Hearts

A rainbow of hearts in 3 sizes. A quick-knit gift to show someone you care, these hearts can be personalised by sewing a short message onto them. The small hearts are a good size for making into Christmas tree baubles or stringing together to make bunting for a children's bedroom. They are also ideal for a Valentine, anniversary, wedding or thank you gift.

The hearts are knit flat in two pieces then sewn together and stuffed. The finished hearts are approximately 15, 10 and 5 cm (6, 4 and 2 inches) tall. The big heart has 6 stripes and the medium and small hearts are a single colour.

The pattern includes instructions on how to sew a message onto the heart.

Techniques you should know:

· Casting on and binding off.

· Knitting and purling.

· Increasing (kfb) and decreasing.

· Simple colour changes for making stripes.

· Sewing seams using mattress stitch.