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Knitted Heart Pattern (Free + Easy Quick Little Pattern)

THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.

In this post, you will see a knitted heart pattern.

Recently (in 2020) knit and crochet hearts have been wanted by makers around the globe.

This is an appeal from hospital workers, which was started in the UK by Nurse Laura Kirby-Deacon.

knitted heart appeal in cotton yarns

Knitted Heart Appeal

The idea is that they will give matching hearts to the relatives of people in intensive care, as they are not allowed, visitors.

One heart will be kept with their loved one if they sadly pass away.

Another matching heart will be sent to their relative in a card so they can still share something physical with their loved one after they have passed.

The hearts will also go to those who are unable to have visitors to the hospital.

This is a way to help the nurses at the hospital help patients and families stay connected.

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Knitted heart pattern

The Guidelines For Making + Sending The Hearts

There are guidelines and instructions to be followed when making and sending these hearts to hospitals which include:

  • Make sure the yarn is clean.
  • Once the hearts are made please seal them in whatever way you can i.e. zip lock bags = freezer bags with seal = bin liner sealed with tape.
  • 72hrs is the time for these to stand to be safe. So please don’t consider passing these to anyone before this time is up.
  • Please date the hearts when they have been sealed so we know when the 72 hours have elapsed.
  • Please only go to the Post Office as part of your daily exercise allowance or on an essential shopping trip.  Please observe social distancing rules at all times. 
  • If you fall into the high-risk category PLEASE ASK SOMEBODY ELSE TO POST THEM FOR YOU.  
  • Please DO NOT try to hand-deliver them to the hospital, this is not an essential journey.
  • Stay safe everyone and if you’re worried about doing this then please don’t your support is still appreciated.
knitted hearts for NHS

Knitted Hearts For The NHS

There are many local hospitals that you can send your hearts to when finished.

One hospital in the UK who are accepting hearts is – Brighter Futures, Brunel Treatment Centre, Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon, SN3 6BB.

Another hospital in the North East – the UK who are accepting hearts is – Ward 1 ITU, South Tyneside District Hospital, Harton Lane, South Shields, NE34 0PL.

You will be able to find out if your local hospital is accepting the hearts, by checking their website or doing a quick google search.

If you would prefer to crochet a heart please see this pattern here – Crochet Heart Pattern.

knitted heart

Make A Knitted Heart For Valentine’s Day

You could also make these tiny hearts for Valentine’s Day. 

This a very quick DIY project to show how much you care

These mini hearts are perfect for home decor, you can spread them around your home, you can make them into a heart garland, or add a small string to create a heart ornament.

Moreover, they can be a perfect gift for kids and adults. 

Plus this simple pattern only requires yarn scraps so you can make as many as you want in all your favorite colors. 

If you are knitting this adorable puffy heart for your personal use you can use any yarn you like from DK to worsted weight yarn the choice is yours!

A Great Project For All Makers 

This heart craft is really easy to make, using simple knitting techniques so it’s perfect for new knitters and experienced makers. 

This an excellent scrap yarn project you can make for yourself or as a gift. 

And a great way to give back to your community.

knitted heart

Video Tutorial

There is a video tutorial showing you how to knit one of these small hearts over on my YouTube channel here.

small knitted hearts

Knitted Heart Pattern

Make a knitted heart to support families who can’t be with each other during difficult times.

Notes

Finished Size – The finished heart when stuffed is around 6.5 cm high x 6.5 cm wide.

Knit Flat – The heart is worked flat (knitting back and forth) on straight needles.

Gauge – Don’t worry too much about the gauge for this pattern.

The gauge of the heart I made is 4 sts/ 6 rows in 1 inch.

Cast on – You can cast on using the thumb method or long-tail cast on for this project.

The seams – use the mattress stitch to sew up the seams of the heart.

Yarn choice – Any DK yarn/ Lightweight 03 yarn will be ok to use for this project.

Stash-busting your leftovers is great as you need less than 10g per heart.

hearts for the nhs

The Supplies You Need

Yarn

  • Leftovers from your yarn stash – less than 10g per heart of any DK yarn.
  • I used leftover cotton – Rico Creative Cotton.

Needles

  • 4mm (US 6) knitting needles

Notions

  • Darning Needle
  • Scissors
  • Stitch holder

Other Materials

  • Fiberfill/stuffing
knitted heart appeal in cotton yarns

Abbreviations

  • K – Knit
  • K2tog – Knit the next two stitches together
  • KFB – Knit into the front and back of the stitch (increase)
  • P – Purl
  • Rep – Repeat
  • St(s) – Stitches
  • st st – Stocking stitch
  • P2tog – Purl the next two stitches together
knitted heart

Pattern

Make 2 pieces for one heart.

Cast on 2 sts

  • Rows 1-2 – st, st, start with a knit row.
  • Row 3 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  • Row 4 – Purl.
  • Row 5 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  • Row 6 – Purl.
  • Row 7 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  • Row 8 – Purl.
  • Row 9 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  • Row 10 – Purl.
  • Row 11 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  • Row 12 – 14 – Continue in st, st.
  • Row 15 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  • Row 16 – 18 – Cont in st, st.
  • Row 19 – Repeat row 15
  • Row 20 – Purl the first 8 sts, turn, and continue working on these 8 sts. Transfer the other 8 sts to a stitch holder.
  • Row 21 – *K2tog, K4, K2tog.
  • Row 22 – Purl.
  • Row 23 – K2tog, K2, K2tog.
  • Row 24 – Purl.
  • Row 25 – K2tog, K2tog.
  • Row 26 – P2tog.

Break yarn leaving a long end. Thread through the last stitch on the needle*.

Transfer the 8 sts from the stitch holder onto the needle and repeat from * to *.

Making Up

Lay the two pieces with the right sides facing out (the wrong sides touching on the inside).

Sew the side edge of the heart going up over the top of the heart and back down to the other side.

Leave a gap and stuff firmly.

Stitch up the gap and weave in any loose ends.

Share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects!

If you enjoyed making the knitted heart, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!

Yield: Knitted heart

Knitted Heart Pattern

Knitted heart pattern

Make a knitted heart to support families who can't be with each other during this difficult time.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $10

Materials

  • Leftovers from your yarn stash - less than 10g per heart of any DK yarn.
  • I used leftover cotton - Rico Creative Cotton.
  • Fiberfill/stuffing

Tools

  • 4mm (US 6) knitting needles
  • Darning Needle
  • Scissors
  • Stitch holder

Instructions

Heart Pattern

Make 2 pieces for one heart.

Cast on 2 sts

  1. Rows 1-2 – st, st, start with a knit row.
  2. Row 3 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  3. Row 4 – Purl.
  4. Row 5 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  5. Row 6 – Purl.
  6. Row 7 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  7. Row 8 – Purl.
  8. Row 9 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  9. Row 10 – Purl.
  10. Row 11 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  11. Row 12 – 14 – Continue in st, st.
  12. Row 15 – KFB at beg and end of the row.
  13. Row 16 – 18 – Cont in st, st.
  14. Row 19 – Repeat row 15
  15. Row 20 – Purl the first 8 sts, turn and continue working on these 8 sts. Transfer the other 8 sts to a stitch holder.
  16. Row 21 – *K2tog, K4, K2tog.
  17. Row 22 – Purl.
  18. Row 23 – K2tog, K2, K2tog.
  19. Row 24 – Purl.
  20. Row 25 – K2tog, K2tog.
  21. Row 26 – P2tog.

Break yarn leaving a long end. Thread through the last stitch on the needle*.

Transfer the 8 sts from the stitch holder onto the needle and repeat from * to *.

Making Up

  1. Lay the two pieces with the right sides facing out (the wrong sides touching on the inside).
  2. Sew the side edge of the heart going up over the top of the heart and back down to the other side.
  3. Leave a gap and stuff firmly.
  4. Stitch up the gap and weave in any loose ends.

Notes

Finished Size - The finished heart when stuffed is around 6.5cm high x 6.5cm wide.

Knit Flat - The heart is worked flat (knitting back and forth) on straight needles.

Gauge - Don't worry too much about gauge for this pattern. The gauge of the heart I made is 6 sts/ 4 rows in 1 inch.

Cast on - You can cast on using the thumb method or long-tail cast on for this project.

The seams - use the mattress stitch to sew up the seams of the heart.

Yarn choice - Any DK yarn/ Lightweight 03 yarn will be ok to use for this project. Stash busting your leftovers is great as you need less than 10g per heart.

Abbreviations

k - Knit

k2tog - Knit the next two stitches together

KFB - Knit into the front and back of the stitch (increase)

p - Purl

rep - Repeat

st(s) - Stitches

st st - Stocking stitch

p2tog - Purl the next two stitches together

Did you make this project?

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you for the lovely hearts pattern , i will make in many colors and give to so many people, that gave me help when i needed 💕💗💕💗💕💗