And while outside the air fills with hearts, last-minute invites and what are we doing for Valentine’s Day?, we decided to get ahead of it. Because yes, love is in the air… but also in the yarn basket. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: the most elegant gesture isn’t the loudest one, it’s the most personal.

So get comfy: in this article we’re taking you into our Valentine’s Day crochet projects. Three tutorials, three moods, zero clichés. Ready to get noticed even without stopping by the shop window? Kisses (and yarn) to you all.

You don’t need the usual heart in the window—just a ball of yarn and the right idea. For lovers’ day, we’re bringing you inside our handmade projects by TESSILAND CREW, with 3 tutorials designed to move you without getting sappy.

Have you ever reached Valentine’s Day with two opposite feelings? On one side, the romantic idea—the urge to make a sweet gesture. On the other, the annoyance of the pressure to buy something no matter what, preferably fast, preferably the same as everyone else’s. Well: this year we decided to sit right in the middle. With one simple rule: the gift (or the self-gift) has to say something, not just cost something.

So yes: Valentine’s Day, but without mandatory clichés. We chose three projects that tell three different ways of loving: the tender gesture, the cozy gesture, the playful gesture. And above all: they’re projects you can actually make—no “save and forget” ideas. Plus, each proposal comes with selected tutorials, so the step from I like it, I’ll make it, becomes seamless.

Why Valentine’s Day crochet works so well in 2026.

Valentine’s Day today isn’t just the classic couple anymore. It’s also friendship, family, self-love, small personal rituals. It’s the romantic dinner, but it’s also a night on the couch with a movie and the desire to feel good. It’s also the idea of making something with your own hands, in a time of year when we all need warmth (real and symbolic).

Crochet is perfect here because it brings together three things that matter a lot in this season:

-comfort (soft materials, items to wear or keep close)

-personalization (colors, details, sizes, messages)

-memory (a handmade gift stays—it doesn’t disappear the next day)

And there’s an interesting cultural angle: crochet—especially among younger people—is also a statement of identity. Not necessarily old-fashioned: often it’s pop, ironic, contemporary. The heart isn’t only romantic: it’s a graphic symbol, a pattern, a recognizable sign.

Our Valentine’s Day mini-collection.

1) Pino the penguin: the amigurumi that melts hearts without being cheesy

Let’s start with him: Pino the penguin, the perfect amigurumi if you want a gift that genuinely makes someone smile. The great thing about amigurumi is that they look simple, but they actually carry huge emotional power: they’re objects you hold in your hands, place on your desk, photograph, and they become a little companion.

Why does it work for Valentine’s Day? Because it shifts romance from the grand gesture to the small affection. And because a penguin is a character: it’s not the usual heart, it’s a presence. It’s the kind of gift you can give your partner, but also a friend, a child, or yourself. And the message is clear: I thought of you in a specific way, not a generic one.

To make it, Amelia used:

MATERIALS USED:

• Avril chenille yarn in grey
• Avril chenille yarn in cream 
• Avril chenille yarn in red 
• Black yarn for details
• Crochet hook size 5
• Stuffing
• Safety eyes
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers 
• KIT

Want to know how to make it? Here’s the tutorial:

2) Nina the little scarf, a granny project with heart squares.

The second project is what we like to call romantic: Nina the little scarf made with heart squares. Because the heart is there, you can see it, but it isn’t sugary. And most importantly, a scarf makes sense right now: February is cold, the transition to spring is long, and a warm accessory is a gift that won’t end up in a drawer.

The strong point of the squares is that they express a very specific aesthetic: that mix of traditional handmade and contemporary trend that’s also getting lots of love on social media. Squares also speak to beginners because they’re visual: one after another they build a design. And let’s be honest: a square scarf is also a smart way to spread the work over time. You don’t have to do everything in one session—you can create a rhythm, a routine.

You make the squares, join them, and choose the final length. Want a more fashion-forward look? Bold contrasts. Want a softer mood? Dusty, romantic shades. It’s a project that adapts to everyone just by changing the palette.

To make it, you’ll only need 3 balls of Edith and a size 5 crochet hook.

• wool blend wool blend wool blend
• crochet hook

For the super easy instructions:

3) Bisù heart-shaped earmuffs, the cutest trend on the web.

Third tutorial: Bisù heart-shaped earmuffs. Yes, they’re adorable. But above all, they’re smart. Because earmuffs are the accessory that always comes back when it’s cold, but in recent years they’ve also become a style statement. You put them on and you instantly look like a fashion girl—even with a basic coat and hair pulled up in two minutes.

The heart version is perfect for Valentine’s Day because it combines symbol and practicality: it’s not an item that says love only that day, it’s an accessory you can wear all February (and often even March, depending on where you live). It’s the kind of project that younger people love because it’s photogenic, pop, recognizable. And older ones love because it’s warm and practical.

It all comes down to two elements: structure (it has to stay comfy and stable) and finishing (edging, clean seams, optional stuffing). Here too you can personalize: solid heart, openwork heart, two-tone. Result: an accessory that looks boutique-bought, but with a stronger identity.

To make it, you can also dig into leftover yarn from previous projects—here’s what we used:

1 ball of Avril Red and 1 ball of Arrogante Bluette, worked with a 5–7 mm crochet hook and a bit of stuffing.

• chenille arrogante stuffing
• crochet hook crochet hook

Here’s the video I made for you:

Quick selection guide: which tutorial is right for you?

If you want to decide fast without getting lost in your saved posts, here are some practical tips:

• Want an emotional, sweet gift to keep close? Pino the penguin.
• Want a fashion project—useful and ready to wear right away? Nina the little scarf.
• Want a trendy accessory—quick and super photogenic? Bisù earmuffs.

And if the question is: but I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day? Perfect—you can make them for yourself, because there’s nothing more beautiful than self-love.

Valentine’s Day is even better when it’s celebrated with a handmade thought.

In the end, the point isn’t doing the perfect thing for Valentine’s Day—it’s doing something from the heart: a project that represents you, that gets used, that lasts. An amigurumi that becomes a companion, a scarf that truly keeps you warm, earmuffs that turn a cold afternoon into a look worth remembering. And in a period when everything feels fast and replicable, taking the time to create is almost a style statement.

In the three tutorials you’ll find the practical steps and the materials you need, with the products used linking directly to the shop: the idea is to make the whole journey simple, from inspiration to finished project, without hunting for a missing piece.

Now it’s your turn: which of these three projects feels most like you for Valentine’s Day 2026?

Rosaria Tessiland®