Tuesday, February 4

Crochet Heart Pillow: Pattern & Tutorial

If you've been hanging around here for a while, you may be like, "Girrrrl, you already posted your crochet heart pillow -- you cray?!" And you aren't wrong. Since I posted my original pattern a year ago, I have gotten a lot of questions about the pattern specifics and particular steps in the process. I have also tweaked the pattern a bit, and thought I'd put together an updated tutorial for all a y'all. I hope this makes things clearer, and please, let me know if you have any more questions! 

**Access the original pattern post here. I also have it posted to Ravelry here.**

Stuff You'll Need: size N crochet hook, 1 skein bulky weight yarn, 2 colors worsted weight yarn, scissors, large yarn needle, stuffing/fiberfill

Here is the basic pattern (I'll follow with details and photos below): 
*Note, I am using US crochet terms

Abbreviations: ch = chain, st = stitch, dc = double crochet, slpst = slip stitch, dc2tog = double crochet 2 together/double crochet decrease

Rnd 1 - Using all three yarn strands at once, make a magic ring. Ch 2 (does not count as st throughout), 7 dc in ring. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 7 dc
Rnd 2 - Ch 2, 2dc in each st around. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 14 dc
Rnd 3 - Ch 2, *dc, 2dc in next st,* repeat around. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 21 dc
Rnd 4 - Ch 2, dc in each st around. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 21 dc
Rnd 5 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 6 sts, 2dc in next st,* repeat from * twice. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 24 dc

Fasten off, cut yarn leaving a tail of about 6", and set aside. Begin at round 1 again to make a second "hump." When you finish your second hump, do not fasten off. Instead, you will slip stitch into one of the Rnd5 stitches on your first hump, and start at round 6:

Rnd 6 - Ch 2, (working in first hump) dc in each of next 23 sts, 2dc in next st, (move to second hump) dc in each of next 23 sts, 2 dc in final st. Slpst to top of first dc (on first hump) to join. = 50 dc
Rnd 7 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 8 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 45 dc
Using your yarn needle and yarn tail from first hump, sew together hole formed between humps.
Rnd 8 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 7 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 40 dc 
Rnd 9 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 6 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 35 dc 
Rnd 10 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 5 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 30 dc 
Rnd 11 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 4 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 25 dc 
Rnd 12 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 3 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 20 dc 
Begin stuffing heart at this point. 
Rnd 13 - Ch 2, *dc in each of next 2 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 15 dc 
Rnd 14 - Ch 2, *dc in next st, dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 10 dc 
Add rest of stuffing so that pillow is firm, but crochet is not stretching. 
Rnd 15 - Ch 2, *dc2tog over next 2 sts,* repeat from * four times. Slpst to top of first dc to join. = 5 dc 

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew base of heart closed and weave in ends. 

Now for some notes about the pattern... 

The 2 chains at the beginning of each round are there to fill in the space formed by joining two double crochet stitches at the end and do not count as a stitch. You will basically work each round like those stitches aren't there, skipping over them when you join at the end. You can see this join more clearly in the photos above. Also important, the first double crochet of each round is worked in the SAME STITCH as the chains. You can see this above as well. (click the photos to enlarge if necessary)

These are some detail photos of the "hump joining" (HAAA). The joining of the humps... HAAA... Okay, anyway, the first photo shows the slip stitch from the second hump into the first hump. The second shows the beginning of round 6, working in the first hump. I always slip stitch into the first stitch of round 5 on the first hump, so that my yarn tail is in the middle for sewing (shown in the following photos). 

When you finish round 6, you will notice a hole between the two humps. If you don't notice it by then, you will certainly notice it soon. I instructed you to sew it together sooner than shown here -- I wanted the hole to be really obvious in photos, so I stuffed my heart first but it will be easier if you sew it while the heart is unstuffed and the base is still pretty open. All you're going to do is thread your yarn needle with the yarn tail from the first hump, sew together the hole, tie off, and weave in the end. I try to sew on the underside of the stitches so it's less obvious when the heart is finished. 

So there you have it, my updated heart pattern! I switched the decreases to all multiples of 5 because it's easier for me to keep it all straight. Crochet can be so math-y, am I right?? This ends up making the heart a bit narrower than the original, but I actually like it better. 

My favorite thing about this project is the marbled effect you get from using multiple yarns. Nope, I lied. It's actually how quickly this works up because you're using multiple yarns. But the marbled look is good too. ;) What do you think? Do these photos help those of you who've attempted the pattern before? Do you have any more questions? 

If you've made a heart pillow, please, email me at monmakesthings[at]gmail[dot]com, leave a link in the comments, or show me on Facebook/Instagram! 

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7 comments:

  1. Very nice :-) Thanks for sharing your pattern.

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    1. Of course! I'm happy to share :) And I'm glad you like it!

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  2. The pattern looks great! I'm hoping to make one for my couch :) ~Stephanie

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  3. I saw this on your IG feed and will make one for my bed in next few days. I just love this... Says your IG friend Made with Loops xx

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    1. Yayy!! Thanks for stopping by, miss! Can't wait to see what you make!

      ♥♥♥

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  4. this is so cute! and i love the colors you used. i'm going to add this to my pin board of projects to do eventually :)

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  5. Hey Mon!

    I just wanted to say I love your designs so much! I made this pillow but I was thinking of making another one and I have one thing I am stuck on. My magic circle is too small compared to the rest of the pillow! How many double crochets did you include for your magic circle? Thank you <3

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Thank you so much for your interest in my post! I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)