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I made this little Valentine heart knitting pattern as a challenge to myself to see if I could knit a heart in the round. It’s actually really easy to do and a pretty fast project to do with a bit of leftover yarn.
I ended up making three of them, each a little different based on the increase used at the bottom. They all came out slightly different sizes, which just goes to show that gauge is a thing.
What You’ll Need
- set of 4 or 5 size 6 US (4mm) double-pointed knitting needles (I used needles as stitch holders so I needed 5)
- about 20 yards of worsted weight yarn of your choice (the gold one is Lion Brand Wool-Ease, the pink one is Red Heart Heat Wave, which has been discontinued, and the magenta is some unknown yarn from my stash I’ve been trying to use
- one or several stitch markers
- yarn needle
- stuffing (I used yarn scraps and fabric trimmings)
Gauge isn’t critical you just want to make sure your fabric is firm enough that the stuffing can’t be seen or fall through the stitches.
Finished size will vary a little depending on your yarn choice and gauge. Mine range from about 3.5 inches wide and 3 inches tall to 4 inches wide and 4 inches tall.
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Valentine Heart Knitting Pattern
The way I worked this pattern I had stitches on two needles and knit with a third. I know that’s kind of awkward, so if you want to distribute the stitches onto more needles feel free, just make sure to mark where the “edges” of the heart will be (beginning of round and after half the stitches) so you put your shaping in the right place.
Increases are worked at each end of each needle, every other round until the desired width is reached. More on that below but you can use any increase you like.
Cast on 6 stitches. Divide onto two or more needles and join for working the round, being careful not to twist stitches.
Knit in the front and back, knit 1, knit in the front and back. Repeat on second side.
Knit 1 round.
Knit in the front and back, knit to last stitch on this side, knit in the front and back. Repeat on second side.
Knit 1 round.
Repeat these 2 rounds until you have 19 stitches on each side.
Next round, knit 10, knit in the front and back, knit to end. Repeat on other side. 20 stitches per side, 40 stitches total.
Work 4 rounds straight.
Slip, slip knit, knit to last 2 stitches on side, knit 2 together. Repeat on other side.
Knit 9. Leave hanging on needle or slip onto a stitch holder or spare piece of yarn. Knit the remaining 9 stitches from the front and 9 stitches from the back, leaving the other 9 stitches on their needle or slip onto a stitch holder. Work just these 18 stitches.
Slip, slip knit, knit to last 2 stitches on side, knit 2 together. Repeat on other side.
Knit 1 round.
Repeat these 2 rounds until 3 stitches remain.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Graft the top closed.
Put remaining stitches back on needles if needed. Join yarn at the middle of the heart, leaving a long tail for closing the hole at the center of the heart, and knit these 9 stitches.
Repeat shaping and finishing as above.
Use the opening at the middle of the heart to stuff the heart to desired filling. Sew up the hole at the bottom and center of the heart. Tuck all yarn ends into the heart.
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On Increasing for the Heart Bottom
The bottom of the heart can be shaped with whatever kind of increases you prefer, and I actually did a different one on each of my samples.
The bright pink one uses knit in the front and back.
The gold one uses loop cast on (so in the instructions you would knit 1, cast on 1, knit to one before the end, cast on 1, knit 1).
And the magenta one I used a make one. For that I knit a round before I started my increases, then did knit 1, make 1, knit to 1 stitch before the end, make 1, knit 1.
All of them use a combination of slip, slip knit and knit 2 togethers at the top, but you can also use whatever decreases you like.
However you stitch it, they’re a fun little project to knit for Valentine’s Day. And cats love to play with them. Ask me how I know.
Looking for more Valentine’s Day crafts? Check out my super easy cross-stitched heart bookmark. Or if you’d rather knit your heart flat in garter stitch, here’s a flat heart knitting pattern.