Crochet Heart Pillow

• DK/light worsted weight/category 3 yarn about 370 meters (I held 2 strands of yarn together for this pillow. You can also use a single strand of medium worsted weight or a bulky weight yarn)
• H/5 mm crochet hook
• 4 stitch markers
• Synthetic cotton for filling
• Fabric for lining (optional)

Size:

About 15 inches wide and 12 inches high

Stitches/Abbreviations Used:

ch - chain

st/sts - stitch/stitches

sl st - slip stitch

sc - single crochet

dc - double crochet

dc3tog - double crochet worked together in 3 consecutive stitches

Instruction (make 2)

Round 1: Ch 24, dc in 4th ch from hook (place a marker in this st), dc in next 8 ch, dc3tog, dc in next 8 ch, 7 dc in the last ch (place a marker in the 1st and one in the 7th st), dc in next 9 ch on the other side, 3 dc in the next ch (this will be the same st where the 2nd dc of dc3tog is worked), dc in next 9 ch, 5 dc in next ch (place marker in the 1st st). Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (52 sts)

You will have 7 sts on either side from one maker to the next. These are the 7 sts where you work all the increases in every round. 7 sts will be increased on either side, so totally 14 sts will be increased in every round.

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in the next st (replace marker in the last st), dc in each st up to 2 sts before the dc3tog, dc3tog, dc in every st up to one st before the marked st, 2 dc in each st from marker to marker replacing markers in the first and last st, dc in each st up to the 1st of the 3 dc forming the tip of the heart, 3 dc in the 2nd dc, dc in rest of the sts up to the st before the marked st, 2 dc in each of the next 5 sts. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (66 sts)

Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st (replace marker in the last st), dc in each st up to 2 sts before the dc3tog, dc3tog, dc in every st up to one st before the marked st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next st] from marker to marker replacing markers in the first and last st, dc in each st up to the 1st of the 3 dc forming the tip of the heart, 3 dc in the 2nd dc, dc in rest of the sts up to the st before the marked st, [dc in next st, 2 dc in next st] 5 times. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (80 sts)

Round 4: Ch 3, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st (replace marker in the last st), dc in each st up to 2 sts before the dc3tog, dc3tog, dc in every st up to one st before the marked st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts] from marker to marker replacing markers in the first and last st, dc in each st up to the 1st of the 3 dc forming the tip of the heart, 3 dc in the 2nd dc, dc in rest of the sts up to the st before the marked st, [dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st] 5 times. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (80 sts)

Round 5: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st (replace marker in the last st), dc in each st up to 2 sts before the dc3tog, dc3tog, dc in every st up to one st before the marked st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts] from marker to marker replacing markers in the first and last st, dc in each st up to the 1st of the 3 dc forming the tip of the heart, 3 dc in the 2nd dc, dc in rest of the sts up to the st before the marked st, [dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st] 5 times. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (96 sts)

Work 2 more rounds of increase.

Finishing:

Cut yarn off the first piece but not the second.

If you are using lining trace out the heart on a fabric and cut out two pieces and keep aside.

Joining of the 2 hearts is done from outside. So place the hearts one on top of the other with the right sides out. The heart at the top will be the one that has not been fastened off. Count the number of sts from the dc3tog to the joint and insert the hook in the corresponding st of the bottom heart and join the pieces together by working sc in each st around. Work 3 sc at the tip of the heart. Leave out 1/4th unworked. Do not fasten.

If you are not lining the heart you can proceed to stuff your heart and join the remaining sts.

If you are using lining, then pull the wrong side out and sew the pieces of fabric on both the sides. Pull the right side out. Now fill with stuffing and finish the final joining of the hearts. Cut off yarn and weave in the loose end.