Something Valentine Themed!!
Valentine’s Heart Bag
Blog Post
If you can master the solid Granny Square then you will have the expertise to make this cute, quick and easy project just in time for Valentine’s day, or just to have! If you need a refresher for the solid granny square – then just click here for the blog post, or here for the ad free pdf to refresh your memory.
(The pattern for this Valentines Heart bag is also available here with the solid granny square instructions included. Also available here using US terminology)
Anyway, this project uses the skills to complete a solid granny square, joined together with a small Heart applique loosely sewn on the front with an I-cord style handle to carry the bag on. The beauty of this project is that you can modify this to your own needs – so you can make the main body of the bag as big or small as you wish, while making the handle as long or short as you require it to be.
The granny squares can be of whatever size you wish with whichever yarn and size hook you wish. However, for this project I used a cotton/acrylic 50% blend in a pale pink for the main body of the bag and a brighter colour pink for the heart applique. You can use whichever colours your heart desires (see what I did there ;) ) - but would recommend 2 different or complimentary colours.
Materials needed;-
-2 Solid Granny Squares – ideally in cotton yarn for resilience – or whichever wool/yarn you choose to use. For this project I have used 50/50 cotton and acrylic mixed blend.
- Crochet Hook – coordinating with required hook size for the yarn/wools chosen – for this project I used a Size crochet hook
-Scissors/Snips
-Needle for weaving in the ends
-Plastic fastener or button – choice dependent
UK Terminology used;-
-Tr – Treble crochet
-Sl St – Slip Stitch
-Ex Tr – Extended Treble Crochet
- SC – Single Crochet
How to make the heart applique
Start the heart applique with the first two rounds for a solid granny square. Once you have slip stitched to the complete the 2nd round - move on to round 3.
Round 3 – This is where you can make the choice to slip stitch the to nearest chain space or fasten off and reattach in your preferred method to the chain space to continue this round. Once at the chain space place an *extended treble crochet stitch into 4th stitch, ch 1, extended treble crochet into same stitch.* Continue this pattern between * until 7 more times. Slip stitch into next chain space – you should be left with a total of 8 treble crochets and 7 ch’s. Complete this same pattern to the next chain space – this creates the known heart shape.
Round 4 – Ch 2. Place DC into the next 7 stitches until chain space. 2 DC, Ch 1, 2DC into chain space. Continue to DC in each stitch around until you reach the start of the curve of the heart shape made with extended treble crochets. *DC, then 2 DC into next stitch* 4 times – DC into last 2 extended treble crochets. Overlap SlSt into Ch Sp. DC into next 2 extended treble crochets, 2 DC into next extended treble crochet, DC into next extended treble crochet and repeat this pattern until you reach the end of the curved heart shape. This ends at the start of the rows of DC’s, SlSt into the first stitch. Fasten off – Heart Applique complete!
Putting the pieces together to make the bag
Step 1 - Sew the applique heart onto one side of the chosen front facing solid granny square. I found this to be easiest with a needle and the same colour yarn used for the heart applique. This can also be completed with a slip stitch method if preferred.
Step 2 - Now attach them together using a slip stitch in the back loop along 3 sides of the granny squares – leaving one side open. This will be the opening of your bag.
Step 3 – Now using this leftover yarn from seaming the two sides together – chain 3. This will be your first Treble Crochet. Then continue to place 2 treble crochets into the chain space at the top of the granny square open area – not attaching the other side to keep the opening to your bag. Then treble crochet into each stitch along until reaching the next chain space – 2 treble crochet into this chain space, same as before. Treble crochet into the joining stitch of the 2 squares, then 2 treble crochet into chain space again, then repeat the process of treble crochets into each stitch across to the last chain space. Slip stitch into the last chain of the first treble crochet created. Fasten off.
Step 4 – Now to attach 1 strand of each colour into the treble crochet that was placed into the join of the 2 granny squares. This can be by whichever method you may prefer – but for this project I tied them using a simple knot (See Photo 3.) This is where the I-cord comes in. If you have not completed the I-cord previously it may feel a little fiddly, however, once you have mastered it then you will love how it appears as the two colours combine.
Create a slip knot with both strands. Separately hold the strands. Using the above pictures for reference – yarn over with the darker pink strand, then pull through the loop with the pale pink strand. Continue this until you have the desired length for your bag handle and tie to the opposite side of the shoulder bag. I-Cord crochet bag handle created.
Heart bag complete! If you wish to make a fastener you can create a loop and sew a button on the otherwise or use small plastic fastener on the inside of the bag for a subtle look! So many options! If you use this pattern - please tag @bettyandthebrood.
Permission is not given to sell this pattern as it is the property of Betty and the Brood. Permission granted to sell items made as a result of this pattern use, however, please credit Betty and the Brood