How to Make a Crocheted Chain of Hearts Block

Do you love textured crochet? So do I. Sometimes it is hard to find some easy but nice stitches to incorporate into that nice Aran pattern that you love so much but would like to change a little bit to make that new sweter or that special afghan you want to give away. Well, I have a nice stitch for you which you can easily work into blocks or strips and it is beautiful and yet "chunky".

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Worsted weight yarn of your chosen color
• Size H crochet hook

1. Hearts Aplenty Chain Block
   
   Special stitch: *Popcorn (pc)--Work 5 dc in next st, drop loop from hk, now insert the hk
   from front to back in the top of the first dc of the cluster just made and pull the dropped loop through the stitch.

2. Row 1-- Ch 20, dc in 4th ch from hk, dc across (18 dc made)
   Row 2-- Dc across (18 dc)
   Row 3-- Ch 3, 7 dc, *Popcorn st in next 2 dc, 8 dc.
   Row 4-- Ch 3, dc in next 6 dc, *pc in next dc (on top of prev popcorn), dc in next st (on top of next pc), 1 pc, dc to end of row.
   Row 5-- Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts, 1 pc, 4 dc, 1 pc, dc to end of row.
   Row 6-- Ch 3, 3 dc, 1 pc, 8 dc, 1 pc, 4 dc to end of row.
   Row 7-- Rep Row 6 one more time.
   Row 8-- Ch 3, 3 dc, 1 pc, 2 dc, 1 pc, 2 dc, 1 pc, 2 dc, 1 pc, 4 dc
   Row 9-- Ch 3, 4 dc, 3 pc, 2 dc, 3 pc, 5 dc
   Row 10-- Ch3, 7 dc, 2 pc, 8 dc
   Row 11-- Ch 3, 6 dc, 1 pc, 2 dc, 1 pc, 7 dc
   Row 12-- Ch 3, 5 dc, 1 pc, 4 dc, 1 pc, 6 dc
   Row 13-- Ch 3, 4 dc, 1 pc, 6 dc, 1 pc, dc to end of row
   Row 14-- Rep Row 13
   Row 15-- Ch 3, 3 dc,1 pc, 2 dc, 1 pc, 2 dc, 1 pc, 2 dc, 1 pc, 4 dc
   Row 16-- Ch 3, 4 dc, 3 pc, 2 dc, 3 pc, 2 dc, 3 pc, 4 dc
   
   Rep Rows 10 to 16 for pattern of repeated heart "chain".

3. The block is 6 " wide and when two hearts are repeated, it is 8 1/3" long. You can complete the 8" wide with an sc edging.
   the pattern is so nice that it would be worthwhile.

Tips & Warnings

• Note: If you would like it to be less "airy" use hdc and puff stitch instead of dc and pc. This pattern would look handsome in any Aran crochet composition of blocks you make whether it is for a cardigan, a top, an afghan or even for the central portion of a purse.

[ilivetoteach]

on 4/20/2009 Another great crochet article. Thanks! I'm adding these to my favorites. *5