Knit Rainbow Heart for Orlando

I was in Washington, D.C. over the weekend for the National Needle Arts convention. While I was there it also happened to be Pride weekend. The city was alight with rainbows worn on people, draped over buildings, flying in the sky.

Meanwhile the worst gun massacre of our nation’s history was occurring in Orlando, Florida — each bullet killing or wounding over 100 of our fellow citizens, but also aimed at splintering the reflection of light that creates the rainbow symbol. However, we as a human society have not gone dark — we WILL NOT lose the light.

My whole heart goes out to the people of Orlando, to the family members of those slain, and to the LGBT community.

Everything that needs to be said about these acts of terror, hate and gun violence, I feel, has already been said. As long as we as people –members of the same human collective — use ANY belief system or ANY religion as license to be vile towards one another then, we will not be able to evolve into a more advanced society. We’ll remain stuck in a HOLDING PATTERN OF HATE; in an endless loop of fear, dread, and violence. I believe, though that we are better than this. I believe that we have a capacity to love that far exceeds the capacity to hate.

What does that mean for us in the craft community? I also believe that creative people swell with the ability to make good. We can MAKE positivity. We can MAKE gestures of love. Through our craft, we can MAKE our voices sing to reach to the highest rainbow.

So today we’re going to knit hearts, because we as makers feel better when are hands are creating. So create a little spot of happiness. Do it for yourself, or make one (or some) for others as a gesture of good will.

Click on image to watch video tutorial from this week’s, Ask Me Monday on Facebook.

Mitered Rainbow Heart

MATERIALS
Any type, worsted weight yarn in colors: (A) Red, (B) Orange, (C) Yellow, (D) Green & (E) Blue
US Size 8 needle
Tapestry needle
Optional: Small piece of felt + sewing needle & thread or hot glue gun

GAUGE
1 heart= 3 1/4” at widest point.

Note for bigger or smaller hearts, simply choose a lighter or heavier weight yarn.

DIRECTIONS
With A, CO 20 sts.
Row 1: K8, ssk, k2tog, k8.

Rows 2,4,6,8: Knit
Join next color.

Row 3: With B, k7, ssk, k2tog, k7.

Row 5: With C, k6, ssk, k2tog, k6.

Row 7: With D, k5, ssk, k2tog, k5.

Row 9: With E, k4, ssk, k2tog, k4

Row 10: Ssk, BO to last 2 sts (you’ll still have one st on the RH needle as well), ssk, BO remaining sts.

FINISHING
Weave in ends.

Block in heart shape.

Optional: Cut felt piece in same shape and hot glue or hand sew to back for stability and/or so you can add a pin to make this heart an adornment.

Pass it on, love it on.

Looking for another project of the same ilk? Here’s the link to the Love is Love chart for sweaters, beanies, or whatever!

Sending so much love and peace to you all!

xx,

Vickie