How to Knit a Heart

Knitting doesn’t have to limit your creative projects to sweaters, scarves and booties. Step outside the box with a fun, unique pattern like this charming heart. You can make it small or large, wild, mild, striped or solid, add a bunch to an existing garment as appliqués, or hang it on the wall. Whatever you choose to do with yours, this heart is a versatile, quick and easy knitting project for any time of the year. This garter-stitch heart pattern is presented with the assumption that the user already has basic knitting skills. The heart shown is knit in worsted weight yarn on size six needles; using the suggested yarn and needle size produces a heart approximately five inches tall by four and a half inches wide. Changes for a larger heart are in parentheses. For a small heart, use smaller gauge yarn and needles.K1 = knit oneM1 = make oneS1K1 = slip one, knit onePSSO = pass slipped stitch overK2tog = knit two together

Things You'll Need

• 1 oz. Worsted weight yarn
• Size 6 knitting needles
• Stitch holder
• Scissors
• Darning needle

Instructions

1. 

   Make a half-hitch knot on one needle.

2. 

   Use two-tail method to cast on one stitch next to half-hitch, for a total of two stitches.

3. 

   K1, M1 by knitting into the stitch below the next stitch, K1 turn.

4. 

   K1, M1, knit to end, turn. Knit one row, turn. These three rows make up the pattern – repeat all three rows a total of 9 (12) times, until there are 20 (26) stitches.

5. 

   Divide stitches in half and place one set of stitches on an extra needle, a stitch-holder or thread a piece of yarn through them to hold them in place while you work with the other side.

6. K1, S1K1 PSSO, knit to last three stitches, K2tog, K1, turn. Knit across one row, turn. Repeat these two rows a total of 3 (5) times, ending up with 4 (3) stitches. Bind off remaining stitches. Cut yarn, leaving a tail of several inches.

7. Join yarn ball to stitches on stitch-holder. K1, S1K1 PSSO, knit to last three stitches, K2tog, K1, turn.

8. Knit across one row, turn. Repeat these two rows again, a total of 3 (5) times, ending up with 4 (3) stitches. Bind off remaining stitches. Cut yarn, leaving a tail of several inches. Weave in ends and trim excess.

Tips & Warnings

• Weave all ends to one side so that no ends are sticking out the front side.

• Make two hearts and sew together and stuff with fiberfill for a child’s gift or Valentine’s Day.

• Embellish your heart with buttons or ribbon.

Resources

• Joann Fabric and Crafts