How to Crochet a Love Heart Belly Basket

* Knitcraft Red Cotton Blend Plain DK Yarn 100g

* Knitcraft White Cotton Blend Plain DK Yarn 100g

* Patons Nougat 100% Cotton DK Yarn 100g

* Pom Pom Maker 4 Pack

* Millward Sewing Tapestry and Darning Needles 30 Pack

* Embroidery Scissors

* Knitcraft Green Crochet Hook 8mm

Abbreviations:

blo - back loop only

ch - chain

dc - double crochet (US single crochet)

rep - repeat

rnd - round

slst - slip stitch

st(s) - stitch(es)

inc - increase (two double crochet in one stitch)

dc2tog - double crochet two stitches together

Notes:

Slip Stitch: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, pull new loop through first loop on hook.

Double Crochet: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.

Double Crochet Two Together: Insert hook into stitch, without yarning over insert hook in next stich along from front to back, yarn over and pull up a loop through both stitches, yarn over and pull though both loops.

Taking your three balls of yarn, hold the three strands in your hand, and slowly wind them into a ball of three strands. Continue until you have wound around half of the yarn, or until the new ball weighs around 150g.

Now cut your yarn, and hold the three strands of what's left of your yarn balls, plus the three strands of the yarn ball you just wound, and wind all six strands into a ball. You will now have a six-strand yarn ball to make the blanket with.

Work all six yarns together and treat them as one thread.

Rnd 1   Create a magic loop and make 6 dc into the loop, pull loop closed (6)

Rnd 2   2 dc in each stitch around (12)

Rnd 3   *1 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (18)

Rnd 4   *2 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (24)

Rnd 5   *3 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (30)

Rnd 6   *4 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (36)

Rnd 7   dc in back loop only of each stitch around (36)

Rnd 8 *5 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd. (42)

Rnd 9 *6 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd. (48)

Rnd 10 *7 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd. (54)

Rnd 11 *2dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd. (72)

Rnd 12 *2dctog, 2dc. Rep from * until end of rnd. (54)

Rnd 13 *7dc, 2dctog. Rep from * until end of rnd. (48)

Rnd 14 *6dc, 2dctog. Rep from * until end of rnd. (42)

Rnd 15 *5dc, 2dctog. Rep from * until end of rnd. (36)

Rnd 16 *4dc, 2dctog. Rep from * until end of rnd. (30)

Rnd 17 *5 ss, ch 10 and skip 5 sts, 5 ss. Rep from * once more (30)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

To make the pompom hearts, use just one strand of yarn at once.

Taking your pompom maker and one colour, wrap the pompom maker and create a round pompom as normal. Holding the pompom by the strings at the top, start to shape the bottom of the heart into a pointed cone shape.

Now cut a sharp V in the top of the pomp om, being careful not to cut the strings.

This will give you the basic heart shape, but will probably look very fluffy! Continue to trim, fluffing and turning the pompom regularly to refine the heart shape.

Attach your pompoms to your basket in between the handles and rounds 15 and 16.