Iris Rowe has designed and knitted these small hearts to help bring comfort to families who have not been able to see a loved one before they die. The original message asking for help appeared on Saturday 4th April on the BBC news website.
MACHINES This pattern is suitable for all standard gauge machines.
MATERIALS Any suitable 4-ply yarn in Pink (see Laura’s note at end). Polyester toy stuffing.
MEASUREMENTS Height is about 5 cm, 2 in.
TENSION Tension dial setting approximately 6.
TO KNIT Push 16 needles to working position. Using Pink make a woven or automatic closed edge cast on. Knit 3 rows. Increase 1 st at each end of next and every following alternate row until there are 30 stitches. With carriage at left, push 15 needles at right of centre 0 to holding position and set carriage to hold. Place marker at both ends of next row. Decrease 1 inside stitch on next 4 rows. 11 stitches remain. Break yarn then using a bodkin, thread end through stitches and release from machine. Return 15 needles at right to working position. Re-join yarn. Place marker at both ends of next row. Decrease 1 st at left on next 4 rows. Break yarn then using a bodkin, thread end through stitches and release from machine.
MAKING UP Pull up stitches at top of heart and secure. With right sides together, join seam up to markers. Complete other side in the same way. Join back seam and turn right side out. Stuff lightly, pull up stitches and secure.
Brighter Futures This original message asking for help appeared on Saturday 4th April on the BBC news website. It reads:- “Nurse Laura Kirby-Deacon wants people to send small handcrafted hearts to give to patients who contracted Covid-19 and their families. Laura, who works as a sister at the Great Western Hospital’s intensive care unit in Swindon, said the hearts could bring comfort to families who have not been able to see a loved one before they die. She said it was important to use clean yarn and seal the hearts in a taped bag, such as a freezer bag or bin liner. She also asked for the bags to be dated because 72 hours must have elapsed before they are safe to use. Laura urged anyone wanting to post hearts to send them to Brighter Futures at the GWH, Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon SN3 6BB.” The BBC link is www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-wiltshire-52165537/laura-kirby-deacon-says-the-hearts-will-help-those-who-lose-loved-ones
