Free Quick Crochet Granny Square Sweetheart Pattern

Looking for a charming project that comes together faster than your morning coffee brews?

Whether you need a last minute applique to sweeten up a tote bag, a coaster for your mug, or a stash busting project for leftover yarn, this lovely lace heart has you covered!

What starts as a classic granny square cleverly transforms into a full, defined heart shape with simple arches added on two adjacent sides.

Materials and Preparation

Materials:

• Yarn: Cotton yarn (sport weight or DK weight works beautifully for crisp stitch definition) in any color of your choice (e.g., lime green, turquoise, soft pink, or pastel yellow).
• Stuffing: Not required for this flat granny heart motif.

Tools:

• Crochet Hook: 2.5 mm crochet hook (or size appropriate for your chosen yarn).
• Yarn Needle: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
• Stitch Marker: Optional, helpful for marking corner spaces.
• Scissors: Craft scissors.

Preparation Notes:

• Basic familiarity with granny square construction, chain spaces, and working treble crochets into open spaces will make this project a breeze.
• Maintain consistent tension throughout the rounds so the outer edging lays flat without curling or puckering.

Abbreviations and Notes

Abbreviations:

• ch: Chain
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• sc: Single Crochet
• hdc: Half Double Crochet
• dc: Double Crochet
• tr: Treble Crochet
• st(s): Stitch(es)
• ch-sp: Chain Space

Pattern Notes:

• Round 1 and Round 2 are worked as a standard 4 corner granny square.
• Round 3 builds two curved scallops along two adjacent sides using treble crochets to create the top lobes of the heart.
• Round 4 works around the entire perimeter with mixed stitches (hdc, sc, sl st) to smooth out the border, define the bottom point, and deepen the center indentation.
• Beginning ch-3 counts as 1 double crochet throughout the pattern.

Gauge, Approximate Size, and Pattern Notes

Gauge:

Gauge is not critical for this motif. Using a 2.5 mm hook with light cotton yarn produces a neat, flat lace heart.

Finished Size:

Approximately 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches (9 cm x 9 cm) when made with sport weight cotton yarn and a 2.5 mm hook.

Special Techniques:

• Granny Motif Base: Working 3-dc clusters separated by chain spaces into a central ring.
• Treble Crochet Arches: Working tr stitches separated by ch-1 into side spaces to form smooth circular lobes.
• Point Definition: Placing 3 hdc into the bottom corner to form a clean, sharp tip.

Step-by-Step Pattern

Part 1: Granny Square Base (Rounds 1–2)

Round 1:

• Start with a slip knot and ch 4.
• Insert hook into the first chain and make a sl st to form a central ring.
• ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 2 dc into the ring (total 3 dc).
• ch 2, work 3 dc into the ring.
• ch 2, work 3 dc into the ring.
• ch 2, work 3 dc into the ring.
• ch 2, join with a sl st to the 3rd chain of the initial ch-3. (4 clusters of 3 dc, 4 corner ch-2 spaces)

Round 2:

• sl st in each of the next 2 dc, then sl st into the first corner ch-2 space to position yarn.
• ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc into same corner space, ch 2, 3 dc into same corner space.
• ch 1, skip to next corner space: work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into corner space.
• ch 1, skip to next corner space: work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into corner space.
• ch 1, skip to next corner space: work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into corner space.
• ch 1, join with a sl st to top of initial ch-3.

Part 2: Heart Lobes Formation (Round 3)

Round 3:

• sl st in each of the next 2 dc, then sl st into the corner ch-2 space.
• ch 1, yarn over twice to prepare for treble crochet.
• Work into the side ch-1 space between corners:
  • Work 1 tr, ch 1.
  • Work 1 tr, ch 1.
  • Work 1 tr, ch 1.
  • Work 1 tr, ch 1.
  • Work 1 tr, ch 1.
  • Work 1 tr, ch 1. (Total of 6 tr separated by ch-1 in this middle space)
• sl st into the next corner ch-2 space to anchor the first heart lobe.
• ch 1, yarn over twice.
• Work into the next side ch-1 space between corners:
  • Work (1 tr, ch 1) a total of 6 times.
• sl st into the next corner ch-2 space to anchor the second heart lobe.

Part 3: Border & Finishing (Round 4)

Round 4:

• ch 2 (counts as first hdc).
• Work hdc across the straight edge in each stitch and chain space:
  • Work 1 hdc in next space, continue with hdc across to the bottom corner point.
• At the bottom point space (the bottom corner of the original square):
  • Work 3 hdc into the point space to create a sharp tip.
• Continue working hdc up the next straight edge in each chain space.
• Around the first top curved lobe:
  • Work 2 hdc in the space between treble crochets.
  • Work 1 hdc on top of the tr.
  • Transition to sc: work 2 sc between next treble crochets, 1 sc on top of tr, 1 sc in space.
• At the center top valley (between the two lobes):
  • Work 1 sl st directly into the center indentation to pull the heart shape down crisp and deep.
• Around the second top curved lobe:
  • Work 1 sc in space, 1 sc on top of tr, 2 sc in space between tr.
  • Transition to hdc: work 1 hdc on top of tr, 2 hdc in next spaces across the curve.
• Join with a sl st into the 2nd chain of the initial ch-2.
• ch 1, fasten off yarn, and weave in ends securely.

Detailed Pattern Breakdown

1. The Granny Base Construction (Rounds 1–2)

• Geometry & Foundation: The pattern begins with a classic 4 corner granny square motif. Round 1 establishes 4 clusters of 3 dc separated by ch-2 spaces.
• Expansion: Round 2 expands each corner by placing a (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) shell into each corner space, linked by ch 1 along the sides. Moving between corners is done seamlessly by slipping across stitches (sl st) to avoid bulk.

2. Creating the Heart Lobes (Round 3)

• Scallop Placement: Instead of continuing as a square, Round 3 targets two adjacent side ch-1 spaces.
• Treble Fan Shells: By working 6 tall tr stitches with ch-1 spaces between them directly into the side spaces and anchoring each fan with a sl st into the adjacent corners, the top of the square immediately transforms into two rounded lobes.

3. Outer Edge & Heart Contouring (Round 4)

• Point Creation: The bottom point of the square receives 3 hdc in one space, forming an extended triangular tip.
• Top Center Dip: Moving from high hdc stitches on the outer edges of the lobes down to shorter sc stitches, and finally placing a sl st at the exact midpoint, creates a dramatic dip that defines the classic heart silhouette.

Pattern Question

Question: How do I ensure my heart motif lies completely flat and doesn’t cup along the edges?

Answer: Cupping usually happens if the stitches along the outer curve of Round 4 are pulled too tightly or if stitches are skipped along the treble fan lobes.

Make sure to place the specified 2 stitches inside each ch-1 space between the tr posts. If your tension is naturally tight, switching to a 0.5 mm larger hook for Round 4 or giving your finished heart a light steam blocking will instantly flatten out the lace work.