The Basic Shape: Two Bumps and a Point

A knitted heart is two rounded lobes at the top that taper to a single point at the bottom. You build it by increasing stitches to form the bumps, then decreasing to create the point. The simplest version uses stockinette stitch (knit on the front, purl on the back) and takes about an hour for someone with basic knitting skills.

The heart sits flat when finished, so it works as a patch you can sew onto a pillow, a blanket, or a stuffed animal. You can also knit it in the round if you want a three-dimensional heart, but the flat version is the place to start.

Key Takeaways

  • A basic flat heart uses increases to build the two top lobes and decreases to form the bottom point, all in stockinette stitch.
  • You cast on 15 to 20 stitches depending on how large you want the heart, then follow a straightforward row-by-row pattern that takes about 20 to 30 rows total.
  • The pattern works best with worsted weight yarn and US 6 to 8 needles, though any weight and needle size will produce a heart if you adjust your cast-on number.
  • Blocking (wetting and pinning the finished heart into shape) makes the edges neater and the lobes more defined.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather worsted weight yarn in whatever color you want the heart to be—you will use roughly 20 to 30 yards for a heart about 3 inches tall. You need US 6 to 8 needles (4 to 5 mm) that match your yarn weight. If you use thinner yarn, go down a needle size; if you use thicker yarn, go up.

You will also need a yarn needle (the blunt needle with a large eye) to weave in the loose ends when you finish. A stitch marker helps you track where you are in the pattern, though you can use a piece of scrap yarn or even a paperclip if you do not have one. Have a measuring tape nearby so you can check the height as you go.

Casting On and the First Rows

Cast on 15 stitches using your preferred cast-on method. The long-tail cast-on works well and gives a neat edge. Once all 15 stitches are on the needle, knit the first row (all knit stitches). On the second row, purl across (all purl stitches). These two rows form the foundation of stockinette stitch.

Row 3 is where the increases begin. Knit 1, then increase in the next stitch (knit into the front and back of the same stitch, or use a yarn-over if you prefer a decorative hole). Knit 5, increase in the next stitch, knit 1, increase in the next stitch, knit 5, increase in the next stitch, knit 1. You now have 19 stitches. Purl row 4 across.

Row 5 repeats the increase pattern: knit 1, increase, knit 7, increase, knit 1, increase, knit 7, increase, knit 1. You now have 23 stitches. Purl row 6. Continue this pattern (increasing on every other row) for 4 more rows, placing the increases in the same positions each time. After row 12, you will have 31 stitches.

Building the Two Lobes

Rows 13 through 18 are the middle section where you stop increasing and let the stockinette stitch create the rounded bumps. Knit and purl these rows without any increases or decreases. This gives the heart its width and lets the two lobes form naturally as the stitches stack on top of each other.

After row 18, you have a rectangle that is roughly as wide as it is tall. The two lobes will become visible once you start decreasing, because the decreases will be placed to create a dip in the center top and taper the sides.

Decreasing to Form the Point

Row 19 is the first decrease row. Knit 1, knit 2 together (k2tog), knit 9, slip-slip-knit (ssk), knit 1, k2tog, knit 9, ssk, knit 1. You now have 27 stitches. Purl row 20.

Row 21: knit 1, k2tog, knit 7, ssk, knit 1, k2tog, knit 7, ssk, knit 1. You now have 23 stitches. Purl row 22. Continue decreasing in this pattern every other row until you have 3 stitches left. Purl the final row, then cut the yarn, pull it through all 3 stitches, and pull tight to find.

Finishing and Blocking

Weave in the loose ends using your yarn needle. Thread the cast-on tail through the edge stitches along the bottom, then the bind-off tail along the top. Pull gently so the ends disappear into the knitted fabric.

To block the heart, wet it under cool running water, gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring), and lay it flat on a towel. Use stainless steel pins or T-pins to shape it: pin the two top lobes outward so they are rounded, and pin the bottom point downward. Let it dry completely—this usually takes 4 to 8 hours. Blocking is optional but makes the heart look much neater and more defined.

Variations and Next Steps

Once you have made a flat heart, you can experiment. Try a different yarn color, or use a variegated yarn to add visual interest. You can also knit a heart in garter stitch (knit every row) instead of stockinette—it will look chunkier and less refined, but it is easier if you find purling tedious.

If you want a three-dimensional heart, you can knit two flat hearts and sew them together with a small gap, then stuff them lightly with fiberfill before closing the gap. You can also knit a heart in the round using double-pointed needles or a circular needle, though that requires understanding how to increase and decrease in circular knitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a bigger or smaller heart?

Yes. Cast on more stitches (try 20 or 25 instead of 15) for a larger heart, or fewer stitches (try 12) for a smaller one. You may need to adjust the number of rows in the middle section to keep the proportions balanced. A larger heart will use more yarn—estimate roughly 1 yard per inch of height.

What if I drop a stitch or make a mistake?

If you notice the mistake within a few rows, you can unravel back to that point and reknit. If the mistake is further down, you can use a crochet hook to pick up the dropped stitch and ladder it back up. For small mistakes in the middle of the heart, you can often leave them—they blend in once the heart is finished and blocked.

Do I have to use stockinette stitch?

No. Garter stitch, seed stitch, or ribbing all work. The shape comes from the increases and decreases, not the stitch pattern. Different stitches will change how the heart looks and feels—garter stitch is thicker and bouncier, while stockinette is smooth and drapes slightly.

How do I attach the heart to something else?

Use your yarn needle and matching yarn to sew the heart onto a pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal using a whip stitch (a stitch that runs along the edge and is nearly invisible). You can also use a mattress stitch if you want the seam to be even less visible. Sew around the entire edge, leaving a small gap if you want to stuff the heart first.

Can I knit a heart with a pattern or texture inside?

Yes, but it requires planning. You can add a cable, a small Fair Isle pattern, or even a straightforward eyelet design in the middle section. Sketch the pattern on graph paper first so you know how many stitches it will take up, then adjust your increases and decreases to fit around it.