. -Florrie
We are so excited about publishing the Leaf Kerchief pattern that we have gone completely mad and are giving away a Leaf Kerchief Kit which will arrive in a fun FloMa tote filled with woolly goodness. The kit includes:
- One FlorrieMarie “Knit. Eat. Repeat.” cotton tote bag (14″x14″x3″)
- One printed copy of the Leaf Kerchief pattern on acid free paper in a protective plastic sheet cover. As well as a code to download the PDF pattern to your Ravelry library.
- Enough wool to make one Leaf Kerchief (with probably a bit leftover).
- One set of safety-pin stitch holders.
- One set of Clover Chibi darning needles in a blue carrying case for finishing work.
- One measuring tape.
- One little box from Muji for holding notions
The list of things in the giveaway may grow after we go to Rhinebeck. Who knows what sort of wonderful goodies we will find. Originally we were going to get more Koigu wool for this giveaway, which the original pattern was knit in and which we adore for its deep variegated dyes and soft hand. But then Florrie had the thought that since Sheep & Wool is such a great place to buy gorgeous hand dyed skeins from small batch artists, that we would wait and pick up something really special from the vendors in Rhinebeck. We’ll post a picture of the kit complete with the Rhinebeck yarn we find tomorrow.
*EDIT* 10/21/13
Posting pictures of the yarn and other goodies included in the giveaway! We’re really happy with the yarn we found. there were soooooo many wonderful colors and fibers to choose from. We hope you’ll love it too!

Northumbria Fingering
A lighter fingering weight than either our Yummy 2-Ply or Cosmic, Northumbria Fingering is spun from the long, lustrous wool of Bluefaced Leicester sheep. Northumbria Fingering has a nice natural shine that enhances the vibrant, rich colors. It’s great for durable, fine-gauge socks, and lovely in crisp lacy shawlettes.
Size: 437 yd / 3.5 oz (400m / 100g) skeins
Content: 100% Bluefaced Leicester wool
Gauge: Fingering weight. 8-10 stitches per inch on US 0-2.
We will be at Sheep & Wool both Saturday and Sunday, so if you see us stop by and say hi! We’ll attend both of the Ravelry Meet Ups.
To enter in the drawing, all you need to do is leave a comment in this post about which yarn you would choose to knit a Leaf Kerchief before the end of day Friday October 25, 2013.
-Florrie & Marie
The fine print: Comments must be posted before 11:59 pm Friday October 25th to be eligible for drawing. On Saturday 10/26/13 one comment will be picked using a random number generator to receive the giveaway. The winner will be announced at noon on Saturday 10/26/13. The giveaway is not redeemable for cash. Contents of the kit are non-negotiable. No substitutions. The winner will be contacted by email to arrange for shipping. If the winner fails to reply to the email within 30 days they forfeit the prize and we will randomly select another comment to win the giveaway. Any questions or concerns just ask! florriemarie@gmail.com
what a stunning pattern, i could really see this made with hand spun south down sheep in natural colours or maybe the leaves in a contrast green.
WoolyTanis on rav
Which yarn? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm… I have some alpaca/silk in a harvest gold color that would be lovely for this. Picking anything else that’s on the market is too overwhelming to even consider! LOL
Would love to knit this in various shades of green wool yarn. I think I have Lionbrand woolease and Patons wool as well. Beautiful design.
I have a lovely alpaca/bamboo mix yarn that I bought for some baby booties… which I’ve made a whole lot of, but I still have some left over, and it’s SO soft and SO pretty, and machine washable!!
(Love you guys!)
Beautiful combination! Yarn and pattern that go very well together. Now I’m ready for Fall knitting.
asteride on Ravelry
What a lovely design! I’d love to knit it in a green tonal, maybe the “Ivy” colorway of Malabrigo.
I’m vernalequinox on Ravelry.
I have a beautiful mohair that has autumn colors. Or some pashmina I’ve been stashing! I also have a few hand painted lonely skeins that would look lovely. I have a gorgeous skein from Dragonfly fibers that would be to die for. Too many choices… Great design!
Love the leaf “fringe.” Very clever.
Ooooh! I can see how the construction of this kerchief would make the sanest person cry! BUT, I would also be up for this sort of challenge after Xmas is over. I hope I win.
I would use Miss Babs yummy in Autum Corn Maze
I love the Miss Babs colorway that you picked up at Rhinebeck. Great Adirondack Yarns also makes a gorgeous colorway that has what I would call apple orchard colors – greens, reds, a bit of yellow. And there are some brown shades of Koigu KPPPM that would also be lovely.
I think I would make the scarf in Stroll Hand Painted Sock Yarn in the color Make Believe. Lovely greens with some blue and purple for contrast. Thanks for the generous giveaway!
Twisted Fiber Art artisan yarn in Nymph!
fowlervillesdeb on Ravelry
I posted on the wrong blog post, I think. I love the color way, and would love to try the pattern. 😆 thanks so much for the chance to win such an awesome prize!
You’re welcome! I’m glad the drawing is in a few days, because That wool is in danger of going into Florrie or my stash!! Its scrumptious! lol lol lol
What a great pattern! I am currently spinning some beautiful fiber that I purchased LAST YEAR at Rhinebeck that would be perfect for this pattern!
ooooh! I adore hand spun wool! I have a drop spindle, but I don’t use it nearly as often as I should. You’ve inspired me to pick it up again. 🙂
I love this pattern and the colorway you chose. But it would also be lovely in some Leading Men Fibers in the Foliage colorway.
Love this pattern! So glad you decided to publish it! I’d knit it up in a Leading Men Fibers in the Foliage colorway.
Ok. I clearly can’t use the internet. Gah!! Double-posting.
Lol! No worries, I do it all the time. 😆
What a great giveaway. The yarn is just gorgeous.
Alexis
This Leaf Kerchief is gorgeous! I actually like the yarn used very much already. If I would to chose anything other it would maybe have orange and red in it since Fall is my favorite season.
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I have some superfine merino and alpaca blend in the Seven Dwarves colorway that this would be wonderful for!