My heart has been extremely heavy with a deep sadness watching Israel’s massacre of Palestinians in Gaza. Reading about historical genocides, I’ve always wondered how people allowed them to happen. Yet here we are watching a genocide take place in real-time (and, for the first time in history, being live telecast on social media) and not only is the world silent, but complicit. Where is our collective humanity?
As with anything, I find a lot of grounding through crochet. I was travelling for the last couple of weeks without my yarn and as soon as I got back, I had to crochet something in solidarity. So here is a pattern for a Palestine crochet flag heart. I’ve made it using DK yarn and it comes to approximately 3 inches tall. You can use a thinner yarn such as sports weight yarn for a smaller heart, or a thicker yarn (such as blanket yarn) for a larger heart. Please use it as you wish in solidarity. #freepalestine
We also have a small watermelon crochet doll, if you’re looking for other crochet projects for solidarity with Palestine. We have also put together a round up of patterns for Palestine solidarity by a number of very talented crochet designers.
If you prefer an ads-free version of the pattern, you can find it (for free!) in our Ravelry Store.
Want to save this pattern for later? Save this pin to your Pinterest board.
What is happening in Gaza?
I recognize that this is a crochet blog and that you aren’t here for the politics. However, there is a genocide happening now with the support of many governments and I can’t stay silent.
As of November 1, nearly 9000 Palestinians have been killed, including nearly 4000 children (and this doesn’t include those under the rubble who are still missing since there are no bulldozers to clear the rubble). Israel has cut off access to food, water, electricity, and fuel to Gaza. Israel has targeted crowded refugee camps, hospitals, schools, journalists, and places of worship (mosques and churches) in Gaza where the population is trapped and cannot leave, and nearly half are children. This is not “self-defence,” it’s genocide. Entire families have been wiped out, from babies to grandparents – just think about that for a minute. Civilians are being purposefully targeted which is a war crime. Both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have confirmed the use of white phosphorous, which is a horrendous chemical weapon, in this crowded space, which is also a war crime (look up white phosphorous and you will understand why!).
One thing we often hear about the conflict is that “it’s complicated.” There’s nothing complicated about civilians – especially children – being killed with impunity by one of the largest militaries in the world. When we accept that, we have lost a grip on our humanity. How can people justify the killing of children? It is never okay! Would we be okay if a government said that a terrorist was living in our apartment block or neighbourhood and then bombed it to oblivion under the guise of self-defence? Of course we wouldn’t. And then it can’t be okay for it to happen to anyone else.
If you would like to find out more about what is happening, follow some of these incredible journalists on the ground, documenting their everyday reality (trigger warning: these are very difficult to watch): Motaz Azaiza, Belal Khaled, and Hind Khoudary.
Jewish Voices for Peace (a wonderful organization!) has a number of letters and calls for actions that you can participate in if you are in the US.
Palestine Crochet Flag Heart Free Pattern
Please feel free to use this pattern as widely as you can to raise awareness and show solidarity for Palestine. #freepalestine
Materials
- Yarn: You need a very small amount of DK yarn in black, white, green, and red
- 2.75 mm crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Polyfill stuffing
Abbreviations
This pattern is written in US terms and crocheted in continuous rounds unless specified otherwise.
SC: single crochet
INC: two SC in the same stitch
DEC: decrease
INV DEC: invisible decrease
Finished size: Approximately 3 inches tall
How to Crochet a Palestinian Flag Heart
Heart
Stuff as you go
Using black
Round 1: 6 SC into a magic circle (6)
Round 2: INC around (12)
Round 3: (SC, INC) six times (18)
Round 4-5 (2 rounds): 18 SC (18)
Fasten off for the first bump of the heart. Leave a long tail for sewing to sew the hole between the two bumps when joining.
Repeat rounds 1-5 for the second bump but don’t fasten off.
Now will join the two bumps together.
Round 6: SC into the first unworked stitch of the first bump. SC in the remaining 17 stitches of the first bump and the 18 stitches of the second bump. (36)
Round 7: SC around (36)
Change to white
Round 8: (4 SC, INV DEC) six times (30)
Round 9: SC around (30)
Round 10: (3 SC, INV DEC) six times (24)
Round 11: SC around (24)
Change to green
Round 12: (2 SC, INV DEC) six times (18)
Round 13: SC around (18)
Round 14: (SC, INV DEC) six times (12)
Round 15: SC around (12)
Round 16: INV DEC six times (6)
Fasten off and leave a tail. Insert the needle in front loop of each stitch and pull tight to close. Wave in the ends.
Diamond
Using red
Note: This diamond will be worked in rows. The chain 1 at the start of each row does not count as a stitch.
Row 1: Chain 2. Starting from the second chain from your hook, 1 SC. Chain 1 and turn. (1)
Row 2: INC. Chain 1 and turn. (2)
Row 3: SC, INC. Chain 1 and turn. (3)
Row 4: 2 SC, INC. Chain 1 and turn. (4)
Row 5: 3 SC, INC. Chain 1 and turn. (5)
Row 6: 4 SC, INC. Chain 1 and turn. (6)
Row 7: 5 SC, INC. Chain 1 and turn. (7)
Row 8-10 (3 rows): 7 SC. Chain 1 and turn. (7)
Row 11: 5 SC, DEC. Chain 1 and turn. (6)
Row 12: 4 SC, DEC. Chain 1 and turn. (5)
Row 13: 3 SC, DEC. Chain 1 and turn. (4)
Row 14: 2 SC, DEC. Chain 1 and turn. (3)
Row 15: SC, DEC. Chain 1 and urn. (2)
Row 16: DEC. Chain 1 and turn. (1)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Fold the diamond on the side of your heart, so that there is a triangle of red on the side, like the Palestinian flag.
Your Palestinian crochet flag heart is now complete! You can add a keychain or use it as it is.
