Awwwwwwww teeny tiny little hooky hearts, so cute you gotta love 'em! I've made dozens of these hearts in the past week or so, I think I've developed a slight addiction to be honest. The thing is that they are so quick and easy to make, it's near impossible to make just a few. You start out with just a few but before you know it you've made a small stack, then a handful, then a whole heap. They multiply in front of your very eyes.
They are very dinky look...I made mine using Rowan handknit cotton DK and a 4mm hook, and they came out measuring about 4cm across and 4.5cm from top to bottom. So cute, did I say that already?? That they are sooooooooooooo unbelievably cute??! Gosh I wish I didn't have such wrinkly palms, they are most definitely not cute. Ok, moving swiftly on.......
........I've had a play with little crochet hearts a few times in the past...you may remember this one from way back last year? I did like that little pattern (original source can be found here), but it was actually fairly complex for such a small thing. Anyhow, jigetty-jig, a short while ago I was enjoying a fabulously inspiring browse through the Attic24 Inspired group pool on Flickr, when I came across this lovely creation by Meme Rose. Ahhhhhhh how sweet!! A combination of the Japanese Flower motif and some cutesy little itty-bitty hearts, I really loved the simplicity of the idea, and those hearts, oh I really had a huge immediate crush on those hearts!
So off I trotted to find out more at Meme Rose blog, and discovered a lovely happy place where lots of happy hooky happens. Just my kind of place, I felt right at home. And wonderful news, the little heart pattern was waiting there look!! Hooray!!! I started straight away on the pattern, I couldn't wait to get a feel for it and to see how the heart shape would work out. Then I did what I often do with patterns and had a play with it. Tweaked it a little, altered the shape slightly, made the pointy end a little more defined.
I chatted via email with Mrs Meme Rose and let her know that I was twiddling with her itsy-bitsy heart pattern and that I really hoped she didn't mind my twiddlesome ways. She said she didn't mind at all. I asked if it would be ok to write up the pattern of my twiddled version of her hearts and share it with you here, and she said that was also ok, so we are all ok, ok? Meme Rose's heart pattern provided me with an excellent starting point, and I am very grateful to her for allowing me to do my thing and share it with you.
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cutesy, dinky, sweet little teeny-tiny itsy-bitsy hooky hearts!!! In lots of beautiful colours!! Yippeeeee, they make me so happy!
I think you'll agree that these little hearts could be used for all manner of decorative endeavours. I just LOVE the way that Meme Rose used them to make vertical hanging decs (have already begun working my own take on that idea, more soon...). But they could be used for all sorts couldn't they?
And as you might expect, as soon as I started making these last week I had a gem of an idea brewing in the Tangled RicRac mess that is my Creative Mind.
I knew exactly what I was going to do with a pretty heap of teeny tiny hearts.
And my idea involved Twigs.
Some of you may well recall that I have a bit of a thing about crafting with twigs. Remember The Twig Project, AKA The Damned Hardest Project Ever Invented???
What the devil is it about bare twigs that I find so irresistible? I don't think I shall ever know. But one day last week I found myself pushing Little B through the park in has pushchair looking for suitable Twiggy Material for this idea of mine.
This idea that would combine bare twigs with hooky hearts.
Want to see how it turned out?
Ok then, lets have an impromptu little Ta-dah moment shall we?
Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A twiggy heart tree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was it what you expected? Do you like my idea??
I have to confess I just ADORE it. Loveit, loveit loveit. I had a very, very happy time on Friday setting it all up...I cleared off the rather disgracefully messy mantel (lots of rubbish and misc. objects), cleaned it (the dust on there was erm...exceptional) and rearranged it all. Then my jug of twigs was placed bang in the centre and on went the hooky hearts. I can't tell you what fun it was, although really it doesn't take much to keep me happy.
Interestingly, once the idea for this little creative twiggy project had materialised in my mind a week or two ago, I then came across several similar twiggy ideas on the internet. Not hearts mind you, but crochet leaves....you can have a look here and here, both lovely aren't they? It's such a simple idea but so quick, easy and very effective.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh, sweet. Yummy. So easy to make too, a very simple pattern.
Think you'd like the pattern?? Think you'd like to churn out your own stack/pile/heap of dinky hearts and hang them around the place?
Why of course you can have it....I've already skipped one step ahead of you and it's a-done and a-dusted. Just for you, my lovelies, the heart pattern is all yours. Usual place in my left hand sidebar, the pattern is called "Teeny Tiny Hearts".
Go on! Go make some. I know you'll love'em.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Just completed my first one and it's adorable. Thanks so much!
Posted by: cybercita | March 22, 2011 at 10:15 PM
And now I know what I will be doing tomorrow when I should be doing 2000 other things!
You are a marvel Lucy, thank you. And thanks to Mrs Meme Rose too (now enjoying her blog too)
Posted by: Elpha | March 22, 2011 at 10:23 PM
Oh Lucy , I have some bare twigs I rescued from Mr BM's tree pruning this weeked....perfect timing :0)
Love your hearts and me me rose . Lovely things over there....great blog.
Jacquie x
Posted by: Jacquie | March 22, 2011 at 10:29 PM
I had some 'exceptional' dust yesterday when I got my sun hat out of its bag on top of the wardrobe.
Too busy painting for making hearts- but the notion is so very beguiling...
Posted by: Kate | March 22, 2011 at 10:30 PM
C-U-T-E! I was thinking heart shape leaves before I got down to your wonderful tree! And don't you think they will make a lovely Easter tree in pale Eastery colours and a white painted tree. And lovely bunting attached to stripy bakers twine! Thanks so much for this pattern - I've been looking to find one I love as much as this one for ages.
Posted by: Ann | March 22, 2011 at 10:32 PM
It is a fabulous Twiggy Heart Tree! A wonderful thing to have around when you're anticipating Spring's full arrival.
Posted by: Melissa P | March 22, 2011 at 10:36 PM
How incredibly sweet! I love those little hearts! Having a very girly little girl I see some sort of girly heart project happening some time soon...I'll just have to figure out what :-) Absolutely lovely!
On a different note, I just made your orange cookies this afternoon...delicious as ever! I love your recipes cause they are so straight forward and yummy and just the right portion (living in the US most recipes are ginormous...like 5 dozen...way too much for an afternoon snack).
Posted by: Marian M-S | March 22, 2011 at 10:59 PM
I really really love your heart twig tree, so sweet xx
Posted by: Janette | March 22, 2011 at 11:15 PM
I love your twiggy heart tree!!!
I think I will adapt your beautiful idea as a way to focus my heart-thoughts on friends far away.
I like to send healing energy if someone is ill, loving energy if someone is sad, etc. I rarely can visit, but this way I can send virtual hugs. Perhaps I will make a pair of hearts, send one to the person, then hang the other on my tree to keep them in my 'heart'.
I enjoy your blog so much, it has greatly brightened my cold grey Michigan winter!
Posted by: Diana Troldahl | March 22, 2011 at 11:26 PM
When are you going to give a long weekend class where we can all get together and revel in your wonderfullness while learning to crochet as beautifully as you do?
Posted by: Caroline Watson | March 22, 2011 at 11:29 PM
Dear Lucy I cut down some twigs in the garden. Now I know just what to do
with them. A very simple colourful idea just right for Easter!!!
And some red white and blue ones for the Royal Wedding? xxx
Posted by: Sarah west mids uk | March 22, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Oh A24.......I like em.
Posted by: Reality Jayne | March 22, 2011 at 11:54 PM
Lucy I love everything you create. I just wish I could get things finished as fast as you do. Love your heartssssssssssssssss...
Posted by: Lisa | March 23, 2011 at 12:12 AM
You really are just sincerely nice. If we ever cross paths I'm just gonna hug you. Just so you know. You bring a lot of cheery happiness into the world and it does me a lot of good. Thanks :)
Posted by: Meg McG | March 23, 2011 at 12:18 AM
Adorable! Thank you for posting the pattern. I can't wait to make some! :-D
Posted by: Cheryl | March 23, 2011 at 12:24 AM
Lucy again another lovely creation!! I have to share with you that I finally brought hook and yarn and have started learning crochet! Slowly slowly I'm getting the hang of it and soon I hope to begin on a simple blanket. Thankyou for the inspiration!!
Posted by: Jayne | March 23, 2011 at 12:50 AM
So colorful and happy and lovely!! And then you put them on branches. I love!
Posted by: Christie | March 23, 2011 at 12:54 AM
Oh, thank you, thank you Lucy! I'll order some Rowan handknit DK and set to hooking so mine may look as glorious as yours! I check your blog every day, nd I get so happy when you have a new post. You're the best!
Posted by: Carol Yarbro | March 23, 2011 at 01:19 AM
Cute cute cute...and extra cute on twigs :-) Definitely have to have a go at this!
Posted by: Katie | March 23, 2011 at 01:26 AM
Those are the cutest little hearts! and I just have to tell you that I was SO excited when I saw that my blog was listed under your "blogs I love" link list. I've been reading your blog for over a year now and I'm just tickled pink ( :
Posted by: Tara | March 23, 2011 at 01:30 AM
Oh, how strange! I started crocheting wee hearts myself last night, and checked in here while waiting for the kettle to boil, having managed to put my hook down for a coffee. Yes, they are completely addictive! I've made a few from string and was wondering what I could combine them with to make a vertical hanging garland. I'll check those links for ideas of what to do with my growing collection. Thanks! :)
Posted by: Alison | March 23, 2011 at 01:49 AM
I love your sweet little hearts! They look so cheerful brightening up those twigs. Thanks so much for writing up the pattern!
Posted by: Katherine of Kitten's Lost Her Mittens | March 23, 2011 at 02:21 AM
I do sooo love my visits to your Attic, and your cheery-ful-ness. Your new little dinky hearts are so sweet and colorful. Such fun to visit with you and see what new delightful hooky brights you create...especially after a long day at work. You always manage to make me feel like the sun is still out when I return home from work after dark. Thank you for sharing such fun!
Posted by: Diane | March 23, 2011 at 02:42 AM
Lucy, I think that spring must be here! Those hearts and leaves and all the pretty fresh colors are raising the spirits of everyone who sees them. And...that definitely includes me. I have to find some twigs, or figure out another way to display some of these fun to crochet bits and pieces.
Best wishes. xo
Posted by: Frances | March 23, 2011 at 02:48 AM
Hi, I am a new reader of your blog and want to say that it is just beautiful. I am very new to the fun of crochet. Really new, I just started teaching myself to crochet at the end of January - by watching YouTube videos. LOL
I find your blog a joy and an inspiration. I hope I can eventually create (even half) as beautifully with yarn as you do!
Have a wonderful week!
Posted by: Sheery | March 23, 2011 at 03:06 AM