💖Crochet Pattern 😘The Heart Pattern For Valentine’s Day 

The Crochet Heart Pattern is a classic and versatile motif, perfect for everything from small appliqués and garlands to integrated designs in blankets and garments. There are several ways to crochet a heart, ranging from a simple flat design worked in rows to a dimensional, padded motif worked in the round.

Given its small size and typical use, the choice of yarn is less critical for climate, but 100% cotton yarn (DK or Worsted Weight) is highly recommended as it provides crisp edges and excellent stitch definition, which is ideal for the curves and points of a heart shape.

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Method 1: The Simple Flat Heart Motif

This method creates a small, quick, and easy flat heart shape, perfect for appliqués or confetti. It’s often worked from the bottom point upwards.

Essential Stitches Used

• Magic Ring (MR) or Chain 4/Join: For starting.
• Chain (ch): For starting and adding height.
• Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining and securing.
• Single Crochet (sc): For density.
• Half Double Crochet (hdc): For medium height.
• Double Crochet (dc): For height and curves.
• Treble Crochet (tr – optional): For the sharp point.

Pattern Instructions

We will work in a single round (or series of stitches) to form the heart shape:

1. Start: Create a MR, OR ch 4 and sl st into the first chain to form a ring.
2. Ch 3 (counts as the first dc).
3. Work the Point: Work 3 tr into the ring/circle. This creates the sharp bottom point of the heart.
4. Work the First Curve: Work 3 dc into the ring/circle.
5. Work the Center Dip: Work 1 hdc into the ring/circle.
6. Work the Second Curve: Work 3 dc into the ring/circle.
7. Work the Second Point: Work 3 tr into the ring/circle.
8. Finish & Secure: ch 3, then sl st into the center ring/circle to anchor the final corner.
9. Fasten Off (FO). Gently pull the MR tail to close the center hole and shape your heart.

The completed sequence is: (ch 3, 3 tr, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 3 tr, ch 3, sl st) all into the center ring.

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Method 2: Integrated Heart Pattern (Worked in Rows)

This technique shows how to incorporate a heart shape into a larger fabric, often using a method like Tapestry Crochet (carrying yarn) or Corner-to-Corner (C2C), but the simplest is often done using the Filet Crochet technique.

The Filet Crochet Heart

Filet crochet uses an open grid pattern (created with chains and stitches) to form pictures or designs.

Essential Stitches Used

• Double Crochet (dc): Used for solid blocks.
• Chain (ch): Used for open blocks.

Pattern Instructions (Simple 5×5 Grid Heart)

A solid block (or filled square) is worked as: dc in the next 3 stitches (or dc in the next dc and 2 dc in the chain space).

An open block (or mesh square) is worked as: dc, ch 2, skip 2 stitches.

To create a symmetrical heart shape in a 5×5 grid (you will need a starting chain long enough for $5 \times 3 + 1 = 16$ stitches):

Row	Instructions (Solid Blocks are filled, Open Blocks are empty)
Row 1	Open, Open, Solid, Open, Open
Row 2	Open, Solid, Solid, Solid, Open
Row 3	Solid, Solid, Solid, Solid, Solid
Row 4	Open, Solid, Solid, Solid, Open
Row 5	Open, Open, Solid, Open, Open

Crochet Instructions:

1. Foundation: Ch 16. Dc in the 4th ch from hook (counts as first dc and first ch-sp).
2. Row 1: dc, ch 2, skip 2 (Open). dc in next st. Repeat for the second Open block. Work 3 dc (Solid block). dc, ch 2, skip 2 (Open). dc in next st. Repeat for the last Open block. Ch 3, turn.
3. Row 2: Work an Open block. Work 3 Solid blocks. Work an Open block. Ch 3, turn.
4. Row 3: Work 5 Solid blocks across the entire row. Ch 3, turn.
5. Row 4: Repeat Row 2. Ch 3, turn.
6. Row 5: Repeat Row 1. FO.

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Method 3: Dimensional Heart (Padded Look)

This method creates a curved, almost dimensional look, often achieved by working around a base chain and then manipulating the sides.

Pattern Instructions (Worked around a Base Chain)

1. Base Chain: Ch 4.
2. Round 1: Work the following stitches into the 4th chain from hook:
   • 3 tr (First side curve)
   • 3 dc
   • 1 tr (The bottom point of the heart)
   • 3 dc
   • 3 tr (Second side curve)
   • Ch 3, sl st into the same starting chain.
3. Fasten Off (FO). Gently pull the tail from the starting chain.
4. Shape: Thread your yarn needle with the long tail. Sew the very first stitch (the first ch-3/tr) and the very last stitch (the final sl st) together for a row or two. This closes the gap at the top and emphasizes the central dip. Weave in ends.

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Tips for Crocheting the Heart Pattern

• Stitch Tension: Keep your tension even, especially in the tight curves of the heart, to maintain symmetry.
• Experiment with Yarn: Using a thinner yarn (like Sport Weight) will create a more delicate heart, while Worsted Weight will create a larger, chunkier motif.
• Uses:
  • Flat Hearts: Sew them onto hats, gloves, or blankets; string them together for a romantic garland.
  • Filet Hearts: Use them as a block pattern in a mesh shawl, cushion cover, or window curtain.
  • Dimensional Hearts: Stuff them lightly with fiberfill before closing for a small ornament or toy.

Which method—the simple flat motif, the filet crochet design, or the dimensional heart—would you like to try first?

Video tutorial: