This crochet heart pillow is an easy and beginner-friendly free pattern, using granny heart squares and small amounts of DK weight yarn. It’s a fun way to add a handmade touch to your home, whether for Valentine’s Day, a special gift or everyday decor.
You’ll be surprised how simple it is to create something so charming! Sometimes, the easiest projects bring the most joy. I crocheted this pillow for my granddaughter’s room – she calls it her “love cushion” – so sweet!
Construction of the Crochet Heart Pillow
This crochet heart pillow is made with nine granny heart squares, giving a fun and colorful twist to a classic design. The heart shape comes together in Round 3 with a simple color change. I carried the yarn behind my stitches instead of cutting it, which saved time and kept things neat inside the pillow. But if you prefer, you can cut and weave in the ends as you go.
I used a 17″ (43cm) square ready-made cream pillow from a local store. The crochet front panel is attached directly to the pillow. It really does save time, but you can make a matching back panel if you prefer.
I always make the crochet panel slightly smaller than the cushion and stretch it as I attach it. This keeps it snug and avoids a wrinkled cover – no one wants a saggy pillow! You can check out all of my crochet pillow patterns for more home decor inspiration!
Yarn and Colors for the Crochet Cushion
I used DK weight (light worsted) yarn and a 4 mm hook. The exact colors I used for each square are included in the pattern, if you wish to make yours similar. This is a great project to play with color and make something unique from leftover yarn.
Valentine patterns don’t have to be just red or pink – love comes in every color! I chose shades that I loved for my pillow – pinks, aqua and navy with a cream border to calm the palette. But the granny heart pillow will look beautiful in any colors you choose.
How to get the Pattern for the Crochet Heart Pillow
- Free Crochet Pattern: Scroll down this blog post for the free pattern instructions
- Printable PDF: Ad-free PDF pattern including all details. This helps me continue to provide free patterns. Thank you for your support! – Purchase on Ravelry and on Etsy
More free Crochet Patterns for Valentines Day
- Crochet Lace Heart Coaster – a beautiful vintage doily inspired coaster
- Valentine Hearts Crochet Garland – pretty crochet hearts and flowers in any color combination!
- Crochet Hearts – pretty hearts and an easy pattern!
- Stuffed Crochet Heart – adorable and perfect for gifts
Crochet Heart Square Pillow Pattern
Materials
- Small amounts of DK weight/light worsted weight yarn
- I used Hobbii Yarn – Happy Place Solid – 50% Cotton, 50% Superwash Wool, 100g/250 m (273 yds) – Yarn A: (1) Almond, Yarn B: (14) Lollipop, (25) Yarn C: Aqua, Yarn D: (20) Blueberry
- Hobbii Yarn – Happy Place Melange – 50% Cotton, 50% Superwash Wool, 100g/250 m (273 yds) – Yarn E: (14) Lollipop
- 4 mm & 3.5mm crochet hooks
- 17″ plain pillow that I bought in a local store. Pillow front is attached to a ready-made pillow to save time.
- Strong sewing thread
You can use any dk weight (light worsted) yarn to make this pattern
Measurements
Using DK weight/light worsted weight yarn and 4mm hook:
- Pillow is 17 x 17 in [43 x 43 cm]
- Each square is approx. 5 x 5 in [12.5 x 12.5 cm]
You can get a printable PDF on Ravelry and on Etsy
Abbreviations
US Crochet terms
- sl st slip stitch
- dc double crochet
- ch chain
- st stitch
- beg beginning
- sp space
- rep repeat
- RS right side
Notes
- The pattern is written in US crochet terms.
- Do not turn after each round.
- Ch 3 at beginning of a round counts as 1 dc.
- 3 dc = 3-dc group.
- Each round begins in a corner of the square.
- In Round 3, you will change color on the last yarn over and carry the unused yarn behind your stitches until you pick it up again.
- If preferred, you can cut yarn for each color change and weave in threads as you work.
- Use an invisible join (Instructions below) for your final round for a neat finish.
Special Stitches
Reverse single crochet or crab stitch
Ch 1, working from left to right, skip first sc, insert hook from front to back in next sc to the right, yo, pull loop through st, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook. Repeat as indicated in pattern.
Link to Crab Stitch Video Tutorial
Color Sequence for the Squares
Square 1: C, B, A.
Square 2: B, D, A.
Square 3: D, C, A.
Square 4: D, E, A.
Square 5: B, C, A.
Square 6: E, B, A.
Square 7: E, C, A.
Square 8: E, D, A.
Square 9: C, E, A.
Granny Heart Square Pattern
(Do not turn your square after each round)
With Yarn A, ch 5 and sl st to 1st ch to form a ring
Round 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc here and throughout at beg of a round), 2 dc in ring, [ch 2, 3 dc in ring] 3 times, ch 2, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch 3. Sl st into the next 2 dc and the next ch-2 sp, ready for Round 2.
Round 2: Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same ch-sp, [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 3 times, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch 3. Sl st into the next 2 dc and the next ch-2 sp, ready for Round 3.
Round 3: Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same ch-sp, 3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups on previous round, drop Yarn A and change to Yarn B, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp) drop Yarn B and change to Yarn A, 3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups, drop Yarn A and change to Yarn B,
(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp) drop Yarn B and change to Yarn A, 3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp) drop Yarn A and change to Yarn B, 3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups, drop Yarn B and change to Yarn A, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch 3. Sl st into the next 2 dc and the next ch-2 sp, changing to Yarn B on the last yarn over. Fasten off yarn A. You are now ready to work Round 4 with Yarn B.
Round 4: Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same ch-sp, [(3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups on previous round) 2 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 3 times, (3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups) 2 times, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch 3. Fasten off yarn.
Round 5: With Yarn C, join in any st, ch 3, work 1 dc in each st around and work (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in each corner ch-2 sp. Join with an invisible join (instructions below). Fasten off yarn and weave in threads.
Blocking your Squares
Blocking will ensure each square is the perfect size and shape.
Pin each square in place, spray with water and leave to dry. Your square will look neat and polished before joining.
Joining the Squares
Layout out squares in rows of 3 x 3 making sure the heart motif shape is facing the correct way. Holding RS together and using whip stitch through back loops only, join squares in rows of 3 and then join each row to each other.
Block the panel to even out your squares if needed.
Change to a 3.5mm hook for the border
Border for the Pillow
Round 1: With yarn A, join in any st, ch 1, work 1 sc in each st around, working 1 sc in each ch-2 sp where the squares join and 3 sc in each corner of the panel. Join with a sl st in 1st sc. Fasten off yarn.
Tip: Mark centre st of each 3-sc corner with a stitch marker.
Round 2: Join in yarn E and rep row 1. Fasten off yarn.
Round 3: Join in yarn B and rep row 1. Fasten off yarn.
Rounds 4 – 6: Join in Yarn A, and rep round 1.
Round 7: Ch 1 and work reverse single crochet stitch in each st around edge of pillow.
Fasten off. Weave in all threads.
Finishing the Pillow
Lay pillow piece on readymade pillow and pin in place, stretching where needed. Using matching sewing thread, whipstitch around, working through the edge of the crochet border and the fabric of the pillow.
I like to pin in place with the crab stitch border slightly raised and stitch behind the border.
Invisible Joining (Invisible Needle Join)
Complete the final stitch of your round. Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Drop your hook and pull the tail all the way through the stitch and thread the yarn tail through a yarn needle.
- Insert the needle from the front to the back under the top two loops of the first complete stitch made to your left (after the beg ch 3). See Picture 1
- Pull yarn through. See Picture 2
- Insert your needle in the back loop only of the last stitch made to your right. See arrow on Picture 3
- Pull through loop gently and weave in ends. See Picture 4
PIN FOR LATER!
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and be sure to tag me in your photos so I can see it too, @anniedesigncrochet or #anniedesigncrochet – I can’t wait to see what colours you use with this pattern!
The photographs and pattern contained on this page are the property of Annie Design Crochet.com.
You are welcome to use this pattern to make items to sell, and I would appreciate that you include a link to the free pattern with credit for the designer, thank you!
No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of this pattern or content is permitted.
Dankie.
This is really cute! It would make a cute tote bag too! I love your patterns. My only issue with your website is Too Many Ads!!