Knit a Heart Pendant for Valentine’s Day

I have kind of ignored Valentine’s Day this year. I’m not really sure why. Maybe because I’ve collected so many different Valentine’s Day knitting patterns over the years that I just didn’t know if there was anything new this year. (Though I’m sure there is!)

Whatever the reason, I did end up knitting a quick little heart pendant that you still have time to make for Valentine’s Day or any other time. It’s a great way to use a tiny bit of yarn, and takes about 15 minutes or less to do.

What You’ll Need

a pair of size 4 US/3.5 mm knitting needles

a small quantity of light-weight yarn (mine is some kind of silk yarn; I’m not really sure what it was)

Gauge is not important with this project. Mine measures 2 inches/5 cm wide at its widest point and is a little less than 2 inches/5 cm tall.

How to Knit a Heart Pendant

Cast on 3 stitches.

Knit 1 row.

Knit in the front and back of the first stitch, knit to the last stitch, knit in the front and back of the last stitch.

Repeat these 2 rows until you have 11 stitches.

Knit 5 rows straight.

Knit 4, knit 2 together. Turn the work, leaving the other 5 stitches on the needle.

Knit across these stitches.

SSK, k1, k2tog. 3 stitches remain. Turn.

Knit across these stitches.

SSK, k1. 2 stitches remain. Turn.

K2tog. Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitch.

Join yarn to the other 5 stitches. Knit across.

K2tog, k1, ssk. 3 stitches remain.

Knit across.

K1, ssk. 2 stitches remain.

K2tog. Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitch.

Weave in ends. Poke a jewelry chain through the tops of the heart to wear as a pendant.

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Next Pattern:

There’s always room for more stitch dictionaries on your shelf, but Andrea Rangel’s Knitovation Stitch Dictionary is unlike those stitch pattern books you might already own. That’s because this one is full of colorwork stitch patterns rather than textured stitches, lace or cables, so the designs are ripe for adding to hats, sweaters and other projects with a stockinette stitch background.

The book starts with a quick introduction to knitting colorwork that’s also unlike what you’ve probably seen before, because it’s less about the colors themselves and more about the kinds of fibers you choose, how the yarn is prepared and the gauge you’re working at and how those things all change the look of a design.

Most of the book is filled with motif designs and swatches. The motifs were designed and named by Andrea’s husband Sean, who is an artist and brings a bit of whimsy to the designs.

You’ll find some classic looking leaves and flowers, mosaics and waves, but also rubber ducks, penguins, puzzle pieces, cherries and cows, snails and teapots, eyeballs and chess pieces, to name a few. Many of the designs also have funny names, like a fish named toilet bound, or cats in suits called corporate fat cat.

Of course you can use the designs in any way you want on any project you like, but there are also three patterns in the book — for a hat, a sweater and a pair of fingerless gloves — plus discussion of how the motifs were added, adjusting patterns for a different size or gauge, and adding your own motifs.

If you like adding a bit of colorwork to otherwise plain projects that other people have designed, or you’re ready to start making your own designs with fun motifs, this book is a great place to start. The fun and funny motifs are sure to inspire you to want to pick up your needles and add a little more color to your projects.

About the book: 160 pages, hardcover, 150+ motifs and three knitting patterns. Published 2023 by Interweave, suggested retail $28.

What You’ll Need

How to Knit a Heart Pendant

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