Crochet Hearts & Love Granny Square

The Hearts & Love Granny Square is a beautiful, texture-rich motif that blends classic crochet techniques with charming romantic accents.

This project consists of three distinct styles of mini-squares: a classic multi-colored granny square, a standard heart-patterned square, and an ingenious “heart-in-a-square” design where a separate heart center is squared off using stitches of varying heights.

Joined together using a clean mattress stitch and finished with a crisp, uniform border, this pattern is perfect for heirloom blankets, romantic tote bags, or cozy throw pillows.

Materials & Project Details

Gear & Notions

• Crochet Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7 / UK 7)

• Tools: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and assembly, and sharp scissors.

Yarn Requirements

This pattern is designed for Aran weight (Medium / #4) yarn. For best results, use a smooth cotton or premium acrylic yarn to give the heart shapes sharp definition.

• Color A: Light Mint/Pistachio Green (Background & Final Border)

• Color B: Deep Slate Green (Heart Base & Contrast)

• Color C: Rich Jewel/Burgundy (Classic Square Center)

• Color D: Cream/Champagne White (Main Joining & Squaring Color)

Comprehensive Step-by-Step Instructions

1. The Heart Graphic Granny Square

This square uses tapestry crochet techniques, meaning you will carry your non-working yarn along the top of your stitches and encase it as you work.

• Round 1: Start with Color B and create an adjustable magic ring. Chain 4 (this serves as your first double crochet and a corner gap). In the ring, work 3 double crochets, chain 2 three times. To finish the round, work 2 double crochets into the ring, then slip stitch into the 3rd chain of your initial chain-4. You will have 12 stitches and 4 corner spaces.

• Round 2: Slip stitch into the corner space. Chain 4, then place 3 double crochets in that same space. Chain 1, skip to the next corner space and work [3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet]. Repeat from * to * twice more. Chain 1, then place 2 double crochets into your very first corner space to complete it. Slip stitch to the 3rd chain of your beginning chain-4 to join.

• Round 3 (Color Changing Round): Slip stitch into the corner. Chain 4, 3 double crochets in the same space, chain 1. Work 3 double crochets in the side space, but drop Color B and pull through Color D on the final loop of the 3rd stitch.

  • With Color D (carrying Color B inside your stitches): Chain 1, work a corner of [3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet], switching back to Color B on the final pull-through. Cut your D yarn.

  • With Color B: Chain 1, work 3 double crochets in the side space, switching to Color D on the final loop.

  • With Color D: Chain 1, work another corner of [3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet], switching back to Color B. Cut D.

  • With Color B: Chain 1, 3 double crochets in the side space, chain 1, work a standard corner of [3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet], switching to Color D on the last stitch.

  • With Color D: Chain 1, 3 double crochets in the last side space, switching back to Color B on the final loop. Cut D.

  • With Color B: Work 2 double crochets in the starting corner, slip stitch to the 3rd chain to close. Fasten off Color B.

• Round 4: Attach Color D to any corner space. Chain 4, 3 double crochets in the same space. [Chain 1, 3 double crochets in the next side space] twice, chain 1, then work a corner of [3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet]. Repeat from * around, finishing the starting corner with 2 double crochets and a slip stitch. Fasten off and secure your tails.

2. The Heart-in-a-Square Motif (Make 2)

This motif requires you to first crochet a standalone heart shape (with the point facing downward and two rounded lobes at the top), then build a square framework around it by working strictly into the back loops.

• Round 4 (Squaring the Heart): Turn your finished heart so the top lobes face upward. Anchor Color D into the Back Loop Only (BLO) of the center chain stitch sitting directly between the two top rounded sections.

  • Top Lobe Transitions: In that same stitch, work a BLO single crochet, chain 1, skip 3 stitches. In the next stitch, work [3 BLO double crochets, chain 2, 3 BLO double crochets] to build your first corner. Chain 1, skip 2, then work 2 BLO single crochets in the next stitch. Chain 1, skip 2.

  • Descending the Side: In the next stitch, work [1 BLO single crochet, 2 BLO half double crochets]. Chain 2. In the following stitch, work 3 BLO half double crochets. Chain 1, skip 3.

  • The Bottom Tip: To elongate the bottom point of the heart into a straight square edge, work 2 standard triple (treble) crochets directly into the open gap located between the double crochets of your original Round 1 center.

  • Ascending the Opposite Side: Chain 1, skip 3. In the next stitch, work 3 BLO half double crochets. Chain 2. In the next stitch, work [2 BLO half double crochets, 1 BLO single crochet]. Chain 1, skip 2, then work 2 BLO single crochets in the next stitch. Chain 1, skip 2.

  • Final Corner: In the next stitch, work [3 BLO double crochets, chain 2, 3 BLO double crochets]. Chain 1, skip 3, then finish by working 1 BLO single crochet into the exact same base stitch where you started the round. Slip stitch to your first single crochet to secure.

• Round 5: Slip stitch into the first chain space. Chain 2 (counts as a double crochet), then place 2 more double crochets in that same space. Chain 1, work a corner of [3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet] in the corner space, chain 1, and work 3 double crochets into each of the next two side chain spaces. Repeat this sequence around the remaining sides, slip stitch to join, and fasten off.

3. The Traditional Granny Square

A classic four-round granny square worked by shifting colors every round to tie the palette together.

• Round 1: Using Color C, create a magic loop and work a standard granny round: (3 double crochet, chain 2) four times. Join and fasten off.

• Round 2: Secure Color B into any corner. Work [3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet] in each corner space, separated by a chain 1 along the flat sides. Join and fasten off.

• Round 3: Secure Color A into a corner. Work standard granny clusters (3 double crochets) into the side spaces and corner clusters in the corners, separated by chain-1 spaces. Join and fasten off.

• Round 4: Secure Color D into a corner and complete one final framing round of standard granny stitches. Fasten off and weave in all loose ends.

Block Assembly & Final Border

The Mattress Stitch Join

Arrange your completed mini-squares into your desired layout. Thread a tapestry needle with Color D. Align the edges of two adjacent squares.

Passing only through the inner loops (the back loops facing each other), weave your needle back and forth horizontally. Pull the yarn snug to create an invisible, perfectly flat seam.

   [Square 1]        [Square 2]
   Inside Loop       Inside Loop
       \                 /
     |  •  |  <=======>  |  •  |  (Needle weaves back & forth)

The Framework Border

Once your squares are successfully assembled into a unified block, finish the project with a clean, cohesive outer edge.

• Round 1: Join Color A into any outer corner chain-2 space.

  • Work a single crochet into every individual stitch and every single chain-1 space along the straight edges.

  • When you reach a valley where two squares meet, place 1 single crochet into the corner space of the right-hand square, and 1 single crochet into the corner space of the left-hand square to span the gap smoothly.

  • At the outer four corners of your project, work [1 single crochet, chain 1, 1 single crochet] directly into the corner space.

  • Slip stitch to the first stitch of the round to finish, fasten off your yarn, and cleanly weave in the final ends.