Retro Heart Crochet Square

This Retro Heart Crochet Square is a fun, unique little square with a freeform heart at the center then framed with an HDC border.

This year the International Crochet Month was celebrated to display what it was that I as crochet designer loved of this craft. Whether it be a tecnique, favorite stitch or project. For me I love designing squares and have over a 100 in my design nook. So for this project I thought I would share that love with something new I have always wanted to explore – Free Form.

Part of the 2025 International Crochet Month Blog Hop.

Every day during March, a new, permanently free crochet pattern will be released. The PDF version of the pattern will also be available for free download through 6am Eastern on the day after it is featured. You can make these projects to keep, for gifts, or to donate to charity while chatting with other crocheters and sharing your projects to win giveaway prizes!

How To Join the 2025 International Crochet Month Blog Hop

• Visit this post on Underground Crafter daily to get the latest pattern and the daily featured free PDF.
• Join in by crocheting the patterns as you have time.
• Share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects. Tag your projects and posts #undergroundcrafter on all social media. 
• If you’d like to chat with other crocheters, join the Underground Crafters Facebook group.
• By the end of the Blog Hop, you’ll have up to 31 awesome projects. 

Visit Underground Crafter to learn more about the prizes, enter the giveaway, and to get links to each International Crochet Month Blog Hop pattern as it is released.

Retro Heart Crochet Square

Difficulty Level | Skills Required

Easy to Intermediate (Concentration required)
Basic stitches in simple variations, simple repeats, color changes, shaping and finishing.

You will need to know basic stitches like SC (single crochet) and DC (double crochet).
Special stitches explained and provided in the instructions.

Materials

• Hook – 3, 50 mm (E)
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Yarn:
Vinnis Colours – DK Nikkim 100% cotton (50 grams/119 meters/130 yards)
Weight – DK (11 wpi) 3: Light.

Small amounts in 5 colors:

A – Brick Heart (10 g)
B – Old Gold (10 g)
C – Natural (10 g)
D – Princess Turquoise (10 g)
E – Peacock (10 g)

Yarn Substitute:
Using the same type of yarn throughout the project is recommended. The pattern suggests DK yarn (Weight – DK (11 wpi) 3: Light Worsted), but you are not limited to this type of yarn. Any yarn can be used if you take into consideration your sizing for the project will differ.

Tension | Gauge

Gauge is NOT necessary for this project to be perfect.
However COUNTING your stitches will ensure a true success of this project!

Size

Approx. Length = 6 ½ x 6 ½ inches (16/17 cm x 16/17 cm)

Remember – if you use/choose a different yarn weight/hook size your square will be a different size!

PATTERN SUPPORT

• Full pattern support is available from the Joanita Theron Designs Facebook Group or/and Joanita Theron Designs Ravelry Group.
• Please post a question in the group and remember to TAG me! I will assist as soon as possible or one of my members will gladly jump in to help!
• For questions relating to permission or usage email joanita@creativecrochetworkshop.com

Abbreviations:  US Terminology

CH – chain
SL ST – slip stitch
SC – single crochet (UK – DC)
HDC – half double crochet (UK – HTR)
DC – double crochet (UK – TR)
TR – treble crochet (UK – DTR)
BLP – back loop
RS – Right side
WS – Wrong side

INSTRUCTIONS:

With A – make a magic circle / or CH 4; SL ST to form a ring.

RND 1: CH 3; work 3 TR into ring; work 3 DC into ring; CH 1; work 1 TR into ring; CH 1; work 3 DC into ring; work 3 TR into ring; CH 3.
Simplified Version: Work the following into ring – CH 3; 3 TR; 3 DC; CH 1; TR; CH 1; 3 DC; 3 TR; CH 3. Fasten off and weave in ends. (2 x 3 CH; 6 R; 6 DC; 2 x 1 CH spaces)

With B – join into BOTTOM TR (stitch in-between the 1 CH spaces) – Heart is upside down – with a SC.

RND 2: SKIP next 1 CH space;
work [1 SC; 1 HDC] into next ST;
work 1 HDC into next ST;
work [1 HDC; 1 DC] into next ST;
work 1 DC into next ST;
work [1 DC; 2 TR] into next ST;
work [3 TR; 1 DC; 1 HDC] into next ST;
CH 3; SL ST into bottom of previous 3 CH
(last 3 CH worked in RND 1)
Fasten off and weave in ends. (15 STS)

With C – join into bottom of next 3 CH (first 3 CH worked in RND 1)

RND 2 – continued: CH 3; (SKIP 3 CH);
work 2 SC into next ST;
work [1 SC; 1 HDC] into next ST;
work [1 HDC; 1 DC] into next ST;
work 2 DC into next ST;
work [1 DC; 1 HDC] into next ST;
work 1 HDC into next ST;
work 1 SC into next ST;
SL ST into FIRST SC worked for  RND 2.
Fasten off and weave in ends. (12 STS)
(15 + 12 = 27 STS; 2 x 3 CH)

With D – join into top of 3 CH at the 2^nd part of RND 2 (color C)

RND 3: CH 3; work 1 TR into next ST;
work 2 TR into next ST;
work 1 TR into next ST;
work 1 DC into each of next 3 STS;
work 1 HDC into each of next 2 STS;
work 2 HDC into next ST;
work 1 HDC into each of next 2 STS;
work 1 SC into next ST;
CH 1; work 1 DC into next ST; CH 1;
work 1 SC into next ST;
work 1 HDC into each of next 2 STS;
work 2 HDC into next ST;
work 1 DC into next 3 STS;
work 1 TR into next ST;
*work 2 TR into next ST.** – repeat from * to ** 3 more times;
work 1 TR into each of last 2 STS; CH 3.
(34 STS; 2 x 3 CH; 2 x 1 CH spaces)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

With E – join into top of first 3 CH of RND 3 with an SC.

RND 4: Work 1 SC into each next 14 STS;
SKIP 1 CH space; work 1 SC into next ST; SKIP 1 CH space;
work 1 SC into each of next 19 STS;
work 1 SC into top of next 3 CH;
work 2 SC into the post of 3 CH –
(you will work into the CH spaces of the 3 CH);
work 2 SC into the post of next 3 CH (color B rnd);
work 2 SC into last CH of current 3 CH;
work 3 SC into the post of next 3 CH (color A rnd);
work 2 SC into the post of next 3 CH (color D rnd)
SL ST into first SC worked.
Fasten off and weave in ends. (47 STS)

Squaring:

With A – join into SC worked into 3 CH – see photo – this is important for this section.

RND 5: CH 2 (this counts as 1 HDC); work 1 HDC into each of next 2 SC; work 1 DC into next SC; work 1 TR into next SC; work 3TRtog over next 3 SC; work 1 DC into next SC; work 1 HDC into next SC; work 1 SC into each of next 3 SC – 11 STS;
CH 3 – first corner;
work 1 TR into next SC; work 1 DC into next SC; work 1 HDC into next SC; work 1 SC into next each of next 3 SC; work 1 HDC into each of next 3 SC; work 1 DC into each of next 2 SC – 11 STS;
CH 3 – second corner;
work 1 TR into next SC; work 1 DC into next SC; work 1 HDC into next SC; work 1 SC into each of next 4 SC; work 1 HDC into each of next 4 SC – 11 STS;
CH 3 – third corner;
work 1 DC into each of next 2 SC; work 1 HDC into next SC; work 1 SC into each of next 5 SC; work 1 HDC into each of next 2 SC; work 1 DC into next SC – 11 STS;
CH 3 – fourth corner. SL ST into 2^nd of 2 CH.
(11 STS on each side = 44 STS; 4 x 3 CH corner spaces)

RND 6: CH 3 (counts as 1 DC); work 1 DC into each of the next 10 STS;
work [2DC; 1 TR; 3 CH; 1 TR; 2 DC] into next 3 CH corner space.
*Work 1 DC into each of the next 11 STS; work [2DC; 1 TR; 3 CH; 1 TR; 2 DC] into next 3 CH corner space. ** Repeat from * to ** 2 more times; SL ST into 3^rd of 3 CH.
(17 STS on each side = 68 STS; 4 x 3 CH corner spaces)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Border Rounds:

With A – join into any 3 CH corner space.

RND 7: CH 2 (counts as 1 HDC); work [1 HDC; 3 CH; 2 HDC] into corner space; work 1 HDC into each of the next 17 STS.
*Work [2 HDC; 3 CH; 2 HDC] into next corner space; work 1 HDC into each of next 17 STS. **
Repeat from * to ** 2 more times; SL ST into 2^nd of 2 CH.
(21 STS on each side = 84 STS; 4 x 3 CH corner spaces)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Note: For the next two rounds work into the third loop of each HDC – this stitch is directly below the back loop.

With B – join into any 3 CH corner space.

RND 8: CH 2 (counts as 1 HDC); work [1 HDC; 3 CH; 2 HDC] into corner space; SKIP first HDC; work 1 HDC into each of the next 20 STS.
*Work [2 HDC; 3 CH; 2 HDC] into next corner space; SKIP first HDC; work 1 HDC into each of next 20 STS. ** Repeat from * to ** 2 more times; SL ST into 2^nd of 2 CH.
(24 STS on each side = 96 STS; 4 x 3 CH corner spaces)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

With E – join into any 3 CH corner space.

RND 9: CH 2 (counts as 1 HDC); work [1 HDC; 2 CH; 2 HDC] into corner space; SKIP first HDC; work 1 HDC into each of the next 23 STS.
*Work [2 HDC; 2 CH; 2 HDC] into next corner space; SKIP first HDC; work 1 HDC into each of next 23 STS. ** Repeat from * to ** 2 more times; SL ST into 2^nd of 2 CH.
(27 STS on each side = 108 STS; 4 x 3 CH corner spaces)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

COPYRIGHT © 

• The pattern or any portion of it may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the designer.
• No video tutorials allowed without the express written permission of the designer (no exceptions).
• The design, pattern, and all images are the property of Joanita Theron Designs/Creative Crochet Workshop.
• The purchaser (whether free or paid) of this pattern may use it for personal use and/or charity.
• Sales of the finished items (made by you and not commercial in quantity or production) are encouraged, and credit given to the designer would be most appreciated.

Please respect the amount of time, effort and love that goes into the designing of each of my patterns, and even if they are for free, please send your friends the link and do not send them the pattern.