Mini Heart Wall Hanging Crochet Pattern

The Mini Heart Wall Hanging is an easy, beginner friendly Intarsia crochet piece that brightens any room. Also, it is part of a series of mini wall hangings coming to the blog this Spring. Since this wall hanging is smaller, it can easily be added to any existing gallery wall, or placed in a smaller space. Keep reading to discover the inspiration behind this crochet pattern!

Inspiration

To start the Mini Heart Wall Hanging, let’s go back in time to a year ago. We were living our lives, but there was talk of a virus spreading like wildfire throughout the world. Then, everything shut down.

Now, this isn’t the place for a lengthy diatribe of the year 2020. If you’re here, reading this, you lived through it, so, you know how it went. However, I do think it’s important to know the artist’s WHY behind their art. So, a little context is needed here.

This Mini Heart Wall Hanging was created because my grandma was locked down in her nursing home for the majority of 2020. She couldn’t have visitors for most of the year. My heart broke for her, and all the other grandmas and grandpas, moms and dads, who were suddenly separated from their families. I asked myself, “How could I send her a little joy, and let her know she’s not alone?” My yarn stash happened to be right in front of me, and I saw her favorite color — coral pink. Ding! The lightbulb went off, and I started designing a mini wall hanging to cheer my grandma up.

So here we are, a year later. This Mini Heart Wall Hanging is still perfect to make for any occasion. A few can be easily stitched up in an afternoon, packaged up the next day, and popped in the mail to spread some love. These wall hangings would make adorable Valentine’s Day gifts, or freshen up a small space with some bright colors.

Design

The Mini Heart Wall Hanging is considered Intarsia crochet. Intarsia crochet means creating a picture in the fabric with using different colors of yarn. I like to think Intarsia crochet as creating a mosaic with yarn. In this pattern, you will learn the beautiful work of trapping the floats vs. carrying non-working yarn, how to change colors correctly, and how to attach a dowel (or stick) to a wall hanging.

In this blog post, you will find only the written directions for this Mini Heart Wall Hanging. However, I do have an inexpensive PDF for purchase in my Ravelry and Etsy Shops that includes a color chart.

Yarn + Substitutes

For the Mini Heart Wall Hanging, you will need any Super Bulky (category 6) weight yarn. The super bulky yarn speeds up the time it takes to complete this project. Plus, I love the texture and depth of the chunky fabric against a flat surface.

I used Yarn Bee True Colors from Hobby Lobby, because it’s what I had on hand. However, Lion Brand Hometown or Wool Ease Thick and Quick would be great substitutes for the similarity of material, and color options. Regardless, whenever you change yarn, check your gauge!

I highly discourage using a smaller weight yarn. The image may not be quite as crisp using a small yarn. However, you are the yarn artist! Work your gauge, and experiment with any size of yarn to your heart’s content.

Finished Size

This finished wall hanging (before and after blocking) is 5″ wide & 6.5″ tall. Making it ideal for small spaces, or a filler on a gallery wall.

Now, a note about gauge. Some crochet designers may say that “gauge doesn’t matter with a wall hanging, because it’s not a garment.” They’re not wrong, but also not completely correct. If you’re expecting your finished wall hanging to be close to the same size as the pattern — check your gauge! After the gauge, you will know how to adjust the hook size, or the very least be prepared for a different sized wall hanging from the pattern. If you don’t care much about the size outcome of the pattern — you can skip the gauge. The choice is yours! Isn’t art fun?!

PATTERN

• Get the AD-free, printable PDF pattern from Etsy HERE
• Save this pattern to your favorite board on Pinterest HERE
• Add this pattern to your Ravelry que HERE

Description

The Mini Heart Wall Hanging is an easy, beginner friendly Intarsia crochet piece that brightens any room. Also, it is one of four mini wall hanging patterns to release Spring 2021. This wall hanging would make a lovely Valentine’s Day present for anyone you’ve been missing lately.

Materials

Yarn – Yarn Bee True Colors, bulky/category 6 (5oz, 76yds), 100% acrylic
You need 3 different colors to complete this individual wall hanging. The yardage needed per color as follows…
MC (Ivory) – 8yds/7m
CC1 (Light Blue) – 8yds/7m
CC2 (Coral Pink) – 8yds/7m

Substitutes : Any other bulky (category 6) yarn will work. I suggest trying Lion Brand’s Hometown yarn for the closest feel. If changing the yarn, be sure to check gauge.
Crochet Hook – 8.00mm or correct hook to meet gauge
Scissors 
Tapestry Needle
Measuring Tape
6” Dowel Rod (3/8″ diameter), or a stick from the backyard
If you cannot find a 6″ dowel, you can cut a 12″ dowel in half. Use the second half to make another mini wall hanging, Do not cut the dowel in half until you finished the wall hanging, and make sure the wall hanging will fit on the 6″ dowel. Use your judgement to cut the dowel to your desired width.
Extra piece of yarn, twine, or crochet thread for hanging

Notes

Check your gauge! Although, it’s not terribly important (we’re not making a garment here), but it is important if you want your hanging to be the same size as the pattern.

Color Changes. When you come to a color change (such as MC to CC1), finish the last loop of the MC stitch in the CC1. Then, continue to crochet X amount of stitches in the CC1. If you need more help with changing colors seamlessly,. see the link to the photo tutorial in the Tutorials section.

Always pull the non-working yarn to the BACK of your work. This will keep the wall hanging nice and tidy on the display side (right side).

Chain 1 at the end of a row DOES NOT count as a stitch.

Untangle the working yarn as you go. Once you begin the colorwork rows, the yarn skeins/balls will become tangled by the end of the wall hanging. I suggest straightening out the unused yarn every other row (or before it starts to drive you bonkers).

Block the wall hanging before attaching it to the dowel. This will relax the stitches and create clean, crisp lines. If you use a synthetic yarn (acrylic, polyester), be sure to steam block. If you choose a natural yarn (cotton, wool), use a wet blocking method. Let your work rest for 24 hours, or until it’s dry.

Trapping the Floats v. Carrying the Non-Working Yarn
I suggest trapping the floats rather than carrying the non-working yarn under the working stitches. How to Trap the Floats – every 1″ (or every 3-4 stitches) crochet over the non-working yarn for 1 stitch. Keep the non-working yarn a little loose, or the edges may shrink.

Gauge

9 STS x 9 Rows = 4″ x 4″ square
Use the Single Crochet to create the gauge swatch.

Finished Size
5″ width & 6.5″ height (before, and after, blocking)

Stitch abbreviations

American (US) terms used throughout.

CH – chain
SC – single crochet
SK – skip
ST(S) – stitch(es)
MC – Main Color (Ivory)
CC1 – Contrasting Color 1 (Light Blue)
CC2 – Contrasting Color 2 (Coral Pink)

Tutorials

How to Change Colors Seamlessly
Photo Tutorial

Pattern Instructions

Where is the color work chart? This is included in the inexpensive, ad-free PDF. You can purchase the PDF from my Ravelry or Etsy Shops.

CH 12 in MC.

Row 1: (MC) SC 11. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 2: (MC) SC 5, (CC1) SC 1, (MC) SC 5. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 3: (MC) SC 4, (CC1) SC 3, (MC) SC 4. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 4: (MC) SC 3, (CC1) SC 2, (CC2) SC 1, (CC1) SC 2, (MC) SC 3. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 5: (MC) SC 2, (CC1) SC 2, (CC2) SC 3, (CC1) SC 2, (MC) SC 2. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 6: (MC) SC 1, (CC1) SC 2, (CC2) SC 5, (CC1) SC 2, (MC) SC 1. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

You may cut the MC yarn, or carry it through to Row 12 by trapping the floats in the back.

Row 7: (CC1) SC 2, (CC2) SC 7, (CC1) SC 2. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 8: (CC1) SC 1, (CC2) SC 9, (CC1) SC 1. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 9: (CC1) SC 1, (CC2) SC 9, (CC1) SC 1. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 10: (CC1) SC 1, (CC2) SC 9, (CC1) SC 1. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 11: (CC1) SC 1, (CC2) SC 4, (CC1) SC 1, (CC2) SC 4, (CC1) SC 1. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 12: (CC1) SC 2, (CC2) SC 2, (CC1) SC 3, (CC2) SC 2, (CC1) SC 2. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 13: (MC) SC 1, (CC1) SC 4, (MC) SC 1, (CC1) SC 4, (MC) SC 1. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 14: (MC) SC 2, (CC1) SC 2, (MC) SC 3, (CC1) SC 2, (MC) SC 2 CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 15: (MC) SC 11. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Fasten off and weave in the ends. Block the wall hanging to crisp up the edges, and define the corners, before attaching it to the dowel.

Adding the Dowel to the Mini Heart Wall Hanging

Add the dowel and crochet thread

First, flip your work over so that the wrong side (wall side) is facing you. We will be using the slip stitch to attach the hanging to the dowel, because I would rather use my hook than a needle any chance I get. Sewing the dowel on is certainly an alternative to the slip stitch!

Next, make a slip knot with the yarn attaching the wall hanging to the dowel, and insert the hook. Begin to slip stitch in each stitch across the top of the wall hanging. Be careful to wrap the yarn AROUND the dowel in each stitch! Fasten off and weave in ends.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Last, cut a long piece of crochet thread (yarn or twine) to hang the piece from the wall. Securely tie it onto the dowel on either side of the fabric, and trim an excess crochet thread. Now, it’s ready to hang!

• 

• 

More crochet patterns like the Mini Heart Wall Hanging

• The Blossom Crochet Wall Hanging
• The Port Aransas Wall Hanging
• The Prickly Pear Square and Bow Holder
• The Pumpkin Spice Life Wall Hanging