How to Crochet a Heart

Today's post is an update of an old one from my old blog. I like to update things to keep them fresh, or update old (or dark) pictures.




This is a pretty special post, as my old blog was named How to Crochet a Heart! As you can see, the love of crochet hearts has not faded, as I continue to use them!

You can find the original blog post HERE, which is also written as a photo tutorial, so if you need it to be simplified as much as possible, that's where to go!

Hook and yarn size isn't essential, but should match. This will work with a super chunky yarn and a 10mm hook, or crochet thread and a 1.5mm hook. Hmm. That gives me a few ideas!

I have used a 4mm, and a worsted or aran weight pink yarn, as pictured above, and a 5mm hook with 8ply /dk grey yarn, as pictured below. The grey yarn was also done with the second round in the back loops, as I sometimes like the emphasis of the centre heart shape.

Great for using up scraps!


Method (in US terms)

Round 1: Make a chain of 4, and crochet the following ALL into the first chain.
3 tr, 3 dc, 1ch, 1 tr, 1 ch, 3dc, 3tr.
3ch and sl st into chain also.
Round 2: 3ch, (sc, dc) into first stitch (3dc) into next (2dc) into next. dc once only into next three 3dc. dc into ch, 1ch, dcinto ch, (2dc) into next stitch, (3dc) into next, (dc, sc) into next. 3 ch and sl st back into original chain. You may need to secure or tighten original chain.
Fasten off.


Method (in UK terms)

Round 1: Make a chain of 4, and crochet the following ALL into the first chain.
3 dtr, 3 tr, 1ch, 1 dtr, 1 ch, 3tr, 3dtr.
3ch and sl st into chain also.
Round 2: 3ch, (dc, tr) into first stitch (3tr) into next (2tr) into next. tr once only into next three 3tr. tr into ch, 1ch, tr into ch, (2tr) into next stitch, (3tr) into next, (tr, dc) into next. 3 ch and sl st back into original chain. You may need to secure or tighten original chain.
Fasten off.

End of Round 1

Start of Second Round.

End of Second Round

thanks for coming to look! Please let me know if you have made a heart, either in the comments, or by tagging me on instagram (emma_crochets)

If you are in a position to donate - please consider buying me a coffee. Your support allows me to produce free patterns.

Maker Mondays- with Shelley from Spincushions.

Welcome to this week's instalment of the blog series -

Today's Maker is Shelley Husband from Spincushions. I have followed Shelley for a long time on social media, and delighted when she agreed to an interview!


Please introduce yourself, and tell us what you create?

.  

Hi. I'm Shelley and I design crochet patterns.  My patterns are interesting and fun to do, gently challenging and encouraging you to create things you never thought you could.  My main love is designing crochet squares to make into blankets, cushions, scarves etc.  

How long have you been creating?

Oh I've always been crafty.  You name it, I've probably done it.  Paper making, candles, jewellery, embroidery of all kinds, hand sewn felt pincushions (that's where my name Spincushions came from), knitting etc

Do you start with ideas or materials?

Both. Sometimes I have a yarn or theme I need to work to, so I go from there. Like my Narrawong pattern; where I needed a pattern inspired by where I live for a local project.  Other times, I come up with ideas I just want to try, usually while crocheting other things.  Then there's my favourite time - blank notebook, fresh yarn and time to just play.  I love the designs that come from no restrictions, as I can be really creative and break the rules.

How relevant is social media to you?

Fairly I guess.  I never really got into any of the social media platforms until Instagram came along.  That one just made sense and was easy. In the beginning, I was just sharing bits and pieces of my life as well as my pincushions at the time. It has evolved over time and is a lot different from the beginning with algorithms etc.  These days I am more mindful of what I post.  I go through phases where I will post to a plan and others where I just post what I'm doing with no real plan.  I cringe if I see my early early posts (ha ha!)  So many filters!  

Anything else to add? 

Do what you love and try not to play the comparison game. What you assume you see is most often not the reality.  What you define as success, will be quite different to many others so follow what makes you feel good and fulfilled and the rest will come.  

You can find Shelley, and more info about the Narrawong project here : http://spincushions.com/

Want some crochet fun in your inbox every month? Subscribe to newsletters here: http://spincushions.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletters/

If you would like to be a 'Monday Maker' email me a [email protected]

Maker Mondays - with Erin from Nappy Cakes by Erin

Welcome to this week's instalment of the blog series - Maker Mondays.

Today's Maker is Erin from Nappy Cakes by Erin.

Please introduce yourself, and tell us what you create?

I'm Erin, a Mum of two, wife and Primary School teacher. I'm also the owner, designer and blogger of Nappy Cakes by Erin and the founder of Celebrate Play - a FREE series of content focusing on PLAY in the home. 

How long have you been designing nappy cakes?

I have owned Nappy Cakes by Erin for a couple of years now and founded Celebrate Play in 2017. 

Do you start with ideas or materials?

When designing our Nappy Cakes I often start with ideas which lead to seeking materials. However, when I'm making custom designs, the process is the opposite, starting with materials based on customer preference/s.

How relevant is social media to you?

Social media is quite relevant to my biz for a few reasons such as brand awareness, a portion of orders/sales and building a rapport with my readers and followers. 

Anything else to add? 

You can find To browse our collection or join in the celebration of play, come and visit at:

F- www.facebook.com/nappycakesbyerin

W- www.nappycakesbyerin.com.au

E-nappycakesbyerin@outlook.com

If you would like to be a 'Monday Maker' email me a [email protected]

Maker Monday - with Kate from The Crow and Arrow

\

Welcome to this week's instalment of the blog series -

Today's Maker is Kate from the Crow and Arrow. Full disclosure, I have know Kate since she was born.. she is my sister! We have both been involved with various creative activities since childhood, and makes sense we now both work in creative industries!



Please introduce yourself, and tell us what you create?

My name is Kate and I am a mermaid who lost her tail! What do I do? Ever had an image in your head of the perfect floral headpiece, whether it be for a race function, bridal shower, wedding or a party, but would have no idea how to find it or to make it. Well that’s what I do. I make those day dreams into reality.

How long have you been making these dreams into reality?

I have been in the flower crown business since 2012, re branded as The Crow and Arrow in 2016

Do you start with ideas or materials?

Each piece is unique just as their new owner is, so each process is unique. Sometimes I start with ideas from inspirational photos from the customer, other times they may send me a picture of the outfit they intend to wear with it, or they may even just say the colour or the flower types they like and give me full creative rein. 
Each piece I send progression photos to the client to ensure it is exactly what they are after, sometimes it needs a few tweaks to their liking, other times they love it and nothing needs to be changed. 
All my pieces are made with quality materials. The flowers look so perfect they are often mistaken for real. But unlike real flowers that will wilt on the day and die over time, my pieces last forever, to look perfect on the day and be enjoyed again and again. 

The pieces themselves can take a couple of weeks as perfection takes times, which the customer understands. Many brides often contact me six months in advance to ensure I can make what they are after prior to their big day. 

How relevant is social media to you?

In the era, we live in social media is everything. It’s how an artist communicates their work to the world. I find Instagram the best medium to use, as it is a bounty of beautiful photographs with relevant tags to the end user. It makes having a portfolio accessible to the world, and without it I would not have sent half my pieces out internationally.  It also gives me a chance to see my customers wearing the pieces at their special event. All it needs is a tag I can see their photos! It makes it all worthwhile when you can see how happy they are wearing your designs. 

You can find Kate as The Crow and Arrow on Instagram, Etsy and Facebook;

Instagram.com/thecrowandarrow
Etsy.com/TheCrowAndArrow

Textured Clutches!

I'm so pleased with how these chunky little purses have turned out. I'm already using one as my new hook case, and will be using one when I go out for dinner next!

The pattern is now avalaible in both my Ravelry and Etsy stores, and as a special thank you to my blog readers, use the code ' thankyou ' on Ravelry to get AU$2 off your purchase. This will make the download $1! (This is valid until Thursday 23rd March 2017- Midnight AEST)
(link to buy)


The pattern includes instructions for 2 clutches, with two variations of yarn, which is like 4 patterns in 1!

The clutches are 10 x 19 cm, so perfect for phone, keys and a card, or just the right size for your crochet hooks!

I have used Adelaide Hills Yarns, which are super bulky (5-6 wpi) and a 12mm hook

Maker Mondays - With Simone Bisson from Custom Room Plaques

Welcome to the second ever instalment of Monday Makers. Today I talk with Simone from Custom Room plaques. Simone has been a colleague (and gym buddy!) of mine for a few years, you may have seen some of her Christmas range on my instagram feed! 

Please introduce yourself, and tell us what do you create? 

I'm Simone from Custom Room Plaques and I create bespoke plaques, plates, lanterns and other made to order items. I work from home and sell via markets and also online. My items are almost always personalised with names, important family dates and are designed to be kept as beautiful keepsakes. I make a lot of seasonal holiday items. I love making something unique and not 'off the shelf' My other passions include my family, skincare, looking after myself and creating a healthier me. 

How long have you been making your custom items? 
2 1/2 years. My first items were name plaques - where the business name came from. I started with door plaques for my own kids, and found them to be very popular. The business started from there. 


Do you start with ideas or materials? 
Both. I use a wide variety of materials, sometimes a piece calls for hand lettering and that means you are creating something truly custom. Sometimes an order comes in as an idea and I work with the client from that.  


How relevant is social media to you? 
Very, it's how I get most of my work. You can find me pretty active over on Facebook www.facebook.com/roomplaques or on instagram Instagram.com/customroomplaques. I take orders via either platform.


Thanks for chatting with us Simone!

If you would like to be one of our Monday Makers, please email me at [email protected]

Wind Rose Heart - free pattern.

The Wind Rose Heart was part of the 26 Days of Love Blog Hop 

Missed a pattern? Grab the whole bundle here (affiliate link) 

The Wind Rose Heart - keep reading for the free pattern. 

Wind Rose is an old name for the compass points on a map, sometimes called a compass rose. The pattern uses spike stitches, and also back and front post stitches. The wind rose heart keeps anyone travelling afar, close to your heart. You could make a token or a tag from a heart, or a set of coasters or garland if your make many!

Great for stash busting. Only 10g or less of each of the colours is required.  This pattern was first written in 2017 for Valentine’s Day and has been since updated.Written in US terms.

The pattern is available as an ad free Premium PAID PDF to download on Ravelry, Etsy and LoveCrafts. This premium pattern also includes a chart. 

Materials:

 

Yarn: Cotton (100% Cotton/ 10 g) in C1, C2, C3 and C4 in a weight 2/ fingering weight yarn.

Hook: 3.5 or 4.0mm

Notions: yarn needle

Size: 13 cm (h)

Skill level: Intermediate

  

 

Pattern Notes:

Starting chains count as stitches throughout, but can be replaced with standing stitches if desired.  The main body of the heart is worked in rounds, and the arches are completed separately and worked in rows.

The corners of Round 4 work either side of the spike stitch. 

Stitch Instructions:

 

Spike Stitch – in this pattern, a spike stitch is a double crochet worked two rows below, in the centre of the magic ring.

Method: YO, insert hook into centre of magic ring, YO and pull up loop to same height as previous dc, YO, pull through 2 loops twice.

 

Abbreviations  US terminology:

Ch – chain

Sc – single crochet

Dc – double crochet

Tr-   treble crochet

FPhdc – Front post half double crochet

BPtr – Back post treble crochet

Crsp – corner space

Sp/s – space/es

St/s – stitch/es

SP st – Spike Stitch

Sl st – slip stitch.

YO – yarn over

Before we start, here are two photos to help with the tricky spots.

Row 4's corner works either side of the spike stitch of Row 3

Row 5 starts with a slip stitch in the chain space after the corner, then 8 trebles in the next space,then a slip stitch in the next space. To finish the row, sl st across to the corner. 

Begin

With C1, make a magic ring.

Round 1:  Ch 3, 2dc, *2 ch, 3 dc, repeat from * twice, 2 ch and sl st into 3rd chain.  (12 dc, 8 ch) Fasten off C1

Round 2: Join C2 into any corner space, ch 3, (2dc, 2ch, 3dc) into same corner space. *(ch 1, 3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into next corner space; repeat from * twice, ch 1, sl st to 3^rd ch. (24 dc, 8 ch) Fasten off C2

Round 3: Join C3 into any crsp, 3ch, (2 dc, ch 1) in same cr-sp, SP st into centre (of magic ring), (ch 1, 3dc) into same cr-sp, *(ch 1, 3 dc) into next ch-1 sp, ** (ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in next crsp, SP into centre,  (ch 1, 3 dc) into same crsp; repeat from * 2 twice, ending at ** the second time; ch 1, sl st to 3^rd ch. (36 sts, 16 ch) Fasten off C3.

Row 3 Optional: Change the middle dc, of the centre cluster, to an additional SP st. 

Round 4: Join C4 in any ch-1 crsp on the right of SP st, (3ch, 2 dc, ch 3) in same crsp, (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch-1 crsp (left of SP St), (3 dc, ch 1) into next 2 ch sps, *(3 dc, ch 3) in next crsp (3 dc, ch 1) into next crsp, (3 dc, ch 1) into next 2 ch sps, repeat from * twice. (48 sts, 24 ch) Fasten off C4

 

Arches

Row 1: Rejoin C4 with a slst in the ch-1 sp to the left of any corner, 8 tr, in next ch-1 sp, sl st into next ch-1 sp, sl st across the top of the 3 dc, and sl st into cr-sp, turn. (8 tr)

Row 2: WS facing, (BPtr, ch) seven times, BPtr, sl st into next crsp, turn. (8 Bptr) Fasten off C4.

Repeat Arch into next side.

Edging

(RS facing) Join any colour (other than C4) in the corner space opposite the arches (base of heart), sc into corner space, sc into each stitch and ch around,

Fasten off and weave in ends

 

Block if desired.

Thanks for reading Happy Crocheting Emma.