Ah, February… the month for sweethearts of all kinds!  In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought it might be nice to work up a pattern which, while providing wonderful texture and loft, also liberally sprinkles what is known throughout history as the symbol of love: the Heart.

The appealing way the hearts sit directly on top of the set of three eyelets also reminds me of tulips…which is perfect for those who seek the first signs of spring! 🙂

In this monthly column we’re going to be working on some exciting new stitch patterns, as well as a few new techniques thrown in for good measure.  My intention for our yarn play is to provide all the know-how for you to be able to work the new stitch; any charts, photos, or videos you may need; as well as a pattern to create an 8” x 8” square.  As we go along in our looming journey, we should be able to create lovely pieced afghans with our squares, as I like to know that we’re going somewhere while swatching, don’t you?  You can think of it as our Stitch Sample Afghan—a stitch dictionary right at your fingertips, keeping your legs warm, lol. 😉

Eyelet You Have My Heart Square

Items Needed

Loom: Authentic Knitting Board Adjustable Hat Loom: 2 rounded pieces + 3 peg connectors, with pegs in all holes for a 3/8” gauge.  The Sock Loom 2 or the All-n-One Loom could also be used.

Yarn: approx. 75 yards Worsted Weight (Sample uses Berroco Vintage in Berries)

Notions: Loom tool, yarn needle, scissors.  (Also helpful: peg markers, row counter, and blocking pins)

Pattern Notes:

To work this pattern in the round, such as for a hat, use the Repeating Pattern Rows chart, and make sure to read it from right to left for each row, rather than alternating sides each time.  Also, cast onto your loom in a clockwise direction, using a number of pegs that is divisible by 8—the number of stitches required for each pattern repeat.

For flat pieces of a greater size, begin with the Set Up Rows, then simply increase the number of Repeating Pattern Rows inside the garter stitch border for the length and width required, then complete with the Finishing Rows.

When the pattern uses the term “knit” or “k”, please use the true knit stitch or the u-stitch, not the e-wrap.

To work a s1, k1, psso (in the case of this pattern, a right leaning eyelet), please see this tutorial by Isela Phelps:

*For ease in reading the pattern’s directions below, this step is placed inside brackets [ ] to let you know that these steps are all accomplished on just two pegs.

To work a ssk (a left leaning eyelet), please see this tutorial by Isela Phelps:

*For ease in reading the pattern’s directions below, this step is placed inside brackets [ ] to let you know that these steps are all accomplished on just two pegs.

There are two additional ways of creating eyelets for this particular pattern: the Purl 2 Together (P2tog) for a right leaning eyelet worked as a purl, and the Slip, Slip, Purl (ssp) for a left leaning eyelet worked as a purl.  The following dictates how to work these stitches as you will find them in the stitch pattern:

[yo, ssp]: Worked from right to left. Move the loop from yo peg to the ssp peg. Loosely carry the WY across the front of the empty yo peg, then purl the next peg, working the two loops as one.

[ssp, yo]: Worked from left to right.  Before working the two pegs, move the loop from the yo peg to the ssp peg. Purl the ssp peg, working the two loops as one. Loosely carry the WY across the front of the empty yo peg and work the next peg in line as the pattern dictates.

[yo, P2tog]:  Worked the same as a [yo, ssp], but is worked from left to right.

Repeating Pattern Rows

Here is the entire pattern chart for the 8” x 8” square:

Everything you need to know about knitting your square is included in the above chart.  Believe it or not, you can actually create your square without looking at another thing!  For help with reading charts, please see the Stitchology I post for a detailed explanation, and you’ll be ready to go!

But, don’t worry…I am also providing you with the step by step instructions below. 😉

Step by Step Instructions:

Cast onto your loom from left to right, using a total of 37 pegs. (Sample uses Chain Cast On)

Set Up Rows

Row 1:  p37

Row 2:  k37

Row 3:  p37

Main Pattern Rows

Row 4:  k37

Row 5:  p2, k4, p1, *k7,  p1, repeat from * to last 6 sts, k4, p2.

Row 6: *k5, p3, repeat from *, ending with k5.

Rows 7:  p2, k2, p2, [yo, ssp], p1, *k3, p2, [yo, ssp], p1, repeat from * to last 4 sts, k2, p2.

Row 8: k3, *p1, [ssp, yo], p1, [yo, p2tog], p1, k1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 9:  p2, k1, *p7, k1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, p2.

Row 10:  k4, *p2, k1, p2, k3, repeat from * to last sts, k1.

Row 11:  p2, k33, p2.

Row 12:  k37

Row 13:  p2, k1, [yo, ssk], *k1, p1, k1, [s1, k1, psso, yo], repeat from * to last 7 sts, k5, p2.

Row 14:  k5, *p1, k1, p1, k5, repeat from * to end.

Row 15:  p2, *[yo, ssk], p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * to last 3 sts, [yo, ssp], p1.

Row 16:  k3, *p1, k1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 17:  p3, k1, p1, [s1, k1, psso, yo], *k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, [s1, k1, psso, yo], repeat from * to last 6 sts, k1, p1, k1, p3.

Row 18:  k3, p1, k5, *p1, k1, p1, k5, repeat from * to last 4 sts, p1, k3.

Row 19:  p3, k1, [s1, k1, psso, yo], k1, [yo, ssk], *k1, p1, k1, [s1, k1, psso, yo], k1, [yo, ssk], repeat from * to last 4 sts, k1, p3.

Row 20-51:  repeat Rows 4-19.

Row 52-60:  work as Rows 4-12.

Finishing Rows

Row 61:  p37

Row 62:  k37

Row 63:  p37

Bind off all stitches loosely. (Sample uses the Basic Bind Off)  Weave in ends and trim close to work.

Block to an 8” x 8” measurement.  This square was blocked quite thoroughly to really help the eyelets open and the stitches pop.  It was gently washed by hand, left to soak for a while, then the excess water was squeezed out by rolling and pressing the square inside a towel.  As you can see by this photo, the extra step of pinning each eyelet open was used and is highly recommended to achieve the best results! 😉

Afghan Notes:

If you are intending this square to be part of an afghan, you may wish to make up to 3 or 4 additional squares.  We will be sharing at least 12 of these patterns for you to use in your blanket.  Use the following general measurements to decide how many of each of the 8″ x 8″ squares you will need, rounding up as necessary:

• Baby Blanket: 30″ x 36″
• Children: 42″ x 48″
• Lapghan: 36″ x 48″
• Twin Bed Afghan: 60″ x 85″
• Queen Bed Afghan: 90″ x 95″