Kids Craft – Cardboard Art Hearts

List of Supplies:

Cardboard – leftover
Scissors
Poster colors and paint brush
Glitter
Confetti
Craft glue
Paper puncher
Leftover yarns

Instruction:

Step (1)

Cut a heart shape from a leftover cardboard piece. Simply draw a heart using a pencil and cut along the traced lines.

Step (2)

Place the heart cardboard on a piece of paper to protect your craft space from paint and other supplies you’ll be using to this protect. Paint the heart randomly using any colors you want. Allow the paint to dry once it is done.

Step (3)

Use a paper puncher to punch a hole at the bottom end of the heart pattern.

Step (4)

Take leftover yarn strands and wrap them around 2 or 3 fingers. Wrap the strands until they end, add more strands if you want a thick tassel.

Step (5)

Take out the wrapped yarn strands from your fingers carefully and tie them with another piece of yarn at any one end. Use scissors to cut the other end of the wrapped yarn strands to create the tassel.

Step (6)

Attach the tassel with the cardboard heart using a small piece of yarn strand through the hole punched at the bottom end of the heart.

Step (7)

Apply glitter on the cardboard heart. Create any kind of pattern you want, get creative!

Step (8)

If you want to decorate the heart more, you can add confetti to it.

Step (9)

Nice you are done decorating the heart, allow the glue, paint or glitter to dry entirely.

Read These Next

So, you’ve just picked up a hook and some yarn, and now you’re staring at a crochet pattern that looks like a secret code from another dimension. Sound familiar?

Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Learning how to read crochet patterns can feel overwhelming at first, but once you crack the code, it opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to understand crochet patterns, decipher all those weird abbreviations, and finally feel confident following even the trickiest crochet designs.

Let’s break it down—stitch by stitch.

What Is a Crochet Pattern, Anyway?

A crochet pattern is like a recipe for yarn. It tells you what stitches to use, how many times to use them, and in what order. Some patterns are written in words, some use symbols (charts), and the fancy ones might have both.

The goal? Help you create something amazing like a cozy scarf, cute amigurumi toy, or stylish cardigan—without winging it every time.

Start Here: The Anatomy of a Crochet Pattern

Before you dive into the stitches, take a minute to skim the whole pattern. Most written crochet patterns include these key parts:

1. Materials List

This tells you what kind of yarn and hook size to use. If it says:

Worsted weight yarn, 5mm hook (H/8)
That’s your supply list.

2. Gauge

Yes, it matters. Gauge ensures your finished piece matches the size the designer intended. It might read:

Gauge: 14 sts and 10 rows = 4” in double crochet

Pro tip: Always do a gauge swatch if size matters (like in garments)!

3. Abbreviations

Crochet patterns are full of shorthand. For example:

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
st(s) = stitch(es)
rep = repeat

There’s usually a legend or key near the top of the pattern. Bookmark it.

4. Instructions

Here’s where the magic happens. Patterns are often written row-by-row or round-by-round.

Example:

Row 1: Ch 21. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (20 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (20 sc)

Each line tells you exactly what to do. It’s okay to read it slowly the first few times!

Decoding Common Crochet Pattern Terms

Some terms sound scarier than they are. Let’s translate:

“Work even”:

Keep going without increasing or decreasing stitches.

”Repeat from to “:

Repeat whatever’s between the asterisks.

“Inc” or “Inc 1”:

Increase—add an extra stitch, usually by working two stitches into one.

“Dec” or “Sc2tog”:

Decrease—crochet two stitches together to make one.

US vs UK Crochet Terms (Yep, It’s a Thing)

Crochet has two main dialects: US and UK terms. And they’re not interchangeable!

For example:

US single crochet (sc) = UK double crochet (dc)
US double crochet (dc) = UK treble crochet (tr)

Always check what version the pattern uses. It usually says at the beginning.

Understanding Crochet Charts (Visual Learners, Rejoice!)

Some patterns use charts instead of words—or alongside them. These are visual representations using symbols for each stitch.

A circle = chain
A plus (+) or X = single crochet
A T with a slash = double crochet

Reading from a chart is kind of like reading a map—it shows you how the stitches fit together.

Pro Tips for Reading Crochet Patterns Like a Pro

Highlight repeats and stitch counts. Color-code if you want!
Use stitch markers to track important spots.
Print the pattern (yes, old-school) and check off rows as you go.
Watch YouTube tutorials if you’re stuck on a stitch.
Join crochet communities (like Ravelry or Facebook groups) for help and inspiration.

? Practice Patterns for Beginners

Want to practice reading crochet patterns? Try these easy beginner-friendly projects:

A basic dishcloth (perfect for mastering rows)
A granny square (great intro to rounds)
A simple scarf or cowl (helps with pattern rhythm)

Final Thoughts: Reading Crochet Patterns Gets Easier—Promise!

If you’ve made it this far, give yourself a high-five! You’re well on your way to becoming a pattern-reading pro.

Just like learning a new language, reading crochet patterns takes patience and practice. The more you do it, the more natural it feels—and the less you’ll need to Google things like “what the heck does ‘dc2tog’ mean?”

So grab your hook, pick a pattern, and start stitching. You got this!

P.S. Want Free Crochet Patterns?

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