Lightweight, lovely, and perfect for keys, bags, or a sweet necklace. This crocheted heart uses 10/0 PRECIOSA rocailles worked into two slim tubes that join and curve into a heart. We keep bead sizes in metric/aught; all lengths appear in metric + inches for easy reading.
Materials & Tools
- PRECIOSA Rocailles 10/0 — PermaLux (10SB993-PLMR Light Pink shown)
-
Crochet yarn (smooth cotton)
- Stringing length: about 1.5 m (≈59 in) with a comfortable working lead kept between beads and hook.
- Leave starting/ending tails of 15–20 cm (6–8 in) for weaving in.
- Stringing needle
- Hook: 1.0–1.25 mm crochet hook
- Nylon line for finishing & center bead — cut 30–40 cm (12–16 in)
- Decorative bead 6 mm (center)
- Findings (optional): split ring/jump ring, lobster, tassel, charms
Difficulty: ●●○ Technique: bead crochet Time: ~1–2 hours
Step‑by‑Step (Overview)
- String & start. Pre‑string 10/0 beads on about 1.5 m (≈59 in) of crochet yarn (see page 2, fig. 1a). Make a basic loop and then 2 chain loops without beads. Crochet a short column of 4 loops with beads and join to the first chain to form a small circle (fig. 1b–1e).
- Grow the tube. Add two short columns to each loop from the previous round so the ring totals 8 beads (fig. 2a–2b). Crochet ~34 rows to a tube length of 5.5–6.0 cm (≈2.17–2.36 in) (fig. 2c). Work 3 loops without beads (fig. 2d) and then 5 loops with beads (fig. 2e); cut the thread. Make a second identical tube (fig. 2f).
- Join the tubes. With the thread left in one tube, insert the hook into the first of the three empty loops, catch an empty loop of the second tube, and slip‑stitch them together. Repeat for the remaining two loops to connect the hearts at the top (page 2, fig. 3a–3c).
- Shape the heart. Crochet short columns with beads along the outer edges: first 5 loops on one side, then 5 loops on the other (total 10). Repeat a row of 10 beads. Next decrease for the curve: work a row of 9, then 8, and continue decreasing until the last 4 beads (page 3, fig. 4a–4g). Sew in any remaining tails.
- Secure ends. Form a small spiral on each tube end and stitch in the thread neatly so it disappears inside (fig. 5a–5d).
- Finish & hang. Using 30–40 cm (12–16 in) of nylon line, sew a 6 mm bead between the inner points of the tubes, add a ring for hanging, and optionally decorate with extra beads or a tassel (fig. 6a–6d).
Variations
- Color play: all‑red classic, pale pink, or mixed PermaLux brights.
- Key‑ring charm: attach to a split ring with a tassel and a couple of pressed‑glass drops.
- Necklace pendant: hang from a satin cord cut to 45–55 cm (18–22 in) with end caps.
Design credit: Preciosa Ornela / Alexandra Lysenko. Instructions adapted and paraphrased for clarity for the Shipwreck Beads blog. Photo steps, tube counts, and measurements referenced from the source sheet.
