A padded-looking crochet heart filled with layered pink and berry-coloured petal motifs around a small cream flower centre, then framed with a pale pink crochet border.
The design works beautifully as a small applique, coaster, hanging ornament, gift topper or decorative patch. It is especially effective when several close shades of pink are mixed together, because the individual petals remain visible while the whole piece still reads as one heart.
Finished size is approximately 11 to 13 cm wide and 10 to 12 cm tall, depending on yarn and hook size.
What you’ll need
DK cotton or light worsted cotton in:
pale blush pink,
dusty rose,
deep raspberry or berry pink,
cream or warm white,
and a tiny amount of brown for the flower centre.
A 3 mm to 3.5 mm crochet hook.
You’ll also need a tapestry needle, scissors and optional light stuffing or felt backing if you want the heart to feel thicker.
Abbreviations are US terms. ch is chain, sl st is slip stitch, sc is single crochet, hdc is half double crochet, dc is double crochet, tr is treble crochet, MR is magic ring.
Construction overview
The heart is easiest to build in three stages.
First, make a small central flower.
Second, crochet a series of raised teardrop petals in mixed pink shades and arrange them around the flower to create the filled heart surface.
Third, work or sew a pale pink heart-shaped border around the outside.
The finished look should be dense and sculptural, with very little empty space between the petals.
Small centre flower
With cream yarn:
Round 1. Work 10 sc in MR and join with sl st.
Round 2. *Ch 4, work 2 tr into the same stitch, ch 4, sl st into the next stitch.*
Repeat five times to create five rounded petals.
Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.
For the tiny centre, embroider a small brown French knot or work 6 sc in MR in brown and sew it into the middle.
Large raised petal motif
Make approximately 12 to 14 in mixed pink shades.
Ch 8.
Starting in second chain from hook, work:
sc, hdc, dc, 2 tr, dc, hdc.
Work 4 dc into the final chain.
Continue down the opposite side of the foundation chain:
hdc, dc, 2 tr, dc, hdc, sc.
Join with sl st.
This creates a rounded teardrop or petal shape.
Adding texture to the petals
For the plush raised look, work one surface ridge down the centre of each petal.
Join matching yarn at the wide end.
Surface sl st along the centre line toward the point.
Fasten off.
Alternatively, work the petal in back loops only on one side so the stitches naturally create a ribbed appearance.
Small filler petal
Make 4 to 6.
Ch 6.
Starting in second chain:
sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc.
Work 3 dc into the last chain.
Mirror the stitches down the opposite side.
Fasten off.
These smaller pieces are useful near the top curves and point of the heart.
Colour arrangement
To match the reference image, distribute the colours irregularly.
Use deep raspberry for the strongest contrast.
Use dusty rose as the main middle shade.
Use pale pink for highlights.
Avoid placing all petals of one colour together. Alternating the shades makes the heart look fuller and more dimensional.
Building the heart centre
Place the cream flower in the middle first.
Arrange 5 large petals around it like a loose flower.
Add another ring of petals outside the first, tilting them slightly so they point toward the outside edge of the heart.
At the upper left and upper right, angle several petals upward to form the two rounded lobes.
At the bottom, point 2 or 3 petals downward so the silhouette comes to a neat heart point.
Fill any obvious gaps with the smaller petal motifs.
Hidden backing
For the easiest assembly, make a simple flat heart backing in pale pink or cream.
Round 1. 6 sc in MR.
Round 2. Inc around. (12)
Round 3. Sc, inc around. (18)
Continue increasing evenly until the circle is about 6 to 7 cm across.
Fold the upper part visually into two lobes by sewing a short indentation at the top centre, then gently shape the lower edge into a point.
Because the decorative petals cover the backing, the exact stitches do not need to be visible.
Another option is to cut a heart from felt slightly smaller than the final crochet piece.
Sewing the petals in place
Pin the central flower first.
Sew it firmly through the centre and outer petal bases.
Add the first ring of large petals.
Sew each petal only at the base and along a short section of the lower sides so the upper surface remains raised.
Continue outward until the heart shape is full.
The petals can overlap slightly. In fact, light overlap helps recreate the dense appearance in the photograph.
Outer heart border
Join pale pink yarn anywhere along the backing edge.
Round 1. Work sc evenly around the entire heart.
At the bottom point work:
sc, ch 1, sc
into the same place.
At the top centre indentation, work one or two slip stitches to pull the border inward.
Round 2. Work hdc around, increasing gently around both upper curves.
Round 3. Work reverse sc, ordinary sc, or a neat slip-stitch edge for a compact braided finish.
Fasten off.
Braided-looking edge variation
For a thicker edge similar to the photographed heart, work one final round of crab stitch, also called reverse single crochet.
Keep the tension slightly loose so the edge remains smooth around the two top curves.
Optional padded finish
If you want a soft ornament rather than a flat applique, make a second plain heart backing.
Place the two hearts wrong sides together.
Join with sc around the edge, adding a very thin layer of stuffing before closing.
Do not overstuff. The flower and petals should remain the main source of texture.
Hanging loop
For an ornament, attach yarn at the top centre.
Ch 20 to 24.
Sl st back into the same point and fasten off.
For a gift tag, use a shorter loop of about 12 to 15 chains.
Blocking
Lightly steam or damp block only the outer border.
Avoid flattening the raised petals.
Use your fingers to reshape the teardrop motifs while the piece is still slightly damp.
Colour variations
For a Valentine version, use red, burgundy, blush and cream.
For a softer romantic version, use dusty rose, mauve, ivory and pale peach.
For a spring version, replace the berry shades with lavender, lilac and soft pink.
For a more modern look, use one monochrome colour family from pale pink through deep plum.
Questions I get asked
Do the petals have to be identical?
No. Small differences actually make the heart look more natural and dimensional.
Can I crochet the heart in one piece?
You can, but separate motifs make it much easier to reproduce the layered floral effect.
How many petals do I need?
Usually 16 to 20 pieces total, including both large and small filler petals.
Can I make it larger?
Yes. Use thicker yarn and a larger hook, or make more petal motifs and a larger backing.
Is stuffing necessary?
No. The pictured style can be made completely flat. Stuffing is only useful if you want it to function as a soft hanging ornament.