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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I commented on this a couple weeks ago.. I've finally got around to making it, hopefully be on my blog with links to here and the original pattern later in the week :) x
Posted by: Kayleigh Gerrard | January 20, 2013 at 10:19 PM
Thanks a lot for a good idea. I tried to make the same...http://a-ideas-a.blogspot.com/2013/01/lovely-heart.html
Posted by: A-ideas | January 18, 2013 at 07:15 PM
My darling goddaughter started boarding school this week. I made this heart for her and one for her sister who is still at home. It is so gorgeous. Thank-you for sharing all your wonderful patterns. I love reading your blog.
Posted by: Wendy | January 17, 2013 at 06:27 AM
I love all the hearts and flowers, they are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing this.
Posted by: Patricia | January 16, 2013 at 01:33 PM
Oh, great idea for a gift!, i will make one for my mom i think she will like it.
Posted by: pelusa | January 15, 2013 at 04:39 PM
Hi, I love your colorful world :)
Posted by: dora | January 14, 2013 at 10:08 PM
Thank you so much for this lovely pattern. I've made one and shown it on my blog, and I'm sure I'll be making many more :)
Posted by: Lilli | January 14, 2013 at 07:57 PM
Trying really hard to have a go at this beautiful heart ....but struggle with increasing!
Posted by: Hele Treml | January 14, 2013 at 04:50 PM
This is so lovely! I love it!
Posted by: Ellen | January 14, 2013 at 07:45 AM
Just found your blog, and dont now where to comment because I want to comment everywhere! It is delicious!! Will add you to my blogroll so I dont miss a thing
Posted by: Nicks | January 13, 2013 at 08:38 PM
this makes my own heart go SQUEEEEEEEE!
Posted by: val | January 12, 2013 at 08:31 PM
Have had a quick try and had my own Ta Da moment. Am feeling very plead with myself. Photos are on my blag. Thanks again Lucy for the insiration.
Posted by: Sara | January 12, 2013 at 06:53 PM
Hi Lucy, Happy New Year. I love your blog and have done for a couple of years. I made the heart and decorated my christmas tree with chrochet roses and hearts this year (couldn't find my xmas baubles) and it looked fab:) I'll be going to yarndale, got it in the diary:) I also bought some lovely tins, filled them with an assortment of roses and flowers for friends to use to finish off parcels. they do make presents look very inviting. Turned out to be a very interesting, pretty and inexpensive present. I LOVE YOUR BLOG:>
Posted by: ANN WILLIAMS | January 12, 2013 at 09:01 AM
This is super cute! I'm actually working on a few to give to my neighbors. How can I contact you? I'd love to share with you how I crocheted the heart myself. I love your blog and learn so much from you!
Posted by: May | January 11, 2013 at 07:11 PM
This is such a beautiful gift, I love the sweet message you selected. Thank you so much for sharing.
Posted by: Lucy | January 11, 2013 at 06:51 PM
Thank you for sharing, I hope mine turns out as pretty when I try mine after I finish my granny blanket.
Posted by: Sarah | January 11, 2013 at 11:10 AM
Thank you for sharing. I like your style of work. Charlotte
Posted by: Charlotte C. Nelson | January 11, 2013 at 04:19 AM
Cute, I think I may need one of these when I get round to sorting out my wardrobe.
Posted by: Little Sue Doll | January 09, 2013 at 12:52 PM
Lucy, you did it again!! Provided me with an evenings entertainment. Thanks for posting!!
Have a happy one!
janie
Posted by: janie | January 09, 2013 at 11:51 AM
Having such a down day but your blog really cheers me up. Thanks for being a ray of sunshine for me.
Posted by: Liz | January 09, 2013 at 02:15 AM
This project is so lovely. I'll have to make it.
Posted by: Marie from the U. S. | January 08, 2013 at 10:51 PM
Que bonito.
Posted by: Mavi | January 08, 2013 at 10:19 PM
Brilliant, thank you so much for posting pattern, I have made 1 with a spring flower on, and am just starting a second. Genius idea, perfect for little gifts.
Posted by: Kate | January 08, 2013 at 08:40 PM
Lovely I shall have to give this a go ! You are very creative !
Posted by: Nikki | January 08, 2013 at 08:39 PM
Quite delightful are the heart of the small releases. Your page I like very much and I look very clean with you.
LG Ute
Posted by: UTEnsilien | January 08, 2013 at 05:37 PM