Looking for a sweet, beginner-friendly Valentine’s Day craft project? These Valentine gift pockets are little heart-shaped pouches that work as the cutest delivery for a Valentine’s note, a piece of candy, a small gift, or a sweet surprise for a child. Best part: I’ve written this free pattern in both knit AND crochet, so you can pick whichever craft you prefer (or make both).

The hearts are simple shapes worked flat in panels of two, then assembled into a little pocket. What makes them special is the accessorizing — googly eyes, embroidered smiles, optional bowties, top hats, and tiny running legs turn each heart into a sweet little character. Personalize them for whoever you’re gifting to. Let’s get into the pattern.

Why You’ll Love These Valentine Gift Pockets

• Choose your craft — full free patterns for both knit and crochet
• Beginner-friendly — only basic stitches required
• Quick to make — a single pocket comes together in about 90 minutes
• Personalize-able — googly eyes, embroidery, bowties, hats let you make each one unique
• Functional — they’re real pockets, perfect for hiding candy, notes, or small gifts
• Stash-busting — uses small amounts of worsted weight yarn

Pattern Details

• Skill level: Beginner-friendly (both knit and crochet versions)
• Finished size: Approx. 4 inches wide by 3 inches tall
• Gauge — Knit: 4 inches = 18 stitches & 24 rows on size US 8 needles
• Gauge — Crochet: 13 single crochet & 14 rows with US H8 hook

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) — try Red Heart Super Saver in red, pink, and white (I used Joann’s Big Twist Value Yarn in Bubble Gum, Deep Red, and White)
• 5.5mm crochet hook (US I/9)
• Knitting needles 5.5mm (US 9)
• Googly eyes — small adhesive or sew-on eyes
• Black and white worsted yarn for facial embroidery — small amounts of Red Heart Super Saver in Black and White work well
• Tapestry needle for assembly and embroidery
• Scissors

Abbreviations

Crochet

• st/sts — stitch/stitches
• sp — space
• rnd — round
• ch — chain
• sc — single crochet
• hdc — half double crochet
• dc — double crochet
• tr — treble crochet
• sl st — slip stitch

Knit

• K — knit
• P — purl
• K2tog — knit 2 together
• P2tog — purl 2 together
• M1 — make 1 (increase)
• st(s) — stitch(es)

Before You Start

• If making pockets: work up 2 hearts per pocket (front + back)
• If using as embellishment: just 1 heart needed

Crochet Heart Pattern

To start: Ch 3, join with a sl st to the first ch. Loop created.

Rnd 1: Ch 2. Into the loop, 3 tr, 4 dc, tr, 4 dc, 3 tr. Ch 2, and sl st into the loop.

Rnd 2: Continue working in rounds. Sc in ch-2 sp, (2 hdc and 1 dc) in next st, 3 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, (dc, tr, dc) in next st, dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st, 3 dc in next st, (1 dc and 2 hdc) in next st, sc in ch-2 sp, sl st in sl st from the previous rnd.

Rnd 3: Sc in first 2 sts. 2 hdc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st, (2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st) two times, dc in next 5 sts, (dc, tr, dc) in next st, dc in next 6 sts, (1 dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st) two times, 1 dc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st, sc in next 2 sts, sl st in sl st from previous rnd. Bind off.

Knit Heart Pattern

Cast on 3 stitches.

Row 1: Purl.

Row 2: K1, M1, K1, M1, K1 (5 sts)

Row 3 and every odd row: Purl.

Row 4: K1, M1, K3, M1, K1 (7 sts)

Row 6: K1, M1, K5, M1, K1 (9 sts)

Row 8: K1, M1, K7, M1, K1 (11 sts)

Row 10: K1, M1, K9, M1, K1 (13 sts)

Row 12: K1, M1, K11, M1, K1 (15 sts)

Row 14: K1, M1, K13, M1, K1 (17 sts)

Row 16: K1, M1, K15, M1, K1 (19 sts)

Row 18: K9, turn — leave the remaining 10 sts on a stitch holder.

Row 19: P7, p2tog (8 sts)

Row 20: K2tog, K4, K2tog (6 sts)

Row 21: P4, p2tog (5 sts)

Row 22: K2tog, K1, K2tog (3 sts)

Row 23: P2tog, P1.

Row 24: Cast off.

Complete the other side — return to the 10 sts on the stitch holder:

Row 1: K2tog, K8 (9 sts)

Row 2: P2tog, P7 (8 sts)

Row 3: K2tog, K4, K2tog (6 sts)

Row 4: P2tog, P4 (5 sts)

Row 5: K2tog, K1, K2tog (3 sts)

Row 6: P2tog, P1 (2 sts)

Row 7: Cast off.

Assembly Into a Pocket

The cleanest way to assemble these is to single crochet the two heart panels together. This method provides a finishing edge that favours the “right side” of the pocket. (The photos below show this method for both the knit and crochet versions.)

To do this: with right side facing, start at the center of the top-left side of the heart. Single crochet evenly along the edge to the center of the right side, leaving an open pocket along the top. Bind off and weave in ends.

If you’re knitting and prefer not to crochet the seam, you can simply sew the two panels together — just leave the opening at the top in the same spot.

Accessorizing the Pockets

These pockets come to life with the googly eyes and embroidery — that’s where the personality is. Add eyebrows or eyelashes to add personality, play with the placement and shape of the mouth for playfulness, or change up the edging color for some contrast. Below are some optional accessories you can add to take them further.

Crochet Running Legs

With black yarn: Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook to end. Continue to sc past the end to add length to the legs — I added an additional 7 ch and attached them to each side of the crochet heart.

Crochet Bowtie

With black yarn: Ch 5.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook to end, ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Sc in each sc to end, ch 1, turn.

Repeat Row 2 seven more times. Bind off.

Pinch the bowtie in the middle and tie off with yarn — use this to attach to the bottom of a heart.

Knit Bowtie

With black yarn: Cast on 5.

Row 1: Knit across.

Repeat Row 1 eight more times. Bind off.

Pinch the bowtie in the middle and tie off with yarn — use this to attach to the bottom of a heart.

Crochet Top Hat (Worked in Rounds)

With black yarn: Ch 4, join with a sl st to create a loop.

Rnd 1: 6 sc within loop.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc)

Rnd 3: Sc BLO (back loop only) around (12 sc)

Rnd 4-6: Sc around (12 sc)

Rnd 7: 2 sc in each sc around (24 sc)

Rnd 8: Sc in each sc around. Bind off (24 sc).

Ways to Use Valentine Gift Pockets

• Hold a love note for your spouse, parent, or friend
• Tuck a chocolate or piece of candy inside for a sweet surprise
• Use as classroom Valentines — make a batch for your child’s class
• Hide a small gift card inside for a thoughtful presentation
• String them as a garland for a sweet mantel display
• Use as a treat bag for a kids’ Valentine party

More Valentine’s Day Crochet & Knit Patterns

• Browse all Crochet Valentine’s Day patterns
• Browse all Knit Valentine’s Day patterns

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I make these in knit or crochet?

Either works beautifully — pick whichever craft you’re more comfortable with. The crochet version works in the round and creates a slightly firmer fabric. The knit version is worked flat in rows and has a softer hand-feel. If you crochet, the assembly step is also simpler since you can just single crochet the seam.

Can I use a different yarn weight?

Yes. The pattern uses worsted weight (#4), but DK weight will make smaller, more delicate pockets and bulky weight will make larger, chunkier ones. Just match your hook or needle size to the yarn weight, and expect the finished size to vary.

Are these safe for kids to use?

The pockets themselves are safe, but the googly eyes can be a choking hazard for children under 3. For younger kids, embroider the eyes directly with yarn instead of using adhesive googly eyes.

How long does one pocket take to make?

About 90 minutes per pocket, including the two heart panels, assembly, and adding eyes and embroidery. Add another 30 minutes if you’re making a bowtie or top hat accessory.

How many can I make from one skein of yarn?

Each pocket uses about 20-25 yards of yarn, so a standard worsted weight skein (around 200-300 yards) will make 8-12 pockets — perfect for classroom Valentines or a batch of gifts.