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Valentine’s Day Knitting Project Contest!

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vday gk project contest

The last Girly Knits project contest in September was so much fun, that I couldn’t wait to do another one!  This time it will have a Valentine’s Day theme, as the contest will culminate on February 14th, and the winners will be getting a very special package with fun Vday goodies from me!  To enter, just post your projects from the “Follow Your Heart” collection on either Ravelry of Craftsy by February 14th, and you will automatically be entered to win!  You can enter as many projects as you like.  You can also enter the Heart Puff Necklace, which is a free pattern 🙂

I will be choosing 2 winners – 1 by votes (I will post the projects on my facebook fan page on February 15th where fans can vote for their faves) and 1 at random, so make sure to post your projects from the new collection in time!  For inspiration, check out the winners from the last project contest!  Having fun photographing your projects always makes for a great project photo 😉  Can’t wait to see your projects!  Happy knitting!

How To Make a Knitted Heart Necklace Free Pattern Tutorial

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how to make a knitted heart necklace free knitting patternWhen I was thinking up design ideas for my Valentine’s Day inspired collection of knitting patterns “Follow Your Heart”, I thought it would be really fun to make a little heart puff to make a knitted heart necklace!  I started looking at what was already out there, and came across this cute little heart pattern on Martha Stewart’s site for a catnip toy.  I modified the pattern so that the heart would be knit in the round as one piece on double-pointed needles so you wouldn’t have to sew the 2 sides together at the end as instructed in the pattern on Martha Stewart’s site.  Whether you use her pattern or the modified one below, the result will be the same, a cute little stuffed heart!  I made one with size 2 needles and sport weight yarn for the necklace, and a larger one using an aran weight wool and size 4 needles for a toy for my cat to play with, both turned out super cute and fun!

Here is how I modified the pattern to be worked in the round below, and the materials that I used for the heart necklace:

Materials:

US 2 (2.75mm) double-pointed needles (set of 5)

Lion Brand Microspun in Fuchsia

Tapestry needle

Stuffing

28″ chain for necklace

Small metal clasp

Abbreviations:

BO: bind off

CO: cast on

k: knit

k2tog: knit 2 stitches together

kfb: knit into front and back of stitch

p: purl

rnd: round

st(s): stitch(es)

Directions:

CO 4 sts.

Kfb every st – 8 sts.

Divide 8 sts over 3 needles (4 sts on needle 1, 2 sts on needles 2 and 3).  Join to work in rnd, taking care not to twist sts.

Knit 1 rnd.

Next Rnd: Kfb, k to last st on needle 1, kfb, kfb, k to last st on needle 3, kfb – 12 sts.

Next Rnd: Knit

Rep last 2 rnds until there are 28 sts.

Next Rnd : K2tog, k5, join with needle 3, with extra needle k5 (from needle 3), k2tog – 12 live sts, 14 sts held for other side of heart on dpns.

Next Rnd: [K2tog, k2, k2tog] x 2 – 8 sts.

BO in Kitchener St to join front and back of heart.

Join yarn at center of heart to work 14 held sts.

Next Rnd: K5, k2tog, k2tog k5 – 12 sts.

Next Rnd: Join 2 sides and [K2tog, k2, k2tog] x 2 – 8 sts.

BO in Kitchener St to join front and back of heart.

Finishing:

Trim tails to approximately 2 inches.  Excluding tails at top center of heart, pull tails to inside or heart closing up any holes as you pull them in.

Stuff heart.

Use center tails to sew up center sides of heart, then double knot ends and pull to center.

String a chain with a small metal clasp, and clasp knitted heart at top center of heart.

Woo-lah!  You just made yourself some awesome knitted jewelry!  Enjoy!  For more fun Valentine’s Day inspired patterns, check out my brand new collection “Follow Your Heart”! ♥

P.S. If you make this necklace, please post pics of your project on Ravelry here!

pink knitted heart necklace free knitting pattern

New Girly Knits Valentine’s Day Knitting Pattern Collection “Follow Your Heart”

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follow-your-heart-coverI am so super excited to share my brand new collection of knitting patterns with you, “Follow Your Heart”!  It is a collection of 7 lovely knitting patterns inspired by Valentine’s Day and all of the fun girly goodies that come along with it!  The collection includes gloves with flirty valentine’s messages, a skirt and legwarmer set featuring a heart cable pattern, playful and romantic reversible eye masks, a cupcake inspired hat and mitten set, and more!  Check out the video of me below doing a show and tell of the collection, and telling a little more about each piece!  A fun thing I also did with the collection was to include girls sizes in the patterns, yay!.

In the video, I also share a fun Valentine’s Day promotion!:

  • You can get the full collection of all 7 patterns for only $24 through Ravelry here!  You can also purchase the patterns individually for $6-$7 each through Ravelry.
  • When you purchase the collection you also get a free bonus pattern, “Trifecta“!  If you’re on Ravelry, just make sure to add the pattern to your cart and it will be free at checkout.
  • Receive a very special Girly Knits Valentine from me when you purchase the “Follow Your Heart” collection by February 5th!  Just make sure to e-mail me your mailing address after purchasing the collection.  (Note: This date has passed but I do have some Valentine’s left over – if you send me your address I will still send you one until they run out 😉 )

Here are all of the patterns in the collection and their descriptions below:

“Heart Me Forever”

heart me forever cable knit skirt knitting pattern 8   heart me forever cable knit skirt knitting pattern 7

If you were looking for a skirt that you will heart forever that will heart you back, you are in luck!  “Heart Me Forever” is the most lovable skirt you will meet – with a super sweet heart stitch pattern, elegant mirrored cables, charming bobbles, and a playful bow drawstring with pom-poms, you will believe in love at first sight!  This skirt will love you back with its flattering fitted shape and cozy warmth that only hand knit pieces provide. Knit with the ever hearted Knit Picks Swish Worsted and in the round as one piece for ease of finishing and ability to try on as you go, there truly is nothing not to love.  I hope you love knitting “Heart Me Forever” as much as I loved designing it!

“Heart Warmers”

heart warmers knitted legwarmers knitting pattern 5

heart warmers knitted legwarmers knitting pattern 1

Keep your legs and wrists warm this Winter with the warmest type of cables, hearts!  Hehe so that may not be technically true, but hearts make everything extra warm and fuzzy feeling, right?!  This stylish set of legwarmers and mini mitts are knit in the round for ease of finishing and custom fit!  They also feature a heart cable pattern that alternates between open and filled in hearts for a super fun and fashionable knitting experience and look!  Whether you are making these for yourself or a very special recipient, the love and warmth will surely be felt.  Enjoy!

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“Be My Valentine”

be my valentine fingerless gloves knitting pattern kiss me 5

be my valentine fingerless gloves knitting pattern be mine 5   be my valentine fingerless gloves knitting pattern i heart you 6

Give “talk to the hand” a whole new meaning when you stylishly wear and flash these fun and flirty fingerless gloves!  With phrases such as “Be Mine”, “Kiss Me”, and “I Heart You”, you will be sure to surprise and delight the recipient of your message. These valentine’s day themed gloves feature many different style options to suite your fingerless needs, including an oh-so-cute removable mitten hat!  The pattern contains a heart and lip color chart to sass up your mittens, and interchangeable word charts to make your message your own.  Choose your preferred worsted weight yarn in your favorite color combo and you are good to go! Have fun!

“Eye Candy”

eye candy reversible eye masks knitting pattern

eye candy knitted eye mask knitting pattern do not disturb 6    eye candy knitted eye mask knitting pattern i heart you 6

eye candy knitted eye mask knitting pattern dreaming of you 6    eye candy knitted eye mask knitting pattern love shades 7

Treat your eyes to something sweet with these colorful knitted eyemasks!  Whether you’re sleeping next to the one you love or enjoying your sweet dreams solo, this mask is sure to express your desires!  The reversible eyemask is 2-sided to for double the fun, and includes 10 interchangeable charts for you to choose from!  It also includes 2 blank charts so you can design a custom message and motif of your own!  The mask knits up with less than your average ball ‘o yarn, making it a great stash buster, and a bite size project to practice your awesome colorwork skills.  Sweet, colorful, and bite size, this mask really is just like candy!  Yum!  Enjoy!

 “Sweeter Than a Cupcake”

sweeter than a cupcake knitted hat and mittens cupcake knitting pattern 2

sweeter than a cupcake knitted hat and mittens cupcake knitting pattern 4

What is sweeter than a cupcake?  You are of course, especially when you’re adorned in this cute and cozy hat and mitten set!  The matching hat and mittens are knit up with your 3 favorite colors of cupcake, and topped off with delicious colorful sprinkles and a pom-pom! All pieces are knit in the round, and have a hint of Fair Isle for just a sweet little taste of colorwork. The mittens feature a detachable top for your fingerless needs, which looks just as cute on or off your fingers! While this pattern may cause cupcake cravings, I promise your sweet tooth will be satisfied when you complete this set!  Enjoy!

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“Care to Cuddle?”

care to cuddle koala bear hat and mittens knitting pattern 2   care to cuddle koala bear hat and mittens knitting pattern 4

For times when life is too much and you are feeling in despair, what could cheer you up more than a cuddle from a cute fuzzy koala bear?  You needn’t go down under to experience his charms, you can make him up in your favorite worsted weight yarns!  With his big fuzzy ears, and large button eyes, he knows just what to do to make your spirits rise. He will keep your ears warm, your wrists and fingers too, as all he wants to do is cuddle with you! “Care to Cuddle” can be other fuzzy things, as an Owl he will enlighten you with the wisdom he brings!  Just remember as you come out of despair, “Care to Cuddle” wants to be shared!  Enjoy!

“Your Time You Shine”

your time to shine sequin bow hat and mittens knitting pattern 1   your time to shine flower hat and mittens knitting pattern 1your time to shine flower hat and mittens knitting pattern 2

It is your time to shine girl when you make and rock this super stylish hat and glove set!  Featuring a charming eyelet and garter stitch stripe pattern, and the option of adorning yourself in a big flower or bow, you are sure to shine!  The bow set is made with Patons Lace Sequin with 2 strands held together for extra sequin sparkle, with the addition of bling at the center of the bows!  The flower set uses Lion Brand’s Amazing for a fabulously chic color changing effect.  Fear not the flowers, they are actually knitted using dpns!  Whether you want to go glam or bohemian chic, this pattern is sure to suite your unique style!  Enjoy!

Special Vday Promotion!

I hope you enjoy the patterns as much as I loved making them!  You can find all of these patterns on Ravelry, where they are $6-$7, or you can buy the entire collection for only $24 on Ravelry! For a limited time I will also be giving you “Trifecta” as a free bonus pattern when you purchase the “Follow Your Heart” Collection – simply add the pattern to your cart on Ravelry and it will be free at checkout.

“Trifecta” (Bonus Pattern!)

trifecta 3    trifecta 4

Staying warm in the Winter can be a challenge with all of the knitted accessories you need to keep track of. Between a hat, scarf, and 2 gloves, something is bound to get lost in the mix.  As the knitter of said items, this causes quite the dilemma! In comes Trifecta, a fun and fashionable accessory with all 3 of your favorite wooly Winter wonders combined!  Trifecta will warm up your head, neck, and hands all at once, with an added bonus of making you look extra cute and cozy in the process!  Knit with two strands of yarn held together in a stylish moss stitch and cable pattern, Trifecta knits up into an extra chunky fabric that is guaranteed to keep you extra warm.  Trifecta will be your new favorite one stop cold-weather accessory, there’s no way you’ll leave this hand-knit beauty behind!

Purchase the “Follow Your Heart” Collection by February 5th and I will personally send you a Valentine!

be my valentine fingerless gloves knitting pattern i heart you 5Another fun thing I wanted to do was to send you a Girly Knits Valentine!  Just email me your address to girlyknits@gmail.com after purchasing the collection, and you will receive a fun valentine from me in the mail!  Yay!

Thanks for checking out the new collection!  I hope you enjoy it!  Happy Valentine’s Day!

♥Lauren

Sequin Knits

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I absolutely love the look of knitting combined with sequins.  It seems to be a trend as I have been seeing more yarns incorporating it.  I love Loops and Threads Dewdrops yarn (which I used for my Snow Princess design), and have been looking for a lighter weight one that I can use for future designs.  Have you used yarn with sequins and what do you think?  Have a favorite one?  These sweaters are so pretty, the sequins add so much charm!

tan sequin bow back sweater source: http://tanyaskiba.tumblr.com/post/37412290675

purple sequin sweatersource: http://lefashdemoi.tumblr.com/post/37869857376

Tyra Banks in Knitted Lingerie

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Check out this old photo of Tyra Banks in knitted lingerie!  I’m guessing it was from the mid 90’s – considering that I am actually quite surprised by how cute the design is!  Reminds of the first time I saw knitted lingerie – it was also a white number that a girl was wearing on the cover of a magazine, and I tried to copy it!  Haha, wish I still had that image!

tyra banks knitted lingeriesource: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151204863948752&set=pb.189777398751.-2207520000.1356136935&type=3&theater