Valentine Crochet Ideas – XOXO keychain FREE Pattern
Here is another Valentine’s crochet idea I want to share with you. You can find the first one, Valentine’s Day Hearts here.
This pattern is also a great way to use your scrap yarn. If you need any more ideas on how to use it, you can find them here: Scrap Yarn – 8 unique ideas.
And one more thing, if you are not familiar with the Tapestry Crochet technique, please, read this article first: How to do tapestry crochet – pictures and a free Heart coaster pattern.
Since my first Valentine’s Day Hearts Keychain was so well received, I decided to share one more keychain pattern with you.
Do you know what XOXO means?
It means Hugs and kisses <3
X=Kiss
O=Hug
If you look at each letter like it was representing two people from above, the “O” represents the arms of those persons hugging each other while the “X” symbolizes the two people kissing each other.
But that is just a recent explanation. XOXO dates back centuries.
According to Wikipedia The common custom of placing “X” on envelopes, notes, and at the bottom of letters to mean kisses dates back to the Middle Ages when a Christian cross was drawn on documents or letters to mean sincerity, faith, and honesty. A kiss was then placed upon the cross, by the signer as a display of their sworn oath.
Since most of the ordinary people could not read or write, the ‘X’ was placed on documents, and a kiss was placed over it as a show of their sincerity.
Tracing the origin of how the ‘O’ came to represent a hug is more complicated.
There is speculation on the Internet from at least one source that the ‘O’ is of North American descent: when arriving in the United States, Jewish immigrants would use an ‘O’ to sign documents, thus not using the sign of the cross.
Combined with the familiar Christian use of an ‘X’ signifying the oath sealed with the kiss, the ‘O’ was likely then adopted to mean hugs as an equal representation in the sincerity of the sentiment on the notes and letters.
As for where XOXO comes from, it could merely be that both the X and the O were easy to write, even by people who hadn’t learned to read.
Marcel Denasi, professor of semiotics and linguistic anthropology at the University of Toronto and author of The History of the Kiss: The Birth of Popular Culture, notes that tic-tac-toe, a game that uses X and O symbols, developed in the medieval period as well. So these two symbols have long been connected.
Ok, enough of the fun facts, now let’s get to the pattern.
Supplies:
- 2.75mm or C/2 Crochet Hook
- #2 Fine Weight Yarn in two colors. – You can use different types of yarn, just adjust the size of the hook.
- Yarn Needle
- Metal keyring (you can get everything on Amazon)
Abbreviations:
- CH ~ Chain
- SC ~ Single Crochet
- SL ST ~ Slip Stitch
- RS ~ Right Side
- WS ~ Wrong Side
- MC ~ Main Color
- CC ~ Contrast Color
- ST(S) ~ Stitch(es)
- FO ~ Finish Off
Gauge:
4” x 4” (10 x 10 cm) square /2.75 mm(C/2) -Hook/ Single Crochet/ #2 Yarn
• 15 Rows x 10 Stitches
Size:
• 1,1” x 5,1” (3 x 13 cm) Rectangle
If you are not familiar with the Tapestry Crochet Technique, please, read this post first (How to do Tapestry Crochet). Here are just some quick notes to help you understand the pattern and make your creation accurately.
Notes:
- Every block of the graph represents one SC.
- You start your color change on the SC just before the color change.
- Remember to maintain tension. When pulling through with the new
color, the stitch you just completed will lose tension. Be sure to
correct it before moving on. - Be sure that you remember to yarn under when pulling through with the new yarn.
- Remember that each row of the graph alternates between following it
{Right to Left} and {Left to Right}. Be sure to stitch accordingly.
- Throughout the project, be sure to carry your contrasting color around on only the WS.
For me, it is easier to do the tapestry crochet with written
instructions, but if you like it better, you can do it by counting the
squares on the graph. I prefer to look at the charts, just to see where I
am and how much I still need to do.
Here are the written instructions:
You start by chain 10 with black, begin with Row 1, and SC in the second chain from the hook. You introduce the red yarn here.
← Row 1 [RS]: (Black) x 9 At the end of the row chain 1 and turn. When you go to the next row, you carry your yarn in the back.
→ Row 2 [WS]: (Black) x 3, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 3 At the end of the Row remember to carry your yarn in the front.
← Row 3 [RS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 5, (Black) x 2
→ Row 4 [WS]: Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, Black
← Row 5 [RS]: Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, Black
→ Row 6 [WS]: Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, Black
← Row 7 [RS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 5, (Black) x 2
→ Row 8 [WS]: (Black) x 3, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 3
← Row 9 [RS]: (Black) x 9
→ Row 10 [WS]: Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, Black
← Row 11 [RS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 2, Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 2
→ Row 12 [WS]: (Black) x 3, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 3
← Row 13 [RS]: (Black) x 4, Red, (Black) x 4
→ Row 14 [WS]: (Black) x 3, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 3
← Row 15 [RS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 2, Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 2
→ Row 16 [WS]: Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, Black
← Row 17 [RS]: (Black) x 9
→ Row 18 [WS]: (Black) x 3, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 3
← Row 19 [RS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 5, (Black) x 2
→ Row 20 [WS]: Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, Black
← Row 21 [RS]: Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, Black
→ Row 22 [WS]: Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, Black
← Row 23 [RS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 5, (Black) x 2
→ Row 24 [WS]: (Black) x 3, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 3
← Row 25 [RS]: (Black) x 9
→ Row 26 [WS]: Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, Black
← Row 27 [RS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 2, Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 2
→ Row 28 [WS]: (Black) x 3, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 3
← Row 29 [RS]: (Black) x 4, Red, (Black) x 4
→ Row 30 [WS]: (Black) x 3, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 3
← Row 31 [RS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 2, Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 2
→ Row 32 [WS]: Black, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, Black
← Row 33 [RS]: (Black) x 9
→ Row 34 [WS]: skip the first stitch, SC (black) x 6, dec – stitch two SC together, ch1, turn (you have now 7 stitches)
← Row 35 [RS]: skip the first stitch, SC (black) x 4, dec – stitch two SC together, ch1, turn (you have now 5 stitches)
→ Row 36 [WS]: skip the first stitch, SC (black) x 2, dec – stitch two SC together, ch1, turn (you have now 3 stitches)
← Row 37 [RS]: FRONT LOOP ONLY (black) x 3 – make sure you are on the Right side
→ Row 38 [WS]: (Black) x 3
← Row 39 [RS]: (Black) x 3
→ Row 40 [WS]: (Black) x 3
You make as many rows you need to come around the keyring, and FO. Leave a tail for sewing.
Insert the keyring and sow the end with the back loops from the row 37 together using a yarn needle. In the picture, you see the Wrong side of the keychain.
Here is the graph:
You can Pin this pattern for later here:
Did you know that the XOXO dates so far back, or did the trivia surprised you? Please, tell me in the comments below.
I hope you enjoyed my design, and you find it useful. If you decide to make it, I would love it if you shared it with me on Facebook (@Pretty Things By Katja) or Instagram (pretty_things_by_katja). You can tag me into the photo.
Thank you very much.
Have a beautiful day, and enjoy crocheting.
Katja
It’s a great idea as a personalized gift for San Valentin’s day or another opportunity to show how much you care for your beloved ones.
Money comes and goes, and there’s a lot you could do with plenty of it nevertheless, giving away this type of gifts would definitely well appreciate as it could easily represent several hours of work and concentration on the associated job and in the face of the person receiving it.
Thanks for sharing this great crocheting gift idea as well as the crochet grill for this project.
Thank you so much. I agree handmade gifts are really special, and I think everyone appreciates the time you gave to make something especially for them.
Thank you for your comment.
Have a beautiful day.
Thank you for putting together such an amazing article Valentine crochet ideas xoxo keychain free pattern!
I was stunned when you mentioned that X was used way before dating back to early Christianity.
Even more fascinating is the O being used by the Jews of North America, religion seems to be the root of many things that surround us and use daily.
Your explanation of the process of creating the keychain is super detailed and makes it easy for the reader to apply it fast.
Jordan 🙂
Hi Jordan.
Thank you so much. I like historical facts and I am glad you enjoy them. Sometimes I think I share too much of the information about the origin in a blog about crocheting, but when I get comments like this, and I know it is ok.
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate that you like my tutorial.
Have a beautiful day.
Katja,
This is such an amazing idea! I loved reading your Valentines Day Key Chain article. It was such fun remembering the days when my grandmother taught me how to crochet. I would crochet anything from pot holders/hot plates and winter hats to blankets and vests. Crocheted vests were all the rage in the ’70’s and ’80’s.
I was not aware of the background info on the X’s and O’s. that was a very interesting piece of information. So I would have to say this article was both fun and informative at the same time.
All the best to you with your website!
Barbara
Hi Barbara. Thank you so much for your comment. I am glad you liked my post. Crocheting is really fun, isn’t it? I think that handmade things are coming back, especially crocheting. And I am very excited about that 🙂
Thank you for best wishes. Have a beautiful day.
I love to give something handmade to my loved ones on Valentines’s day. It is very thoughtful and sentimental. Valentine’s day doesn’t have to be about my spouse, my friends are included! Thank you so much for sharing all the supplies that we need and the patterns! they are so adorable! Next, I gotta pay a visit to Michaels 🙂
Hi. Thank you very much for your comment. I am so happy you like my patterns. If you make anything from my patterns, I would love to see it. You can tag me into the photo you share on social media. Thank you.
Have a beautiful day.
Hi Katja,
I just stumbled across your post a few minutes ago, and just as i was about to click away (as a man i’m not much interested in learning how to crochet), but before i could click that mouse button the picture of that beautiful XOXO keychain caught my eye. So i ended up reading the post.
I remember as a boy watching my grandmom crocheting and being amazed at the beautiful things that she could create. And so quickly with this skill, and i like the idea that you would take time out to write something to teach othe women how to create this beautiful XOXO keychain. I also see that you have other crochet items that you give instruction on how to make as well.
The historical facts about the origins of XOXO that popular term used to express sincerity and love were quite interesting to read as well. I had no idea that it went back so far.
All in all a great post Katja, and on behalf of all the women who will see this post and be grateful for it. I extend a warm thank you.
Hi Donald. Thank you so much for this beautiful comment. I am so glad you liked my post even though you don’t crochet. I appreciate it.
Thank you for taking the time to read it and even leaving me a comment. I always like to include some interesting facts, I am glad you like it.
Have a beautiful day.
I love this website, Crochet patterns and designs, great article about Valentine Crochet and Designs, being as I am an avid crochet junky, my mother taught me 36 years ago when I was pregnant with my son how to crochet and I will be saving this into my favorites. I was just asking if it is better to have an Etsy account, or to have a website and I think that you have given me an idea of how I want to proceed. I don’t want to sell patterns, but the products, so this website will give me the help I need to make different items, like the key chain pattern. Love this article and it is now my go to place. Thanks again.
Hi. Thank you very much for your comment. I am so happy to read this, I feel honored you like my page.
If you will be selling your final products I recommend Etsy, and you have to show your work on social media. And for this I recommend Instagram. There is much easier to get followers there. 🙂
I wish you all the best with selling your crochet creations. If you make something from my patterns, I will be happy if you share it with me on Facebook and/or Instagram.
Thank you.
Have a beautiful day, and enjoy crocheting.
Nice read! i didn’t know that there’s hidden explanation behind XOXO until now. And somehow it brought some memories back.
I learned how to crochet when I was 12. It works for me than stitching and embroidery. I have made crocheted cellphone cases, small bags– but unfortunately, I’m not good at it. I made those stuff in single color yarn.
I still crochet up to now, but just to keep my hands busy. So probably your pattern is worth trying. It’s small although not sure if it will be easy for me. I guess I have to find out.
Your pattern is relatively perfect for Valentines.
Thank you very much. Maybe try the Valentine’s Day Hearts first or even The Heart coaster. There is less color change there. But I think you will be able to make this one too. 🙂 Practise makes it perfect 🙂
Thank you for your comment. If you need any help, feel free to contact me. And if you make the keychain, please, share it with me.
Have a beautiful day, and enjoy crocheting.
The design you shared between us is so beautiful and wonderful to see.I had no idea with my Tapestry Crochet technique but I could not get better idea after reading your post.Your post has been very easy for me to understand and I hope I can make it very precisely and which seems to me to be easy.And I will share these designs with my friends.
Thank you so much! 🙂 I am so glad to hear that. And thank you for sharing too. If you have any more questions, feel free to contact me.
Have a beautiful day.
My daughter would love this page! She is very creative and always looking for new things to make, She could make these for her friends at school, that would be very cool! Thank you for the history of “XOXO”, I have always seen them on letters and such but never really thought about where it came from. I cannot wait to show this site to my daughter, have a great day!
Thank you so much! 🙂 I am so happy to hear that. 🙂 If your daughter makes it, please, share it with me. I would appreciate it if you tag me into the photo.
I like to put interesting facts in my posts. I guess I am a geek, but I love this kind of information. I am glad you like it too.
Have a beautiful day too. 🙂