Free Mary Jane 🧶🌱 A Green Pattern for Freedom

Hello everyone,

I am dropping a brand new video tutorial and crochet pattern today. We are making a crochet marijuana leaf. 🌱

I am calling this project 'Free Mary Jane,' and I am putting it out there into the world completely free, as Mary should be. No paywalls, no tiers, just a gift from me to you, because, in the grand scheme of things, that is exactly what this plant was meant to be. Free. 𑿨🌱🕊️

Back to the Roots of the Craft 🧶🪝

As makers, we use our hands to create things that bring comfort, heal, and bring joy. For generations, this plant has done the exact same thing for people. But instead of being celebrated, it was locked down. And let's call it what it is, and look at the history of cannabis prohibition is deeply rooted in a history of racist laws and systemic injustice. It was never about the plant itself, it was about control.

To this day, people are still serving time or carrying records for something that grows naturally out of the dirt. Meanwhile, corporations are turning around and making millions off of it legally. It just ain't right. 😞

So when I eventually sat down to design this leaf pattern, after years of putting it on a back burner, (🤣) and write about my thoughts on the matter, I didn't want to sell it. Keeping this pattern free is my tiny way of honoring the spirit of what is natural, what is right, and what belongs to everyone. It is a nod to liberation, a conversation starter, and a piece of visual solidarity.

The Design 🌱🪝

Whether you want to use this appliqué to patch up a favorite jacket, turn it into something larger, use it for another project down the road, or just hang it up in your space, I wanted to make sure the shape was instantly recognizable and satisfying to stitch. 

The video tutorial walks you through the super simple leaf segments, step by step. It is a great, rhythmic flow once you get the hang of the stitch counts, and you can whip one up in a single sitting using whatever scrap medium weight yarn you have lying around. (hopefully green 😬 I had Blue for my first one 😅)

Grab your favorite hook, settle into your comfortable spot, and let's make a pot leaf. 

Free Mary Jane

Crochet Cannabis Leaf Pattern Written by Doily Designs

Cathleen Wake Gorbatenko ©2026

As with all Doily Designs patterns, please feel free to make and sell items, and give credit where due. & Best wishes on sales!

Written in US crochet terms

Yarn:  Medium Worsted Weight, preferably green

Hook: E - H Hooks can be used for this pattern for various sizing, keeping in mind the looser the stitches the flimsier it will be.

For the pictured Mary Jane Leaf designer used an F hook and Hobby Lobby, "I love this yarn!" acrylic in Jelly Bean Green and Forest Green.

Stitch Key

Ch:  Chain

Dc:  Double Crochet

Hdc:  Half Double Crochet

Mr:  Magic Ring

Sc:  Single Crochet

Slst:  Slip Stitch

Begin

Make a Mr,

Stem:  Ch 5, Sc in 2nd ch from the hook, Slst in same sp and next 3 sps, Slst in mr,

(Leave your Mr (Magic Ring) open here and throughout)

1st Leaf:  Ch 5, Slst in 2nd ch sp, Sc in next 3 sps, Slst in mr,

2nd Leaf:  Ch 6, Slst in 2nd ch sp, Sc in next 2 sps, Hdc in 2 sps, Slst in mr,

3rd Leaf:  Ch 8, slst in 2nd ch sp, Sc in next sp, Hdc in 2 sps, Dc in 2 sps, Hdc in last sp, Slst in mr,

Next: Repeat Leaf 2,

Last: Repeat Leaf 1 to last sc, make a 4th Sc in mr, (not a Slst here),

Untwist tail, (pull closed slightly)

Join in bottom of 'stem', (optional)

Fasten off, 

Pull mr firmly, but gently closed, making sure no center hole remains.

Use end to weave and secure.

Enjoy! 🥬🕊️

Click below to watch the tutorial 👇

 

Hang tight 🔨🔩🪛🚧🏗️ 🙏🏻 And thank you for your patience.

Tips: If you find that your leaves curl, it is possibly due to your hook size paired with your yarn, and try going smaller on your hook. You could also Top Slst your leaf on to something, apply and secure shape, or wet block, starch, or double up/yarn/leaves. 🧶

Thank you for stopping by and for your continued support.

Best wishes, happy crocheting and ...

Let US see about freeing Mary, not leashing her like a dog. 𑿨🌱🕊️

Okay, I must add as well, I have had my doubts and fears for many years where the future could lead us, and here we are on the precipice of my fears, with pharmaceutical companies holding cannabis hostage. Especially given the changes that keep happening. The Department of Justice and the DEA officially moved FDA approved cannabis products and state licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.

On paper, people celebrate that as 'progress' because it means it is no longer legally lumped in with heroin. But if you look closer, moving it to Schedule III, instead of completely de-scheduling it (taking it off the controlled substance list entirely), is exactly what opens the door for massive corporate and pharmaceutical control.

The 'Leash': Schedule III means a substance requires a prescription and is heavily regulated by federal agencies. It paves the way for giant pharmaceutical companies to swoop in, patent specific formulations, and dominate the market.

The 'Limbo': Recreational use, regular people growing a plant, or independent crafters and small legacy growers are still technically left in legal limbo under federal law.

It changes the game from "prohibition" to "monopolization." It is no longer about a natural plant that belongs to the earth, it becomes a tightly controlled corporate product. It is substituting a cage for a tight leash. In my opinion.

Thanks for reading.

🌱💊🕊️

~ Cathleen 🧶

Fyi. There are wild poisonous, medicinal, edible, annoying leaves and plants of all sorts in most Texans backyards! What are you going to negate everyone until it's all neatly packed in a pill?  oh, wait - they did that already- 🙃

The Title: 'How to Hook a Pot Leaf' tumbled around for a hot minute.... 🤣