Crochet Heart Pattern: Easy Heart Garland (Free)

Why You’ll Love This Crochet Heart

• Two rounds and an edging. The heart shape comes from the stitch heights in Round 2, so there is no counting of rows and no sewing.
• A crisp contrast border. One round of single crochet in a second color outlines the shape and makes the point sharp.
• Uses up small amounts. One heart takes about 10 yards of yarn, so leftovers from bigger projects are enough.
• Endless uses. String them into a garland, sew one on a bag or a hat, tie one to a gift, or make a handful of minis for Valentine’s cards.

Materials You’ll Need

• Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn in three colors: cherry red (about 12 yd / 11 m), blush pink (about 10 yd / 9 m) and cream (about 15 yd / 14 m, which includes the garland cord). These amounts are for the three-heart garland in the photos.
• 4 mm (US G-6) crochet hook. See the hook size chart if your hook only shows a letter.
• Yarn needle, scissors and one stitch marker.

Gauge, Size and Skill Level

• Skill level: Easy. You need chains, single, half double, double and treble crochet; each is used only a few times.
• Finished size: each heart is about 3 in (7.5 cm) wide and 2¾ in (7 cm) tall with the edging. The mini heart is about 1¼ in (3 cm).
• Gauge: Round 1 measures about 1¼ in (3 cm) across. Gauge is not critical, but a tight tension keeps the heart flat.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

US terms. If you learned UK terms, the US/UK stitch converter has every name side by side.

• Magic ring (mr). Wrap the yarn twice around two fingers, insert the hook under the strands, pull up a loop and chain 1. Work the first round into the ring, then pull the tail to close the hole.
• Treble crochet (tr). Yarn over twice, insert the hook and pull up a loop, then (yarn over and pull through 2 loops) three times. The trebles make the round tops of the heart.
• Standing single crochet. Start the new color with a slip knot on the hook, insert the hook in the stitch, pull up a loop and finish a single crochet.

Pattern Notes

• The heart is worked in joined rounds with the right side facing; do not turn.
• In Round 1 the beginning ch 3 counts as the first double crochet, so the round has 12 stitches. Put a marker in the top of that ch-3: it is stitch 1, the dip between the two tops of the heart.
• Round 2 is the shaping round. It is written stitch by stitch, from stitch 1 around to stitch 12. Read it once before you start.
• The number in parentheses at the end of each round is its stitch count.

How to Crochet a Heart Step by Step

This crochet heart pattern starts as a circle. Round 1 is 12 double crochets in a magic ring, a flat disc a little over an inch across.

Round 2 turns the circle into a heart. Next to the dip at the top, the trebles build up the two round tops; along the sides the stitches get shorter; and at stitch 7, opposite the dip, a double crochet, 2 chains and another double crochet make the point.

The edging goes all the way around in a contrast color, with one increase on each top so the curves stay smooth and a chain-2 corner at the point. Make all three hearts before you start the garland: red with a cream edging, pink with a red edging and cream with a pink edging.

Finishing and Making the Garland

Weave in the ends on the back of each heart, and hide the tail of the magic ring in the stitches of Round 1 so the center stays closed. If a heart curls, pin it flat, spray it with water and let it dry.

The cord is a cream chain that picks up each heart at the top of its two rounded tops. Follow the “Garland” rows below; the 40 chains at each end are for tying it up. For a longer crochet heart garland, make more hearts and add 8 chains between each one.

Tips for Success

• Close the ring tight. Pull the tail of the magic ring hard before you join Round 1, then once more after weaving it in.
• Keep the marker in stitch 1. Round 2 only works if it starts at the right place, and the marker tells you where the dip is.
• Do not skip the chain-2 at the point. Without it the point turns round, and the heart looks like a leaf.
• Edge with a smaller tension. Single crochets that are too loose make the outline wavy. If it ruffles, use a 3.5 mm hook for the edging only.

Variations and Color Ideas

• Crochet mini heart. The one-round mini heart below takes five minutes. Make a dozen for a table scatter, or sew them on cards and gift tags.
• Without the edging. Stop after Round 2 for an easy crochet heart in a single color; it is about 2½ in (6.5 cm) wide.
• A bigger heart. Use a bulky yarn and a 6 mm hook: the same rounds give a heart of about 4½ in (11.5 cm), good for a pillow appliqué.
• Other palettes. Navy, white and red for a summer bunting, or lavender, mint and butter yellow for a baby room.

Want a flat project with more rounds? The sunflower granny square is the next step up, and the tulip border placemat is a nice table set to go with a heart garland.

Care Instructions

Cotton hearts can be hand washed in cool water with a little mild soap. Press out the water in a towel and dry them flat, pulling the points straight while they are damp. A garland used outdoors fades in direct sun, so bring it in after the season.