Valentine's Worry Worm Crochet Pattern
Emoji Heart Worry Worm

The more I read about people's reactions to making or finding worry worms, the more inspired I am to create all kinds of Worry Worm designs (sometimes called wiggly worms) that crocheters can use for different occasions.

Crochet worry worms became a real hit when a FB Group called "Random Acts of Crochet Kindness" came up with the idea to distribute these simple crochet worry worms with a poem packaged in a small see-through plastic baggie or organza bag anywhere you can think of... in the woods, playground, nursing home, school, camping area... wherever. 

These cute crochet worry worms are meant to put a smile on whoever finds them and comfort them in times of sorrow or stress.

The idea of these worry worms is to go out of one's way to make another person smile. It builds a sense of community in kind acts, and attempts to make the world a bit lighter and brighter!

The best thing about these crochet worry worms is that they are super easy and fast to whip up, which make them ideal projects for beginner crocheters.

Not only will you feel accomplished when you've created a few of these, you'll also feel great about yourself when you actually go out and hide them around your neighbourhood for people to find them and brighten up their day 🙂

Want To Know More About Worry Worms?

So many people have asked me what all the hype is about crochet worry worms.  I figured it would be helpful to do some research and answer some questions related to these squiggly little crochet critters. You can have a look at this post to know more.

In a previous post, I showed you how to crochet simple worry worms. Then I started adapting them to various occasions and designed the Pumpkin Worry Worm for Fall & Halloween, the Elf Worry Worm for Christmas, the Bee Worry Worm for Spring, and the Bunny Worry Worm for Easter.

Today, I'll show you how to crochet a Valentine's themed worry worm that you can give to loved ones or sprinkle around your town to spread some cheer 🙂

Interesting Note: Did you know that the technique used to crochet curly surfaces is called hyperbolic crochet? When I discovered this was actually a mathematical term for "negative curvature", I was really intrigued! 

Think of the types of curvature you see in coral reefs or lettuce leaves. These organic shapes can be replicated in crochet by adding stitches at a constant rate to each row of crochet. The more frequently you add stitches, the curlier (and more negatively curved) your crochet project gets.  Isn't that awesome?! You can watch a video about hyperbolic crochet here.

Now let's experiment with hyperbolic crochet with our Valentine's worry worm pattern...

You can also download some Printable Valentine's Worry Worm Tags to add to your Valentine's Worry Worms.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the Start Crochet links. Please see my disclosure for more details.

What You’ll Learn

• How to crochet a worry worm's head using the MC (Magic Circle) technique
• How to crochet a 3-D continuous spiral using (dc) double crochet stitches.
• How to crochet the tiniest little hearts to add to your emoji worry worm.
• How to attach an appliqué to your crochet project.
• How to package your crochet worry worm for distribution.

Materials Needed

Yarn:

•  Lily Sugar 'n Cream in yellow. 
• Some DK yarn in red. I used Red Wine from Paintbox Yarns Simply DK.

• 2 Crochet hooks  
  • For the worry worm head & body I used a 4.5 mm hook.
  • For the worry worm hearts I used a 2.5 mm hook.
• A tapestry needle
• A pair of scissors
  
• Plastic or organza baggies
• Printer & A4 paper or cardstock to print your tags.

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• mc = magic circle
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• fo = fasten off

Skill Level

Advanced Beginner - (knowledge of how to crochet a Magic Circle or alternative.

Measurements/Size

This worry worm measures about 17 cm (6.7 inches) in length.

Yardage

Yardage = 15 m (16.4 yards)

Gauge

12 sc and 12 rows = 10 cm with a 4.5 mm crochet hook

Gauge is not really that crucial for this tutorial. Just try experimenting with different hook sizes & different weight yarns to get a gauge you are happy with for the project you are working on.

If your worry worm looks smaller than you anticipated, try a thicker weight yarn or a smaller size crochet hook.

If you want your worry worm to be longer, just increase the number of stitches in your beginning (body) chain.

Notes

- You can use any type of yarn as long as you have a corresponding crochet hook size (check yarn label for recommendations).

- There are 2 main methods to crochet worry worms:

        1. From the bottom up - meaning you start from the tail end

        2. From the top down - meaning you start with the head.

- I personally prefer the second method (starting with the head), because you get a better finish to your worry worm and the head sits straight on the body. It does require you to know how to crochet a Magic Circle. 

If you don't know how to crochet a Magic Circle, you can either try to figure it out with these video tutorials, or you could just crochet 3 chains (ch), join the last stitch to the first stitch with a slip stitch (sl st) and crochet your 12 dc (double crochet) stitches into the little gap/ring you just created.

- You can make the pattern larger or smaller by changing the type of yarn and/or hook.

- Numbers at the end of each step (in brackets) indicate the number of final stitches in that step. 

- Please note that I use US crochet terms. 

Stitch How-To Instructions

Instructions for Ch (Chain):
Bring the yarn over the crochet hook from back to front and hook it. Draw hooked yarn through the loop of the stitch on your hook and up onto the working area of your hook.

Instructions for sc (Single Crochet):
Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (you now have two loops on hook), yarn over again and pull through both loops on hook (note: this is equivalent to the UK Double Crochet (dc) stitch).

Instructions for dc (Double Crochet):
Yarn over first, then insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (you now have three loops on hook), Pull your working yarn over again and pull through two loops on hook . You now have 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through the last two loops on your hook. You are left with only one loop on your hooks, which means you've completed your dc stitch. (note: this is equivalent to the UK Trebble Crochet (tc) stitch)

Instructions for Sl St (Slip Stitch): Insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through your last stitch AND through the loop on your hook (through both stitches).

Instructions for Fastening Off: After the last stitch of the last round, cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch end. Draw the cut end of your yarn completely through the stitch & pull to tighten knot.

Here you can get more clarity on how to crochet a flat circle with a single crochet stitch.

YOUR GIFT! CROCHET PROJECT TRACKER

Here's a little gift for you!

We all have so many WIPS (Works in Progress) lying around, don't we?!!

Let's keep track of all those projects so we don't forget which hook size or yarn color we used!

Print as many as you like and keep them in your crochet binder.

Crochet Worry Worm PDF Download
(Pattern & Poem Tags)

If you'd like to get a PDF Downloadable version of the Crochet Worry Worm Pattern & Poems, you can get instant access to these for home printing for a small fee.

1. Valentine's Worry Worm Pattern (PDF Printable)

2. Valentine's Worry Worm Poem Tags (PDF File)

3. Valentine's Worry Worm Poem Tags (Editable File)

Valentine's Worry Worm Crochet Pattern (Photo Tutorial)

• Start off by tying a slip knot, then Ch 3. (3)

• Join to first stitch with slip stitch to form a circle.

• Optional alternative: You could also try the Magic Circle for a tight & closed center.

Round 1:

• Ch 1, then continue to work 6 sc stitches into the circle you just created. (6)

• Join with a sl st to top of first sc of this round to close your circle.

Round 2:

• Ch 2, then work 2 dc into each stitch around. (12)

• Sl st into the first dc to join.

This sl st will complete your worry worm's head.

• Pull tail end of your yarn tight to close the center of your circle so you don't see a big hole in the middle. 

Note: If you started with a MC, make sure you pull the tail nice & tight to give your worm's head a neat finish (closed center). 

If you started with a ch 3 ring, you may have a small gap in the middle of your circle, which you can sew closed with a tapestry/darning needle when you finish crocheting your worry worm.

Row 1:

• Ch 31  - this will be the center of your worry worm 's body. (31)

Row 2:

• In the 2nd chain from the hook place 3 dc in each ch stitch all the way back up to the worm's head. (90)
  Note: If you are working with thin yarn, then place 4 dc in each chain along the body. (120)

Note: You will find that the body of your worm will start to curl up naturally as you progress with your work.

• Once you've reached the top of your worm (nearest to its head), sl st into the same stitch from where you started your chain.

• If you feel your worry worm didn't curl up properly, and looks something like the photo below, don't worry!
  Simply run your finger along the curls to place them in the correct position.
  Give each curl a little twist and they'll all fall into place perfectly!
• Leaving a 4" tail, cut your yarn, fasten off and weave in ends. If your center circle is not tight enough, then sew it closed with your tapestry/darning needle as you're weaving in your yarn tail.

• Crochet another heart if you're going to make heart eyes, or crochet another 2 hears if you'll make the love emoji. 

Attaching Hearts To Worry Worm's Face

• With a yarn needle, sew your hearts onto your Worry Worm's face. Either as 2 eyes, or if you made 3, then attach as heart emoji (2 on one side and 1 on the other). 

Hiding Stitches

• If you'd like to hide your stitches at the back of your work, you have 2 options:
  • Either you carefully stitch into the front loops only of the worry worm's face,
  • Or you crochet another circle for the face, attach it to the back of the worry worm's head and stuff it a little with stuffing or leftover yarn snippets.

• Now you can place your worry worms into a plastic baggies or organza bags and distribute them. Check how to assemble your project below.

Assemble Your Project

1. Download your Valentine's Worry Worm Poems (Tags).
2. Print out the Worry Worm Poems or Tags on card stock or paper.
3. Cut Out the poems/tags along the lines
4. Package your poem/tags & crocheted worry worms in plastic or organza baggies
5. Your crochet worry worms are all set for gifting or distribution 🙂

Themed Worry Worm for Fall or Halloween

How about a seasonal Worry Worm perfect for the Fall or Halloween? Try out this Pumpkin Worry Worm Pattern!

Themed Worry Worm for Christmas

And how about Christmas? Try out this Elf Worry Worm Pattern!

Basic Worry Worm Crochet Pattern (Infographic)

I hope you enjoyed this Crochet Worry Worm tutorial. All you need to do now is practice and you'll get the hang of it pretty quick!

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and...

Happy crocheting!