Hello! Before I begin, I would just like to say a big ((THanK YoU)) for the great response to my Year End Reviews. It was a totally indulgent pleasure-fest putting those posts together, and I'm glad you enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed making them.
I received a great many enquiries about the little Heart Hanger I showed in my crochet review, so I thought it would be good to share some info on that sweet make.
The heart pattern is not mine, it was written by an amazing Dutch hooky lady who goes by the name of BeaG. A good friend discovered this pattern a few years ago (she made some red hearts with white embroidery to hang on her Christmas tree), and I stashed the info away in my Creative Mind to be brought out at some Future Date. Roll on a year or two and there I was, looking for something suitable to create as a Birthday gift for my wonderful friend and neighbour who lives at number eighteen.
The pattern is written up on Flickr, you can find it HERE. Please note :: the pattern is written in US terms, so where it tells you to SC throughout, that means Double Crochet for us Brits. You start at the bottom point and work your way up for twenty rows. After that you work first one round part, and then the other on the opposite side. It's not hard, so long as you know how to increase and decrease in double crochet.
So I made two identical hearts from a bamboo/cotton yarn on a 3.5mm hook. I gave the hearts a light press with the steam iron as they ended up very curly when first made. The rose and leaves are from my own pattern which you can find HERE.
Ta-dah! A very simple idea, but very sweet. It turned out good!
A few things to say about the making up...........
1. You will need to stitch on the rose and leaves before you join the two hearts together.
2. the hanger is a simple crochet chain, which I also attached to the back of the front heart before joining the two hearts together. I've made other Heart Hangers where I've used a short length of narrow spotty ribbon instead, which looks very pretty.
3. To join the hearts together :: begin at the top/centre (the bit where the hanging loop is) and work around the shape in double crochet, inserting hook through the stitches of both hearts. Work with the front facing you and keep your tension quite loose so that the shape doesn't pucker. You might need to add in a few extra stitches as you work around the bottom point.
4. Don't forget to add the stuffing before you get to the end of the joining! I used a polyester toy stuffing which I scented with rose essential oil, but it would also work really well stuffed with dried lavender.
I added a very sweet little message to my heart which reads "There is no set path just follow your heart". Isn't that lovely? I bought it from a local shop along with a few others, but just had a quick search online (they are produced by gift-ware company "East of India") and found a supplier for you....see here and here.
I think the Heart Hanger would look just as lovely without the message though. Maybe even with a double rose, or perhaps a little posy of teeny tiny flowers and leaves?
I also want to show you this...I've used the May rose with my triple-leaf pattern (find it in this post) to add a decorative touch to some gift wrapping. Cute idea eh?
Well I think that's about all I can think of to tell you about the Heart Hanger, I hope it's been helpful if you fancy giving it a go.
I think being able to gift someone a little bit of heartfelt creativity is a very special thing indeed. Yay for Hooky Handmade!
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Your year in review photos would make a wonderful calendar... I would buy one! :) Such lovely colours and a whimsical look at such a wonderful reminder in the joy of every day.
Posted by: Susie | January 06, 2013 at 11:18 PM
Dear Lucy lovely little heart. I am going to order some dried lavender.
Posted by: Sarah west mids uk | January 06, 2013 at 11:35 PM
Cute heart! Have you ever made a trellis yarn necklace? It seems like something you would like. Here's one site with instructions, but there are many others. http://justanotherhangup.blogspot.com/2012/04/trellis-necklace-tutorial.html
Posted by: Bambi | January 07, 2013 at 12:27 AM
Hi,Lucy~~^^Thanks so much.
Posted by: Kimoklye | January 07, 2013 at 01:05 AM
This would be lovely with some dried lavender heads inside - would make the wardrobe smell lovely. Thank you for sharing as ever more things to add to my to make list :-)
Posted by: Janet | January 07, 2013 at 01:12 AM
I may need to do one of these to hang by my bed. Love this idea!
Posted by: Barbara | January 07, 2013 at 01:31 AM
that is a pretty rose. The ones I make look a little.. flat. I'm going to try this!
Posted by: Emma | January 07, 2013 at 02:01 AM
Lovely! I am definitely going to have to make one or twelve :)
Posted by: Megan | January 07, 2013 at 02:19 AM
I love this, thanks so much for the link and for your pattern for the rose and leaves. They are so pretty.
Posted by: glor | January 07, 2013 at 03:44 AM
Love your year-ends! You have so much to feel good about - may these good times never end. Thanks so much for the hanging heart instructions. You've just added another to-do to my list!
Posted by: Libby | January 07, 2013 at 03:50 AM
Dear,
what a wonderful heart.
Posted by: Betti | January 07, 2013 at 06:53 AM
Lovely! I'm going to try in red or pink for valentines I think ! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Taciana Simmons | January 07, 2013 at 07:00 AM
So lovely! Not sure which I like best; the heart or the rose. That rose is just the thing as a brooch on a not so fun cardigan... Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Line i Alvehagen | January 07, 2013 at 08:04 AM
Love the heart and little sentiment tags. Logged onto the link and was surprised to see they came from Lisa Angel. We have her lovely shop here in Norwich so think i must make a visit soon. Thanks for your great posts about last year and cannot wait to see what the new year brings from you. You especially and many other blogs have inspired me to get crafting again, have just started a granny stripe blanket and material has been purchased for patch working. A blog must be the next thing!
Posted by: Linda | January 07, 2013 at 08:11 AM
So pretty. I can just imagine it filled with scented lavender or rose petals too!
Posted by: Happy Ramblings | January 07, 2013 at 08:29 AM
Another lovely project to have a go at. The hat is coming along nicely. Thanks
Posted by: Evanna | January 07, 2013 at 09:25 AM
beautiful!!!!!!!!
thank you!!!!!!
Dany
Posted by: Daniela | January 07, 2013 at 10:07 AM
thanks for sharing this.
Posted by: Becca-Lou | January 07, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Just fab !!
Posted by: Sara | January 07, 2013 at 10:27 AM
Love the little heart Lucy ~ it is just lovely and a quick and easy project for a heartfelt gift :O)xx
Posted by: Jackie | January 07, 2013 at 11:25 AM
Oh Lucy, how you spoil us!
You should have been nominated for a New Year's honours award for services to crochet!
Posted by: sew | January 07, 2013 at 11:41 AM
It's really lovely, Lucy! Xx
Posted by: SquashMama | January 07, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Thank you so much! Definately on my 'to do' list!! They are wonderful and will make great presents x
Posted by: Chrissies Crafty Corner | January 07, 2013 at 11:56 AM
Beautiful ... thank you for sharing!! xxx
Posted by: Mellie | January 07, 2013 at 12:25 PM
So lovely,Lucy! With valentine's day just around the corner a great quick gift to work up,say alot and hand out to whomever you run into that day!Love the added touch of the mini sign :)
On the gift wrap may rose,did you add a pin back to it as well?Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Angela-Southern U.S.A. | January 07, 2013 at 12:49 PM