How to Crochet a Lovely Heart

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Crochet hook in the size that matches the yarn
• Yarn or tapestry needle

Materials

• 4 yard yarn

Instructions

1. Start the Crochet Heart With a RingStart by making the base ring that the crochet gets built on. Make a slip knot and then chain stitch 4 and join with slip stitch to form a ring. Turn your work so the slip knot is at the back of your work.
2. Round 1: Work Single Crochet StitchesChain stitch 1 for a turning chain and then single crochet into the center of the ring 10 times. Join with slip stitch into the slip stitch from when you formed the ring. Typically you would join to the turning chain, but by changing the placement of the join, it helps shape the heart indent. You should have 11 stitches around the circle.
3. Round 2: Work Double Crochet and Half Double Crochet StitchesSkip the turning chain and make your first double crochet into the first single crochet from round one.
   • Double crochet chain stitch 1 two times.Half double crochet chain stitch 1 two times. [dc, ch 1] 2 times. [hdc, ch 1] 2 times.Double crochet chain stitch 1.Half double chain stitch 1 two times.Double crochet chain stitch 1 two times.Slip stitch in the last two stitches.
   You should have 19 stitches around the circle, which will now look more like a heart.
4. Round 3: Work Single Crochet StitchesChain stitch 1 for a turning chain. Single crochet chain stitch 1 eight times. Work the single crochets into the stitches instead of the gaps from the chain stitches on round two. Single crochet 2 into the chain before the double crochet chain stitch 1. Single crochet chain stitch 1 nine times. Slip stitch in the last stitch.
5. Finish the Crochet HeartCut the yarn, leaving about 6 inches. Secure the last stitch and weave in the ends with a yarn or tapestry needle. As you secure the yarn at the heart indent, weave the needle toward the indent, which helps complete the heart shape.

Ways to Use Crochet Hearts

Once you make one crocheted heart, you’ll probably want to make many more. Here are a few ideas for what to do with the hearts:

• Make a heart garland by attaching the hearts together on a string of chain stitch. As you make the chain, pass your hook through the back of a heart to connect it, then add more chain and more hearts.
• Craft heart pins for friends and family. Simply stitch a pin back to the back of the heart. You may want to add a felt backing first.
• Create crocheted heart cookies for make-believe play. Make one heart with tan yarn on a larger hook (or add an extra round of single crochet) to make it a little bigger. Then, make a second heart for the frosting. Stitch them together with colorful yarn “sprinkles.”
• Stack a bunch of bigger crochet hearts together and tie the pile with a ribbon. You’ve now got the perfect gift of coasters or washcloths.