Make any number of gifts with this versatile knit heart pattern. It uses the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and simple increases and decreases. It’s a great beginning knitter’s project, as well as a fabulous teaching tool.
Pattern
Cast on 3 stitches.
Row 1: Purl.
Row 2 (Right Side (RS)): Increase (inc) 1, knit to end, inc in last stitch. 5 stitches made. Continue, increasing 2 stitches at the beginning and end of each RS until 25 stitches are on needle.
Row 23 (Wrong Side (WS)): Purl.
Row 24: Knit.
Row 25: Purl.
Row 26: Knit.
Row 27: Purl
Row 28 (RS): K2togbl (knit two together through the back loop,) knit to end, K2tog at last stitch. 23 stitches.
Row 29: Purl.
Row 30: K2tog through back loop, knit to end, K2tog at last stitch. 21 stitches.
Row 31: Purl 9, p2tog, p10. 20 stitches.
Row 32: K2togbl, k8, turn and work on these 9 stitches only. Put remaining stitches on a stitch holder.
Row 33: P2tog, p7. 8 stitches.
Row 34: K2togbl, k4, k2tog. 6 stitches.
Row 35: P2tog, p4. 5 stitches.
Row 36: K2togbl, k3. 4 stitches.
Row 37: Bind off remaining 4 stitches.
Now, work on the other half of the top of the heart. With the right side facing the knitter, rejoin yarn to the work and to the remaining 10 stitches.
Row 1: K8, k2tog. 9 stitches.
Row 2: P7, p2tog. 8 stitches.
Row 3: K2togbl, k4, k2tog. 6 stitches.
Row 4: P4, p2tog. 5 stitches.
Row 5: K3, k2tog. 4 stitches.
Row 6: Bind off remaining 4 stitches.
Finishing
The finished product will most likely need a bit of blocking in order to achieve the perfect heart shape.
More Ideas
Make two and stitch them together to make a pillow. Add cherry stones to turn the pillow into a cold compress, or sew in some polystyrene balls to make a mini-bean bag.
Make two small hearts, add a sachet, and sew it up to make a very special gift.
Make a few and add them to a store-bought dress for a little girl that would appreciate it. It’s surprising what a transformation a touch of craft makes an item a work of art.
Try different yarns and hooks for a completely original design. Anyone would love this stitched gift for Valentine’s Day; it says, “I like you!” any way it is used.
Renee Blixt - Renée Blixt holds an MBA and MHRM, and is a member of various yarn Guilds. She teaches business courses, crochet, knitting, and ...
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