Creative Hearts

As you are all probably well aware, crochet blankets are my true passion and never fail to be at the top of my crochet feel-good list. But my second best favourite kind of make is anything small, colourful and decorative, and these hearts are exactly that kind of project. I've been feeling so excited during the past few weeks as I've researched and pattern tested these colourful crochet hearts, picking out my favourite colours and getting to grips with written patterns. I don't find it easy to read crochet patterns (one of the reasons I generally design my own things), but I figure it's always good to exercise the old grey matter every once in a while.

I'm really pleased with how each and every one turned out, and crikey, talk about satisfying! These hearts are insanely pleasurable to make and crazy-addictive, much in the same way that mandalas are. There is something so soothing about working in rounds of colour, allowing the shape and pattern to form in your hands, giving in to the creative process purely for the pleasure of doing so.

I made my hearts using a DK cotton and a 4.5 mm hook, which seems to be my standard for this kind of project. I'm a tight crocheter, so a 4.5 mm hook is the one I use most often for DK weight yarn. As you can see from the above photo, these hearts are roughly large-hand sized, measuring around about 5.5 inches / 14 cm across the widest point.

As for the patterns that I used, well lucky for all of us there is a huge amount of generosity in the crochet world, and all of the hearts I made came from patterns that have been shared for free on the internet. I dearly love our global crochet community, the inspiration, talent and friendship that exists across the globe makes me truly happy and bursting with gratitude every single day. 

If the idea of hooking up a heart or two tickles your fancy, let me give you a rundown of the patterns I found......

Grandma's Heart by Carola Wijma

This is a gorgeous little pattern, and once I'd gotten to grips with how to make Puff stitches (WHY have I never made puff stitches before, they are amazing!), the pattern was a breeze to follow.

This pattern is written in UK crochet terms, but US terms are also given in () as well as a drawn chart.

Sunburst Granny Heart by Jacquie (Bunny Mummy blog)

Jacquie has written a beautifully simple pattern to turn a classic sunburst motif into a really lovely heart shape. As with all Jacquie's patterns, this one is clearly explained and very straight forward to follow. The only thing that confused me was the US terms she used - UK hookers will need to translate to UK stitch names.

Daisy Heart by Lauren (Daisy Cottage Designs blog)

Now this is interesting - this heart design takes Jacquie's original Sunburst Granny Heart pattern, but replaces the sunburst centre with a daisy motif. Lauren also added a neat little extra round to edge the heart shape which I think it a lovely finishing touch. This pattern is written using US crochet terms, so UK peeps need to translate.

Granny Sweet Heart by Nancy L Drew

I found quite a few variations of this heart design on the internet, but this written pattern seemed to be the original. It's written in US terms, and if you follow the pattern link through to Nancy's blog there is also a graphic chart.

Sweet Heart by Bella Dia

This pattern may well be familiar to you as it's one that I used many years ago to crochet my own heart bunting. This pattern might suit those of you who prefer to work in rows instead of rounds, and the tutorial is really excellent. I decided to experiment with adding a few extra rounds to make the heart just a little bit bigger....

...I added three extra rounds to make a more decorative edging and think it turned out beautifully. The rose is from my May Rose pattern.

Heart Doily by Chinami Horiba

I love this one, but haven't had a  chance to try it out yet. The pattern is written in Japanese, but there is a graphic chart to follow. It looks quite lacy, so I thinking a 4 ply cotton would work well (other wise it might turn out massive!)

Heart Coaster by Atty's Blog

Now this gorgeously plump heart grabbed my attention due to it's beautiful shape, it just seemed to me to be so perfectly hearty! Atty has written her pattern in US terms, and there is also a graphic chart on her blog to help.

Similar to the Bella Dia heart, I felt that maybe this simple heart shape might look good with a bit of a decorative edging - partly to pretty it up a little, and partly to make it just a smidge bigger.....

....and this is what I came up with. Atty's heart is made in 5 rounds (a 3-round circle, with 2 rounds to create the heart shape). I then added three extra rounds which I loved doing, mainly because it allowed me to play with even more colour (more is more!)

Running with the more-is-more-is-more theory, I also had a play with adding some little flowers and leaves....

.....oh, be still my beating heart!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just love this so much!!! So many of my decorative projects are prettified with crochet flowers, I never tire of them and always feel a flutter of happiness once there is a floral element involved.

The decorative and colour-play possibilities for these hearts are endless, and as they are pretty quick to work up (only 8 rounds of crochet) it's hard not to get carried away. So I made this heart in shades of blues and greens.....

.....then decided on a bit of a fruity addition! If you popped by to read my blog yesterday, you'll know that I've already made a  tutorial for the strawberry appliqué  which includes the ultra sweet little "micro flowers" which I use often alongside some of my other flower patterns.

I really love how this heart turned out......

.....in fact both of these Heart Decorations make me so happy! You can see I added a little hanging loop to the top so that I can hang them on the wall - I love this image and this one too .....so inspiring.

As I did with my Mandalas and my Happy Flower Decoration, I've used white PVA craft glue painted onto the reverse of the crochet to stiffen the hearts. This is such a simple method which has great results, and it means no floppy decorations!

SO..........crocheting these hearts have kept me very busy and happy of late, and I've loved diving into my stash of Stylecraft Classique Cotton which is such a joy to work with. This yarn works up into super-neat stitches, doesn't split or hurt my hands and has a soft, matte finish which I love. But best of all.......the colours! Oh, I know....it's always ALL about the colours for me!

Hmm.....I am wondering if you would perhaps like to see a little tutorial for making Atty's beautiful plump heart and then adding a cute edging to it? You Would?

Well......................................................

.............I had a little chat with Atty and asked her if it would be possible for me to translate her lovely heart pattern into UK crochet terms and provide some step-by-step photos to go with it. You know, just to help along with those of you who are "visual learners" and appreciate some pictures to go with the writing. Atty is such a sweet heart and very kindly agreed to let me go to town with her pattern - Atty - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please do go and pay Atty a visit, her blog is a feast for the eyes, and she has lots of stunning projects and crochet patterns to share with you. Tell her I sent you tootling over from the Attic :)

Oh, almost forgot - my heart tutorial!! Yes, it would be helpful if I gave you the link wouldn't it?! Haha, feeling a bit bleary eyed here at the moment after spending so much time at the computer this week......

Here you go ....

{HEART DECORATION TUTORIAL}

You may have noticed that the title of this post is "Creative Hearts"? Well this is the name of the Creative Community project that I'm organising for Yarndale this year. Last year we had amazing success rounding up a huge flock of Woolly Sheep to raise money for our local Children's Hospice, the year before it was all about the Flowers which raised money and awareness for the Alzheimers Society. Both of these projects were enormous fun to be a part of and the resulting creative displays were just breathtaking. It's a beautiful visual way to celebrate of the love, joy, friendship and creativity which exists within our yarny community as well as doing something worthwhile for charity. It thrills me to know that we can all connect through our love of yarn and bring about a huge amount of feel-good.

I would love it if you felt like making a heart for your own home, or to give to someone special, that would make me very happy to think of all those beautiful hearts being created, gifted and displayed where they can be enjoyed and appreciated.

If you would like to make a heart to join in with Yarndale's "Creative Hearts" project, that would be amazing too. This year, Yarndale's creative project is raising money and awareness for the mental health charity Mind. 

You can find all the details about the project (including postal address, dates etc) over on the Yarndale website...

{YARNDALE CREATIVE HEARTS}

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ps. I hope you don't mind me posting about Yarndale here on my blog - it's a big part of my life at this time of year and I do like to share what's inspiring me and keeping me busy! I am proud of my involvement with Yarndale - I am one of the five organisers of this fabulous yarny gathering and it will be our fifth festival this year. To be clear, I do need to mention that Yarndale is a for-profit organisation - you can read more about it here.

 

 

 

Comments

[Tuula Maaria]

I love all these colourful hearts! I have always loved hearts and made different kinds. Hope it is ok to link my own pattern for my favourite heart, it has a video tutorial and chart
http://knit-crochet-christmas.com/decorate-with-crochet-hearts

[Carol]

Love the hearts and will try and find time to make on. They are so colourful.

[Leslie]

Oh, Lucy! Can you see me smiling all the way over here in Caligonia!!

[Teresa Kasner]

I don't mind at all that you talk about Yarndale in your blog, I mean it's a big part of your life and I love hearing about it. I'm also very happy that you make some income from it, I'm proud of you! I loved all the hearts and in fact printed up the one Sweet Hearts Bunting Pattern. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Kay]

I want to make ALL of these hearts that you have shown to us here!
Wishing you the best of luck with another Yarndale!
I have read your blog for years and I truly think you are a creative genius and a truly generous soul.
You are a crochet artist!

[marcille]

I think that what you do with Yarndale is wonderful and I'm proud to read the blog of someone so generous with their time, etc. Please don't stop sharing about it, or any of your other adventures!

[One-oh-four]

Oh, these are all just adorable❤️ Looking forward to making one of these, especially for such a worthy cause - off on hols for a couple of weeks but will go stash-diving when I get back! xx

[Susan Smith]

Love, love those cute hearts & I'll try & join in this year, as I won't be making it Yarndale. Too far to come 2 years in a row & mental health touches so many, quite often very silently. Now, just have to pluck up the courage to have a go.(ugh) Have a lovely weekend & take care.

[AnnieOB]

Lovely, lovely hearts and such a good charity to support. Looking forward to joining in Yanrdales's Creative Hearts and hopefully spreading a little yarny love.

[creativemummybear.blogspot.co.uk]

Such a beautiful collection of Creative Hearts. Gorgeous colours! I shall definitely hop over to the Yarndale blog and join in. 'MInd' is such a wonderful organisation to support. Xx

[Louise]

What a wonderful cause to raise awareness and funds for!

[Angela-Southern USA]

They are all beautiful! I have a couple of those patterns worked up already for I have crochet (retro inspired mostly) potholders lining the upper walls of my kitchen. Have a great weekend!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Margaret Longden]

I am so pleased to hear that the Yarndale project is raising funds for Mind. Mental health is such an important area and touches so many lives these days. I shall certainly be taking part.

[Joy]

Fabulous read as always Lucy - I love the hearts and will certainly be joining in the Yarndale project. See you there in September 💜💛 xx

[CJ]

Gorgeous hearts, I especially love the strawberry one. You are the most creative person. Brilliant idea about coating the back of the heart with glue to stiffen it. I shall look forward to seeing lots more. CJ xx