Crochet heart appliqués are timeless little designs that carry warmth, care, and creativity within every loop and stitch. They may be small, but they are among the most expressive motifs a crocheter can make. Whether you are looking to personalize a handmade blanket, decorate a tote bag, or craft something sentimental for a loved one, crochet hearts are a wonderful way to express emotion through yarn.
What makes heart appliqués so popular is their versatility. They can be worked up in minutes, use minimal yarn, and allow endless variations in color, size, and texture. You can attach them to gifts, garlands, or even clothing to bring a handmade touch to everyday items. From soft, simple hearts perfect for beginners to layered and textured designs for intermediate crafters, there is something for everyone in this collection.
In this detailed guide, you will learn how to create seven beautiful crochet heart appliqué patterns, each with clear step-by-step instructions, stitch guidance, material suggestions, and creative ways to use or modify them. Whether you are new to crochet or have been crafting for years, these patterns will help you fill your projects with handmade love and artistry.
1. Simple Classic Crochet Heart Appliqué
Skill Level: Beginner
Finished Size: Approximately 2.5 inches × 2.5 inches (size may vary depending on yarn and hook)
Materials
- Worsted weight (#4) yarn in your chosen color (red, pink, white, or any pastel shade works beautifully)
- Crochet hook: 4.0 mm (G)
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Notes
This simple pattern is perfect for those who are learning basic crochet stitches. It only requires a few rounds and uses simple double crochet (dc) and slip stitches (sl st). The heart is worked in a continuous round using a magic ring, which forms a clean and tidy center.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start the Magic Ring: Create a magic ring, leaving a few inches of yarn tail to tighten later.
- Round 1: Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet). Into the ring, work 3 treble crochets, 3 double crochets, chain 1, 1 treble crochet (this forms the heart’s bottom point), chain 1, 3 double crochets, 3 treble crochets, chain 3, and slip stitch into the ring to complete the round.
- Pull the yarn tail gently to close the ring and shape the heart.
- Fasten off and weave in the ends securely.
Finishing Touch
You can lightly block your heart by laying it flat, covering it with a damp cloth, and pressing gently with an iron for a few seconds. This helps it hold its shape neatly. The simple heart appliqué can be sewn onto bags, scarves, blankets, or used in handmade Valentine’s cards.
2. Puffy 3D Crochet Heart Appliqué
Skill Level: Beginner–Intermediate
Finished Size: Approximately 3 inches wide
Materials
- Worsted weight yarn (your choice of color)
- Crochet hook: 4.0 mm
- Yarn needle
- Small amount of fiberfill stuffing (optional)
Notes
This puffy version creates a slightly three-dimensional heart. It is worked by making two identical panels and joining them together. The light stuffing inside gives it a soft, cushioned appearance.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the First Heart: Work one classic heart using the previous pattern. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
- Make the Second Heart: Repeat the same pattern to create a second identical heart panel.
- Join the Hearts: Place both hearts together with the wrong sides facing inward. Using a slip stitch, join the two panels together along the edges. When you reach the halfway point, lightly stuff the heart with fiberfill before finishing the seam.
- Close and Finish: Complete the slip stitching around the edge, then fasten off and weave in ends carefully.
Finishing Touch
You can attach a small loop at the top to create a hanging heart ornament, or leave it plain to sew onto pillows, tote bags, or baby blankets.
3. Lace Crochet Heart Appliqué
Skill Level: Intermediate
Finished Size: About 4 inches wide
Materials
- Cotton crochet thread (size 10) or fine yarn
- Crochet hook: 2.0 mm
- Yarn needle and scissors
Notes
The lace heart pattern is a delicate version that uses fine yarn and creates openwork textures, perfect for embellishing home décor or framed art.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Foundation: Chain 6 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
- Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as dc), then work 11 double crochets into the ring for a total of 12 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting chain 3.
- Round 2: Chain 4 (counts as tr), work a treble crochet in the same stitch, treble crochet in next 2 stitches, double crochet in next 3 stitches, treble crochet in next 3 stitches, chain 2, treble crochet in the same stitch (forming the dip of the heart), double crochet in next 3 stitches, treble crochet in next 3 stitches, and slip stitch to join.
- Optional Edging: Chain 1 and single crochet evenly around the edge for a clean border.
Finishing Touch
Use this lace heart as an accent for doilies, table runners, or light summer scarves. When made with white thread, it looks especially elegant on decorative linens.
4. Striped Crochet Heart Appliqué
Skill Level: Beginner–Intermediate
Finished Size: Around 3.5 inches wide
Materials
- Two contrasting yarn colors (for example, pink and white, or red and cream)
- Crochet hook: 4.0 mm
- Yarn needle and scissors
Notes
The striped heart pattern is fun and playful. It is worked in alternating colors, giving a cheerful and bold appearance.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Round 1 (Color A): Create a magic ring and follow the same pattern as the simple heart, completing the first round.
- Round 2 (Color B): Before finishing the last stitch of Round 1, pull through color B to start the next round. Continue working around the heart shape, alternating colors as you go.
- Round 3 (Color A): Switch back to color A and continue the next round.
- Finish: Fasten off both colors and weave in ends neatly on the back side.
Finishing Touch
The striped heart looks lovely when used as bunting for a baby shower or Valentine’s Day decoration. It can also be sewn onto tote bags or children’s clothing for a playful, handmade look.
5. Textured Puff Stitch Heart Appliqué
Skill Level: Intermediate
Finished Size: About 4 inches wide
Materials
- Worsted weight yarn
- Crochet hook: 4.0 mm
- Yarn needle
Notes
This pattern features puff stitches that create raised texture. It feels soft and squishy, making it ideal for projects that need dimension, such as blankets or cushions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Foundation: Make a magic ring.
- Round 1: Chain 2, work 6 puff stitches into the ring (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop three times, yarn over and pull through all loops). Chain 1 between each puff. Join with a slip stitch.
- Round 2: Chain 3, double crochet in the next stitch, half double crochet in the next two, single crochet in the next two, treble crochet in the next stitch (forming the bottom point), then single crochet in the next two, half double crochet in the next two, double crochet in the next two, chain 3, and slip stitch to the starting point.
- Finish: Fasten off and weave in ends.
Finishing Touch
This heart looks especially charming when made with soft pastel shades. You can also make several and attach them together to create a textured heart garland.
6. Mini Crochet Heart Appliqué
Skill Level: Beginner
Finished Size: Approximately 1 inch wide
Materials
- Lightweight cotton or DK yarn
- Crochet hook: 3.0 mm
- Yarn needle
Notes
This mini version works up in less than five minutes and is perfect for small embellishments. It can be attached to cards, hair clips, or baby booties.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start: Chain 2.
- Work All Stitches in First Chain: In the second chain from the hook, work 3 treble crochets, 3 double crochets, chain 1, treble crochet, chain 1, 3 double crochets, 3 treble crochets, chain 2, and slip stitch in the same chain.
- Pull the yarn tail to close the center tightly.
- Fasten off and shape the heart neatly.
Finishing Touch
You can glue these tiny hearts onto greeting cards, stitch them onto hats, or add them to amigurumi dolls as sweet decorative accents.
7. Layered Two-Tone Crochet Heart Appliqué
Skill Level: Intermediate
Finished Size: Approximately 4 inches wide
Materials
- Two complementary yarn colors
- Crochet hook: 4.0 mm
- Yarn needle
Notes
This design creates a layered look by stacking one smaller heart on top of a larger one, resulting in a lovely two-tone effect.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First Heart (Base): Create a simple heart in your chosen base color.
- Second Heart (Top): Make another heart one round smaller in a contrasting color.
- Join Layers: Center the smaller heart on top of the larger one and sew them together using matching thread and small, neat stitches.
- Optional Border: Add a single crochet border around both layers for a finished look.
Finishing Touch
Layered hearts make perfect embellishments for pillow covers, tote bags, and handmade cards. Try using complementary shades like cream and dusty pink for a soft, romantic look.
Finishing and Creative Uses
Once you have made your crochet heart appliqués, there are countless creative ways to use them. You can:
- Attach them to clothing items such as sweaters, hats, or scarves.
- Decorate tote bags or purses.
- Make handmade garlands or wall hangings.
- Sew them onto blankets, cushions, or throws.
- Use them as gift toppers or greeting card embellishments.
- Attach a small keyring loop to turn them into keychains or bag charms.
Before using, it is always a good idea to block your appliqués. To do this, pin them flat on a board, cover with a damp cloth, and allow them to dry naturally. This process helps maintain the shape and smoothness of each heart.
Conclusion
Crochet Heart Appliqués are small projects filled with creativity, charm, and meaning. They are ideal for using leftover yarn, experimenting with new stitch patterns, or crafting heartfelt gifts. Each of these 7 Crochet Heart Appliqué Patterns offers a unique look—from soft and simple to layered and textured—allowing you to find a design that suits your project perfectly.
Whether you are adding them to handmade garments, decorative home pieces, or special gifts, these little hearts remind us that crochet is not only about technique but also about the love and thought woven into each stitch. Take your time, enjoy the process, and let every crochet heart you make carry a piece of warmth and creativity from your hands to someone else’s.
