Introduction: How to Knit a Valentines Heart

About: Teacher by day, nerd by night! www.theknitguru.com https://www.facebook.com/Theknitguru
This is a cute way to share your love... in wooly form.  These can be stuffed to be like little plushies, or made into a pin to wear that heart on a sleeve....

Step 1: You Will Need

You will need
- red or pink double knit (8ply) yarn (or any colour that works to show ones looooooove)
- 3 double pointed needles size 4mm
- needle for stitching up the top bit

Optional
- stuffing
- pinback or safety pin

If you have never used 3 needles at once, you may also like a little patience and generally cash in good karma.  Nah, its not quite that bad, but you will probably stab your hands with the ends of the needles a few times...

There are 2 sizes... I shall start with the big one, because it is easier to do.

Step 2: Casting On

Cast on 4 stitches on 4mm dpn (2 on each needle)

K1 front and back, K1 front and back, (turn to second needle) K1 front and back, K1 front and back, (you will now have 4 stitches on each needle)

Knit 1 rotation

Step 3: Knitting the Pointy Bit of the Heart

K1 front and back, k2, K1 front and back, (second needle) K1 front and back, k2, K1 front and back. (6 stitches on each needle)

Knit 1 rotation

K1 front and back, k4, K1 front and back, (second needle) K1 front and back, k4, K1 front and back. (8 stitches on each needle)

Knit 1 rotation

K1 front and back, k6, K1 front and back, (second needle) K1 front and back, k6, K1 front and back.  (10 stitches on each needle)

Knit 1 rotation

K1 front and back, k8, K1 front and back, (second needle) K1 front and back, k8, K1 front and back. (12 stitches on each needle)

Knit 1 rotation

K1 front and back, k10, K1 front and back, (second needle) K1 front and back, k10, K1 front and back. (14 stitches on each needle)

Knit 3 rotations

Step 4: Shaping the Top of the Heart

You've done super so far.  It's all downhill from here...

Rounded top:
Knit 2 tog, knit 3, knit 2 tog.
Turn knitting
Purl 2 tog, purl 1, cast off stitch, purl 2 tog, cast of stitch, cut yarn, thread through remaining stitch.

Repeat rounded top on the remaining 7 stitches on the needle.

Turn to second needle.

Repeat rounded top on first 7 stitches.

Repeat rounded top on last 7 stitches.

Tuck in tails. Stitch the top section closed.  You can stuff the heart here to make a plushie, or stitch a pin on the back to make it wearable. 

And you are done!  Make as many as you need to show your love.

Step 5: So You Want to Try a Smaller Heart?

These are about half the size... but a little trickier.  I recommend making the larger one first to get your head around the construction process.

Mini hearts

Cast on 4 stitches on 4mm dpn (2 on each needle)

K1 front and back, K1 front and back, (turn to second needle) K1 front and back, K1 front and back,

Knit 1 rotation

K1 front and back, k2, K1 front and back, (second needle) K1 front and back, k2, K1 front and back.

Knit 1 rotation

K1 front and back, k4, K1 front and back, (second needle) K1 front and back, k4, K1 front and back.

Knit 1 rotation

K1 front and back, k6, K1 front and back, (second needle) K1 front and back, k6, K1 front and back.

Knit 2 rotations

Rounded top:
Knit 2 tog, knit 1, knit 2 tog.
Turn knitting
Slip stitch, k2 tog, psso

Repeat rounded top on the remaining 5 stitches on the needle.

Turn to second needle.

Repeat rounded top on first 5 stitches.

Repeat rounded top on last 5 stitches.

Tuck in tails. Stitch the top section closed. Sew on a safety pin or brooch back on one side.