How to Crochet a Perfect Heart

"A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles."
     ~ Washington Irving (1783-1859)

Perfection.  We strive towards it.  We practice to achieve it.  In matters of the heart it is often elusive.  But in crochet, all things are possible.  And so I set out to crochet a perfect heart.

There are patterns that make them in the round and those that work them in rows.  Some came close, but nothing gave me exactly what I was looking for.  I knew that creating a perfectly symmetrical heart was a matter of diligence, patience, and little geometry.  I learned a lot from all the different versions I made. Using the elements that worked the best from other patterns and through lots  of trial and error this beauty came to life! 

I made my thread hearts into bookmarks, and I included the instructions here so you can make them too.  If  they're not your style there are lots of other things you can do.  Thread hearts can be attached to a card with ribbon and given as a lovely Valentine.  Sew them onto a shirt, hat, jacket or pants pocket.  Sew 2 together and stuff for fluffy hearts.  Add a little cat nip to make a treat for you favorite kitty.  Attach one (or more) to a hair clip, barrette, or head band.  Hearts made with worsted weight yarn and an H hook are the perfect size for a coaster.  Add personalization by stitching you and your love's initials with embroidery floss.  Embellish them with terms of endearment (like the Sweetheart's Conversation Heart candies). Or just make them because they're fun and easy!

The heart in the pattern is made with #10 cotton thread and a #4/1.75 mm steel hook.  It measures about 2.5 inches x 2.5 inches.  The large heart in the picture above is made with worsted weight acrylic and an H/5.00 mm hook.  It measures about 5.5 inches x 5.5 inches.  You can make them with whatever yarn or thread and hook makes you happy.

Rnd 1: With A, ch 4, 13 dc in fourth ch from hook.  Join with sl st  in top of beginning ch. (14 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (count as first dc, now and throughout), dc in same st, 2 dc in next dc and in each dc around.  Join with sl st in top of beginning ch 3. (28 dc)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st and in next dc, (dc, tr) in next dc, tr in next dc, 2 tr in next dc, tr in next dc, (tr, dc) in next dc, dc in next dc, (dc, hdc) in next dc, hdc in next 3 dc, sc in next dc, 2 sc in each of next 2 dc, sc in next dc, hdc in next 3 dc, (hdc, dc) in next dc, dc in next dc, (dc, tr) in next dc, tr in next dc, 2 tr in next dc, tr in next dc, (tr, dc) in next dc, dc in next dc, (dc, ch 2, sl st) in last dc, do not join.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, 1 sc in first ch 2, hdc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, tr in next dc, 2 tr in next tr, tr in next tr, 2 dc in each of next 2 tr, dc in next tr, 2 hdc in next tr, hdc in next dc, 2 hdc in next dc, hdc in next 3 sts, dc in next hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, dc in next 2 sc, (dc, 2 tr) in next sc, (2 tr, dc) in next sc, dc in next 2 sc, 2 hdc in next hdc, dc in next hdc, hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next dc, hdc in next dc, 2 hdc in next tr, dc in next tr, 2 dc in each of next 2 tr, tr in next tr, 2 tr in next tr, tr in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, hdc in next dc, sc in last ch 2. Join with sl st or invisible join to first sc. Fasten off.  Weave in ends.
(Stitches in bold make up the point of the heart)

Picot Round (optional)

Picot = Ch 2, sl st in first ch.
Rnd 5:
Join B with sl st in last sc of Rnd 4. Ch 1, sc in same st and in next sc, work Picot, (ch in next 3 sts, work Picot) around to last sc, sc in last sc. Join with sl st or invisible join to first sc.
Fasten off.

Now turn it into a bookmark...

Bookmark Tail

On WS of heart join B with sl st in back of  first tr (in the group of 4 tr that make up the point), ch 5, join with sl st in back of fourth tr (in the group of 4 tr that make up the point).

Row 1: Ch 3, 3 dc in ch 5 sp, ch 2, 4 dc in ch 5 sp, turn.
Row 2: Sl st in 3 dc, sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in ch 2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in ch 2 sp, turn.
Row 3: Sl st in 2 dc, sl st in ch 2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in ch 2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in ch 2 sp, turn.
Repeat Row 3 (16 times).  Fasten off.

Row 20: Join A with sl st in ch 2 sp. Ch 3, 9 dc in ch 2 sp. Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

No matter what you do with your heart, I hope it fills you with gladness and brings you a smile!

It's easy to loose your place when working rounds 3 and 4 so I created a PDF that you can download.  I point the corner of a sticky note at each step/stitch and move it to the next after working it.  Then if I  have to put my work down I know where to start!

Perfect Heart PDF

Thanks so much for spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

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