Handy Hearts
A sweet way to keep The Story
scissors, needles & stitch markers handy
Handy Hearts were created out of my desire to find a special use for my handspun yarns and the need to keep my tools at hand. I find them to be quite useful. I hope you will enjoy them too! Save Ink! Print page 4 for knitting pattern only.
Permissions Warning: Simple knitted hearts may be safe for some children but decorations and tools make them a hazard. Please keep them safely out of reach. Copyrigbt 2015 Knitrwortby Podcast designed by Stoneybrooke Cottage. All rigbts reserved. You may make Handy Hearts for personal use or for sale in small quantities. Please do not sell or distribute tbe pattern. knitworthypodcast@gmail.com
Materials
YARN: Scraps of yarn in any weight. (If your scraps are short you can easily lengthen them by adding on a complementary yarn using the "Magic Knot" or a "Russian Join" methods.)
A modern take on a classic chatelaine, a charming marriage of form and function. The yarn and the needles you choose will determine how large your heart will be. I've included my results for reference
| Yarn | Needles | Yardage | Dimensions |
| Fingering | Size 1 US, 2.25mm | 6-8 yards | 1.75" h/w |
| Worsted | Size 4 US, 3.5mm | 8-12 yards | 2.75" h/w |
| Bulky | Size 9 US, 5.5mm | 12-20 yards | 4.75" h/w |
NEEDLES: Circular knitting needles of a suitable length for magic loop knitting and a suitable gauge to produce a dense fabric. HOOK: D-3 US, 3.25 mm hook and 2 yards of fingering weight yarn needed for scissor leash. · STUFFING: I used bits of washed wool feece that I had handy. Of course, you may stuff with any commercial stuffing or improvise with any suitable material including snippets of yarn you have saved. . TOOLS: Scissors, small and large eye needles. · EMBELLISHMENTS: Sock yarn (fingering) and a small button needed for the scissor leash. If you wish to embellish your heart, use scrap yarn, buttons, silk, fabric, or embroidery foss. Patterns for embellishing are not provided but examples are included for inspiration.
This is a Handy Heart I made for myself. My first one was made of good old acrylic!
Required Skills
· Knitting in the round using magic loop and Judy's Magic Cast On. To learn these skills visit http://knitpurlhunter.com/blog/?p=244 · K: Knit · KFB: Knit into the front leg of the stitch then without slipping the stitch off, also knit into the back leg of the stitch. Turns 1 stitch into 2! · K2tog: Knit 2 stitches together. Insert your right needle into the next 2 stitches knit-wise then knit them as 1 stitch Ch: Chain. Crochet. Make a slip knot to begin. With the slip knot on your hook \*pull working yarn through the loop. \* repeat till desired number of chains are created. · SL: Slip stitch. Crochet. With starting loop on your hook, insert hook through the top of the next chain and pull working yarn through both loops on your hook.
I can't resist flowers! If they aren't your favorite, how about embroidering a name or inspirational word on your heart.
Pattern
Hearts are knit from tbe top down, similar to tbe toe ofa sock. The shaping of tbe beart is added in tbe finishing. 1. CAST ON: Using Judy's Magic Cast On, cast 9 stitches onto 2 needles. Total 9/18 stitches. 2. Knit this round, then place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round. Total 9/18 stitches. 3.\*KFB, knit to last stitch, KFB\* repeat. Total 11/22 stitches. 4. Repeat rows 2&3 until you have a total of 15/30 stitches on your needles. 5. K 5 rounds straight stockinette. 6. \*K2tog, knit to last 2 stitches on the needle, then K2tog\* repeat. Total 13/26 stitches. 7. K 8. Repeat rounds 5&6 until you have a total of 9/18 stitches on your needles. 9. Stuff the body of your heart. I like mine to be firmly stuffed but not so stuffed that the stuffing shows through the stitches. 10. Continue decreasing using rounds 5&6 until you have 5/10 stitches on your needles. 11. Add one last bit of stuffing to the tip of heart. 12. Repeat row 5 and then cut at least a 24" long tail to finish with.
Just 2 or 3 simple embroidery stitches can add a lovely touch to handmade gifts.
Finishing Shaping the Heart
1. Close the bottom of the heart by running needle and thread through the live stitches twice and then cinch them tight.
Secure them by whip stitching through the tops of the stitches a couple of times. Do not cut tbe end yet! 2. Run the tail up through the inside and come out in the center of the straight stockinette portion of the heart.
3. Shape the heart by firmly whip stitching over the top and through the center 2-3 x's to make a dip into the cast on edge.
A few crocheted loops gathered at the bottom with a running stitch creates this bouquet of violets! 4. Secure the whip stitches by making several stitches though all layers. Place them on top of one another at the base of the whipstitches.
5. Stitch marker loop. Make a loop on the back with the remaining yarn, leaving the stitch loose then secure it as described in #4 above.
6. Bury the tail of your yarn in the stuffing and clip the ends.
Final Touches
This simple flower is just a knotted strip of chiffon fabric with the ends tucked behind it!
Scissor Leash
1.Crochet is easy. It's similar to knitting... pull the yarn through a loop. Use your crochet hook and fingering yarn. Place a slip knot on your hook. Then insert your hook through a few stitches on the top the left side of the heart.
2. Pull your yarn through the fabric (2 loops on hook) and then pull your yarn through both loops on your hook. This attaches the leash you will make, to the heart. 3. Now, continue adding chains until you have 5o chains in your leash. Add more or less to achieve the desired length. 4. Count back 6 chains from the stitch on your hook and make a slip stitch through the 7th stitch. This creates a a button hole. For a larger button, skip more chains. 5. Slip stitch along till you are back at the beginning. 6. Cut a long tail and pull it completely through the last loop on your hook. Put a needle on the tail and whip stitch the base of the leash to the heart. Finish by hiding the tail in the stuffing. 7. Sew your button about an inch down from the top of the leash then button it around your scissors.
Ideas
Embellish: Hearts are lovely as they are, knit in your favorite handspun, hand dyed yarn, or custom made magic cake.
This tiny heart was a gift to give a friend we met for coffee. Or decorate your heart to perfectly suit the recipient. · Don't stash Grandma's doilies, layer one on a heart and give it to family members for their Christmas tree. · Have a collection of special buttons, nestle one on the curve of the heart. Just a tiny scrap of fabric or silk can be knotted or gathered to make a sweet flower. · Embroider inspiring words like "joy, friend, or knit" . Add some bling with sequins or beads. Other Uses: Handy Hearts are perfect for keeping track of your finishing tools but they have other great uses.
This is Brianne's favorite Handy Heart. I think I know who will receive this one! · Gift Wrap Decoration · Swap partner or hostess gift · Tiny Tree Ornament for your office · Hang hearts from your dining room light to celebrate birthdays · Sewing kit: Fill a jar with spools of thread and a Handy Heart for a student heading off to college · Connect a few hearts for a sweet bunting. · Key Fob or Zipper Pull · Hat Embellishment · Tuck a heart in a lunch to brighten someone's day · Tuck it in with a gift card to express your love
Brianne & Mama Linda
Howdy!
The Knitworthy Podcast began, in the Spring of 2014, as wish #1 on Mama Linda's Bucket List. Now it's a favorite way we connect with an amazing community of fellow fiber enthusiasts. We are the lucky hosts of this fun and inspiring motherdaughter show. We are Mama Linda and Brianne. Join us most every week for this video podcast recorded from our home in the beautiful Ozarks of southwest Missouri, USA.
You will find our show on YouTube and iTunes. www.knitworthypodcast.com knitworthypodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and join our group on Ravelry! Mama Linda, aka Stoneybrooke, aka Stoneybrooke Cottage Brianne, aka BeingBrianne
