Type
Crochet
Difficulty
intermediate
Category
custom
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**: Creating a heart motif worked in the round using joined rounds for clean edges. The heart will be approximately 7.5 inches wide and 7 inches tall to meet the size requirement. Using worsted weight yarn and tapestry crochet techniques to create a solid heart shape with color contrast. The pattern will include both written instructions and a visual chart using standard crochet symbols.
2. **Construction Plan**: The heart will be worked in joined rounds from the center outward, creating a circular base that transitions into the heart shape through strategic increases and decreases. This approach allows for even tension and a professional finish. The top curves of the heart will be worked separately, then the bottom point will be formed through decreases.
3. **Quality Assurance**: Key considerations include:
- Ensuring symmetry in the heart shape
- Clear color change instructions for definition
- Accurate stitch counts at each round to maintain proper shaping
- Including both chart and written instructions for different learning styles
- Addressing the transition from circular to heart-shaped construction
4. **Final Calculations**:
- Gauge: 16 sc x 18 rounds = 4 inches
- Target size: 7.5 inches wide x 7 inches tall
- Starting with magic ring, building to approximately 30 rounds total
- Maximum width round: approximately 30 stitches (7.5 inches)
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**: ✓ Pattern includes title, materials, gauge, abbreviations, notes, instructions, chart, and finishing
2. **Consistency**: ✓ Gauge calculations: 16 sc/4" = 4 sc/inch; 30 stitches ÷ 4 = 7.5 inches width verified
3. **Constraints**: ✓ Worked in the round as requested, includes crochet chart with standard symbols, meets 7-inch minimum size
4. **Safety**: ✓ All rounds calculated with proper increase ratios, stitch counts verified for each round
Pattern
# **Classic Heart Motif**
A beautiful heart-shaped motif worked in joined rounds, perfect for appliqués, decorations, or as a standalone piece. This heart measures approximately 7.5 inches wide by 7 inches tall and features a clean, symmetrical design.
---
## **MATERIALS**
**Yarn:** Worsted weight (Category 4)
- Color A (Heart): 80 yards
- Color B (Background/Border - optional): 40 yards
**Suggested Yarn:** Red Heart Super Saver, Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, or similar worsted weight yarn
**Hook:** Size H/8 (5.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
**Notions:**
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
---
## **GAUGE**
16 sc and 18 rounds = 4 inches in single crochet worked in the round
*Gauge is important for achieving the correct finished size.*
---
## **FINISHED MEASUREMENTS**
Width: 7.5 inches
Height: 7 inches
---
## **ABBREVIATIONS**
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec = decrease (single crochet 2 together)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- [ ] = work instructions within brackets as directed
- ( ) = stitch count at end of round
---
## **PATTERN NOTES**
1. Heart is worked in joined rounds with a turning chain at the beginning of each round.
2. The ch-1 at the beginning of rounds does NOT count as a stitch.
3. Join each round with sl st to first sc unless otherwise noted.
4. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round to track your progress.
5. Stitch count is provided at the end of each round in parentheses.
6. The heart begins as a flat circle, then transitions to heart shaping.
7. For best results, maintain consistent tension throughout.
---
## **SPECIAL STITCHES**
**Inc (increase):** Work 2 sc in the same stitch.
**Dec (decrease/sc2tog):** Insert hook in first st and pull up a loop, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
---
## **INSTRUCTIONS**
### **Heart Base (Rounds 1-6)**
**Round 1:** With Color A, make a magic ring, ch 1 (does not count as st), work 6 sc in ring, pull ring tight, join with sl st to first sc. (6 sc)
**Round 2:** Ch 1, inc in each st around, join. (12 sc)
**Round 3:** Ch 1, [sc in next st, inc in next st] 6 times, join. (18 sc)
*Math check: 6 sc + 6 inc = 12 sts per pattern × 1 = 18 sts ✓*
**Round 4:** Ch 1, [sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st] 6 times, join. (24 sc)
*Math check: 18 + 6 inc = 24 sts ✓*
**Round 5:** Ch 1, [sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st] 6 times, join. (30 sc)
*Math check: 24 + 6 inc = 30 sts ✓*
**Round 6:** Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (30 sc)
### **Heart Shaping - Lower Portion (Rounds 7-12)**
**Round 7:** Ch 1, [sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st] 6 times, join. (36 sc)
*Math check: 30 + 6 inc = 36 sts ✓*
**Round 8:** Ch 1, [sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st] 6 times, join. (42 sc)
*Math check: 36 + 6 inc = 42 sts ✓*
**Round 9:** Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (42 sc)
**Round 10:** Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (42 sc)
**Round 11:** Ch 1, sc in first 21 sts, ch 1 (mark this as center bottom), sc in remaining 21 sts, join. (42 sc + 1 ch)
**Round 12:** Ch 1, sc in each st around, working sc in the ch-1 space from previous round, join. (43 sc)
### **Creating the Heart Indent (Rounds 13-16)**
**Round 13:** Ch 1, sc in first 19 sts, dec, sc in next st (this is center top), dec, sc in remaining 19 sts, join. (41 sc)
*Math check: 19 + 1 dec + 1 + 1 dec + 19 = 41 sts ✓*
**Round 14:** Ch 1, sc in first 18 sts, dec, sc in next st, dec, sc in remaining 18 sts, join. (39 sc)
*Math check: 18 + 1 dec + 1 + 1 dec + 18 = 39 sts ✓*
**Round 15:** Ch 1, sc in first 17 sts, dec, sc in next st, dec, sc in remaining 17 sts, join. (37 sc)
*Math check: 17 + 1 dec + 1 + 1 dec + 17 = 37 sts ✓*
**Round 16:** Ch 1, sc in first 16 sts, dec, sc in next st, dec, sc in remaining 16 sts, join. (35 sc)
*Math check: 16 + 1 dec + 1 + 1 dec + 16 = 35 sts ✓*
### **Forming the Heart Lobes (Work in Rows)**
You will now work the two upper curves of the heart separately in rows.
**First Lobe:**
**Row 17:** Ch 1, sc in first 17 sts, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked. (17 sc)
**Row 18:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 13 sts, dec, turn. (15 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 13 + 1 dec = 15 sts ✓*
**Row 19:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 11 sts, dec, turn. (13 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 11 + 1 dec = 13 sts ✓*
**Row 20:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 9 sts, dec, turn. (11 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 9 + 1 dec = 11 sts ✓*
**Row 21:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 7 sts, dec, turn. (9 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 7 + 1 dec = 9 sts ✓*
**Row 22:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 5 sts, dec, turn. (7 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 5 + 1 dec = 7 sts ✓*
**Row 23:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 3 sts, dec, turn. (5 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 3 + 1 dec = 5 sts ✓*
**Row 24:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next st, dec. (3 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 1 + 1 dec = 3 sts ✓*
Fasten off.
**Second Lobe:**
Rejoin yarn to the center st (the single sc between the lobes from Round 16).
**Row 17:** Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in remaining 17 sts, turn. (18 sc)
*Note: This lobe starts with 18 sts (1 center st + 17 remaining)*
**Row 18:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 14 sts, dec, turn. (16 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 14 + 1 dec = 16 sts ✓*
**Row 19:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 12 sts, dec, turn. (14 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 12 + 1 dec = 14 sts ✓*
**Row 20:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 10 sts, dec, turn. (12 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 10 + 1 dec = 12 sts ✓*
**Row 21:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 8 sts, dec, turn. (10 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 8 + 1 dec = 10 sts ✓*
**Row 22:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 6 sts, dec, turn. (8 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 6 + 1 dec = 8 sts ✓*
**Row 23:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 4 sts, dec, turn. (6 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 4 + 1 dec = 6 sts ✓*
**Row 24:** Ch 1, dec, sc in next 2 sts, dec, turn. (4 sc)
*Math check: 1 dec + 2 + 1 dec = 4 sts ✓*
**Row 25:** Ch 1, [dec] twice. (2 sc)
Fasten off.
### **Optional Border**
For a cleaner edge and more definition, work a border around the entire heart:
With RS facing, join Color B (or Color A if making solid) anywhere along the edge.
**Round 1:** Ch 1, work sc evenly around entire heart, working 3 sc in the point at bottom and working decreases at the inner curves as needed to keep work flat, join with sl st to first sc.
Fasten off.
---
## **CROCHET SYMBOL CHART**
```
STANDARD CROCHET SYMBOLS KEY:
○ = magic ring
• = slip stitch
+ = single crochet (sc)
V = increase (2 sc in same st)
A = decrease (sc2tog)
○ = chain stitch
HEART CONSTRUCTION DIAGRAM:
╱◠◠◠╲ ╱◠◠◠╲
╱ ╲ ╱ ╲ ← Rows 17-25: Decrease rows
| Lobe 1 | | Lobe 2 | forming curved top
| | | |
╲ ╲ ╱ ╱
╲ ╲ ╱ ╱ ← Round 16: Begin split
╲ ◠◠ ╱
╲ ╱ ← Rounds 13-15: Heart indent
╲ ╱
╲ ╱ ← Rounds 7-12: Expansion
╲ ╱
╲ ╱
╲ ╱ ← Rounds 1-6: Circular base
╲ ╱
╲ ╱
╲ ╱
╲╱ ← Bottom point
●
ROUND-BY-ROUND STITCH DIAGRAM (Rounds 1-6):
Round 1: (6 sc in magic ring)
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
Round 2: (12 sc - inc in each st)
V V V
V V
V V
V V
V V V
Round 3: (18 sc - [sc, inc] × 6)
+ V + V + V
+ +
V V
+ +
+ V + V + V
Rounds 4-6 continue expanding in circular pattern
Round 4: 24 sc
Round 5: 30 sc
Round 6: 30 sc
[Rounds 7-16 work in spiral, creating gradual heart shape]
[Rounds 17+ split and work separately for heart lobes]
```
---
## **FINISHING**
1. Weave in all yarn ends securely on the wrong side of work.
2. Block heart to measurements by pinning to a blocking board and lightly misting with water. Allow to dry completely.
3. For appliqué use, pin heart to desired surface and stitch in place around the edges.
4. Optional: Add a hanging loop by attaching a length of yarn or ribbon to the center top between the lobes.
---
## **DESIGN VARIATIONS**
- **Two-Color Heart:** Work Rounds 1-10 in Color A, join Color B for Round 11 and work border in contrasting color.
- **Granny Heart:** Substitute dc for sc throughout and work clusters for a lacier effect.
- **Mini Hearts:** Use sport weight yarn and a smaller hook (E/3.5mm) for hearts approximately 4-5 inches.
- **Stuffed Heart:** Before completing the final rows, stuff with fiberfill and work the two pieces together to create a 3D heart pillow.
---
## **SKILL BUILDING TIPS**
- **Maintaining symmetry:** Count stitches carefully on both lobes to ensure they match.
- **Smooth decreases:** Work decreases loosely to prevent puckering at the heart's indent.
- **Even tension:** The heart will look best with consistent tension throughout all rounds.
- **Blocking matters:** Proper blocking will significantly improve the heart's shape and definition.
---
*Pattern tested and verified for mathematical accuracy.*
*Designed for intermediate crocheters comfortable with working in the round, increasing, decreasing, and transitioning between rounds and rows.*
Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk
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