Heart Granny Square Crochet Pattern
This Heart Granny Square starts with a small circular center and turns into a square with a heart at the center. The heart is worked first, using treble and double crochet stitches, and the next round uses different stitch heights to shape the heart into a square. A final round of double crochet then gives the square a more even outer edge.
For the sample, medium-weight acrylic yarn is used with a 5 mm crochet hook. Two colors create a clear contrast between the heart and its square border. The demonstrated colors are Caron Big Cakes in “Toffee Brickle” and Red Heart Super Saver in “White,” but you can use other medium-weight acrylic yarn in two coordinating colors.
Heart Granny Square Crochet Pattern – The Short Answer?
Materials
- Medium-weight acrylic yarn in two colors
- 5 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
The heart is worked in one color, and the contrasting color is joined for the square border.
Crochet Abbreviations
The pattern uses US crochet terminology.
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- tr = treble crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch
- dc2tog = double crochet 2 together
Make the Foundation Ring
Start with a slipknot and chain 4.
Insert the hook into the first chain and make a slip stitch to join the chain into a ring.
If the opening is too small to work the stitches comfortably in Round 1, use chain 5 instead. The slightly larger ring gives the stitches more room while keeping the same basic foundation.
Round 1: Create the Center
Round 1 forms the circular base for the heart.
- Chain 3. This counts as the first double crochet.
- Work 11 double crochets into the ring.
- Count the starting chain 3 as the first double crochet, giving you 12 double crochets total.
- Slip stitch to the top of the starting chain 3 to close the round.
- Pull the foundation tail gently to close the center opening if needed.
Round 1 Check
You should have:
- 12 dc total
- Starting ch 3 counted as 1 dc
This stitch count is important because Round 2 uses specific stitches from this circular base to create the heart.
Round 2: Create the Heart
Round 2 creates the two rounded sections and pointed bottom of the heart. The taller treble crochet stitches form the rounded upper portions, while the chain-1 space marks the lower point.
Do not make a starting chain. Skip the stitch where Round 1 was joined, then skip the next stitch.
Work 8 treble crochets into the third stitch.
Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 2 stitches.
In the next stitch, work 1 double crochet and 1 treble crochet together.
Now make ch 1. This chain-1 space forms the bottom point of the heart.
Work the second half of the heart in reverse:
- 1 tr and 1 dc in the next stitch
- 1 dc in each of the next 2 stitches
- 8 tr in the next stitch
Two stitches should remain at the end. These correspond to the two stitches skipped at the beginning of the round.
Slip stitch to close the round.
At this point, the heart should have two rounded upper sections and a clear point at the bottom.
Fasten Off the Heart Color
Chain 1 and cut the yarn, leaving a few inches of yarn tail.
Pull the yarn through the final loop and tighten it.
The heart is now complete, so the contrasting color can be attached for the square-forming round.
Round 3: Shape the Heart into a Square
Round 3 is the transition between the heart and the square. It uses different stitch heights so the border can follow the heart while creating four defined corners.
Join the contrasting yarn at the fourth treble crochet of Round 2.
Chain 3. This counts as the first double crochet.
Work 1 dc into the same stitch.
Continue along the side with:
- 1 hdc
- 1 sc
- 1 hdc
- 1 dc
- 1 tr
In the next stitch, make the bottom-left corner:
2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr
Work 1 dc in the next stitch, followed by 1 hdc.
When you reach the ch-1 space at the bottom point of the heart, work 1 sc into that space.
The single crochet anchors the square-forming round directly to the point of the heart.
Continue Round 3 Around the Heart
From the bottom point, continue up the opposite side.
Work:
- 1 hdc
- 1 dc
In the next stitch, make the bottom-right corner:
2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr
Continue with:
- 1 tr
- 1 dc
- 1 hdc
- 1 sc
- 1 hdc
For the top-right corner, work:
2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc
Continue across the top with 1 hdc.
Work dc2tog across the next 2 stitches.
In the middle section, work 1 tr by inserting the hook between the chain 3 and the final stitch of Round 1.
Work another dc2tog across the next 2 stitches.
Work 1 hdc.
Complete the top-left corner with:
2 dc, ch 2
Slip stitch to the top of the starting chain 3 to close Round 3.
Round 3 Check
After completing Round 3:
- Each side should have 9 stitches.
- Each corner should have a 2-chain corner space.
- The heart should remain clearly visible in the center.
The different stitch heights in this round are intentional. They provide the transition needed to turn the curved heart motif into a square.
Round 4: Expand the Square
Round 4 creates the regular outer layer of the square using double crochet stitches.
Start with chain 3. This counts as the first double crochet.
Work 1 dc into the chain-2 corner space.
Now work 1 dc into each of the 9 stitches along the side.
When you reach the next corner space, work:
2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc
Continue around the square in the same way.
For every side:
- Work 9 dc across the side.
- Work 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in the corner space.
Continue until you have worked all four sides.
Slip stitch to the top of the starting chain 3 to close the round.
Round 4 Check
After Round 4:
- Each side should have 13 stitches.
- Each corner should contain a 2-chain space.
- The outer edge should form a clear square around the heart.
If a side has fewer or more stitches than expected, check the previous round before continuing. A missed stitch in Round 3 can affect the shape of the entire outer square.
Optional Extra Round
Round 4 is the final round of the core four-round pattern.
If you want a slightly larger square, repeat the final square-building round. Continue working evenly along the sides and keep the same corner construction so the shape remains square.
The additional round expands the border without changing the heart in the center.
Finishing
After completing the final round, chain 1 and fasten off.
Cut the yarn, leaving a short tail, and pull it through the final loop.
Thread the yarn tail onto the yarn needle. On the back of the square, weave the needle through several stitches, then change direction and weave through another section. This helps keep the yarn secure.
Trim the remaining excess yarn with scissors.
Repeat the same process for all remaining loose ends.
Pattern Stitch Counts
Use these counts as quick checkpoints while working:
- Round 1: 12 dc total
- Round 2: two groups of 8 tr for the heart
- Round 3: 9 stitches on each side
- Round 3 corners: ch 2
- Round 4: 13 stitches on each side
- Round 4 corners: ch 2
The starting chain 3 in Round 1 counts as the first dc. The starting chain 3 in Round 3 and Round 4 also counts as the first dc where specified.
Construction Notes
The heart and square are formed in separate stages. Round 1 provides the circular base, Round 2 creates the heart, Round 3 changes the heart’s outline into a square, and Round 4 expands the outer edge.
The most important shaping points are the 8 treble crochet groups in Round 2, the central ch-1 space that creates the heart’s point, and the corner spaces introduced in Round 3. Once these points are worked correctly, Round 4 provides a straightforward double-crochet border.
For a larger motif, only the final round needs to be repeated. The four-round construction remains the core pattern.
