Crochet Heart Squares: Free Crochet Patterns for Afghan Squares With Heart Designs

Do you have an idea for making a blanket or other crochet project, and you want it to include crocheted squares with heart motifs? If so, I invite you to consider using this crochet heart square, or one of its variations. These are designs from the “Pattern Sampler” series; the heart squares look similar, but you have a choice of different techniques, approaches and colors you can use when creating them.

There are some advantages to using this particular pattern in a project you want to work on: namely, I’ve already done a lot of the work for you in terms of designing and testing other coordinating squares, edgings and embellishments that will work well with this particular design. That’s what my “pattern sampler” series is all about; it’s a series of interesting patterned square designs that are all the same size and shape. You can use these squares together or separately — whichever way appeals to you. Then you can add any finishing touches you like, such as borders, trims, edgings, ribbons, appliqués or stitching to complete your unique, one-of-a-kind piece.

How to Crochet the Square — Red, Pink and White Version

To crochet a heart square like the red, pink and white sample pictured, you will need a crochet hook and a tapestry needle, plus yarn, crochet thread or fiber in 3 or more different colors.

Please don’t feel obligated to use red, pink and white; you can use any colors that you think would work well together. For best results, it’s ideal if the color you use for the heart contrasts strongly with the color you use for the frame around the heart. It’s also good to maintain some contrast between the other colors as well.

Crochet Techniques Needed to Make This Version of the Square:

1. Tapestry Crochet:You’ll need to know how to carry unused yarns inside your stitches, and how to work mid-row color changes; this technique is known as “tapestry crochet.”

2. Surface Crochet Slip Stitches

Chart for Crocheting the Red, Pink and White Version of The Crochet Heart Square

Chain 26 to begin. Then work the corresponding chart in 3 colors using the tapestry crochet technique, following the chart for color changes. One square on the chart = 1 single crochet stitch. When it’s time to change colors, be sure to do so by working up to the last step of the last stitch before the color change, then completing the stitch with the new color.

I’ve attempted this heart several different times now. With this three-color tapestry crochet version, I got the best results from carrying both of my unused yarn colors starting with the first stitch in the first row of the piece; that way, I had fewer tension issues, and also far fewer ends to weave in. That’s what I recommend doing, although you could approach it differently if you like.

When I tried this pattern without carrying the yarn until the sixth row, both the drape and the thickness of the piece felt inconsistent, and my tension was noticeably different. Perhaps you could do better with these issues than I did, but I think most crocheters would benefit from carrying both unused yarns from the beginning.

After you’ve finished working the chart, you’ll want to crochet an additional round of slip stitch around the outer edge of the square.

Next, work surface crochet slip stitch around the outer edge of the heart. I used the same red colored yarn for the slip stitch that I used for crocheting the heart. However, if you’d like your heart square to be a bit more colorful, you could use a different color for this if you prefer.

Then work surface crochet slip stitch around the outer edge of the white framed area. Again, I used the same white yarn for this outline that I used for crocheting the frame. You could use the same color if you like, or you could use a different color to make this area stand out a bit more, and look more colorful. It’s up to you.

How to Crochet the Square — Green, Turquoise and Tan Version

This version of the square looks similar to the red, pink and white version posted above — but it has several crucial differences. The colors are different, but more importantly, I used three different techniques to create the completed design:

• Tapestry crochet
• Cross stitch worked on top of a crocheted background
• Surface crochet slip stitches

You’ve probably noticed by now that the pink, red and white version of the heart square doesn’t have any cross stitching — which is the most noticeable difference between the two versions.

If you’re not confident of your abilities to succeed with a three-color tapestry crochet design, this version of the design is much simpler in that regard; it only requires you to work with two colors total. The third color is added afterwards in cross stitch.

Another bonus: the tapestry crochet portion of this version is just about as easy as it gets for a tapestry crochet project.

However, the project does get to be somewhat more time consuming when you approach it this way, because the cross stitched heart takes additional time to complete.

I like both versions, and have incorporated both into various projects that I’m proud of.

To crochet this version of the pattern:

Chain 26 to begin. Then work the first chart (Chart #1) in 2 colors using the tapestry crochet technique, following the chart for color changes.

One square on the chart = 1 single crochet stitch.

After completing the first chart, the second chart shows you where to place your cross stitches.

The surface crochet details are not pictured on either chart. You add them, freehand, afterwards, after you’re finished working chart #2. There are two spots I’ve added these outlines on this project sample: around the heart and the outer frame design. This can “clean up” any areas that look a bit messy. If you want to make the design more colorful, you could could also use this idea as a way to introduce another color or two into the design. Other colors aren’t necessary, so if you’d rather just stick with the colors you chose, that’s an option as well.

To do the outlines, you could either use surface crochet slip stitch, or the embroidery technique of your choice. Surface crochet slip stitch is my preferred method for this sort of thing.

An edging is optional. After I crocheted chart #1, I worked 2 rounds of slip stitch around the edges of my sample square. You might want a more elaborate edging, depending on your objectives.

What Can You Make With These Crochet Heart Squares?

Crochet Pattern Sampler Blanket:

Crochet Heart Blanket:

There are unlimited ways you could use this square, and crocheted blankets offer you some interesting possibilities. Pictured above is one design idea I came up with using the red, white and pink version of the square.

Get the Coordinating Patterns Pictured Above:

• Mini Checkered Crochet Square Pattern
• Easy Lacy Shell Edging Pattern

I also crocheted a blanket using the green, tan and turquoise version of the heart square. I call it the “pattern sampler afghan.” The design focuses on showcasing a huge mix of different patterned squares, and the heart square is only one tiny element in the overall design.

These are just a couple of the possibilities that are open to you. If neither of them are quite what you want, I challenge you to concoct a blanket design that would be more like what you have in mind. Here’s a link to another square in this series, plus you have plenty of other possibilities that are open to you — and just begging to be explored.

Pillows

You could make pillows easily by stitching several squares together, and stuffing them with a pillow form or fiberfill. Trim the piece with an edging, or perhaps some fringe or other decorative trim.

Potholders

It would be a total no-brainer to transform these squares into cute little potholders for your kitchen. I think they’d be pretty appropriate. After all, the kitchen is the heart of the home, isn’t it?

Placemats

Wouldn’t you enjoy using this design to create some lovelies for setting a beautiful, romantic table? I’m thinking such place settings could be used for Valentine’s Day brunch and dinner, plus on other occasions too.

Related Resources:

• Crochet Heart Coaster or Trivet — Free Pattern
• Heart Patterns to Knit and Crochet
• Fabric Crochet Heart Coasters: Free Pattern
• Valentine Patterns

This page was last updated on 7-4-2023.

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