Ready to learn how to crochet the heart stitch with beautifully textured puff stitches? This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to crochet this modern twist on the classic crochet heart stitch and give you tips for using this stitch in patterns.
UPDATED: JANUARY 17, 2025 BY BRITTANY
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The crochet heart stitch is a classic when it comes to Valentine’s day projects or crochet baby blankets, and its versatility makes it great for using up all those scrap bits of yarn you have.
Pair it with your favorite yarn and let your imagination run wild. Heart stitches are great for blankets, clothing, and even home decor projects.
While there are a variety of ways to crochet a classic heart stitch like this one, I love this one for its texture and uniqueness. Plus its easy repetition makes it great for when you want to tune out and enjoy the stitching process.
In the rest of this tutorial, we’ll explore all aspects of the crochet ripple stitch: what it is, how to crochet it, and what projects it’s best suited for. Plus I’ll answer some frequently asked questions so you don’t have to go searching for the answers you need.
Here’s a quick overview of the topics we’ll cover in this article:
- What is the Crochet Heart Stitch?
- Crochet Heart Stitch Tutorial
- Stitch Multiple
- Crochet Heart Stitch Abbreviations
- Crochet Heart Stitch Video
- More Beginner-Friendly Stitch Tutorials + Free Patterns
What is the Crochet Heart Stitch?
The heart stitch is a fun crochet stitch that has subtle hearts worked into the pattern. Since the heart stitch is made primarily with double crochet stitches, projects using this stitch will finish faster than other possible stitch pattern varieties.
Strategically placed puff stitches and background stitches used in combination with contrast color yarn is what makes the hearts really pop. While still easy to learn, these puff stitches are a great next step for new crocheters who have mastered basic stitches.
Crochet Heart Stitch Tutorial
The crochet heart stitch is incredibly versatile so you can pair it with just about any yarn in your stash from lightweight to super bulky. In order to see the stitch pattern best, choose a smooth yarn that’ll highlight and show off the pattern. Alternatively, you can pair it with a slightly textured yarn for an even more interesting look to your project. It’s also best to choose highly contrasting yarn colors so the heart stitches will really show.
Supplies
- Yarn: For practice, use medium-weight yarn. You’ll only need a small amount to make a practice swatch.
- 5 mm Crochet Hook
Pattern Notes
- There is a clear right and wrong side: while the heart pattern will be visible on both sides, typically one side will have raised hearts and the other will be more flat.
- This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
In the pattern instructions below, the chain 3 at the beginning of every row counts as a double crochet stitch. So the first stitch of every row will be a chain 3. And the last stitch of every row after the first, will be a chain 3.
To avoid dropping stitches at the beginning and end of the row, your first stitch is worked in the same stitch where the chain three is coming from. The last two stitches of the row should be worked in the third chain.
The chain 1 at the beginning of the single crochet row does not count as a stitch. So the first stitch of that row will be worked in the same stitch that the chain is coming from.
Stitch Multiple
The crochet ripple stitch multiple is 9 + 4 foundation double crochets.
This means that there are 9 stitches from one heart to the next. When planning a project that uses the heart stitch, make foundation double crochet in groups of 9 and add four foundation double crochet stitches only at the very end.
Stitch Abbreviations
- Bet Between
- Ch Chain
- Dc Double Crochet
- Hk Hook
- Pf Puff Stitch**
- Sk Skip
- Rem Remaining
- Rep Repeat
- Sp Space
- St(s) Stitch(es)
**Puff Stitch (Pf): [Yarn over and insert the hk through the designated stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop] four times. Yarn over and pull through all loops on the hook.
Row 1: In your background color, make any number of foundation double crochet stitches divisible by 9 and add 4 at the end. Ch 3 and turn.
Row 2: Make 1 dc in every st. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 3: Make 1 dc in every st. Don’t fasten off, and don’t turn.
Row 4: Join the contrast color in the first st of row 3, and ch 4. Sk 6 stitches, and in the next st make 1 pf, ch 1, 1 pf st. *Ch 5, and skip 8 sts. In the 9th st make 1 pf, ch 1, 1 pf. Rep from * to the last 6 sts. Ch 4 and slst to the last st. Fasten off the contrast color, and pick up your background color working loop.
Row 5: Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the first 5 sts. *Ch 1, sk next dc and pf, then sc bet the next 2 pf. Ch 1, sk the next pf and dc, and sc in the next dc. Then sc in the next 5 sts. Rep from * to the last 8 sts. Ch 1, sk the next dc and pf, then sc bet the next 2 pf. Ch 1, sk the next pf and dc, and sc in the last 5 sts. Ch 2 and turn.
Row 6: Make 1 dc in the first 4 sts. *Dc in the next ch 1-sp. Dc in the next sc. Dc in the next ch 1-sp. Then dc in the next 6 sc. Rep from * to the last heart of the row. Dc in the next ch 1-sp. Dc in the next sc. Dc in the next ch 1-sp. Then dc in the last 5 sc. Ch 2 and turn.
Repeat: Rep rows 2 through 6 until your project measures the length you want.
How to Crochet a Heart Stitch (Video)
Video not displaying? Watch this tutorial on YouTube instead.
More Fun Stitch Tutorials + Free Patterns
When you’ve mastered the four basic stitches: single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet, the next step is to use these stitches together to make up more interesting stitch patterns. Here are some more stitches for you to try next:
