Learn to make a Heart Pillow (Loop Yarn Project)

INSTRUCTIONS :

The pillow will be made to fit a 14" pillow form. If you would like a larger pillow, you can add more loops on each side.

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN

Scroll down to the end of this article for the pattern you need for this project. The download is a FREE PDF pattern.  I made this pattern using the Craft Designs Online site which you can find on our pattern generator page.

COUNT FOUNDATION LOOPS

For the 14" pillow, 21 loops covers the pillow. I used an odd number of loops so that the middle of the heart will be in the center. Count out 21 loops from your background loop yarn color (mine is white).

STOCKING STITCH FIRST 3 ROWS

This pillow uses all stocking stitches. A stocking stitch with looped yarn is made by taking the next loop in your working yarn and putting it through the previous stitch/loop from back to front and pulling up. We have a complete video tutorial on the loop yarn stocking stitch if you need a refresher.

Make 3 rows with all white (background color) working back and forth across the rows making stocking stitches. Once you have these rows stitched, hold it up against your pillow form to make sure you will have enough to cover it. It's much easier to go back now and add or remove rows than after you've finished the whole heart! Make adjustments if necessary.

ROW 4

The fourth row starts the heart. Stitch across 10 stitches to get to the first PINK (heart) stitch. The heart stitches will also be made with stocking stitches so the stitch does not change. When you join in another color with the looped yarn, always join the color in one stitch early putting the color behind the main color. So, the main color is always in the front and the joined color is in the back.

Then, switch back to the WHITE in front and PINK in back and loop through the 12th loop. The PINK yarn will be dropped now until the next row. Continue finishing the row with the WHITE. Your row should look like the photo above with one pink loop in the center.

ROW 5

Row 5 continues in the same way as the previous row. This time stitch 9 loops in WHITE. Loop the PINK in behind the WHITE on the 9th loop. Remember we always overlap the new color by one loop. Stitch the next three stitches with the PINK in front. Since it's only 3 stitches, you can loop the WHITE yarn in behind the PINK on each of the 3 stitches. On the next stitch, move the WHITE to the front and PINK behind and loop in the PINK. Drop the PINK and finish the row with the last 8 stitches in WHITE.

ROW 6 - 14

Continue rows 6 - 14 in the same manner. Starting with Row 6, cut the WHITE yarn after starting the PINK. I usually leave one or two extra loops before cutting. Alternatively, you can use two pieces of WHITE yarn and just drop the WHITE on the one side. In this case, work with a different piece of WHITE yarn on the other side. This way you won't need to drop and cut it on each row.

Continue stitching WHITE rows until you have enough rows to cover the front and back of the pillow form.

CLEAN UP THE BACK

If you have left extra loops on the back of your pillow, you can cut them off now. I still leave one loop and cut off any extra ones. The loops will be on the inside of the pillow so they will not be seen.

JOIN THE ENDS TOGETHER

Next join the front and the back together at the one side. Fold the pillow with wrong sides together so that the first row (foundation chain loops) and the last set of loops are together.

BIND OFF

Bind off the row by taking the 2nd loop and passing it through the first loop and pull. Then take the 3rd loop and pass it through the 2nd loop. Continue across the row. If you need more detailed instructions on the Loop Yarn Bind off, click the link.

FINISH SIDES