Crochet Cross My Heart Square Pattern

The Crochet Cross My Heart Square is a charming and heartfelt pattern that brings joy to any project. With its intricate design and symbolic cross stitches, this square truly makes a statement. It is a versatile pattern that can be used to create lovely afghans, blankets, or even decorative pillows. Whether you're a seasoned crocheter or just starting out, this square is a fun and rewarding project to work on.

Materials

Worsted weight acrylic yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver), approx. 1 oz each of 3 colors;

Size I (5.5 mm) aluminum crochet hook (I used a Boye hook) OR Size Needed for Gauge

Gauge

Rounds 1 - 3 = about 4" across

Finished Size

12" square (see Note below for 7" square)

Special Stitch

Double Treble Crochet (dtr)

Yo hook 3 times, insert hook in stitch indicated, draw up a loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) 4 times.

Notes

For 7" square, use size H (5.0 mm) hook and stop after Round 7 is complete. Square may need blocking when finished. To do this, I usually mist the square (front and back) with water from a spray bottle and lay out on a flat surface, pinning to shape if needed. Allow enough time for the square to air dry completely.

Instructions

Beginning the Square

With the first color, chain 5, join with a slip stitch in the first chain to form a ring.

Round 1

Chain 3 (counts as first dc now and throughout), 2 dc in ring, chain 2, (3 dc in ring, chain 2) 3 times, join with slip stitch in top of beginning chain-3. (12 dc, 4 chain-2 spaces)

Round 2

Slip stitch to corner chain-2 space, chain 3, (dc, chain 2, 2 dc) in same space, *dc in each of the next 3 dc, (2 dc, chain 2, 2 dc) in next corner chain-2 space*, repeat from * to * around ending last repeat at **, join with slip stitch in top of beginning chain-3. (28 dc, 4 chain-2 spaces)

Round 3

Slip stitch to corner chain-2 space, chain 3, (dc, chain 2, 2 dc) in same space, *dc in each of the next 7 dc, (2 dc, chain 2, 2 dc) in next corner chain-2 space*, repeat from * to * around ending last repeat at **, join with slip stitch in top of beginning chain-3. (44 dc, 4 chain-2 spaces)

Round 4

Slip stitch to corner chain-2 space, chain 3, (dc, chain 2, 2 dc) in same space, *dc in each of the next 11 dc, (2 dc, chain 2, 2 dc) in next corner chain-2 space*, repeat from * to * around ending last repeat at **, join with slip stitch in top of beginning chain-3. (60 dc, 4 chain-2 spaces)

Round 5

Slip stitch to corner chain-2 space, chain 1, (sc, chain 2, sc) in same space, *sk next 3 dc, 7 tr in next dc, sk next 3 dc, sc in Back Loop Only of next dc, sk next 3 dc, 7 tr in next dc, sk next 3 dc, (sc, chain 2, sc) in next corner chain-2 space*, repeat from * to * around ending last repeat at **, join with slip stitch in top of first single crochet. Fasten off. (56 tr, 12 sc, 4 chain-2 spaces)

Center X - Separates the Hearts

Note: This part is worked by holding the yarn under the square and pulling it up through the corner spaces with your hook - some call this technique a Surface Chain. You will be working slip stitches in corner spaces between double crochet groups. Do not work this part tightly.

With corner pointing towards you, join the next color with a slip stitch in any corner chain-2 space, (slip stitch in next corner space, chain 1) 4 times, slip stitch in beginning ring, slip stitch in beginning ring on opposite side of last slip stitch, (chain 1, slip stitch in next corner space) 4 times, slip stitch in corner space of Round 5. Fasten off. Repeat in remaining corner spaces to form an X.

Round 6

Join same color with slip stitch in any corner chain-2 space, chain 4 (counts as first tr), (2 tr, chain 2, 3 tr) in the same space, *sk next sc, dc in next tr, hdc in next tr, sc in each of the next 3 tr, hdc in next tr, dc in next tr, dtr in unworked front loop of Round 4, sk sc behind dtr just made, dc in next tr, hdc in next tr, sc in each of the next 3 tr, hdc in next tr, dc in next tr, sk next sc*, (3 tr, chain 2, 3 tr) in the next corner chain-2 space, repeat from * to * around ending last repeat at **, join with slip stitch in top of beginning chain-4. (24 sc, 24 tr, 16 dc, 16 hdc, 4 dtr, 4 chain-2 spaces)

Round 7

Chain 1, sc in same stitch as joining and in next 2 stitches, *(sc, chain 2, sc) in next corner chain-2 space, sc in each of the next 21 stitches*, repeat from * to * around ending last repeat with sc in each of next 18 stitches, join with slip stitch in top of first single crochet. Fasten off. (92 sc, 4 chain-2 spaces)

Round 8

Join the next color with slip stitch in any corner chain-2 space, (chain 3, dc, chain 2, 2 dc) in same space, *chain 1, sk first sc, (dc in next sc, chain 1, sk next sc) 11 times*, (2 dc, chain 2, 2 dc) in next corner chain-2 space, repeat from * to * around ending last repeat at **, join with slip stitch in top of beginning chain-3. (60 dc, 48 chain-1 spaces, 4 chain-2 spaces)

Round 9

Chain 3, dc in next dc, *(2 dc, chain 2, 2 dc) in next corner chain-2 space, dc in each dc and each chain-1 space across*, repeat from * to * around, join with slip stitch in top of beginning chain-3. Fasten off. (124 dc, 4 chain-2 spaces)

Round 10

Join the next color with slip stitch in any corner chain-2 space, (chain 3, 2 dc, chain 2, 3 dc) in same space, *chain 1, sk first 3 dc, (3 dc in next dc, chain 1, sk next 3 dc) 7 times*, (3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc) in next corner chain-2 space, repeat from * to * around ending last repeat at **, join with slip stitch in top of beginning chain-3. Fasten off. (36 3-dc groups, 32 chain-1 spaces, 4 chain-2 spaces)

Note: If you prefer, you can use the Hidden Ends technique instead of ending Round 10 with a slip stitch.