The Scandinavian blood in me responds quite strongly to the colors and pattern of the Danish Heart. The simplicity and ingenuity of the pattern is stunning. Two ovals of contrasting colors, folded in half with strategic slits, when woven together produce a charming checkerboard heart that becomes a little basket. Brilliant! Thank you Hans Christian Andersen!
Recently, I saw in a magazine the pattern for a knit version of the Danish Heart and my own heart did several palpitations. A Danish Heart in YARN?? So absolutely fabulous!! However, the pattern required sewing knit pieces together BEFORE you even got to the weaving of the heart. Sorry, but excessive piecing and joining makes me eventually hate the project that I set out so excitedly to make.
Knowing that I could crochet a flat oval quite easily, I figured out how to incorporate the necessary slits into the pattern so that when the oval is completed WITH ONE PIECE OF YARN the piece is ready to weave. Yay! So easy!
Danish Heart Crochet Pattern
Suggested Yarn and Crochet Hook Size
Fingering Weight + size C/2 – 2.75mm hook
DK Weight + size F/5 – 3.75mm hook
Worsted Weight + size H/6 – 5.00mm hook
Gauge is not important for this project – just make sure that your crochet is nice and tight. Adjust crochet hook size smaller if necessary.
US Crochet Terms
beg: beginning
ch(s): chain(s)
sc: single crochet
st: stitch
sl st: slip stitch
Make 2 Ovals – one in red, one in cream
Ch 30.
Round 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in the next 27 ch. 3 sc in the last ch. Crocheting along the opposite side of the foundation ch, sc in the next 28 ch. 3 sc in the skipped ch from the beg. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 2: Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in the next 27 sc. 2 sc in the next 3 sc. Sc in the next 28 sc. 2 sc in the last 3 sc. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in same st. Ch 26. Taking care to not twist your chain, skip 26 sc and sc in next sc. (2 sc in next sc. Sc in next sc.) 3 times. Sc in next sc. Ch 26. Taking care to not twist your chain, skip 26 sc and sc in next sc. (2 sc in next sc. Sc in next sc.) 3 times. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 4: Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in the next 26 ch. Sc in the next sc. (Sc in the next 2 sc. 2 sc in the next sc.) 3 times. Sc in the next st. Sc in the next 26 ch. Sc in the next sc. (Sc in the next 2 sc. 2 sc in the next sc.) 3 times. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 5: Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in the next 27 sc. (2 sc in next sc. Sc in the next 3 sc.) 3 times. Sc in the next 28 sc. (2 sc in next sc. Sc in the next 3 sc.) 3 times. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 6: Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in the next 27 sc. (Sc in the next 2 sc. 2 sc in the next sc. Sc in the next 2 sc.) 3 times. Sc in the next 28 sc. (Sc in the next 2 sc. 2 sc in the next sc. Sc in the next 2 sc.) 3 times. Sl st in beg sc.
Round 7: Ch 1. Sc in the same st. Sc in the next 27 sc. (Sc in the next 5 sc. 2 sc in the next sc.) 3 times. Sc in the next 28 sc. (Sc in the next 5 sc. 2 sc in the next sc.) 3 times. Sl st in beg sc.
Leaving an 18” tail, break yarn and knot.
Make 1 Strap in Red
Leaving an 18″ tail, ch 31.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each ch to end. (30 st)
Row 2 – 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each sc across to end. (30 st)
Leaving an 18″ tail, cut yarn and knot.
Assembly
Making sure that the ending tails of yarn on the red and cream ovals are turned towards the outside, fold in half with right sides facing. Position ovals and weave them together using the following illustration as a guide. Use the tails of yarn to sew the heart together in the places indicated. Using the long tails on the strap, sew the strap on the inside of the heart to form a handle in the places indicated. Weave in ends.
Crochet up a bunch to decorate a Christmas tree or to give away as Valentine’s gifts. Or make a few for special people that need to know you love them. Enjoy!
Easy to print pattern here.
Leave a Reply