3D Knitted Heart — Beginner Amigurumi

A plump, huggable heart worked in the round in stockinette stitch. Perfect first amigurumi project: no color changes, minimal shaping, and only basic increases and decreases.

Finished size: Approximately 3.5 in (9 cm) tall × 4 in (10 cm) wide, stuffed.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (medium/#4). Approximately 40–50 yds (37–46 m) in your favorite color. A small amount goes a long way.
• Needles: US 6 / 4 mm — set of DPNs or one long circular for Magic Loop. (This is 1–2 sizes smaller than typical worsted recommendations, to create a tight fabric.)
• Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill, approximately 0.5 oz (14 g) — about one large handful.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, optional embroidery floss for a face or initials.

Gauge

5 sts and 7 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in stockinette stitch in the round.

Gauge note: For toys, a tight, even fabric matters more than hitting an exact stitch count. Your stuffing should never peek through. If you can see fiberfill between stitches, go down another needle size.

Abbreviations (US)

• k – knit
• kfb – knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
• k2tog – knit two together (1 st decreased)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• pm – place marker

Construction Overview

The heart is built from the bottom point up, but in reverse: you make the two rounded top lobes first (each a small cup), join them onto one needle, work the wide body down, then decrease to the pointed base and close. Stuff firmly before closing.

Pattern

Lobe 1 (make 1)

Cast on 8 sts. Divide evenly across your DPNs (or Magic Loop), join to work in the round being careful not to twist. Pm to mark start of round.

• Rnd 1: kfb in every st. → 16 sts (Check: 8 × 2 = 16. ✓)
• Rnds 2–4: knit all sts. (16 sts)

Break yarn, leaving a 4 in (10 cm) tail. Slip these 16 sts onto a holder or spare needle. Set aside.

Lobe 2 (make 1)

Work exactly as Lobe 1, but do not break the yarn after Rnd 4. You will use this working yarn to join both lobes. → 16 sts on the needle.

Joining the Lobes

Arrange both lobes side by side so their openings face the same direction (this forms the two humps of the heart top).

• Join Rnd: With the working yarn from Lobe 2, knit all 16 sts of Lobe 2, then continue directly onto Lobe 1 and knit all 16 sts. → 32 sts total now on one needle, worked as a single round. (Check: 16 + 16 = 32. ✓)

Watch the join! A small gap can form where the two lobes meet. To close it: as you reach each join point, pick up 1 loop from the inner edge of the neighboring lobe and knit it together with the next stitch. This keeps your stitch count at 32 and closes the hole cleanly.

Pm at the start of the round.

Body (the wide middle)

• Rnds 1–5: knit all sts. (32 sts)

This creates the full, rounded midsection where the two lobes blend into one heart.

Shaping the Point (decrease section)

• Rnd 6: k2, k2tog repeat around. → 24 sts (Check: 32 ÷ 4 = 8 decreases; 32 − 8 = 24. ✓)
• Rnd 7: knit all sts. (24 sts)
• Rnd 8: k2, k2tog repeat around. → 18 sts (Check: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 decreases; 24 − 6 = 18. ✓)
• Rnd 9: knit all sts. (18 sts)

Stuff the heart now — firmly through the remaining opening. Shape the two lobes so they stand apart distinctly and puff the midsection. Add more fiberfill than feels necessary; it will compress.

• Rnd 10: k1, k2tog repeat around. → 12 sts (Check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 decreases; 18 − 6 = 12. ✓)
• Rnd 11: k2tog repeat around. → 6 sts (Check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 decreases; 12 − 6 = 6. ✓)

Add a final small pinch of stuffing into the point to keep it firm.

Closing the Point

Break yarn, leaving a 6 in (15 cm) tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle, run it through the remaining 6 live sts, pull snug to cinch the point closed, and secure with a knot on the inside.

Finishing

1. Close the top center notch (between the lobes): With the leftover tails from the lobes and join, use a few small stitches to nip the fabric between the two humps inward, creating the classic heart dimple at the top center. Tug gently — this defines the heart shape.
2. Weave in all ends securely to the inside of the heart. Insert the tapestry needle through the stuffing and out the side, then trim close so the end disappears inside.
3. Optional features: Embroider a small face, initials, or a message on the front using embroidery floss and simple backstitch or satin stitch before or after stuffing. For a hanging ornament, attach a loop of yarn to the top center dimple.

Assembly Order Recap

1. Knit both lobes.
2. Join lobes onto one needle (32 sts), closing join gaps.
3. Work body straight, then decrease to shape the point.
4. Stuff firmly at Rnd 9 and again near the end.
5. Cinch the point closed.
6. Nip the top-center notch and weave in ends.

Stitch Count Summary (verification)

Enjoy your squishy 3D heart! 💗