I don’t usually decorate much for any holiday other than Christmas, but this year I wanted a little something for Valentine’s Day. So I worked up this heart-shaped pillow in just a few hours, and I’m really happy with it! It’s small enough to be a quick afternoon project, but large enough to make a statement. The “xox” is optional, but I think it’s a cute touch. I really don’t have specific instructions for that part, you basically just weave in and out with white yarn in the shape of the letters. There are lots of tutorials for that type of thing online if you want something more detailed.
If you’d like an ad-free, easily printable version of the pattern, you can help support my small business and purchase it for a small fee in my Etsy shop – SimpleThings byTia, or in my Ravelry Store – Simple Things Crochet.
Like this pattern? You may also like the Autumn Leaf Coaster or the Cafe au Lait Blanket. And if you’d like to receive an email whenever there’s a new post, you can find the sign-up box below. I never sell your info or use it for anything else. Promise! 💗😊
Skill Level: Easy (you need to be comfortable with increasing and decreasing)
Materials:
Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Cranberry – 1 skein
Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in White – 1 skein (you only need this if you choose to do the lettering, and any white yarn will probably work)
Hook size I/9 5.25mm
Fiberfill for stuffing
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers – optional but recommended
Gauge:
14 sc stitches and 14 sc rows = 4”
Dimensions:
10” wide by 10” long without handle
Abbreviations:
Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
Sc2tog – single crochet two together (instructions below)
St, sts – stitch, stitches
Sp – space
Ss – slip stitch
Notes:
- Beginning chains do not count as stitches. Always make your first stitch in the very first stitch in the row.
- You’ll be making two hearts and sewing them together.
- For the two humps at the top of the heart, you will crochet one hump, tie off, and then attach your yarn to the other side to crochet the other hump.
- I recommend using stitch markers to easily keep your rows even. Place a stitch marker in the the first stitch of a row, and you will know where to crochet your last stitch when you get back to that end.
Special Stitches:
Sc2tog – This creates one decrease: Insert hook in st, yarn over and pull up loop (do not complete stitch), insert hook in next st, yarn over and pull up loop, (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
Instructions:
Make two
With Cranberry , ch 2.
Row 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 2 sts.
Row 2: Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in next 2 sts. 4 sts.
Row 3: Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in each of next two stitches, 2 sc in last stitch. 6 sts.
Rows 4 – 14: Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in first and last sts in row, 1 sc in each st between. Your stitch number will increase by two with each row. Row 14 should have 28 sts.
Rows 15 – 16: Turn, ch 1, sc in each stitch across row. 28 sts.
Row 17: Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in first and last sts in row, 1 sc in each st between. 30 sts.
Row 18: Turn, ch 1, sc in each stitch across row. 30 sts.
Rows 19 – 21: Turn, ch 1, 2 sc in first and last sts in row, 1 sc in each st between. Your stitch number will increase by two with each row. Row 21 will have 36 sts.
Rows 22 – 23: Turn, ch 1, sc in each stitch across row. 36 sts.
Here you will start to make the first hump in the heart. You will only crochet halfway across.
Rows 24 – 26: Turn, ch 1, 1 sc in each of the next 18 sts. 18 sts.
Row 27: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 16 sts. 17 sts.
Row 28: Turn, ch 1, sc across row. 17 sts.
Row 29: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog, 1 sc in each of next 13 sts, sc2tog. 15 sts.
Row 30: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog, 1 sc in each of next 11 sts, sc2tog. 13 sts.
Row 31: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog, 1 sc in each of next 9 sts, sc2tog. 11 sts.
Row 32: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog, 1 sc in each of next 7 sts, sc2tog. 9 sts.
Row 33: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog, 1 sc in each of next 5 sts, sc2tog. 7 sts.
Row 34: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog, 1 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc2tog. 5 sts.
Row 35: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog, 1 sc in each of next st, sc2tog. 3 sts.
For the second hump, attach your yarn to the outside edge of row 23. (see photo) Repeat rows 24 – 35. Weave in ends
For lettering:
If you’d like to do the lettering, use your white yarn and start on the back side about 3/4 of the way down on the left. See photos for placement. Stitch up and down to create the letters, xox. Tie off.
For the handle:
Cut 6 strands of yarn approximately 20” long. Knot one end leaving about 2” for the fringe at the end. Make 3 groups of yarn with 2 strands each and braid together till there’s about 3” left. Knot at this end, also, again leaving about 2” for the fringe. (This is much easier than it sounds. It’s just braided yarn with knots at each end.😊)
Construction:
Place hearts on top of each other with right sides together. Sew about 3/4 of the way around. Turn inside out. Stuff lightly, and then carefully finish stitching the heart closed. Sew the handle on with the ends at the peaks of the humps.
