A knitted heart is one of the sweetest small projects you can make. It takes very little yarn, it is done in an evening, and it can become a Valentine’s gift, a garland, a brooch, a lavender sachet or a pocket heart for someone who needs a hug. Hearts are also popular for charity drives, where knitters send them to hospitals and care homes.
Every pattern here is free, and we checked each page. You will find puffy stuffed hearts, flat garter hearts for appliques, a lacy heart square and heart dishcloths for the kitchen.
Knitted Heart Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- DK and worsted yarn scraps in reds and pinks
- Double-pointed needles
- Straight needles, 4 mm (US 6)
- Polyester fiberfill
- Tapestry needle
- Cotton yarn for dishcloths
- Ribbon for hanging
1. Small Knitted Heart
Photo: Handy Little Me
A puffy heart about 2.5 inches across, made from two flat pieces sewn together and stuffed. It uses under 10g of DK cotton, so it is a perfect scrap buster. It is good practice for increases and decreases and makes a lovely ornament or gift tag.
- Designer: Handy Little Me
- Skill level: Easy (confident beginner)
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free written pattern + free printable
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Heart Coaster
Photo: Julie & the Knits (Simply Yarn)
This chunky garter stitch heart is knit flat in one piece, with two halves joined on the needle. It lies flat, which makes it a perfect coaster for a Valentine’s coffee date. Super chunky yarn means it is done in under an hour.
- Designer: Julie & the Knits (Simply Yarn)
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Needle size: 8 mm (US 11)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Lacy Heart Square
Photo: Marianna’s Lazy Daisy Days
A small lace heart set in a square just under 4 inches. Knit several and join them into a blanket or cushion, or use one as a card insert. The designer allows finished items to be gifted, sold or donated.
- Designer: Marianna’s Lazy Daisy Days
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Heart, Charity Version
Photo: Mary Anne Walters
A nearly no-sew stuffed heart knit in the round from the tip up. The two bumps are worked separately, so only a stitch or two closes the gap. It comes in DK and chunky versions and is made for charity knitters who want to make many.
- Designer: Mary Anne Walters
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3) or chunky (#5)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Stuffed Hearts
Photo: The Yarn Genie
Knit flat in one piece, then stuffed and seamed at the back. The pattern gives three sizes and works with any yarn weight, so you can make a whole family of hearts from your stash.
- Designer: The Yarn Genie
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Any weight
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Knitted Heart in the Round
Photo: K2tog MakeOne
A 3D heart worked bottom-up in the round on double-pointed needles, then stuffed. Use any yarn to get the size you want. Knit it tightly so the stuffing does not peek through.
- Designer: K2tog MakeOne
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Any weight (DK suggested)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Knitted Hearts (Garter Applique)
Photo: Sylvia Leake
A tiny flat heart about 2 inches square, worked sideways in garter stitch. It does not curl, so it is ideal for sewing onto hats, blankets or cards.
- Designer: Sylvia Leake
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 3.25 mm (US 3)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Knitted Heart with Ribbon
Photo: Lizzie Hooper
A stuffed heart knit flat with short rows, finished with a ribbon for hanging. String several together for a Valentine’s garland or hang one on a door knob.
- Designer: Lizzie Hooper
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Lots of Love Knitted Heart
Photo: Bethany Rapp
A seamless 3D heart knit in the round on sock needles and closed with Kitchener stitch. It is a great pick for sock knitters with leftover yarn.
- Designer: Bethany Rapp
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Sweetie Knit Heart
Photo: Jackie Loewen
A tiny heart about 1 inch wide in worsted cotton. It is perfect for embellishing cards, gift bags or a baby hat.
- Designer: Jackie Loewen
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Heart Dishcloth
Photo: Emily Jagos
A 9-inch dishcloth with a garter heart outline on a stockinette background and a seed stitch border. It was written with beginners in mind. Pair it with nice soap for a Valentine’s gift.
- Designer: Emily Jagos
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Grandma’s Favorite Heart Shaped Dishcloth
Photo: Cathy Mangaudis
A twist on the famous Grandma’s Favorite dishcloth, reshaped into a heart. It is knit bottom-up in cotton and has hundreds of ratings.
- Designer: Cathy Mangaudis
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran (#4) cotton
- Needle size: 6 mm (US 10)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Heart Dishcloth (Chart and Written)
Photo: A Little Knitty Designs
A fast dishcloth with a knit and purl heart. It includes a chart and written rows, so it is a great first chart project.
- Designer: A Little Knitty Designs
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Total beginner? Start with #2, a flat garter heart, or #11, a beginner dishcloth.
- Making a garland? #8 has a ribbon loop, and #1 is small and quick.
- Knitting for charity? #4 was made for it, with almost no sewing.
- Need an applique? #7 and #10 are flat and tiny.
- Want to learn charts? Try #13.
FAQ
How do you knit a heart shape?
Most flat hearts start at the bottom point with a few stitches, increase to the widest part, then split into two halves that are decreased to make the bumps. Stuffed hearts are two such pieces sewn together, or one piece knit in the round.
What yarn is best for knitted hearts?
DK and worsted are the most common. Cotton gives crisp shape and is best for dishcloths. Wool or acrylic is soft and holds stuffing well. Scraps are perfect, since most hearts use under 20 yards.
What can I do with knitted hearts?
Hang them on a garland, tie them to gifts, sew them onto hats, fill them with lavender, add a pin back for a brooch, or donate them to hospitals and care homes as comfort hearts.
Grab your red and pink scraps and make a few hearts to share with the people you love.
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