The Sweethearts Afghan is perfect for gifting to your special someone, whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or just because. Its gentle, romantic design will brighten up any room with its vibrant colors and sweet heart details. The soft yarn ensures that it’s as comfortable as it is lovely, making it an ideal piece for relaxing on the couch or draping over the bed.

While the pattern may look intricate, it’s beginner-friendly, with the shell stitch and heart motifs coming together quickly and easily. You can customize the colors to suit your sweetheart’s preferences, or stick with traditional pinks and reds for a classic Valentine’s feel. Whether you’re creating it as a cozy gift or a personal addition to your own home, the Sweethearts Afghan will undoubtedly add a warm, loving touch to any space.

Skill Level: Easy 

Size: Afghan = 48” x 58”; Hearts = (2” x 2”)

Gauge: 6 dc = 2” and 6 rows = 4.5”

Materials

Yarn:

 Red Heart Super Saver (100% acrylic; 364 yards [333 meters]/198 grams): #0311 White (2 skeins), #0737 Petal Pink (2 skeins)

 Red Heart Classic (100% acrylic; 190 yards [174 meters]/100 grams): #0902 Jockey Red (4 skeins)

Hooks: US size G/6 (4.5 mm) and H/8 (5.0 mm) hooks

Notions: Red thread and sewing needle

Special Stitches

Shell: (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in space or stitch as indicated.

Pattern

Row 1 (RS): With H hook and white, ch 140, dc in 4th ch from hook, *dc in next 6 ch, sk 1 ch, dc in next 2 ch, sk 1 ch, dc in next 6 ch**, Shell in next ch; rep from * across ending last rep at **, 2 dc in last ch, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, *dc in next 6 dc, sk next dc, dc in 2 dc, sk next dc, dc in next 6 dc**, Shell in ch-2 sp of Shell, sk 1 dc; rep from * across ending last rep at **, 2 dc in last dc, turn and fasten off.
Row 3: Join red in first st, ch 2, dc in same st, *dc in next 6 dc, sk next dc, dc in next 2 dc, sk next dc, dc in next 6 dc**, Shell in ch-2 sp of Shell, sk 1 dc; rep from * across ending last rep at **, 2 dc in last dc, turn.
Row 4: Rep Row 2, fasten off and turn.
Row 5: Join pink and work same as Row 3.
Row 6: Rep Row 2, fasten off and turn.
Row 7: Join white and work same as Row 3.
Row 8: Rep Row 2, fasten off and turn.
Rows 9-68: Continue in established pattern having 2 rows red, 2 rows pink, 2 rows white. 

Hearts (Make 32)

With G hook and red, ch 4. In 4th ch from hook, work 3 tr, 3 dc, ch 1, tr (for heart point), ch 1, 3 dc, 3 tr, ch 3, sl st in first ch (center of heart). Fasten off.
With red thread sew on Hearts to afghan. See Heart Placement Diagram.

Edging

Work along top edge with H hook and red (sc, ch 3, dc) in first right corner dc, *[skip 2 dc, (sc, ch 2, dc) in next dc] 5 times, skip 2 dc, (sc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp of Shell, (sc, ch 2, dc) in next dc; rep from * across ending (sc, ch 3, dc) in last dc.
Work along side edge (sc, ch 2, sc) in each dc sp across.
Work along bottom edge (sc, ch 3, dc) in first stitch, [sk 2 ch, (sc, ch 2, dc) in next ch] 3 times, *sk 1 ch, (sc, ch 2, dc) in next ch, [sk 2 chs, (sc, ch 2, dc) in next ch] 5 times; rep from * across ending (sc, ch 3, dc) in last st.
Work along side edge (sc, ch 2, sc) in each dc sp across, join to beg sc and fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in ends.