Easy Crochet Hearts

Skill Level: beginner - Intermediate

Finished Size: 3 sizes, approximately 3" and less

Materials:

• Worsted weight yarn
• Crochet hook, 4.00 mm or 4.5 mm or smaller if desired.
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Fiber fill for stuffing

Gauge: N/A


Abbreviations, Notes and Tips:

• st/sts – stitch/stitches
• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• dc – double crochet
• tr – treble crochet
• sl st – slip stitch

Instructions:

• Round 1: Ch 2. Into the magic ring, make 3 tr, 4 dc, tr, 4 dc, 3 tr. Ch 2, and sl st into magic ring. Close the magic ring by pulling yarn tail.
Stop here for mini hearts.
• Round 2: Continue in joined rounds, working into the stitches of the previous round.
  Sc in ch-2 sp, (2 hdc and 1dc) in next st, 3 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, (dc, tr, dc) in next st, dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st, 3 dc in next st, (1 dc and 2 hdc) in next st, sc in ch-2 sp, sl st in sl st from the previous rnd.
• Round 3: Continue working in the round.
  Sc in first 2 sts. (2 sc in the next st, 1 sc in the next st) three times, sc in next 6 sts, (sc, hdc, sc) in next st, sc in next 6 sts, (1 sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st) three times, sc in next 2 sts.
• Cut yarn and join with an invisible join. Tighten up the magic ring one more time, and weave in the ends.
Finishing

• To finish the heart, I like to end Round 3 with an invisible join instead of a slip-stitch join. An invisible join mimics the look of a stitch.
  
  To make an invisible join:
  
  1. Cut yarn, leaving a 6″ yarn tail. Pull the yarn through the last stitch. Use the yarn tail to thread a tapestry needle.
  2. Insert the needle under both top loops of the first stitch of the previous round. Pull snug, but not too tight.
  3. Insert your needle into the top of the last stitch of the current round. Poke the needle down between the two top loops. Pull the yarn snug so that the invisible join mimics the size of the rest of the stitches.
• Make a second heart then stitch or sc together and stuff just before fininshing the join of the hearts.

Option:
Make a lacy edging in contrasting yarn around the heart using the outside stitches or joining stitches as a foundation.