Thursday, February 15, 2007

Heartwarmers


Happy Valentine's Day! A bit late, but if you really think about it, it's always time for love.

I'm always a sucker for hearts, so I whipped up this cute little thing. A quick little valentine, something to warm your sweetie's heart. And hands. Heat up the bag of rice, stick it in the pocket of the heart, and it will retain heat long enough to keep your hand warm in your pocket.

Finished Measurements: 4" by 3.5"

Materials:
*Patons Classic Merino in Bright Red, less than one skein
*Size 7 needles
*Tapestry needle
*Sewing thread
*Sewing needle
*Small button.
*Small amounts of fabric.
*A small amount of cotton stuffing
*Long grain rice

Gauge: 20 stitches by 26 rows = 4" square

Directions

Front: CO 3 sts.
Row 1: (and all uneven rows): (WS) purl.
Row 2: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1.
Row 4: *k1, m1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 6: k1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, k1.
Row 8: k1, m1, k1, m1, knit to last 2 stitches, m1, k1, m1, k1.
Row 10-16: Repeat Row 6.
Row 18-22: Knit all stitches.
Row 24: k1, ssk, k5, k2tog, k1, turn. (Each top of the heart will be worked individually.)
Row 26: Knit all 9 stitches (all the stitches on the right side of the heart).
Row 28: k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1.
Row 30: ssk, slip 1, k2tog, psso, k2tog.
Row 32: BO3.
Repeat Rows 24-32 for the other side of the top of the heart.



Back: Work as for the front, except:
Row 18: k7, BO8, k7.
Row 19: p7, CO8, p7.
After completing the heart, pick up and knit 10 stitches from the CO edge of the pocket in the middle of the heart. You will now work a pocket flap down over the pocket (working towards the original CO edge). Work back and forth in 2 x 2 ribbing for 8 rows. On the 8th row, make a yo button hole in the middle of the flap. Work 2 more rows in pattern.

Sew the two sides of the heart together. Using the heart as a guide, trace a heart shape on the fabric. You will need 4 heart pieces of fabric. Sew two of them together, stuffing slightly. I put this little sachet in the front of the knitted heart to help it keep its shape. Sew the other two fabric pieces together, adding rice, but do not overfill: the sachet should be movable and slightly limp. I put this sachet in the back of the heart. To heat, put the sachet of rice in the microwave for 20-30 seconds and it should stay warm for about half an hour in the heart. Do not warm the knitted piece or stuffed sachet in the microwave, only the sachet of rice.


Enjoy! I certainly had fun working up this quick little valentine, and Guy seems to enjoy it as well. Who knows when it will finally warm up around here. More snow last night and more due later. Oh well, we have the Heartwarmers!

4 comments:

sUsAn said...

This is so cute and useful! Thank you for sharing your pattern. Welcome to the Knitting Bloggers Ring too!

Alison said...

Thanks for sharing your pattern, Sarah -- this is really cute!

Debbie said...

such a cute idea!

DreamChallenge said...

Thank You after several years I am just now trying the pattern.