Boho Rainbow Heart Appliqué – Step-by-Step (US Terms)
Crochet hearts are timeless, but this one has extra sparkle: a sunny mandala on one side, sweeping rainbow bands on the other, and a tidy outline that shapes everything into a crisp heart. It’s eye-catching enough to use as a coaster or wall mini, and sturdy enough to appliqué on bags, pillows, or blankets.
Although the motif looks complex, it’s built in modules you already know: a small round “flower,” a few short crescent rows, some easy chain-arches, and then a single continuous border that forms the heart. The color changes do all the drama—use scraps and let each round be a different shade.
Because we work outward and then switch to short rows, the fabric naturally curves into two lobes with a little dip at the top. A final edging smooths everything, creates the point at the bottom, and locks the open spaces so the heart lies flat. Light blocking at the end makes it picture-perfect.
Size is flexible. With DK yarn and a 4.0 mm hook the heart finishes about 4½–5″ (11–13 cm) across; with worsted and a 5.0 mm hook you’ll get closer to 6–6½″ (15–17 cm). Change hook or add/subtract a border round to suit your project.
Materials
- 6–9 colors of DK or Worsted cotton/acrylic scraps
- Hook 4.0–5.0 mm to suit yarn
- Yarn needle & scissors
- Blocking pins/steam (optional)
Abbreviations (US)
MR = magic ring • ch = chain • sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet • hdc = half double • dc = double crochet • tr = treble
inc = increase (two sts in one st) • sp = space • st(s) = stitch(es)
Shell = 2 dc in same st • Picot = ch3, sl st in first ch
A) Sunburst Circle (right lobe center)
Rnd 1 (yellow): MR, ch2 (doesn’t count), 12 dc in ring, join. (12)
Rnd 2 (peach): dc in st, ch1 around, join in first dc. (12 dc, 12 ch-1 sps)
Rnd 3 (red): In each ch-1 sp work 2 dc (small petals). Join. (24 dc)
Rnd 4 (green): sc, ch2 in space between every pair of dc around; join in first sc. (24 sc, 24 ch-2)
Rnd 5 (magenta): In each ch-2 sp work 2 dc; in each sc work 1 dc (to fill and grow). Join. (≈72 dc)
Fasten off. This round gives you a firm circle ~2¼–3″ wide.
B) Shaping the inner “dip” and left crescent bands
We’ll add short rows and arches to start curling into a heart.
Row 1 (turquoise – chain arches): Join at ~2 o’clock on the circle’s edge. Ch5, skip 3-4 sts, sc in next; repeat 3–4 times to span toward the left side (these arcs create the open scallops). Fasten off.
Row 2 (hot pink – first crescent): Join at the lower left of the circle. Working along the outer edge of the circle and over the first arch:
ch3 (counts as dc), dc evenly across ≈16–18 sts; over each arch work (2 dc in arch, dc in next sc) to keep the curve smooth. Turn.
Row 3 (yellow – decorative bumps): ch3, dc across; every 3–4 sts work (sc, Picot, sc) in the same st for a tiny ridge. Turn.
Row 4 (coral): ch3, dc across evenly (no bumps), extending 2–3 sts past the previous row at the lower end to start forming the point. Turn.
Row 5 (aqua): ch3, dc evenly; when crossing the remaining arches, work dc in each ch, dc in each sc, keeping the edge smooth. Fasten off.
Don’t worry about exact stitch counts—aim for a smooth crescent that reaches the bottom-center below the circle. If it ruffles, remove a few increases; if it pulls, add one or two dc increases at the outer curve.
C) Heart Outline & Fill (brings everything into a heart)
Foundation outline (fuchsia):
Join yarn at the valley between the circle and crescent (where the turquoise arches began). Work 1 round in sc around the entire shape, following the natural curve:
- Up around the right lobe (the circle): place 2 sc in every 3rd stitch to round it.
- Across the top valley: sc3tog across the dip to pinch it.
- Down the outer left crescent: place sc evenly along row-ends (about 2 sc per dc-row).
- At the bottom point: work (sc, ch1, sc) in the very tip. Join.
Build height (raspberry):
Work a second round in dc all the way around to widen the border; put 2 dc into the same st whenever the edge needs more curve. Keep (dc, ch1, dc) at the bottom point.
Final edge (navy):
Work 1 round sc to lock the shape; at the valley do another sc3tog if needed; at the point do (sc, ch1, sc) again. Optional: finish with reverse-sc (crab stitch) for a corded edge.
Fasten off, weave in ends, block lightly.
Size & Use
- DK + 4.0 mm: ~11–13 cm wide
- Worsted + 5.0 mm: ~15–17 cm wide
Use as a coaster, appliqué on totes/blankets, or join several hearts with chains for a cheerful garland.
Troubleshooting
- Ruffling border: remove a few increases; switch final round to sc.
- Point collapsing: add (sc, ch2, sc) instead of (sc, ch1, sc) at the tip.
- Valley too shallow: work sc4tog across an extra stitch to deepen it.
