Valentines Day keychains – I heart U (FREE crochet pattern)
I want to share with you another of my Valentines’ Day keychains patterns. I have made a whole series this year. I can not help it, I just felt inspired, and I wanted to share my ideas with you.
Thank you so much for receiving it so well, I am honored.
You can find the other two Valentines Day keychains here:
Valentines Day Heart and XOXO Crochet keychain
As you know by now, I always like to share some interesting facts. Did you know that the Valentine’s Day is actually a Christian holiday? I didn’t.
Here are some intriguing facts:
According to Wikipedia Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on 14 February. Originating as a Western Christian feast day honoring one or two early saints named Valentinus.
There are numerous martyrdom stories associated with various Valentines connected to 14 February, including a written account of Saint Valentine of Rome’s imprisonment for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire.
At the time of Valentine’s life, many Romans were converting to Christianity. Still, the Emperor Claudius II was a pagan and created strict laws about what Christians were allowed to do. Claudius believed that Roman soldiers should be entirely devoted to Rome and therefore passed a law preventing them from marrying. St Valentine began to marry these soldiers in secret Christian ceremonies, and this was the beginning of his reputation for believing in the importance of love.
Eventually, Valentine was found out and jailed for his crimes against Claudius. While imprisoned, Valentine cared for his fellow prisoners and also his jailor’s blind daughter. Legend has it that Valentine cured the girl’s blindness. As a farewell before being executed, he wrote her a love message signed ‘from your Valentine.’
Valentine was executed on 14 February in the year 270.
It wasn’t until more than 200 years later that 14 February was proclaimed St Valentine’s Day. By this time, Rome had become Christian, and the Catholic Church was determined to stamp out any remaining paganism. A pagan fertility ritual was held in February each year, and the Pope abolished this festival and proclaimed 14 February Saint Valentine’s Day, thus establishing this feast day on the Catholic Calendar of Saints.
However, in the 1969 revision of the Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint Valentine on 14 February was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, St. Valentine is recognized on 6 July, in which Saint Valentine, the Roman priest, is honored; also, the Eastern Orthodox Church observes the feast of Hieromartyr Valentine, Bishop of Interamna, on 30 July.
Ok, ok, enough of the historical facts. Let’s go to the crochet 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 it 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 4” (3 x 10 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 12 with black, begin with Row 1, and SC in the second chain from the hook. You introduce the red yarn here. You can use any color you like. This time I used violet and pink.
← Row 1 [RS]: (Black) x 11
→ Row 2 [WS]: (Black) x 11
← Row 3 [RS]: (Black) x 3, (Red) x 5, (Black) x 3
→ Row 4 [WS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 7, (Black) x 2
← Row 5 [RS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 2
→ Row 6 [WS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 2
← Row 7 [RS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 2
→ Row 8 [WS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 2
← Row 9 [RS]: (Black) x 11
→ Row 10 [WS]: (Black) x 11
← Row 11 [RS]: (Black) x 5, Red, (Black) x 5
→ Row 12 [WS]: (Black) x 4, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 4
← Row 13 [RS]: (Black) x 3, (Red) x 5, (Black) x 3
→ Row 14 [WS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 7, (Black) x 2
← Row 15 [RS]: Black, (Red) x 9, Black
→ Row 16 [WS]: Black, (Red) x 4, Black, (Red) x 4, Black
← Row 17 [RS]: (Black) x 2, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 3, (Red) x 2, (Black) x 2
→ Row 18 [WS]: (Black) x 11
← Row 19 [RS]: (Black) x 11
→ Row 20 [WS]: (Black) x 4, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 4
← Row 21 [RS]: (Black) x 4, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 4
→ Row 22 [WS]: (Black) x 4, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 4
← Row 23 [RS]: (Black) x 4, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 4
→ Row 24 [WS]: (Black) x 4, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 4
← Row 25 [RS]: (Black) x 4, (Red) x 3, (Black) x 4
→ Row 26 [WS]: (black) x 11, ch1, turn – you can cut the red yarn here.
← Row 27 [RS]: skip the first stitch, SC (black) x 8, dec – stitch the last two SC together, ch1, turn (you have now 9 stitches)
→ Row 28 [WS]: skip the first stitch, SC (black) x 6, dec – stitch two SC together, ch1, turn (you have now 7 stitches)
← Row 29 [RS]: skip the first stitch, SC (black) x 4, dec – stitch two SC together, ch1, turn (you have now 5 stitches)
→ Row 30 [WS]: skip the first stitch, SC (black) x 2, dec – stitch two SC together, ch1, turn (you have now 3 stitches)
← Row 31 [RS]: FRONT LOOP ONLY (black) x 3 – make sure you are on the Right side.
→ Row 32 [WS]: (Black) x 3
← Row 33 [RS]: (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 31 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 the origin of the Valentine’s Day, 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
Thank you so much for the awesome post! I really enjoyed reading this, and it has showed me some good designs I can make for my wife, for Valentines day! There is something about making gifts that is just more romantic and effective than buying them, and this is a good way to go! I also like the history lesson you gave! I love the history behind traditions we hold!
Hi. Thank you so much. I am sure she will love it. I love the history behind the traditions too 🙂
Thank you for your comment.
Have a beautiful day.
Hello Katja, I must say that this article is very helpful and informative. Valentine Day is nearly here and now is the right time to plan a gift for our loved ones. I really like your design, my wife also saw it and wonders how you make it, I think she said she will contact you via Facebook to ask some questions regarding this. Thank you for sharing such useful information, I will definitely start following you from now on.
Hi. Thank you very much. I am so glad to read this. She can contact me anytime. I will do my best to help her. She can also read my post about How to do tapestry crochet. There are the basics with step by step photos.
Thank you for following me.
I wish you both a beautiful day.
HI, Katja,
Wow, so many interesting facts. I had heard before that Valentine’s Day had Christian roots but didn’t know the story behind it. Many people believe it’s just all about marketing and sales. You know companies make products of all kinds for this special day. The same happens with Christmas and other holidays.
I can see you’re very talented at crocheting. I’m not too familiar with it, but I remember my grandmother used to do it. It takes quite a lot of time and patience.
Congratulations on your post. Keep up the good work.
Hi. Thank you very much for your comment. I am happy to see that crocheting is not only for grandmothers anymore but is getting more and more popular with young people.
Thank you, I will do my best to keep up with the good work. 😉
Have a nice day.
Thank you so much for sharing with us such a beautiful article. I am glad to see your article. I am going to bookmark it. On the 14th of the month ahead is Valentine’s Day. I am glad to see your article because from here I found the best Valentine’s Day gift for my dear husband. I want to gift Valentine’s Day keychains – I heart U. I think I would be very happy to see my Husband. I would definitely make this and follow these skills/instructions. Thanks for making it so easy steps. If you don’t mind, I will share this article on my social media account.
Thank you so much, I am so happy you like it. I appreciate the share 😀 that really means a lot to me. Thank you.
I am sure your husband will love it. Handmade gifts are really special.
Have a beautiful day.
Wow I really love the look of your keychain and think it’s an excellent idea for Valentine’s Day. I too did not know that Valentine’s Day is a Christian holiday and you’ve provided some very interesting background information. Saint Valentine of Rome truly was a Saint, and I think his actions are remembered appropriately through this special day. Thank you for the guidance regarding the Tapestry Crochet Technique. I have some friends who are into crocheting, so I will definitely share your post with them, and who knows maybe I will get a new keychain. Well done!
Hahaha thank you very much for sharing. That is a good technique to get a new keychain 😀
I am glad you liked my post. Thank you for your comment.
Have a nice day.
Hi Katya
Thank you for a very interesting theological, historical and crochet lesson rolled into one. I got to admit that I am well versed in the history of St. Valentine’s Day and I knew that it has been relegated. I think your designs are wonderful and it is great that you have given detailed instructions and free patterns to make these keychain patterns. What says more than you love your other half than something made from you own fair hands. I am sure my girlfriend will enjoy them, as she tends to enjoy anything made by my hands.
Thanks
Antonio
Hi Antonio. Thank you very much for your comment. I am so happy you enjoyed my article, and that you like my patterns. If you make your girlfriend a keychain from my pattern, I would love to see it. Thank you.
Have a beautiful day, and enjoy crocheting.
Many thanks to you for giving us such a beautiful article .And through your article I learned the history of Valentine’s Day. When I read history, I had a hard time finding out for Valentine and I think there is a lot to learn from it. This Valentine’s Day gift is a very important topic for everyone and I buy the gift myself. I’ll buy a gift and Valentine’s Day keychains gift this time because I love it so much and I will gift my favorite people I know he will be very happy. It’s pretty cool to look at and interesting .
I hope that after reading your article, many will collect the gift and share their feelings with me.
Thank you very much for your comment. I am glad you liked my post.
Have a nice day.
Hello there, thanks for this awesome article it would be of great help to the public as it has been of help to me.you really didn’t a nice job on compiling this ideas on crocheting patterns for the upcoming Valentine’s day.i would definitely make use of them because i know my date would love it
Thank you very much. I am glad you like it. Comments like this make me want to share more free patterns.
Have a beautiful day, and enjoy crocheting.
Thank you so much for posting this and with clear and easy-to-read instructions. This is what I was looking for (but, I didn’t know it). I only knew that I wanted to make something relatively simple yet thoughful for my daughter who just got her first car. Personally, I prefer to count my stitches. But now that I’ve read this, I think I’ll check out tapestry crocheting. Do I sound like a newbie? I am! Is there any reason why a newbie couldn’t do tapestry?
Thank you so much for your comment. I am sure your daughter will love it.
I don’t think there is any reason why a newbie couldn’t try tapestry crochet. There are only two colors, so this pattern is perfect to learn tapestry crochet. But if you will have any trouble feel free to contact me. I will do my best to help you.
Have a beautiful day, and enjoy crocheting.
Valentine’s day is fast approaching and we’ve got to show our genuine love one way or the other either through giving or otherwise. Hand made gifts are of high value these days and these Valentine’s day keychains are gorgeous to present to our lives one telling them we love them (I💙U). It’s very easy to make following your step by step guide, thanks for sharing it.
Thank you very much. I am glad you like it. I think handmade gifts are a great value too.
Have a beautiful day.