Crochet Nature Motif: Lime and Leaf

Note The lime is worked in continuous rounds without joining. Use a marker to count rounds.

LIME
Using A, make 2ch.
1st round (RS) Miss 1ch, 6sc in next ch. 6 sts.
2nd round 2sc in each sc. 12 sts.
3rd round As 2nd round. 24 sts.
4th and 5th rounds 1sc in each st.
6th round [1sc in next st, 2sc in next st] 12 times. 36 sts.
7th-16th rounds 1sc in each st.
17th round [1sc in next st, sc decrease in next 2 sts] 12 times. 24 sts.
18th and 19th rounds 1sc in each st.
At this point, stuff the lime very firmly and then continue.
20th round [2-st sc decrease] to end. 12 sts.
21st round As 20th round. 6 sts.
22nd round 1sc in each st. Fasten off.

LEAF (make 2)
Using B, make 21ch.
1st round (RS) Miss 1ch, working in single strand of each ch, ss in each of next 2ch, 1sc in each of next 2ch, 1hdc in each of next 2ch, 1dc in each of next 8ch, 1hdc in each of next 2ch, 1sc in each of next 2ch, ss in each of last 2ch. 20 sts, excluding 1ch. Working in single strand along opposite side of ch, 1ch, ss in each of next 2ch, 1sc in each of next 2ch, 1hdc in each of next 2ch, 1dc in each of next 8ch, 1hdc in each of next 2ch, 1sc in each of next 2ch, ss in each of last 2ch, join with ss in 1ch. 20 sts, excluding 1ch.
2nd round * Ss in each of first 2 sts, 1sc in each of next 2 sts, 1hdc in each of next 12 sts, 1sc in each of next 2 sts, ss in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * along opposite side of leaf, join with ss in first ss. Fasten off.

BRANCHING STEM
Using C, make 23ch. Miss 1ch, 1sc in each of next 7ch, 12ch, miss 1ch, 1sc each of next 8ch, 9ch, miss 1ch, 1sc in each of next 8ch, 1sc in each of next 18ch. Fasten off.

FINISHING
Stitch the lime on to the first branch worked, overlapping the stem end by about 3/8in (1cm). Stitch one leaf on to each of the remaining two branches.

Directions reproduced with permission from 75 Birds, Butterflies & Little Beasts to Knit and Crochet, St. Martin's Press, 2011

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES

ch = chain dc = double crochet
hdc = half double crochet sc = single crochet
ss = slip stitch st(s) = stitch(es)