The Ember & Ivy Heart Applique: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Two-Tone Love Token

A Modern Love Token: The Ember & Ivy Heart Applique

This isn't your grandmother's heart applique. The Ember & Ivy Heart is a modern, dimensional love token featuring a rich, textured center and a delicate, scalloped edge. Made with two contrasting colors of worsted-weight cotton yarn, this plush, three-dimensional heart is perfect for adding a handmade touch to sweaters, bags, or home decor. The dense single crochet texture and light stuffing give it a satisfyingly substantial feel, while the optional scalloped border adds a touch of elegance. This free pattern is designed to be accessible for confident beginners and a quick, satisfying project for more experienced crocheters.

Materials Needed

To create your own Ember & Ivy Heart, you will need the following materials:

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton yarn in two colors:
  • Color A (Ember): A deep burnt orange. Approximately 10 yards.
  • Color B (Ivy): A muted sage green. Approximately 10 yards.
• Hook: Size G (4.0 mm) crochet hook
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker (optional), small amount of fiberfill for stuffing.
• Gauge: Gauge is not critical for this project, but maintaining a consistent tension throughout will ensure a neat, professional finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Heart Motif (Make 2 - one in Color A, one in Color B)

Notes: This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Do not join at the end of rounds unless specified. Use a stitch marker to keep track of your rounds.

Round 1:

With Color A, make a magic ring. Ch 1 (this does not count as a stitch). Work 6 single crochet (sc) into the ring. Pull the tail to close the ring tightly. (6 sc)

Round 2:

Work 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 sc)

Round 3:

*Sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch* repeat from * to * around. (18 sc)

Round 4:

*Sc in the next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch* repeat from * to * around. (24 sc)

Round 5:

*Sc in the next 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch* repeat from * to * around. (30 sc)

Round 6:

*Sc in the next 4 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch* repeat from * to * around. (36 sc)

Round 7:

*Sc in the next 5 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch* repeat from * to * around. (42 sc)

Round 8:

*Sc in the next 6 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch* repeat from * to * around. (48 sc)

Round 9:

*Sc in the next 7 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch* repeat from * to * around. (54 sc)

Round 10:

*Sc in the next 8 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch* repeat from * to * around. (60 sc)

Shaping the Heart (First Lobe)

You will now work back and forth in rows to create the first lobe of the heart.

Row 1: Sc in the next 15 stitches. Ch 1, turn your work. (15 sc)

Row 2: Sc2tog (single crochet two together) over the first two stitches, sc in the next 11 stitches, sc2tog over the last two stitches. Ch 1, turn. (13 sc)

Row 3: Sc2tog, sc in the next 9 stitches, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (11 sc)

Row 4: Sc2tog, sc in the next 7 stitches, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (9 sc)

Row 5: Sc2tog, sc in the next 5 stitches, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (7 sc)

Row 6: Sc2tog, sc in the next 3 stitches, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (5 sc)

Row 7: Sc2tog, sc in the next 1 stitch, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (3 sc)

Row 8: Sc3tog (single crochet three together) over the remaining 3 stitches. Fasten off, leaving a long tail (approximately 12 inches) for sewing. (1 sc)

Shaping the Heart (Second Lobe)

Now you will create the second lobe on the opposite side of the round.

Identify the center 15 stitches that were left unworked between the two lobes. Skip these 15 stitches. Attach your yarn (Color A) to the next stitch after the skipped stitches.

Repeat Rows 1-8 exactly as written for the first lobe, working across the next 15 stitches. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Repeat the entire process (Rounds 1-10 and both lobes) with Color B (Ivy) to create the second heart motif.

Assembly

1. Place the two heart motifs together with their wrong sides (the inside of the work) facing each other. The right sides (the outside of the work) should be facing out.
2. Thread a tapestry needle with the long tail from the Color B (Ivy) motif.
3. Using a whip stitch, sew the two pieces together around the entire outer edge of the heart. Keep your stitches even and close together for a secure seam.
4. Stop sewing when you have a small opening (about 1-2 inches) left.
5. Lightly stuff the heart with a small amount of fiberfill. Do not overstuff; you want it to be plump and dimensional, not hard.
6. Continue whip stitching to close the opening. Weave in all ends securely.

Edging (Optional but Recommended)

This creates a beautiful scalloped border that frames the heart.

1. With Color A (Ember), attach the yarn to any point on the edge of the heart using a slip stitch.
2. *Chain 3, slip stitch into the same stitch where you attached the yarn. Skip the next stitch, slip stitch into the following stitch.*
3. Repeat from * to * around the entire perimeter of the heart. You will be working into the edge stitches of the whip stitch seam.
4. When you reach the starting point, fasten off and weave in the ends.

Finishing

Your Ember & Ivy Heart is now complete! You can sew a small loop of yarn to the back if you'd like to hang it, or attach a pin back to wear it as a brooch. Alternatively, simply sew it directly onto your chosen project—a sweater, a bag, a pillow, or a card—for a beautiful, handmade touch.