Saturday, January 29, 2011

Saturday morning Heart

Our family is pretty odd. We don't care much about Valentine's Day. (Put away the pitchforks!) I understand that it is a great way for people to have a reminder to appreciate each other, it's just not a holiday we celebrate.

For the fuller story, we have birthdays, Christmas, New Year, and Anniversary all within about 6 weeks of each other. By the time February rolls around, we're done. We're not cynical, I promise.

For the fuller, fuller story, Valentine's Day happens to be a HUGE deal to my in-laws since that's when they got engaged and all... So we certainly don't damper anyone else's enjoyment, either.

Anyway, I decided to make a little decoration maybe for our front door or something. (It's about the size of a large hot pad.)


I found the pattern here (UK directions), and they found it elsewhere ...in Swedish. Please note to look below the last picture for a slight adaptation on the last round. I didn't see it until after I cut my yarn. ;-) If you need the US translation, let me know.

Obviously, I was looking for something a little bigger, so I used two strands together and a Size J hook. My red is worsted weight cotton, and the white is curly with a strand of shiny thread.

Here's a close-up:
So there is a bit of flimsiness to it since the sides are larger than the bottom. Should I try to starch it? I confess, I've never starched a project before. Do I use regular spray starch like for ironing? I know I'm displaying my lack of culture and know-how here, but I hope you'll be kind in educating me ...please?

17 comments:

  1. I love your heart. In Spain Valentine's day is not as important as in USA. But I think is a lovely tradition, maybe we have to do something this year:)

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  2. I would probably make another one, sc them together, to cut the flimsiness.

    If it still wants to fall into itself . . maybe weave a shish-ka-bob skewer . . or whatever those giant wooden toothpick things are called . . through the top of the back heart . . that should help it hold it's shape.

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  3. Cute project - and a great little nod to people who do celebrate Valentine's Day. :)

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  4. Ooh--great ideas, Paula. Thanks!

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  5. I LOVE it! I'm been trying to think of something homemade to decorate my little "year round tree" and this just might be the thing! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. I am sure that picture doesn't do your heart justice as in real life that lovely white yarn would do its shiny thing catching the light! I have no clues about starching either. We don't celebrate Valentine's Day either because it is my husband's birthday so it is his day!

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  7. Such a sweet heart, Mindy! Love it and thanks for sharing the pattern! Hope you have a wonderful Valentine Day!

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  8. Thanks for sharing the tuorial. I've got to say, I'm amazed how much fuss is made of Valentine's Day in the US - it's seen as a holiday and people decorate!! In the UK, you give a card to your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend, but that's it! Younger teenagers and kids might send an anonymous card to someone they like (romantically) and that's really the gist of it for us!

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  9. So cute! Even if you don't "do" Valentine's, who doesn't like hearts? Thanks for linking up to Gettin' Krafty With It!

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  10. Love the heart! I don't know if starch would work well with a heavier yarn (as opposed to thread), but I think those that do starch them use a liquid starch.

    I see you linked up to my WIP Wednesday - welcome aboard! Could you please put a note about that in your blog post, so others know to follow you back there? It's all about sharing links to other blogs.

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  11. It's very pretty! I don't think that starching it would hurt at all.

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  12. What a beautiful decoration. It's festive without being "in your face" Valentine's Day. My husband isn't big on celebrating the holiday. His feeling is that we can shower each other with gifts and love throughout the year...I actually like that idea. I always make sure to have some treats and goodies for him and the kids though. I like your heart.

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  13. So true! Shower with gifts and love all year. =)

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  14. We both posted hearts on Fibers on Friday. Love your pattern. It has a very pretty, delicate look.

    :)

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  15. I really like how it turned out and I agree with Paula, to double the thickness. It is very lovely.

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  16. I would love to make a set of these for my Christmas tree next year! Thanks for linking up to our YARN IT ALL party! :]

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  17. Ooo, what a pretty decoration for Valentine's Day! I could totally see them on a garland.

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