Heart Strings

How cute are these little hearts? These heart strings are quick to make and can be used for lots of craft projects.  Mini garlands, gift wrapping, bracelets and even as a fancy edging.  I tied some round a jar candle as an easy alternative to making a jar cover!

The best bit is it is just 2 rows of crochet with no joining of motifs, and no cutting and re-joining of the yarn. Scroll down for pdf patterns! (US and UK notation) You can use any leftover stash yarn and a matching hook size.  Mine are made with size 3mm and 4mm hooks.

Pattern:

Ch a multiple of 4 +1 (eg for a 5 heart string ch21)

Tip: crochet R1 through both loops of the chain – this keeps the dip in the middle of the heart from stretching upwards.

R1: In 3rd ch from hook, *(2dc, ch1, sl-st, ch1, 2dc), sk 1 ch, sl-st in next ch, sk1 ch, repeat from * to end of ch. Rotate the piece in order to work back along the string making the points of the hearts.

R2: (hdc, sc, sc, dc, sc, sc, hdc) into centre ch of heart.  Sl-st over the sl-st and ch between this heart and the next (see picture above).  Repeat from * to end, and finish with a sl-st into the turning ch of the first heart.

Fasten off and weave in ends.  Or alternately tie the ends to make hanging loops or use them to tie around a parcel.  If you are making a bracelet then sew a button or bead just bigger than the central hole onto the end heart to make a fastening.

happy crocheting!