P181 Valentine’s Day Cards

How to Make a Crochet Heart Valentine’s Day Card

Add a handmade touch to Valentine’s Day with a small crocheted heart attached to a personalised greeting card. This beginner-friendly project uses a simple three-round heart motif that can be glued or sewn onto folded card stock.

The finished card can be romantic, playful or friendship-focused, depending on the colours and message you choose. It is also a useful project for using small amounts of leftover yarn.

Finished Measurement

The completed crochet heart measures approximately 5 cm long.

What You Will Need

Yarn

• Makr Cotton 8 Ply or a similar smooth 8 ply yarn
• Only a small amount is required for each heart

Hook and Equipment

• 4.5 mm crochet hook
• Stitch marker, if desired
• Wool needle for weaving in ends
• Card stock for the greeting-card base
• Gel pens, markers or fine-tip pens
• Glue or sewing thread for attaching the heart
• Scissors
• Pencil and ruler for message guidelines

Tension

Exact tension is not important for this project. Changing the yarn thickness or hook size will alter the finished size of the heart.

Aim for a firm but flexible fabric that holds its shape without feeling stiff.

Abbreviations

• Ch: Chain
• Mr: Magic ring
• Dc: Double crochet
• Htr: Half treble crochet
• Tr: Treble crochet
• Dtr: Double treble crochet
• Sl st: Slip stitch
• St or sts: Stitch or stitches

Construction Overview

The card is made in three simple stages:

1. Crochet the heart motif in three rounds.
2. Fold and decorate the card stock.
3. Glue or sew the heart to the front of the card.

Begin the Crochet Heart

Make a magic ring. Alternatively, chain 4 and join to the first chain with a slip stitch to form a small loop.

Round 1: Form the Basic Heart

1. Chain 3.
2. Work 3 double treble crochet stitches into the magic ring.
3. Work 3 treble crochet stitches into the ring.
4. Chain 1.
5. Work 1 double treble crochet into the ring.
6. Chain 1.
7. Work 3 treble crochet stitches into the ring.
8. Work 3 double treble crochet stitches into the ring.
9. Chain 3.
10. Slip stitch into the centre of the magic ring.

The long stitches form the rounded upper sections, while the centre double treble creates the lower point of the heart.

Round 2: Refine the Shape

1. Chain 3.
2. Work one double crochet and one half treble crochet into the first stitch.
3. Work 3 half treble crochet stitches into the next stitch.
4. Work 2 half treble crochet stitches into the following stitch.
5. Work one double crochet into each of the next four stitches.
6. Chain 1.
7. Work one treble crochet into the top of the centre double treble from Round 1.
8. Chain 1.
9. Work one double crochet into each of the next four stitches.
10. Work 2 half treble crochet stitches into the next stitch.
11. Work 3 half treble crochet stitches into the following stitch.
12. Work one half treble crochet and one double crochet into the final stitch.
13. Chain 3 and slip stitch into the centre of the heart.

Round 3: Add the Final Border

1. Chain 3.
2. Work 2 double crochet stitches into the first stitch.
3. Work one double crochet into the next stitch.
4. Work 2 double crochet stitches into the following stitch.
5. Work one double crochet into each of the next nine stitches.
6. Chain 1.
7. Work one double crochet into the top of the centre stitch from the previous round.
8. Chain 1.
9. Work one double crochet into each of the next nine stitches.
10. Work 2 double crochet stitches into the next stitch.
11. Work one double crochet into the following stitch.
12. Work 2 double crochet stitches into the final stitch.
13. Chain 3 and slip stitch into the centre of the heart.

Finish the Heart

1. Pull the magic ring closed firmly.
2. Fasten off securely.
3. Weave in all yarn ends on the reverse side.
4. Gently shape the upper curves and lower point by hand.
5. Lightly block the heart if necessary.

Prepare the Greeting Card

1. Fold a sheet of card stock in half, pressing the fold firmly.
2. Place the folded card on a flat surface with the front facing upwards.
3. Position the crochet heart near the upper centre or slightly to one side.
4. Leave enough room underneath for a handwritten greeting.
5. Lightly mark the heart placement with pencil if required.

Attach the Crochet Heart

Glue Method

1. Apply a small amount of suitable craft or fabric glue to the reverse of the heart.
2. Concentrate the glue around the outer edge and centre.
3. Press the heart gently onto the card.
4. Allow the glue to dry completely before writing inside the card.

Sewn Method

1. Position the heart on the front of the card.
2. Use a fine needle to make small holes through the card close to the edge of the crochet motif.
3. Sew the heart in place with matching thread.
4. Keep the stitches small and tie the thread securely inside the card.

Sewing gives the card a more handcrafted finish, while glue is quicker and avoids visible thread on the inside.

Add Your Message

Lightly draw pencil guidelines before writing so the message remains straight and evenly spaced. Allow the ink to dry fully, then erase the pencil marks carefully.

Romantic Message Ideas

• You have my whole heart.
• Life is better with you.
• Made with love, just for you.
• You are my favourite person.
• Still falling for you.

Playful Message Ideas

• I love you even when you’re hangry.
• Thanks for swiping right.
• You’re the yarn to my hook.
• We make a great stitch.
• I’m hooked on you.

Friendship Message Ideas

• So grateful for your friendship.
• You make life brighter.
• Sending a little handmade love.
• Friends are chosen family.
• You are loved and appreciated.

Alternative Yarns for This Project

A suitable substitute should be a smooth DK or 8 ply yarn that creates clear stitch definition with a 4–4.5 mm crochet hook.

• 8 ply mercerised cotton – produces a crisp heart with a subtle sheen.
• 8 ply cotton – creates a firm, natural-looking motif with excellent stitch definition.
• 8 ply cotton and acrylic blend – provides a slightly softer and lighter heart.
• 8 ply anti-pilling acrylic – an affordable option available in a broad range of colours.
• 8 ply wool or wool blend – creates a softer, warmer and more textured finish.
• Metallic or sparkle yarn – adds a decorative finish, provided it is comfortable to crochet and not excessively stiff.

Choosing the Best Substitute

Cotton is particularly suitable because it holds the heart shape clearly and lies relatively flat against the card.

Wool and acrylic may produce a softer motif with more stretch. Light blocking can help these fibres retain the desired shape.

Avoid highly fluffy, boucle or loosely spun yarns, as they may obscure the stitch definition and make the heart difficult to attach neatly.

Colour Ideas

• Classic red
• Blush pink
• Burgundy or wine
• White or cream
• Lavender or lilac
• Rainbow or variegated yarn
• Metallic red, gold or silver
• The recipient’s favourite colour

Alternative Project Ideas

• Attach the heart to a gift tag.
• Use several hearts to decorate a card front.
• Make matching hearts for gift wrapping.
• Turn the motif into a brooch or bag charm.
• Join several hearts to create bunting.
• Use the heart as a scrapbook embellishment.
• Add the motif to a framed Valentine’s display.

Care and Storage

Keep the finished card dry and store it flat. Avoid placing heavy items on top of the crochet heart, as this may flatten or distort the stitches.

When posting the card, use a padded envelope or place a protective sheet of card over the motif.