Welcome to the TikkunTree’s Pattern page!
When completed, the TikkunTree will be a silent community sculpture, part of a larger exhibit on the olive tree; but its diverse hand-made foliage, doves and candles will speak eloquently of the thoughts and hopes for peace of its many contributors.
The TikkunTree Project needs hand-crafted leaves, many hundreds of them. Here are links to leaf patterns that would be welcome, some of which have been designed specially for this project, others link to patterns designed by many others collected from the online fiberarts community; there are also links to patterns for doves and candles.
The TikkunTree Project Patterns
Since the TikkunTree is taking form as a free-standing sculpture, three-dimensional leaves will be especially useful for it. Here are a few special patterns for leaves that can be made either single or or double-sided, knit either top-down (from tip to stem), or bottom-up (from stem to tip). They can be made on double-point needles or straights – instructions are available for both (though I prefer knitting in the round on dpns, which eliminates all seams).
Their level of difficulty? These are ideal for experienced knitters, and adventurous or courageous peacemakers, or anyone wants to learn to knit in the round with use double-point needles (dpns). They will challenge the novice knitter, but a communal peace project is worth the effort. And, you’ll soon be an ace with dpns, able to move on to mittens, gloves and socks!
- a “smooth” double-sided leaf, with rounded or scalloped sides (pdf) (far right)
- a ribbed double-sided TikkunTree “Safed” leaf (right) for dpns (pdf) or a TikkunTree Safed leaf for straight needles, knit flat with side seam (pdf)
-
cabled leaves, which can be made one- or two-sided, in one or two colors (revised pdf available shortly). (note: my samples pictured here have all been made with Peace Fleece yarns, described in detail on the Guidelines page of the project.
- a knitted olive branch, clearest symbol of the desire for peace (pattern here).
Other Leaves
Others’ patterns that will work for the TikkunTree include:
- Tree Undone project’s knitted leaves, pattern by Cyntergnomes, for either a veined leaf (link here), or simple garter stitch leaf (link here) (right and center)
- Castoff Club’s simple leaf pattern (link to pdf here) (far right)
Those who crochet might look to these patterns for inspiration:
- simple felted leaves (link here); the leaf created with this crochet crown pattern could easily be made larger) (far right) (and even simpler felted leaves can be made by cutting leaf shapes from a felted square of knitted or crocheted wool, such as these)
- The AntiCraft’s Maiden Glory Leaf
- Cylinda Matthews’ Autumn Leaf
- Vintage Venetian Leaf
- Akua’s lovely crocheted maple and other leaves
If you embroider, sew, or quilt, models are plentiful … here are a few that have inspired me (all these images are live and will take you to their original sites).
Doves
Many patterns for birds have been generously shared on the internet. Any of these birds (made in white or cream) would be very welcome to roost in the TikkunTree.
- my favorite: the felted “origami” peace crane pattern from knitnotwar 1,o0o
- simple dove to knit from the Castoff Knitting Club (link to pdf here) (right)
- and a Dove of Peace Ornament by Angie (link here) (far right)
-
a crocheted peace dove by Nanabear97 (link here); I omitted all decoration in the large dove I made (far right) using this pattern
- Marlo’s crocheted “Caroline’s Birds” (right) (link here)
I have been inspired by many of the crafted birds I’ve seen online, forwhich patterns do not seem to be available. If you are inspired to tat or felt white doves like these, they will find a welcome spot on the TikkunTree.
Candles
-
Castoff Club candle (knit)
-
crochet candles and candlesticks (here, here, here, and here)
- ruffled crochet candle (pdf download from FreePatterns.com)
When you’re done, drop your leaves into an ordinary envelope (no special padding or packaging should be needed); candles and/or doves may need some padding. Feel free to include a brief explanation about your reasons for participating in this project, and/or special wishes or prayers for peace in Israel and the mid-east; these will be featured on the website and eventual installation.
Then send them to:
The TikkunTree Project
P.O. Box 2088
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Thank you very much for participating in this special peace project.
Any questions or additional information can be sent to:
tikkuntree (at) yahoo (dot) com.
updated 12.28.08
What gorgeous patterns………and what a wonderful idea.
I made a pair of peace boots which were exhibited in Israel in 2003 (I think!) LOL!. I must put them up on my blog.
I look forward to seeing your vision of walking for peace. A few leaves for the TikkunTree would be wonderful.
Leslie
Oh! What a treat your site is.
Thanks very much! Are you thinking of contributing a few leaves to the TikkunTree?
Leslie
[…] Patterns […]
i would love to make some of the cabled leaves for you. when the pattern comes out and i figure out where to send them, they are yours! (smiles) dani
The cabled leaf pattern is available here. All leaves and other contributions to the TikkunTree can be sent to: The TikkunTree Project, P.O. Box 2088, Philadelphia, PA 19103
We look forward to receiving your leaves soon.
Leslie
I just spotted your leaves on ravelry. What a beautiful idea. You can count on me!
Thanks very much for your kind words. We’re looking forward to receiving your leaves soon.
Leslie
[…] Patterns […]
[…] only the beautiful patterns for knit and crochet leaves, but also the peaceful impulse behind the project at The Tikkun Tree […]
Beautiful idea, wonderful, affirming linkages to unite craft and peace, to give hands work of the heart.
How beautifully you’ve expressed what is at the heart of the TikkunTree, Akua. Can we look forward to receiving some leaves from you?
Leslie
Hi! I love all of your beautiful patterns and am looking specifically for one which I cannot find: the dreidel. Could you please point me in the right direction? It would be much appreciated! Sincerely, Mikaela
The dreidel pattern is currently being tested again and revised. You should be able to find it as a Pattern for Peacebuilders very soon. Would you be interested in making a few leaves for the TikkunTree in the meantime? Maybe one for each night of Hanukkah this year?
Leslie
Hello!,
I just saw your reply of February 17th, 2008 up above. You may guess I’m not the most technically adept person out there.
No, I won’t be sending a leaf because I haven’t knit since I was 12. But, now that you’ve asked I may be able to come up with something woven in the future.
I’m in the process of developing a much simpler and cheaper, under $5, loom. Nothing like real world teaching to find out my original design was too complicated … Live and learn.
Thanks, Phyllis – Cortez,CO
I look forward to seeing your woven leaves for the TikkunTree once you’ve completed your experiments.
Leslie
I’ve created a bird pattern for your tree.
http://zencrochet.blogspot.com/2009/01/hopes-birds-published.html availabe to all, free here http://www.lulu.com/content/5513282. Wishing you and the world, a Happy, Peaceful and Healthy New Year!
Thanks so very much for this lovely contribution to the TikkunTree project. I look forward to seeing these birds join the slowly growing flock. Happy new year to you as well, Akua!
Leslie
[…] in this project. The TikkunTree Project website includes a variety of leaf, dove, and candle patterns for the project, as well as an address for where to send […]
I’m glad that you’re linked to the TikkunTree project, Marcia! Thanks so very much for all your support!
Leslie
Hello,
Does any one have the pattern for the Peace Doves seen on the following site?
http://domestikgoddess.com/5-free-bird-crochet-patterns/
I would love to be able to do a project with it or any bird. If you have a chroche pattern for a bird, I would appreciate you sharing with me.
Thanks,
Faye
Greetings Faye,
You should be able to find the pattern on Akua’s Zen Crochet page.
I look forward to seeing some of your doves~
Leslie
Are you still accepting submissions?
Also, are we required to only use the leaf patterns provided?
And can we use different yarn from the brand suggested?
Thanks (:
Yes, all contributions to the TikkunTree are welcome, now more than ever! The TikkunTree is an ongoing project, a continuing opportunity to invest in the various processes that might lead to support for peace in Israel-Palestine. So please do send some leaves along. Any pattern is fine, and any yarn, but leaves of approximately the size described in the guidelines would be appreciated.
Leslie
Is there a pattern for the ivy vine?
I love this project. Is it finished or are you still working on it?
Thanks for your interest in this knitted olive branch. I’ll add my simple pattern for the olive branch and leaves asap.
In the meantime, if you are looking for a simple vine pattern to knit and felt, try How Does Your Garden Grow felted vine lariat by Roxie Day (here’s one I made a while back), Marnie MacLean’s mother, Larissa Brown’s Eden Scarf (from her book Knitalong, or this felted mistletoe pattern.
Leslie
I’ll definitely be adding some leaves to this tree. I’m really glad I came across it right as I’ve started to get really back into knitting; this is absolutely beautiful.
Your contributions will be very welcome!
Leslie
I really liked that post.I will be reading a lot more of this blog.But
Stumbled on this only now! April 2010, are you still collecting leaves and in need of some?
Lyn
As long as Israel-Palestine remains in conflict, we will be collecting contributions to the TikkunTree!
Thanks for your interest – we look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Hi there ,
Do you know when is the cable leaf pattern available again? I would like to purchase it ASAP!!!
best regards
Mavretta
You should be able to find the leaf pattern in my Ravelry shop by now.
Good luck with it!
I am trying to find a knitting pattern but so far without success. A message appears saying Pattern not found”. Can you help. Thank you.
Ann
Hello Carol – which pattern are you looking for? This site has been dormant for years, but I can try to locate the pattern for you. Leslie