GUIDELINES FOR MAKING THE HEARTS
Please make small to medium sized hearts between 1.5 inches and 2 inches (4cm – 5cm).
The patterns below are free. The finished loop must be 4 inches to 5 inches (10cm-12cm) [not including the tails], for the tags to be connected to. Don’t make it longer than that because a child may try to use it as a necklace which could cut off their air supply if it became entangled on something.
Please do not use a chain stitch to create the loop. It makes it too
bulky to go through the hole in the tags.
Also, please do not make a single stranded loop…
These pull apart easily.
… make a loop with the 2 ends tied together, like the 5 pictured below.
The Tail end of your yarn (where you started from) and the Ball end of your yarn (where you ended with) should BOTH come up through the center of the top of the heart…
… not from the side or from the bottom.
Please use a knot whose ends come out of the knot parallel to each other, like in a figure-eight knot or an overhand knot (think rabbit ears) …
Figure-Eight Knot
… because it looks better and holds together better than a knot whose ends go off in opposite directions, like a granny knot or square knot (think cat’s whiskers).
Granny Knots and Square Knots pull apart easily
Even if you are not adding tags to the hearts you are sending you must make a tied off loop.
If you want more pattern choices you can find them on Ravelry.com. It is a free website for people who knit and crochet.
Please, do not attach buttons, snaps, beads, or anything else on a heart that a small child could choke on.
Knit heart patterns (free):
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hearts
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knit-hearts-to-be-my-valentine
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/my-whole-heart
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/0-878-sweet-heart
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hanging-heart-2
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-hearts
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/giving-heart
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/valentine-heart-shaped-puffs
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-of-it-all
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seamless-heart
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ewe-ewe-heart-heart
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-pendant — But don’t attach any embellishments to your hearts.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-shape-softie
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-pattern-3
Crochet heart patterns (free):
http://www.planetjune.com/blog/free-crochet-patterns/love-hearts
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-easiest-crochet-heart-pattern-ever
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-heart-pattern
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-heart-pattern-in-3-sizes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=125&v=W0f-x3ByaMw
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-catnip-toy
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-motif-2
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-applique
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hearts-13
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heart-applique-with-bonus-chart-reading-tutorial-video
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hearts-18
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boho-hearts
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-but-unique-heart
http://snovej.com/archives/crochet-felted-swirly-heart
Here’s a popular pattern:
Use a K-size hook and chunky/thick yarn to make the heart 2 inches (5 cm) wide. Make a magic loop… Chain 3, In the loop, 3 triple crochet, 3 double crochet, chain 1, 1 triple crochet, chain 1, 3 double crochet, 3 triple crochet, chain 3. Pull the loop to tighten the center of the heart. Slip stitch in the center of the heart and fasten off, knotting both tail end and working end together at V at the center of the TOP of the heart. Cut both about 5 inches (13 cm). Attach the two ends together with a figure eight knot or overhand knot (not a granny knot or square knot), creating a 4-inch loop to attach the tags to.
MORE KINDS OF HEARTS
You don’t have to knit or crochet the hearts. We actually make some of our hearts by wrapping yarn around heart-shaped cardboard. For example, from a cereal box. If you have trouble with the yarn slipping off the rounded edges then you can switch to corrugated cardboard. Here is the simple pattern. Please be sure to leave a 5-inch loop (12 cm) at the top of the heart so a tag can be attached to it. Even if you are not adding tags to the hearts you are sending you must make a tied off loop.
Here is a video showing how to wrap the hearts. It says you can use any color but please don’t use black.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7fqaUEvdI8
A SIMPLE WAY TO MAKE FELT HEARTS
Thank you to Don Lawson and his wife, Terry, for creating this video for the Peyton Heart Project. It shows a way to make hearts for us if you don’t know how to knit or crochet. This would be great for kids, too.
MAKING THE TAGS
Please use only thick paper to print out the tags, like heavy duty card stock (65lb). Ordinary printer paper is not strong enough.
Personalized Tags
Only tags that are made/authorized by The Peyton Heart Project are permitted to be attached to our hearts. By ordering hearts/tags from us you agree that you will not attach your own tags/cards, etc., and that you will not write on or deface our tags in any way. This includes adding hashtags, numbers, names, websites, etc. A personalized memorial tag file is available from us for a small fee. Please contact us for information. Thank you.
How to attach the tags:
Here is a video that shows the knot involved. (sometimes it’s called Lark’s Head Knot, sometimes Girth Knot, depending on if you’re doing macramé or jewelry making or rock climbing.
From 0:30 to 1:15 is the relevant section.
Lark’s Head Knot
The carabiner is like the hole in the tag. The rope is like the yarn loop with the heart at the end.The first part of the video is like the yarn going around the heart and the second part is like the yarn going around the tag. Either way works.
All tags are on this page:
www.thepeytonheartproject.org/tags
Please do not alter the files in any way. This includes changing any quotes; changing the layout; changing the font; changing any colors; adding or deleting icons.
If you have an old file that says anywhere on the tag “Sidewalk Smiles”, please discard that file and download a new, updated file.
SCATTERING THE HEARTS
Release your hearts out into the wild…
But, please do not insert hearts or tags into vending machine slots or ATM slots or gas pump slots or any other card reader or money slot. It can jam the machinery.
HOW TO CUT/MAKE A PEYTON HEART:
There are many ways, however this is how we do ours.
Take two pieces of material; one felt piece and one regular (thinner) material of your choosing. Other
items you will need for this are: a wooden heart shaped template, marker, and scissors.
1- Take your thinner material and trace the wooden template heart on the BACK SIDE. Squeeze in
as many hearts as you can so not to waste material. Do not overlap. See diagram below.
2-When you cut the hearts out, try to cut out all or most of the black marker.
3-Do the same for the felt material. Trace the heart on either side.
4-Now match up the two pieces. The thinner piece (design piece) on top. See pictures below.
5- You are now ready to sew.
HOW TO SEW A PEYTON HEART:
There are many ways to do this, but this is how we have chosen to do ours.
Take two pieces of material, cut them into hearts and sew them together. Leave a 4-to-5-inch
loop at the top so to place a tag with an inspirational message. We sew these together by hand,
however, if you find a way to do them on a machine; that is also fine.
After your two pieces of material are cut and “matched” together, take a piece of thread
approximately “2 Adult arm’s length”. Thread the needle which will fold the thread it in half
once. Knot the two pieces of thread together at the end. Now you are ready to start sewing.
1- First stitch: Please the needle at the top of the heart…… on the inside of ONE piece (we
do the top “light material” piece). Place it about a quarter inch from the end of the
material. Stitch it in between the two humps of the heart. See diagram A. Pull through
the “knotted” piece of thread. (thin crochet thread works best) After you pull it through
place the felt heart on the back. This will place the knot on the inside of the heart. Pull
the thread through then you are ready for the second stich.
2- Second stich: The second stich goes behind the two pieces. Stitch it through about the
same distance from the end of the heart. (1/4 in). Continue the same stitch pattern all
along the edge of the heart. See diagram B
3- Halfway Point: The bottom “point” of the heart can be tricky. Keep the stitches closer
together at the bottom to help the transition of starting up the second half of the heart.
4- Tangles: As you sew the thread may tangle and get knotted. Be careful not to let this
happen. As you stitch, occasionally let go of the needle to let the dangle; it will unwind
the thread.
5- Evenness: To help your stitches to look even and consistent; try to guide the loop into
place slowly. You can even move them with the tip of the needle a little after the stitch
is in.
6- Finishing the Heart/ handle: When you get back to the top of the heart go all the back
the first stitch. Take that last stitch right in or near the very first stitch. Now you should
have the thread and needle coming out the top (middle). There should be about 6-10
inches. Take the thread and loop it to create a knot approximately 4-5 inches long. Cut
off the excess thread. *Note- it is important not to have a loop longer than 5 inches.
See finished heart- diagram B.
How to make Peyton Heart Project GIFS
Criteria for the Virtual Hearts:
A simple blinking image. An image has 2 frames, a frame rate of .5 seconds, and 3 repetitions. The animation has a duration of (2 * 0.5 * 3) seconds, or exactly 3 seconds, and therefore meets the requirements of the success criterion.