Happy 2020, everyone! New year, new decade, new beginnings. If you’re like me, you have a list of goals and resolutions as long as your arm, but I wanted to share just the number one thing at the top of my list:
#1 Keep love in your heart
Tiny story-time: just before the holidays I went to see A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, the movie about Fred Rogers, and it moved me profoundly to remember the absolute gem that was the children’s show Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, but most especially the man himself. Mr. Rogers approached every aspect of life with kindness and compassion, and the positive effect that had is undeniable. I’m not proposing anything wild with my resulting resolution. I just know that even the smallest interaction can make or break someone’s day, and that positivity influences positivity, and that I personally want to kick my habit of falling into the negative, because I can be very guilty of it sometimes (especially in self-talk).
So for the first month of 2020, I wanted to share this sweet, huggable ami that reminds us all to keep a little love in our hearts! It’s so satisfying to press the mini heart in place, and I just love the little hands reaching out, like it’s asking for a hug. I hope you’ll join us in making this goober, I’m excited to see all the love!
These little guys will make the perfect Valentine's Day gift, so you can share the love in your heart!
ABOUT OUR DESIGNER
Brenna Eaves is the one-woman team behind Little Raven Fiber Arts. A self-taught fiber artist with more than 13 years’ experience building things with stitches, she has the type of yarn stash that, if unraveled and tied end to end, would stretch to the moon and back. Though also an accomplished knitter, cross-stitcher, writer, artist, and graphic designer, crochet is her happy place. She lives and works out of Wisconsin.
SUPPLIES
-Worsted weight yarn in a main color and secondary color (for the inset heart)
Main: > 400yds
Secondary: ~ 30yds
-5.0mm (H) Furls Odyssey crochet hook
-9mm black safety eyes
-Stuffing
-Tapestry needle
-Scrap yarn for the mouth
PATTERN DETAILS
Dimensions
Main heart: ~10” wide, ~9” tall
Inset heart: 2” tall
Notes
-Do not join rounds with slp st or ch 1 at the beginning of rounds unless otherwise instructed. Use a stitch marker to mark your place
-TRIPLE SC DEC: pull up a loop in each of the next 3 sc, yo and pull through all 4 loops on the hook. It’s just like a regular sc dec, but with one more sc in the mix, reducing three stitches down to one instead of just two stitches down to one.
Abbreviations
Ch = chain
Slp st = slip stitch
Sc = single crochet
Sc dec = single crochet decrease
Triple sc dec = triple single crochet decrease (see notes)
Hdc = half double crochet
Dc = double crochet
Rep = repeat
2x, 3x, etc = 2 times, 3 times, etc
Rep *-* = repeat the instructions inside of the asterisks the indicated number of times
BLO = back loops only
FO = finish off
PART ONE
In Part One, we’ll be completing the front panel of the main heart along with the outer border of the main heart and the little cutout’s lining, and then in Part Two we’ll make the back panel of the main heart, put the two heart parts together, give it little hugging arms, and make the mini hearts for the inset!
MAIN HEART PANEL (front)
Ch 3
Row 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in last ch, TURN (4)
Row 2: 3 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (7)
Row 3: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (9)
Row 4: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (11)
Row 5: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (13)
Row 6: sc in each sc across, TURN (13)
Row 7: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 11 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (15)
Row 8: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 13 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (17)
Row 9: sc in each sc across, TURN (17)
Row 10: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 15 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (19)
Row 11: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 17 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (21)
Row 12: sc in each sc across, TURN (21)
Row 13: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 19 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (23)
Row 14: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 21 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (25)
The next row starts side A of an A/B split to create the mini heart cutout.
Row 15a: sc in 1st 12 sc, TURN leaving last 13 unworked (12)
Row 16a: sc dec, sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (12)
Row 17a: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 9 sc, sc dec, TURN (12)
Row 18a: sc in each sc across (12)
Row 19a: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 9 sc, sc dec, TURN (12)
Row 20a: sc in each sc across, TURN (12)
Row 21a: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in last 11 sc, TURN (13)
Row 22a: sc in each sc across, TURN (13)
Row 23a: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in last 12 sc, TURN (14)
Row 24a: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in last 13 sc, TURN (15)
Row 25a: sc in 1st 14 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (16)
Row 26a: 3 sc in 1st sc, sc in last 15 sc, TURN (18)
Row 27a: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in last 17 sc, DO NOT FO. Save this stitch so it doesn’t pull out, I used a clipping stitch marker in the active loop.
Remember those 13 unworked stitches we left after Row 15a? With the other end of the skein (if you are using the center-pull end of yarn, you’ll use the one that winds around the outside, and vice versa), make a slipknot and place it on the hook. We’re going to start the B side of the A/B split, which puts us on the same row that 15a was on: skip the next sc of that row and work as follows:
Row 15b: sc in last 12 sc, TURN (12)
Row 16b: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 9 sc, sc dec, TURN (12)
Row 17b: sc dec, sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (12)
Row 18b: sc in each sc across, TURN (12)
Row 19b: sc dec, sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (12)
Row 20b: sc in each sc across, TURN (12)
Row 21b: sc in 1st 11 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (13)
Row 22b: sc in each sc across, TURN (13)
Row 23b: sc in 1st 12 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (14)
Row 24b: sc in 1st 13 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (15)
Row 25b: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in last 14 sc, TURN (16)
Row 26b: sc in 1st 15 sc, 3 sc in last sc (18)
FO this side of the heart midsection.
Put the reserved stitch from Row 27a back on the hook: ch 7, sc in FO sc of side B (we’re bridging the gap between the two sides): sc in each of the last 17 sc, TURN
Row 28: sc in 1st 18 sc, sc across next 7 ch, sc in last 18 sc, TURN (43)
Rows 29-31: sc in each sc across, TURN (43)
Row 32: sc in 1st 21 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last 21 sc, TURN (44)
Here we’re going to start another A/B row split-off to build the heart lobes.
Row 33a: sc in 1st 20 sc, sc dec, TURN
Row 34a: sc dec, sc in last 19 sc, TURN (20)
Row 35a: sc in each sc across
Row 36a: sc dec, sc in next 16 sc, sc dec, TURN (18)
Row 37a: sc in each sc across, TURN (18)
Row 38a: sc dec, sc in last 16 sc, TURN (17)
Row 39a: sc dec, sc in last 15 sc, TURN (16)
Row 40a: sc dec, sc in next 12 sc, sc dec, TURN (14)
Row 41a: sc dec, sc in next 10 sc, sc dec, TURN (12)
Row 42a: sc dec, sc in next sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next 4 sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc, sc dec (10)
FO this side.
Make a slipknot and place it on the hook. In the next sc of Row 33 (with the first lobe on the right) work as follows:
Row 33b: sc dec, sc in last 20 sc, TURN (21)
Row 34b: sc in 1st 19 sc, sc dec, TURN (20)
Row 35b: sc in each sc across, TURN (20)
Row 36b: sc dec, sc in next 16 sc, sc dec, TURN (18)
Row 37b: sc in each sc across, TURN (18)
Row 38b: sc in 1st 16 sc, sc dec, TURN (17)
Row 39b: sc in 1st 15 sc, sc dec, TURN (16)
Row 40b: sc dec, sc in next 12 sc, sc dec, TURN (14)
Row 41b: sc dec, sc in next 10 sc, sc dec, TURN (12)
Row 42b: sc dec, sc in next sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next 4 sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc, sc dec (10)
DO NOT FO. Ch 1 and start to work a sc border evenly around the entire silhouette of the heart. I worked 132 sc around: your number does not have to match mine, just make sure that it DOES match the number of sc you work around the back panel. This will make sewing the pieces together much easier because it will all match up. STILL DO NOT FO. You should be back at your ch 1: PM and work even (with sc) in the BLO for one round. Then, in both loops, work another 5 full rounds even, and then finally we can FO, leaving a very long tail for assembly later.
Put the safety eyes in at Row 12 of the main heart, centered underneath the heart cutout. Using scrap yarn, embroider a little smiling mouth between the two eyes. If you prefer, you can use fabric paint, just allow it to dry for as long as directed before continuing.
MAKING THE CUTOUT MORE HEART-SHAPED
Make a slipknot and place it on the hook. The bottom of the heart should be pointing away from you, the border we just worked should be facing down. Working into the underside of the ch 7 from Row 28, reattach yarn with a sc to the far right side: sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, ch 1, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, slp st in last ch. FO and weave in those ends. Your little cutout in the center of the heart should now be more heart-shaped!
LINING FOR THE HEART INSET
Starting with a long tail for assembly, ch 7
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, TURN (6)
Rows 2-16: sc in each sc across, TURN (6)
Row 17: ch 1, working in BLO for this row only, sc in each sc across, TURN (6)
Rows 18-32: sc in each sc across, TURN (6)
FO leaving a long tail for assembly. The row we worked in BLO marks the center of the heart lobes, or the dc + ch 1 from “making the cutout more heart-shaped” above.
Using one of the FO ends, sew the lining for the heart inset along the inside edge of that cutout. The unworked front loops from row 17 should be facing into the heart inset (so we can see it) and it should draw a line down from the dc + ch 1 mentioned above. Weave in this end only.
That’s it for this week! We’ve made a ton of progress already… join us next week for the back piece of the main heart, the little arms, and the mini hearts that go inside!
PART TWO
Welcome back! It’s time to finish our hearts so we can get to hugging the little sweeties, so let’s jump right in!
MAIN HEART PANEL (back)
Ch 3
Row 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in last ch, TURN (4)
Row 2: 3 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (7)
Row 3: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (9)
Row 4: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (11)
Row 5: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (13)
Row 6: sc in each sc across, TURN
Row 7: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 11 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (15)
Row 8: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 13 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (17)
Row 9: sc in each sc across, TURN (17)
Row 10: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 15 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (19)
Row 11: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 17 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (21)
Row 12: sc in each sc across, TURN (21)
Row 13: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 19 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (23)
Row 14: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 21 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (25)
Row 15: sc in 1st 12 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc in last 12 sc (27)
Row 16: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 25 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (29)
Row 17: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 27 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (31)
Row 18: sc in each sc across (31)
Row 19: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 29 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (33)
Row 20: sc in each sc across, TURN (33)
Row 21: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 31 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (35)
Row 22: sc in each sc across (35)
Row 23: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 33 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (37)
Row 24: sc in each sc across (37)
Row 25: sc in 1st 18 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc in last 18 sc (39)
Row 26: 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 37 sc, 2 sc in last sc, TURN (41)
Rows 27: sc in each sc across, TURN (41)
Row 28: sc in 1st 20 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc in last 20 sc, TURN (43)
Rows 29-31: sc in each sc across, TURN (43)
Row 32: sc in 1st 21 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last 21 sc, TURN (44)
The next row begins the A/B split of the heart lobes
Row 33a: sc in 1st 20 sc, sc dec, TURN leaving remaining sts unworked (21)
Row 34a: sc dec, sc in last 19 sc, TURN (20)
Row 35a: sc in each sc across (20)
Row 36a: sc dec, sc in next 16 sc, sc dec, TURN (18)
Row 37a: sc in each sc across, TURN (18)
Row 38a: sc dec, sc in last 16 sc, TURN (17)
Row 39a: sc dec, sc in last 15 sc, TURN (16)
Row 40a: sc dec, sc in next 12 sc, sc dec, TURN (14)
Row 41a: sc dec, sc in next 10 sc, sc dec, TURN (12)
Row 42a: sc dec, sc in next sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next 4 sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc, sc dec (10)
FO
Make a slipknot and place it on the hook. In the next sc of Row 33 (first lobe on the right) work as follows:
Row 33b: sc dec, sc in last 20 sc, TURN (21)
Row 34b: sc in 1st 19 sc, sc dec, TURN (20)
Row 35b: sc in each sc across, TURN (20)
Row 36b: sc dec, sc in next 16 sc, sc dec, TURN (18)
Row 37b: sc in each sc across, TURN (18)
Row 38b: sc in 1st 16 sc, sc dec, TURN (17)
Row 39b: sc in 1st 15 sc, sc dec, TURN (16)
Row 40b: sc dec, sc in next 12 sc, sc dec, TURN (14)
Row 41b: sc dec, sc in next 10 sc, sc dec, TURN (12)
Row 42b: sc dec, sc in next sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next 4 sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc, sc dec (10)
DO NOT FO. Ch 1 and work a sc border evenly around the entire silhouette of the heart. Remember, the number of sc you work in this border should match the number of sc you worked around the first heart panel. When you come back to your ch 1, FO and weave in this end only.
Match up the front and back main heart panels: it helped me to secure them together with clipping stitch markers (safety pins would work too, or tied yarn scraps). Using the long FO tail from the border around the front panel, begin to sew the two pieces together and stop once you’ve gone a little more than halfway around (so down to the middle crease of the lobes, around the next lobe and down to the point of the heart is where I stopped).
Using the other tail end from the lining for the heart inset, stitch it to the back piece where it sits naturally in its cute little heart shape. It shouldn’t stretch or pucker the back panel as you sew it in place: it should create a nice little heart-shaped donut hole inset in the middle of the main heart. Weave in the end.
Now we get to start STUFFING! Make sure the stuffing nicely fills out the lobe that’s already closed, and stuff as much as you can without encroaching on the section we haven’t sewn together yet.
Continue sewing the front and back panels together, stuffing evenly as you go. Weave in the ends.
ARMS (make 2)
Ch 2 or magic loop
Rnd 1: 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook / loop (8)
Rnds 2-3: sc in each sc around (8)
Rnd 4: sc in 1st sc, in next sc [*YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops* rep *-* until you have 5 loops on the hook, YO and pull through all 5 loops, ch 1 to lock] BOBBLE made, sc in next 3 sc, sc dec, sc in last sc (7)
Rnd 5: sc in 1st sc, sc dec, sc in last 4 sc (6)
Poke a little ball of stuffing into the hand area
Rnds 6-13: sc in each sc around (6)
Rnd 14: *2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 2 sc* rep *-* 2x (8)
FO leaving a medium tail for assembly.
Sew the arms to either side of the main heart’s little face. The BOBBLEs are little thumbs, so they should be facing in towards the face. Weave in the ends.
MINI HEARTS
First lobe
Ch 2 or magic loop
Rnd 1: 7 sc in 2nd ch from hook / loop (7)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (14)
Rnd 3-5: sc in each sc around (14)
FO first lobe
Second lobe
Ch 2 or magic loop
Rnds 1-5: Work same as first lobe, DO NOT FO.
Rnd 6: sc in 1st 6 sc, pull up a loop in next sc (starting a sc dec): skip the next 3 sc of the first lobe and complete the sc dec in the next sc of first lobe (see pictures 1-3 below). Sc in next 9 sc, start a sc dec by pulling up a loop in the next sc of this lobe, then skip the next 3 sc of the second lobe (see picture 4 below) and complete the sc dec in next sc, remove marker, sc in next 6 sc, PM
Use FO tail of first lobe to sew the skipped-3-sc sections together (see picture below), weave in or tie off this end and tuck it inside the heart.
Rnd 7: sc in 1st 3 sc, sc dec, sc in next 8 sc, sc dec, sc in last 5 sc (18)
Rnd 8: sc in 1st 2 sc, triple sc dec (see notes), sc in next 6 sc, triple sc dec, sc in last 4 sc (14)
STUFF the heart firmly, it can help to use a chopstick or the other end of your hook to help stuff each lobe.
Rnd 9: sc in 1st sc, triple sc dec, sc in next 4 sc, triple sc dec, sc in last 3 sc (10)
Rnd 10: triple sc dec, sc in next 2 sc, triple sc dec, sc in next sc, remove marker (6)
STUFF the heart again, triple sc dec
FO, close up any remaining hole and weave in the end.
Yeah, bud! You now have a sweet huggable heart with shareable love! I hope you enjoyed this CAL, and remember to spread some love <3
