Happy Little Hearts

Yesterday I shared this photo to The Crochet Crowd's Facebook page.

I had no idea, until I started seeing all of the positive responses, that so many people would love these little hearts as much as I do. I am blessed to know that simply sharing this one photo brought a smile to many faces and brightened the day for other people, even just a little.

Throughout the day today, I have had so many requests for this pattern. I didn't really think anyone would be very interested in the actual pattern I used, because there are so many free patterns out there already and mine doesn't differ a whole lot from many of them. Maybe it's the chain edging I added that give this little heart extra cuteness. Or maybe it's because they just look so adorable and lovely stuck to this tree. Whatever the reason, I am happy to share this pattern with all of you.

I have been promising this pattern all day, so here it is. Also, please note, overall I take no credit for this pattern. For the most part the pattern isn't mine, I just made a few slight adjustments. I have never written a pattern out before (other than just for my own reference), so please be patient with me in this regard. Feel free to send me any questions you might have if anything is unclear.

For now this pattern will just be in printed form. I will try to add photos tomorrow for further clarification.  So, without further ado, the pattern! :)

HAPPY LITTLE HEARTS CROCHET PATTERN

*Please note, the central part of each heart is a basic granny square pattern, so if you already know how to make one (as I'm sure many of you do), feel free to skip ahead. Also, I am writing out instructions for two different size options. The only difference is that the larger heart requires 2 rounds of a granny square and Quadruple Crochet (QC) for the top of the heart, while the smaller heart requires only the very centre of the granny square and Triple Crochet (TC) for the top of the heart. I will give details and terms I'm using below, in case you're familiar with different ones and could use clarification. :) I will write each out separately so it's easier to follow.

Hook: 5.5 mm

Materials: Medium Weight Acrylic Yarn (I used "I Love This Yarn")

Abbreviations Used:

CH - Chain

SS - Slip Stitch

YO - Yarn Over

DC - Double Crochet

TC - Triple Crochet

QC - Quadruple Crochet

SMALL HEART

Granny Square Centre

1, CH 4, SS into 1st CH, YO and pull through both loops to form a ring.

2. CH 3 (will count as first DC) DC twice more into loop, CH 2 (this forms the first cluster)

3. DC 3 more times in loop, CH 2, repeat this step twice more to create a total of 4 clusters, SS into the beg. CH 3 to join.

4. SS back into the CH 2 corner space just completed. (The centre of the heart is now complete)

Top of Heart

1, YO twice and work a TC in 2nd CH from hook (top of last post in cluster) CH 1

2. Work a total of 6 TC in same stitch, CH 1 after each TC (except very last TC) SS into CH 2 corner space from the previous round.

3. YO twice and work a TC in 2nd CH from hook (top of middle post in cluster) CH 1

4. Work a total of 6 TC in same stitch, CH 1 after each TC ( except for very last TC), SS into CH 2 corner space from previous round.

5, The main part of the small heart is now complete. Cut yarn, tie off and weave in ends.

Edging

1. SS into CH 2 space at the very bottom point of the heart, CH 3

2. Skip one stitch, SS into next stitch, CH 3, Skip one stitch, SS into CH 2 corner space of the granny square centre, CH 3. (Now you've reached the top of the heart with all the TC.)

3. Continue to work CH 3 edging around the top of the heart. SS into every stitch at the top of each TC (skipping the CH 1 in between in stitch.) The pattern is SS, CH3, SS.

4. When you get to the centre "V" of the heart, insert your crochet hook down into the CH 2 space of the granny square and do a SS. (This will feel tight, and make sure to keep your tension. This is to give more shape to the dip in the heart).

5. CH 3 and continue around the heart as before. (Make sure you SS into the CH 2 corner space of the granny square as you did on the first side of the heart.) When you get to the last stitch and have chained 3, SS into the beg. CH 3 loop. Cut yarn, tie off and weave in all ends.

LARGE HEART

Granny Square Centre

1, CH 4, SS into 1st CH, YO and pull through both loops to form a ring.

2. CH 3 (will count as first DC) DC twice more into loop, CH 2 (this forms the first cluster)

3. DC 3 more times in loop, CH 2, repeat this step twice more to create a total of 4 clusters, CH 2, SS into beg. CH 3

4. SS back into the CH 2 corner space just completed. Now do the 2nd round of the granny square.

5. CH 3, DC twice more in same space, Move to the next corner.

6. DC 3 times in the CH 2 corner space, CH 2, DC 3 times in the same space.

7. Repeat step 6 two more times in each of the remaining corners.

8. When you get back to the first corner, DC 3 times in the beg, space, CH 2, SS into beg. CH 3, SS back into CH 2 corner space just completed. (the centre of the heart is now complete)

Top of Heart

1, YO 3 times and work a QC in centre space (between corners) CH 1

2. Work a total of 8 QC in same stitch, CH 1 after each QC (except very last QC) SS into CH 2 corner space of the granny square.

3. YO 3 times and work a QC in centre space (between corners) CH 1

4. Work a total of 8 QC in same stitch, CH 1 after each QC ( except for very last QC), SS into CH 2 corner space from previous round.

5, The main part of the large heart heart is now complete. Cut yarn, tie off and weave in ends.

Edging

1. SS into CH 2 space at the very bottom point of the heart, CH 3, skip one stitch, SS into next stitch, CH 3.

2. Continue around the entire heart by doing this CH 3, SS pattern. At the top of the heart you will be doing a SS into the top of each QC (skipping the CH 1 in between).

3.When you get to the centre "V" of the heart, insert your crochet hook down into the CH 2 corner space of the granny square and do a SS. (This will feel tight, and make sure to keep your tension. This is to give more shape to the dip in the heart).

4. CH 3 and continue around as before. When you get to the last stitch and have chained 3, SS into the beg. CH 3 loop. Cut yarn, tie off and weave in all ends.

So there you have it! I hope that you can understand these instructions. Please leave comments and share your thoughts and pictures of your own happy little hearts. :) Make lots of these, donate them, give them as gifts, be creative! Here are a few more photos I took of mine yesterday.

Many of you from The Crochet Crowd gave me the suggestion of donating hearts to the Peyton Heart Project. There are many ideas such as this out there and I will be looking into this as well. It's such a blessing to give back with our gifts and talents. <3