Plum Hearts Yarn Weight Symbols Crochet Free Pattern

Introduction

This little set of seven crocheted hearts is the perfect project for anyone who wants a quick, satisfying make that is also genuinely useful. Each plum or mauve heart is embroidered with a different number of French-knot dots, so one dot means Lace, two means Super Fine, and so on all the way up to seven dots for Super Bulky. Clipped to a key ring, the hearts become a portable yarn weight reference you can carry to the yarn shop or dig out of your project bag. The hearts are small, dense, and slightly plump, with two rounded lobes, a pointed bottom, and a soft contrast edging that makes the dots pop.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn in plum (approximately 10 yards) and mauve (approximately 10 yards).
• Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for embroidery and weaving in ends, scissors, one 6 mm jump ring, one key ring, and two pairs of pliers (optional, for closing the jump ring).
• Finished size: Each heart measures approximately 1.5" x 1.5" (3.8 cm x 3.8 cm). The finished key ring assembly is approximately 4" (10 cm) long including the ring.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• sp(s) – space(s)
• Rnd – round
• [ ] – work everything inside the brackets the number of times stated

Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this project, but for reference each heart should measure about 1.5" (3.8 cm) wide and tall; if your heart comes out noticeably larger or smaller, adjust your hook size up or down one step.

Tips Before You Start

• Work tightly and evenly so the hearts stay flat and firm; a loose fabric will curl at the lobes.
• Keep your starting ring small and pull the beginning tail snug after Round 1 so no hole shows in the center.
• Plan your dot placement before you embroider: the dots sit in the center of the heart, so mark the middle with a pin first.
• Make all seven hearts before assembling, then lay them out in dot order (1 to 7) so you can check the sequence at a glance.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Heart (make 7: 4 in plum, 3 in mauve)

Setup: Ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, 3 dc in ring, ch 2, 3 dc in ring, ch 2, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (9 dc, 3 ch-2 sps).

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in next 2 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in next 3 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in next 3 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in last ch-2 sp, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (36 dc, 3 ch-2 sps).

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 5 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp, sc in next 12 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp, sc in next 12 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in last ch-2 sp, sc in next 6 sts, join with sl st to first sc (42 sc, 3 ch-2 sps).

Fasten off and weave in ends. Repeat until you have 4 plum hearts and 3 mauve hearts.

Embroidery (contrasting color)

Use plum yarn on the mauve hearts and mauve yarn on the plum hearts. Embroider French knots in the center of each heart to show the yarn weight, using 2–3 wraps per knot so the dots are clearly visible:

• 1 dot: Lace (0)
• 2 dots: Super Fine (1)
• 3 dots: Fine (2)
• 4 dots: Light (3)
• 5 dots: Medium (4)
• 6 dots: Bulky (5)
• 7 dots: Super Bulky (6)

Make one heart for each dot count, so you have seven hearts in total.

Edging (optional)

For a finished look, join contrasting yarn with a sl st in any st of a heart, then sl st in each st around, working (sl st, ch 1, sl st) in each ch-2 sp. Fasten off and weave in ends. Repeat on each heart.

Assembly

Arrange the hearts in order from 1 to 7 dots. Open the 6 mm jump ring, thread it through the top center ch-2 sp of each heart in order, and close the ring. Attach the jump ring to the key ring.

Assembly and Finishing

Once all seven hearts are complete and embroidered, check that the dot counts run 1 through 7 with no duplicates. Thread the jump ring through the top center ch-2 space of each heart, keeping them in order, and close the ring firmly with pliers so it cannot work open. Slide the jump ring onto the key ring. Weave in any remaining ends on the wrong side of each heart, then gently block the hearts by misting them lightly and pinning them flat to dry; this helps the lobes and point hold their shape. If you worked the optional edging, block after the edging is complete.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the dot counts for tiny embroidered numerals if you prefer numbers to dots, or add both for a double reference.
• Use cotton yarn instead of acrylic for a crisper, more washable set that holds its shape well on a key ring.
• Make a second set in a different color pair and keep one in your project bag and one on your keys, or gift one to a crochet friend.