How to Knit a Heart

How to Knit a Heart

Looking for a definitive guide on how to knit a heart design? Heart shapes are versatile and can fit in garments like sweaters or accessories. With straightforward instructions, you will make stunning heart pieces that will liven your space and fashion style.

How do I knit a heart shape? 

Below are precise instructions on knitting heart shapes.

How to Knit a Heart Shape for Beginners

If you are a novice knitter looking for an easy-to-follow guide on how to knit a heart, this guide can help you create a stunning heart shape. All you need is to prepare all the materials and get started with knitting. 

So, how do you knit a heart shape?

Below is how to knit a love heart in a garter stitch pattern:

Step 1. Knitting the Left Lobe

Cast on three stitches using the long-tail cast-on technique and leave a 6 inches tail.

Row 1: Knit three stitches.

Row 2: Knit two and knit front and back to get four stitches.

Row 3: Knit three stitches and knit front and back to get five stitches.

Row 4: Knit four and knit front and back to have a total of 6 stitches.

Row 5: Knit five stitches and knit front and back to get seven stitches.

At this point, you will notice an increase in each row that continues to create the upper half part of the heart.

Row 6: Knit seven stitches

Since you’ve completed your first lobe, cut the working yarn and leave a dangling yarn of 6 inches.

Step 2: Knitting the Right Lobe

Once you’ve completed the left lobe, you will knit the right one on the same needle. Here are the steps you should follow:

    • Slide the first lobe to the center of your knitting needle.
    • Cast on three stitches similar to the first lobe.
    • Repeat rows 1 to 6 in step 1 but don’t cut your working yarn.

That’s how to knit the right lobe. After this step, you will have two lobes that need to be joined to form the whole top part of your heart pattern.

Step 3: Joining the Two Halves

How to knit a heart
Image source: Julie and the Knits

You will join the two halves on row 7 and continue other more rows as a single piece. 

Row 7: Join the two by knitting across; k6, k2tog, k6 (13 sts)

Row 8 -11: knit all through

When executing the k2tog, be careful not to overstretch the stitches. Instead, do it slowly and hold the tail to keep the stitches tight enough.

Now you have the top part of your heart shape complete. What if you don’t know how to knit the garter stitch? You can view this step-by-step video tutorial to help you learn and perfect this skill.

Step 4: Decrease 

Knitting a heart shape with garter stitch
Image source: Nimble Needles

To create the bottom part, you will need to decrease as you knit every row. Below is how to knit a love heart bottom:

Row 12: Knit eleven and knit two together to have 12 stitches.

Row 13: Knit ten and knit two together to get 11 stitches.

Row 14: Knit nine and knit two together to have ten stitches.

Row 15: Knit eight and knit two together to get a total of nine stitches.

Row 16: Knit seven and knit two together to get eight stitches.

Row 17: Knit six and knit two together to have seven stitches.

Row 18: Knit five and knit two together to get six stitches.

Row 19: Knit four and two together to have five stitches.

Row 20: Knit three and knit two together to get four stitches.

Row 21: Knit two and knit two together to have three stitches.

Row 22: Knit three.

Cut your working yarn and leave a loose end of around 7 inches. Then thread it on a tapestry needle and weave in the three stitches to leave your shape intact. If you are not familiar with this technique, you can learn how to weave in ends knitting.

You can also check this easy-to-follow video tutorial.

Alternatively, you can knit the last three stitches together. Wondering how you can k3tog? Here is a perfect guide on k3tog centered.

Step 5: Weave In Other Tails

Check for other dangling yarn ends and weave them in step 4 to complete your heart shape. You can also enhance your heart pattern by learning how to change colors in knitting or decorate it with accessories.

How to Knit a Heart into a Pattern

How to knit a heart shape
Image source: Pinterest

Puffy hearts can be great for decoration or gifts to show people that you love them. The only challenge is that they can be difficult to knit, especially for beginners. But with more practice, you can create elegant heart shapes.

How do I knit a heart design? 

Step 1: Prepare Materials

This project utilizes any yarn with a suitable pair of straight needles. You will also need a tapestry needle, scissors, and poly-fil stuffing. With your materials ready, you can now learn how to knit a heart easy.

Step 2: Making the Two Lobes

Cast on three stitches using the long-tail cast-on and leave a few inches of dangling yarn.

Row 1: Knit all stitches.

Row 2: Knit front and back, purl, and knit front back again.

Row 3: Knit all stitches.

Row 4: Knit front and back, purl, and knit front and back again.

Row 5: Knit all.

Cut the yarn, leaving around 5 inches of a dangling end. Then move the first hump down the needle.

Repeat step 2 to make the other hump, then slide it on the needle holding the first lobe.

Step 3: Knit to Complete the Heart Shape

At this point, you should have 14 stitches in total. If they are less or more than this, you can observe to identify where you made a mistake and start from there! Some mistakes like dropped stitches can be easily fixed by using this guide on how to pick up stitches in knitting.

If your heart shape is complete with no error, continue knitting your puffy heart shape using the following steps:

Row 6: Knit one, purl 12, and knit one.

Row 7: Knit all stitches.

Row 8: Knit one, purl 12, and knit one.

Row 9: Knit one, SSK, knit eight, k2tog, and knit one. When you complete this row, confirm that you have a total of twelve stitches.

Row 10: Knit one, purl ten, and knit one.

Row 11: Knit one, SSK, knit six, k2tog, and knit one to have a total of 10 stitches.

Row 12: Knit one, purl eight, and knit one.

Row 13: Knit one, SSK, knit four, k2tog, and knit one to get eight stitches.

Row 14: Knit one, Purl six, and knit one.

Row 15: Knit one, SSK, knit two, k2tog, and knit one to have six stitches.

Row 17: Repeat row 15 to get four stitches.

Row 18: Knit one, purl one, and knit one.

Row 19: SSK, K2tog.

Row 20: Bind off. You can use this guide on how to cast off knitting for better results. 

The k2tog is one of the techniques used when learning how to join knitting in the round. This may prove challenging if it’s your first time executing it. Thanks to this video tutorial, this helps you perform it step-by-step.

Step 4: Knit Another Heart Shape

How to knit a heart for beginners
Image source: Studio Knit

To make another heat shape, follow the instructions in steps two and three.

Step 5: Join the Two Heart Shapes

Knit heart softies pattern
Image source: Studio Knit

When joining the two shapes, tuck them in a way that the right side faces each other. Then join them using a tapestry needle and a thread, leaving some space to fill with stuffing.

Once you’ve placed yarn or lose lavender, continue joining the two to close them up. Don’t forget to turn the shape to the right side before placing your stuffing.

Now that you have your stunning heart shape check for loose yarns and weave them in to avoid accidental unraveling. You can now enjoy your puffy heart shape!

Abbreviation

Meaning

SSK

Slip slip knit

k2tog

Knit two together

k3tog

Knit three together

kfb

Knit front and back

pfb

Purl Front and back

Heart Knitting Patterns

    • Heart Face Scrubby

Heart face scrubby free knitting pattern
Image source: Purls and Pixels

Are you a beginner looking for a simple pattern that blends in heart shapes? If yes, the Heart Face Scrubby is ideal for you! This guide follows a simple pattern: knit and purl stitches only. 

You don’t need to learn complex techniques, and another thing you will enjoy is the cotton yarn that results in a stunning and neat piece. Suppose you don’t have a full skein; scrap yarn will do it perfectly!

    • Heart Cable Scarf

Celtic heart cable knit scarf pattern
Image source: Studio Knit

Learning how to knit a scarf can be fun and satisfying, especially when the garment comes out neat and beautiful. This pattern gives you a design of interlocking hearts that enhance the final piece.

You can either gift it to a loved one or sell it to your clients. While it’s an intermediate-level project, it is worth the effort if a beginner likes trying challenging patterns.

You can check the written knitting pattern for easy knitting, which comes at $0.00. Planning to improve the value of your scarf? Get custom woven labels and custom care labels!

    • Heart-Shaped Handwarmers

How to knit a heart easy
Image source: Little Red Widow

So, the cold season is almost here, and you are wondering which quick gift to knit for your friend. The heart-shaped hand warmers pattern can save you the hustle of knitting for hours or unraveling due to multiple mistakes.

It is simple to knit and works up quickly as it combines increases and pfb and kfb and decreases. Whether a beginner or an intermediate, you can grab your yarn and complete it in a few minutes.

You can either use rice or lavender to make it microwaveable or lovely scented. If you are not familiar with increases, follow these steps on how to increase a stitch in knitting.

Other patterns include Heart Cushion, Heart Cable Koozie, and Heart Puff Necklace.

Heart knitting pattern

Knitting level

Heart face scrubby

    • Beginner
    • Intermediate

Heart cable scarf

    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

Heart-shaped hand warmers

    • Beginner

Conclusion

Heart shapes can be used for numerous knitting purposes, for instance, accessories, decoration, and knitting garments. For example, you can learn how to knit a sweater and enhance it with these shapes. 

Whether you are a novice or advanced knitter, you can choose from numerous patterns online. Then prepare all your materials, get a straightforward pattern, and start knitting your heart shape. If you don’t want to buy patterns, check free heart patterns online.

What knitting garment or accessory will you be making next with the above instructions?