Hearts on a String...

Recently, I was at the store and found some adorable painted metal heart decorations... and one thing led to another... and so far I have made two different valentines day heart garlands as gifts... and I'm planning to make one for myself.

Country Hearts Garland

Lacy Hearts Garland

So, if you are in the mood for a pretty quick crochet project to share the love this Valentine's Day, then get your hook and yarn ready.

Supplies: 

• yarn (The kind of yarn isn't super important - think of this more like guidelines than anything else. I used worsted weight cotton for the Country Hearts Garland and thread for the edging and stringer for the Lacy Hearts Garland); You will need a decent amount of yarn for the stringer; unfortunately I was using yarn left over from another project and am not good at estimating lengths...  Feel free to let me know if you figure this out. :) 
• Size G or 4 mm hook for the Country Hearts Garland and size E for the stringer and edging on the Lacy Hearts Garland.
• Scissors

Step 1: Pick your heart pattern and make your hearts.

I used two different heart patterns for the different garlands! There are a ton of different options out there... take some time to browse around and find one you like! 

• For the Country Heart Garland, I used the Crochet Heart Pattern from Hinzpired verbatum.  I started out by making 9 hearts - 4 in the burgundy and 5 in the ecru.
• For the Lacy Heart Garland, I used Heart 1 from Nina O'Brien's Be My Valentine Garland pattern.  I then added the border to the hearts: 

Lacy Hearts Border Pattern: 

Start in the 3rd st along the side of the heart with the stitches showing:

Round 1 - ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st around moving toward the two lobes of the heart, slst in the sc between the two lobes, then 1 sc in each st back around to the point, put 3 sc in the point, continue with 1 sc in each st and join with a slst to the top of your first sc.

Round 2 - (You may have to fudge some of these, but it should come out fairly close) ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), 4 dc in same st, skip 1 sc, sc in next st, {skip 1 sc, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 sc, sc in next st,} repeat {} around to the slst between the lobes of the heart where you sc down into the space below to help define the heart shape, repeat {} around to the point of the heart, 5 dc in the point, ch 4, slst to 1st ch st (makes picot), 4 dc in the point, skip 1 sc, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 sc, sc in next st, join with slst to top of ch 3, break thread, tie off, weave in the ends.

Once you have your hearts all made, you're ready to start making your garland string. 

Step 2: Make your stringer.

The stringer is the same for both garlands, the Lacy Hearts stringer is just made out of thread and a size E hook instead of worsted cotton and a size G hook like the Country Hearts Garland (above).

Lace Garland Stringer Pattern: 

To begin (makes 1st two rows): ch 4, 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 2, 2 dc in same st, ch 3, rotate 180 degrees, 2 dc in same st, ch 2, 2 dc in same st, ch 3, turn

Row 3: 2 dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, 2 dc in same space, ch 3, turn

Repeat row 3 until your stringer has reached the desired length.  

Step 3: Attach your hearts. 

Attach the hearts using string, spacing them evenly along the same side of the stringer.  

• For the Country Hearts Garland, I left 41 rows before I started attaching hearts, spacing each heart 10 rows apart. I tied the hearts to the stringer by looping an 11-in length of string through both the top of the heart and the ch 3 loop of the stringer, tying them off with a knot and then tying the ends into a bow.
• For the Lacy Hearts Garland, I left 42 rows before I started attaching hearts, spacing each heart 20 rows apart. I tied the hearts to the stringer by looping a length of the thread through the top of the heart and the ch 3 loop of the stringer, keeping the knot close to the top.  I wove the loose ends into the stringer after I had made the knot to hide them and give it a cleaner look.

Step 4: Sit back and admire your handiwork!