Wow, we’ve officially made it to year two of the Passion Project series! I know we’re already in the second month of the year, which means we’re onto our second Passion Project for 2025, but it just hit me—I’ve been doing this for over a year now. That’s so exciting!
Since February is Black History Month, I wanted to revisit a special project:
The Black History Month Heart.
This pattern was actually the second release in my Passion Project series last year, and it received so much love on Instagram. I thought it would be fun to bring it back!
It also ties in beautifully with the Afro Puff Doll Keychain tutorial I recently shared on YouTube. If you haven’t checked that one out yet, be sure to watch the video to get up to speed.
Honoring Madam C.J. Walker
Of course, I couldn’t celebrate Black History Month without taking a moment to honor the incredible individuals who paved the way for me to even have a space like this blog to freely express myself.
This month, I want to highlight the life and legacy of Madam C.J. Walker. Most people recognize Madam C.J. Walker for her groundbreaking contributions to Black hair care, but her impact extends far beyond that.
Born in 1867 on a Louisiana plantation, Walker’s early life was filled with hardships. After becoming a widowed single mother in 1887, she worked tirelessly to support herself and her daughter.
Struggling with hair loss, she discovered "The Great Wonderful Hair Grower," a product created by African American entrepreneur Annie Turnbo Malone. Walker eventually joined Malone’s network of Black saleswomen before launching her own line of Black hair care products and straighteners.
Through her business success, Walker became a trailblazer for economic empowerment, employing over 40,000 African American men and women. She also paid tuition for six Black students at Tuskegee Institute, actively fought against lynching, donated to the NAACP, and even ensured that two-thirds of her future net profits would continue supporting African American charities, individuals, and schools after her passing.
Her legacy as a self-made millionaire, activist, and philanthropist is truly inspiring. If you’d like to learn more about Madam C.J. Walker’s life and contributions, here’s a great resource to get started: Madam C.J. Walker.
I hope you enjoy this month’s Passion Project and take a moment to reflect on the powerful history behind it. Below is the Black History Heart pattern for this month with a YouTube tutorial to help you along the way. Happy crocheting!
Pattern
Heart Tip #1
Start with Black yarn
R1: MC, 6sc
R2: *inc*
R3: *1sc, inc*
R4-R6: I sc in each st (you should have 18 sts) Fasten off
Heat Tip #2
Repeat R1-R6 for Heart Tip #1 DO NOT FASTEN OFF
To join:
- Keep your hook in the last stitch of tip #2 and sc in the first st of Tip #1 after the FO, sc in the next 17 sts
- Keep your hook in the last stitch of tip#1 and sc in the last st of #2 after the join, sc in the next 17 sts
(you should have a total of 36 sts)
Heart Body
Switch to green yarn
R7: 1sc in each st
R8: *7 sc, dec*
R9: 1 sc in each st
R10: *6sc,dec*
Switch to yellow yarn
R11: 1 sc in each st
R12: *5sc, dec*
R13: 1 sc in each st
R14: *4sc, dec*
Switch to red yarn
R15: *3sc, dec*
R16: *2sc, dec *
R17: *1sc, dec*
R18: *dec*
All done! Now let me see! Tag us on Instagram @zumamiko. I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Remember to let your creativity take over. I decided to make mine a keychain and add it to my work bag. I want to see what you come up with.