Free 3D Heart Knitting Pattern – Worked Flat on Straight Needles

Create a soft, beautifully shaped knitted heart with this free 3D heart knitting pattern. Worked flat on straight needles, this small and satisfying project is perfect for Advanced Beginners who would like to practise simple increases, decreases and finishing techniques.

The finished heart can be used as a thoughtful handmade gift, comforting pocket heart, keepsake, nursery decoration or pretty addition to a gift box. Knit several in different colours for seasonal displays, Valentine’s Day decorations or meaningful little gifts made with love.

Small enough to complete during a relaxing knitting session, each heart is knitted in one continuous piece before being seamed and lightly stuffed to create its soft three-dimensional shape.

Download the Free 3D Heart Knitting Pattern

Prefer a printable copy that you can save and use away from the website?

Download the free PDF knitting pattern for clear row-by-row instructions in a convenient printable format.

Download the Free 3D Heart Knitting Pattern PDF

This is a digital knitting pattern. No physical item will be sent.

3D Heart Pattern at a Glance

• Skill level: Advanced Beginner
• Construction: Knitted flat in one continuous piece
• Needles: Straight knitting needles
• Yarn weight: DK
• Finished size: Approximately 8.5cm wide × 6.5cm high
  (approximately 3.3 × 2.6 inches)
• Finishing: Seamed using mattress stitch and lightly stuffed
• Pattern format: Written row-by-row instructions

Materials

You will need:

• DK weight yarn
• 3mm Knitting Needles (US 3 / UK 11)
• Toy stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker
• Scissors

Only a small amount of yarn is required, making this a lovely project for using smaller amounts left from other makes.

Knitting Stitches and Abbreviations

• k – Knit
• kfb – Knit into the front and back of the same stitch to increase by one stitch
• k2tog – Knit the next two stitches together
• ssk – Slip, slip, knit
• SM – Stitch marker
• st(s) – Stitch(es)
• ( ) – Repeat the instructions inside the brackets the stated number of times

Need help with any of the stitches?

• Watch the Knit Stitch tutorial
• Watch the Knit Front and Back tutorial
• Watch the Slip, Slip, Knit tutorial
• Watch the Knit Two Together tutorial

Pattern Notes

• Tension or gauge is not essential for this project.
• Using different yarn weights and matching needle sizes will change the finished size of the heart.
• The finished heart measures approximately 8.5cm wide × 6.5cm high when made using the materials listed above.
• The pattern is suitable for an Advanced Beginner.
• The heart is worked flat on straight knitting needles.
• It is knitted in one continuous piece before being seamed and lightly stuffed.
• Place a stitch marker on the right side after Row 2 so that the two sides remain easy to identify.

Free 3D Heart Knitting Pattern

The heart is worked from the bottom point upwards.

Cast on 4 sts.

Row 1 and all odd-numbered rows: k.

Row 2: (kfb) 4 times. (8 sts)
This is the right side. Mark this side with a stitch marker.

Row 4: k1, (kfb) 2 times, k2, (kfb) 2 times, k1. (12 sts)

Row 6: k2, (kfb) 2 times, k4, (kfb) 2 times, k2. (16 sts)

Row 8: k3, (kfb) 2 times, k6, (kfb) 2 times, k3. (20 sts)

Row 10: k4, (kfb) 2 times, k8, (kfb) 2 times, k4. (24 sts)

Row 12: k5, (kfb) 2 times, k10, (kfb) 2 times, k5. (28 sts)

Row 14: k6, (kfb) 2 times, k12, (kfb) 2 times, k6. (32 sts)

Row 16: k7, (kfb) 2 times, k14, (kfb) 2 times, k7. (36 sts)

Row 18: k8, (kfb) 2 times, k16, (kfb) 2 times, k8. (40 sts)

Row 20: k9, (kfb) 2 times, k18, (kfb) 2 times, k9. (44 sts)

Rows 22 and 24: k. (44 sts)

Shaping the First Heart Hump

From Row 26 to Row 30, work across the first 22 sts only. Leave the remaining 22 sts on the needle while you shape the first hump.

Row 26: ssk, k7, k2tog, ssk, k7, k2tog. (18 sts)

Row 28: ssk, k5, k2tog, ssk, k5, k2tog. (14 sts)

Row 30: ssk, k3, k2tog, ssk, k3, k2tog. (10 sts)

Cast off the 10 sts knitwise.

Shaping the Second Heart Hump

With the right side facing, reattach the yarn to the first of the 22 sts left on the needle from Row 26.

Repeat Rows 26 to 30 across these stitches.

Cast off the remaining 10 sts knitwise.

The heart may look flatter and more angular immediately after it comes off the needles. Its rounded shape develops as the hump seams are joined and the heart is carefully stuffed.

Making Up the Knitted Heart

1. Check the shape

Lay the knitted piece flat with the right side facing upwards. You should now be able to see the two shaped humps at the top of the heart.

Turn the heart over to view the back and the central opening that will be joined during finishing.

2. Sew the hump seams

Using the yarn tails and a tapestry needle, sew the hump seams neatly using mattress stitch.

Avoid pulling the yarn so tightly that the top edges become flattened. The seams should be secure while still allowing the knitted fabric to retain its rounded shape.

3. Sew the back seam

Continue joining the back seam using mattress stitch.

Keep the seam even and check the heart’s shape as you work.

4. Stuff the heart

When you are approximately halfway down the back seam, begin adding small amounts of toy stuffing.

Distribute the stuffing carefully into the point and both rounded humps. Add enough to create a soft 3D shape without overfilling or stretching the knitted fabric.

Complete the remaining seam and securely weave in the yarn ends.

Your knitted 3D heart is now complete.

Ideas for Using Your Knitted Hearts

These little knitted hearts can be used in many different ways:

• Add one to a handmade gift box.
• Make a comforting pocket heart for someone special.
• Create a hanging nursery or bedroom decoration.
• Sew several hearts together to make a garland.
• Add a ribbon loop and use them as seasonal ornaments.
• Knit red, pink and cream hearts for Valentine’s Day.
• Use pastel colours for a new baby or nursery display.
• Add one to a care package or thoughtful handmade gift.

Please remember that small stuffed decorations are not toys and should be kept away from babies and young children unless they have been specifically made and safety tested for that purpose.

Knit a Heart for Valentine’s Day

These soft knitted hearts also make thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts, decorations and keepsakes. Choose classic red and blush pink yarns, or personalise your heart using someone’s favourite colour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this heart knitted flat?

Yes. The complete heart is worked flat on straight knitting needles and is then seamed and stuffed.

Is this pattern suitable for beginners?

The pattern is designed for an Advanced Beginner. You should be comfortable with the knit stitch and ready to practise kfb increases, ssk and k2tog decreases, reattaching yarn and simple seaming.

Do I need to knit in the round?

No. Circular needles and double-pointed needles are not required.

Does gauge matter for this pattern?

Gauge is not essential. A slightly different gauge will simply alter the finished size and density of the heart.

Can I use a different yarn weight?

Yes. You can use another yarn weight with an appropriately sized pair of knitting needles. Thicker yarn will create a larger heart, while finer yarn will create a smaller one.

Why do the humps look flat after casting off?

The heart will not reach its final rounded shape until the hump seams have been sewn and the stuffing has been distributed evenly. Avoid pulling the cast-off edges or seams too tightly.

How much stuffing should I use?

Add the stuffing gradually. The heart should feel softly filled and retain a rounded shape without the stitches becoming stretched.

Download the Printable Pattern

Save the free PDF version so that you can print the instructions or keep them available on your phone, tablet or computer.

Download the free PDF knitting pattern for clear row-by-row instructions in a convenient printable format.

Download the Free 3D Heart Knitting Pattern PDF

I hope you enjoy knitting these soft little hearts and finding meaningful ways to share them.

Let’s make something beautiful together.