The holiday season is approaching fast and there seems to be still
so much to do, especially knitting. I do recall myself making a
promise last year that next year I’ll sort out all the holiday
stuff well beforehand and don’t leave things to the last minute.
Planning is half of the work, they say so hey, I can congratulate
myself for executing at least half my task!
But I think I’m not alone with this problem. I’m sure there is at
least a couple of knitters trying franticly finish the gift
knitting somewhere in between work, family, holiday shopping, gift
wrapping, decorating and cooking. I have still two hats to knit
and made the decision that two pairs of socks will be a New Years
gifts instead as lets face it, there aren’t enough hours to get
everything done.
Next week I will enjoy the holiday season without rush, enjoy
food, watch some movies and knit brainless stuff. Be with my
family and loved ones, go for long walks with the dogs and knit
more brainless stuff.
I designed a fast and easy free knitting pattern for you. It is
called Sydän, which means heart in Finnish. You can attach them to
gifts, use them to decorate table settings, knit multiple hearts
to make a garland or just give one to your loved one.
Wishing you lots of heartwarming moments on this holiday season!
xxx, Joanna
SYDÄN PATTERN
6-8 g of Nordic Yarn Eco Cashmere, the sample heart was knittedwith colourway Inari
4 mm/ US 7 circular needle (80 cm/ 32 inches long) for magic loop
technique or set of double pointed needles
tapestry needle
toy stuffing, cotton wool or yarn scraps for filling
Abbreviations
cdd slip two stitches at the same time as to knit, knit one
stitch, pass slipped stitches over
k knit
kfb knit into front and back of the same stitch
k2tog knit two stitches together
p purl
PM place marker
RM remove marker
SM slide marker
ssk slip two stitches one at the time as if to knit, place
them back on left hand needle and knit together through
back loops st(s) stitch(es)
Instructions
Cast on 2 sts using long tail cast on method. Kfb into both sts, 4
sts. Slide the sts back to other end of needle, pull yarn tightly
at the back of the work, kfb into every sts, 8 sts. Join to work
in the round careful not to twist the sts.
Set up rnd: *k1, PM, m1r, k2, m1l, PM, k1; repeat from * once more
Rnd 1: k all sts
Rnd 2: *k1, SM, m1r, k to M, m1l, SM, k1; repeat from * once more
Repeat Rnds 1-2 until you have 44 sts. Knit four rnds.
At this point turn the work inside out and weave in the tail from cast on.
Next you will shape the top.
Rnd 3: k1, RM, ssk, k5, k2tog, RM, k1. Move the next 22 sts on a
holder. K1, RM, ssk, k5, k2tog, RM, k1, 18 sts on needles
Rnd 4: k all sts
Rnd 5: k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k2, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1, 14 sts
Rnd 6: k all sts
Rnd 7: k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1, 10 sts
Rnd 8: k1, cdd, k2, cdd, k1, 6 sts
Cut yarn leaving 25 cm/ 10 inch tail. Sew to closed using
kitchener stitch.
Place the held 22 sts on needles. Join yarn and work Rnds 3-6.
Weave in the tail closing the gap between the tops. Stuff the
heart almost full. Work Rnds 7-8, add more stuffing if needed and
close the top using kitchener stitch. Thread the tail through the
heart to the bottom, pull tightly and cut yarn, the tail will
retract inside the heart.
You can sew on a ribbon, crochet or make an i-cord for a loop to
the centre top of the heart. You can also sew a jingle bell on the
bottom.