Crochet Heart Hanger & Appliqué: Free Patterns to Brighten Your Home

There is something quietly magical about handmade decorations. They carry warmth in a way that store-bought pieces simply cannot match, because embedded in every stitch is a little piece of the person who made them. Crochet, in particular, has enjoyed a wonderful resurgence in recent years, and among the most beloved projects in the crafting community are crochet heart hangers and heart appliqués. Whether you want to dress up a nursery wall, add a seasonal touch to your kitchen, or create heartfelt gifts for the people you love, these patterns are endlessly versatile, beginner-friendly, and completely free.

This post will walk you through everything you need to know — from the materials and abbreviations to step-by-step free pattern instructions for a classic crochet heart hanger and a flat heart appliqué. By the end, you will have two beautiful patterns in your toolkit that you can adapt, layer, and personalize to your heart’s content.

Why Crochet Heart Hangers and Appliqués Are Worth Making

Before we get into the patterns themselves, it is worth pausing to appreciate just how useful these little projects are. A crochet heart hanger is exactly what it sounds like: a decorative heart, usually worked in the round or in two halves, that can be stuffed lightly and hung by a ribbon, twine, or a looped chain from a doorknob, curtain rod, wreath, or wall hook.

Heart appliqués, on the other hand, are flat motifs worked in rows or rounds that you can sew onto clothing, bags, blankets, hats, and pillowcases, or frame behind glass as a piece of textile art.

Both projects share a few appealing qualities. They use small amounts of yarn, which makes them ideal stash-busting projects. They work up quickly — a single heart can be finished in an evening, sometimes in under an hour. They are wonderful first projects for beginners because the stitch counts are low, mistakes are easy to spot, and the forgiving nature of the heart shape means slight imperfections only add to the handmade charm. And of course, hearts are universally understood symbols of love, making these projects perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, baby showers, weddings, anniversaries, and everyday home décor.

Materials You Will Need

For both patterns below, the materials list is simple and flexible. Here is what you will generally want to have on hand.

Yarn: Worsted weight (size 4) yarn is the most forgiving choice for beginners and gives a nicely defined stitch. However, both patterns can be worked in any weight — use fingering weight with a 2mm hook for tiny, delicate hearts, or chunky yarn with a 6mm hook for large, statement pieces. For the heart hanger, cotton yarn gives a crisp, structured result. For appliqués that will be sewn to clothing, a soft acrylic or cotton blend is ideal because it holds up to washing.

Hook: A 4mm or 4.5mm crochet hook pairs well with worsted weight yarn. Adjust to match your chosen yarn weight.

Additional supplies for the hanger: A small amount of polyfill stuffing or yarn scraps for filling, a length of ribbon or twine (about 20–30cm) for the hanging loop, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and sewing pieces together, and scissors.

Additional supplies for the appliqué: A tapestry needle and coordinating thread or yarn for sewing the appliqué onto your chosen base.

Abbreviations and Stitch Guide

Both patterns use standard US crochet terminology.

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet
inc — increase (work two stitches into the same stitch)
MR — magic ring (also called magic circle)
st(s) — stitch(es)
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
rep — repeat
sp — space
BLO — back loop only
FLO — front loop only

If you are unfamiliar with the magic ring, you can substitute it with ch 2 and work your first round stitches into the second chain from the hook. It creates a slightly looser center but works just as well for these projects.

Free Pattern One: Classic Crochet Heart Hanger

This pattern creates a three-dimensional stuffed heart with two identical sides joined together. The finished size is approximately 10cm (4 inches) wide and 9cm (3.5 inches) tall when worked in worsted weight yarn with a 4mm hook. It is worked in two halves, lightly stuffed, and then joined.

Making the First Heart Side

Foundation: Make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 2 dc into the ring, ch 2, work 3 dc into the ring, ch 2, work 3 dc into the ring, ch 2, sl st to top of beginning ch 3 to join. Pull the magic ring closed. (9 dc, 3 ch-2 spaces)

Round 2: Sl st to move to the first ch-2 space. Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch here), work (hdc, dc, hdc) into same ch-2 space. Work 1 sc into each of the next 3 dc. Into the second ch-2 space, work (hdc, 2 dc, hdc). Work 1 sc into each of the next 3 dc. Into the third ch-2 space, work (2 hdc, ch 1, 2 hdc) — this forms the bottom point of the heart. Work 1 sc into each of the next 3 dc. Sl st to join to the first hdc. (Approximately 20 stitches around, plus the ch-1 point)

Round 3: This round adds the two upper lobes that give the heart its characteristic shape. Ch 1, sc in same st. Sc in next dc. Now work the first lobe: ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next st, tr in next st, dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 2, sl st to same st as last dc (this closes the first lobe). Sl st across the 3 sc between the lobes. Now work the second lobe: sl st into next st, ch 2, dc in same st, dc in next st, tr in next st, dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 2, sl st to same st as last dc. Continue sc around the lower curved sides and point of the heart. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.

A note on round 3: Heart shapes can be slightly tricky to describe in text because the lobe shaping depends a little on your personal tension. If your lobes look too pointed, try replacing the treble crochets with double crochets. If they look too round, add an extra treble in the center. This is your pattern — adjust it until it looks like a heart to you.

Making the Second Heart Side

Repeat the pattern above for a second identical piece. On the second piece, fasten off with a tail that is approximately 60cm (24 inches) long — this long tail will be used to seam both halves together.

Joining and Stuffing

Hold both heart sides together with wrong sides facing inward (right sides facing out on both sides). Using the long tail and your tapestry needle, whip stitch around the outer edge, carefully aligning stitches. Before you close the seam completely, gently push a small amount of polyfill or yarn scraps into the heart. You want just enough filling to give it a little dimension without stretching the shape. Complete the seam and weave in the end securely.

Adding the Hanging Loop

Cut a piece of ribbon or twine approximately 20–25cm long. Fold it in half and thread both ends through the top center of the heart (at the dip between the two lobes) using your tapestry needle. Tie the ends in a knot on the back side to secure, or sew them in place with a few stitches. The loop that remains on the front gives you a clean, simple hanger.

Alternatively, before fastening off the second heart side, add a ch-15 loop directly into the seam at the top center and join it with a sl st. This creates an invisible crochet loop that is very neat and tidy.

Free Pattern Two: Flat Heart Appliqué

This pattern creates a flat heart worked in rows, which gives it a slightly different texture and shape than motifs worked in rounds. The finished size is approximately 7cm (2.75 inches) wide and 6cm (2.5 inches) tall in worsted weight. It is perfect for sewing onto fabric items or using as a decorative patch.

Instructions

Foundation row: Ch 2.

Row 1 (RS): Work 3 sc into the second chain from the hook. Ch 1, turn. (3 sc)

Row 2: Inc in first st, sc in next st, inc in last st. Ch 1, turn. (5 sc)

Row 3: Inc in first st, sc in each st to last st, inc in last st. Ch 1, turn. (7 sc)

Row 4: Inc in first st, sc in each st to last st, inc in last st. Ch 1, turn. (9 sc)

Row 5: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (9 sc)

Row 6: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (9 sc)

Now the heart divides into two lobes.

First lobe:

Row 7: Sc in first 4 sts only. Ch 1, turn. (4 sc — leave remaining 5 sts unworked)

Row 8: Sc2tog over first 2 sts, sc in each remaining st. Ch 1, turn. (3 sc)

Row 9: Sc2tog over first 2 sts, sc in last st. Ch 1, turn. (2 sc)

Row 10: Sc2tog. Fasten off. (1 sc)

Second lobe:

Rejoin yarn to the 5th stitch from the left edge of row 6 (the stitch you left unworked when beginning the first lobe).

Row 7: Sc in same st as join, sc in next 4 sts. Ch 1, turn. (5 sc)

Row 8: Sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog over last 2 sts. Ch 1, turn. (4 sc)

Row 9: Sc in first st, sc2tog, sc in last st. Ch 1, turn. (3 sc)

Row 10: Sc in first st, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (2 sc)

Row 11: Sc2tog. Fasten off. (1 sc)

Finishing the Appliqué

Weave in all ends carefully. If the shape needs blocking to open up and lie flat, lightly mist it with water, pin it into shape on a blocking board or folded towel, and allow it to dry completely. Cotton yarns respond particularly well to blocking and will give you a very crisp, defined shape.

To attach the appliqué, pin it to your base fabric with the right side facing up. Using a tapestry needle and a length of matching yarn or thread, sew around the outer edge using small whip stitches or a blanket stitch, making sure to catch every part of the edge so the heart lies smoothly against the fabric.

Tips for Customizing Your Crochet Hearts

Once you have the basic patterns down, the creative possibilities are genuinely exciting. Here are some ideas to take your hearts further.

Color and yarn choices: A classic red heart in cotton is timeless, but do not underestimate the power of unexpected color combinations. Dusty rose and cream give a vintage look. Variegated yarn creates a beautiful watercolor effect. Navy and gold feel sophisticated and modern. Cream or white hearts in soft mohair have a dreamy, cloud-like quality.

Embellishments: Sew a small button in the center of an appliqué heart for a pop of texture. Add a row of chain fringe to the bottom of a heart hanger for a bohemian feel. Use embroidery thread to add initials or a short word like “love,” “home,” or a name inside the flat appliqué before sewing it down.

Size variations: Working the hanger pattern in fingering weight yarn produces sweet, delicate mini hearts that look beautiful clustered together in groups of three or five at different heights. Hanging them in a window where they catch the light is particularly lovely, especially if you use a slightly sparkly or shiny yarn.

Groupings and garlands: Make a series of flat hearts in graduating sizes or different colors and sew them onto a length of twine or ribbon to create a simple heart garland. This is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to decorate a mantelpiece, headboard, or party backdrop.

Gifting ideas: A small stuffed heart hanger tucked into a gift bag alongside a bunch of wildflowers makes for a genuinely memorable handmade present. Teachers, new parents, people who are unwell and could use some comfort — almost everyone appreciates receiving something handmade, and these hearts are quick enough to make in multiples.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

My heart looks more like a blob: This almost always comes down to tension. If your tension is very tight, the stitches will pull together and lose their definition. Try going up a hook size, and remind yourself to keep your yarn hand relaxed. If the shape still is not reading as a heart, try blocking the piece while it is still wet and pinning it firmly into the correct shape.

The two halves of my hanger do not match: Small variations between the two halves are completely normal in crochet and will mostly disappear once the pieces are joined and stuffed. If there is a significant size difference, check whether you changed hook sizes mid-project or whether your tension shifted. For the cleanest result, try to work both halves in the same sitting.

My appliqué is puckering when I sew it on: This usually means the sewing tension is too tight. Try using slightly larger stitches and a lighter hand. Blocking the appliqué before sewing it on also helps it lie flatter against the base fabric.

I am running out of yarn: These projects are genuinely tiny and a single 50g ball of worsted weight yarn will make many, many hearts. If you are running short mid-project, it is almost certainly because more yarn than expected is being used in the tails. Try to leave shorter tails (about 15cm is enough to weave in securely) and you should find the yarn goes much further.

A Final Word on the Joy of Small Projects

There is a particular satisfaction that comes from finishing a project in one sitting, and crochet hearts offer that in spades. When life gets busy and the big blanket or complicated cardigan sitting in your project bag feels overwhelming, reaching for a skein of yarn and making a quick heart is the perfect way to stay connected to your craft without pressure or commitment.

These patterns are free for you to use, adapt, share with friends, and build upon. Make them your own. Leave a note in the comments if you try them and tell the world what colors you chose or what you used your hearts for — the crochet community thrives on that kind of shared enthusiasm, and there is always something inspiring about seeing how many different ways a single simple pattern can be interpreted.

Happy hooking.