Including today, Valentine’s Day is just 13 knitting or crocheting days away!

No, I’m not trying to rush the holidays along. I’m trying to give you enough time to actually make one or two of these projects. It would be irresponsible of me to suggest gifts to make for Valentine’s Day on that day, don’t you think?

When you think of Valentine’s Day you probably think of hearts, chocolate, and flowers. With that theme in mind, I’ve curated a collection of patterns from across our lines that feature heart motifs. Some can’t be missed and some are a little more subtle.

You can find these pattern books and the yarns to make the projects at your local yarn store.

Mirasol

Turns out Jane Ellison is pretty big on heart motifs and has peppered them through the collections she’s created for Mirasol.

A good project to practice intarsia

The Burru Tini Mittens from Book #27-Sulka-Ushya are a good (and obvious!) place to start our tour. Since fingerless mitts are small they are a fast project that you should be able to finish in plenty of time for gift giving. They are also very useful, both inside and out, and your loved one will think of you whenever they wear them.

This pair is knit in Sulka, a 60% Merino Wool, 20% Alpaca, 20% Silk blend available in 37 colors. The pattern requires two hanks of the main color and one hank of the contrasting color. These mitts would be a good project for practicing your intarsia technique as well.

For the person on your mind?

Another great Sulka project is the Ilsa Hat from Book #17-Sulka. A fun pompom tops off the cute heart motifs and ear flaps make it extra warm. I saw several versions on Ravelry where people worked solid hearts instead of just the outline.

Now that's a heart motif!

Write your love large with the Kisdon sweater from Book #21-Hapi & Nuna. Since it’s a sweater, you might not finish this in time for the holiday, but it probably won’t be the first time your Valentine has received an on-the-needles present from you!  Goodness knows we’ve all done it.

The two yarns featured in this book are both lovely. Nuna is a 40% Wool, 40% Silk, 20% Bamboo Viscose blend with shine and drape from the silk and bamboo viscose, as well as warmth spring from the wool. It is available in 26 colors.

Hap’i is a worsted weight, 100% cotton yarn available in 24 colors. It has a little bit of thick-and-thin texture to it for extra interest. This yarn is a great choice if you or the object of your affection are allergic to wool.

Make it long or short

If you don’t want to make a garment, try your hand at the Heart Mobile from Book #6-Accessories Collection. They are knit using Mirasol Tupa, a 50% Merino, 50% Silk blend with a suggested gauge of 5.5 sts per inch. Make it as long or as short as you want. Or just make one heart to decorate a gift.

A hug you can hug!

Another non-garment option is the Tomas Toy from Book #4-Children’s Collection. We always say a hand knit gift is a long distance hug, well here is one they can hug back! Tomas is especially good for children if you are worried about them outgrowing a sweater before you can finish knitting it.

 Noro

Heart pillows can be stuffed with yarn scraps

Jane Ellison’s heart theme continues to her Noro designs with the Heart Pillows from Book #9-Noro for Kids. After knitting up these quick projects you can stuff them with either fiberfill or all those yarn scraps you can’t use but also can bring yourself to throw out!

Louisa Harding

Whiskers scarf from Queen of Hearts

But Jane Ellison hasn’t cornered the market on heart motifs. You won’t be surprised to hear that Louisa Harding’s book “Queen of Hearts” features everything from scarves and bags to sweaters and cardigans sporting hearts large and small.

The Whiskers scarf shown here is knit using two hanks of Mulberry, a luscious 100% silk yarn. Maybe you should tell your Valentine to skip the flowers this year and get you a bouquet of Mulberry instead!

Sometimes it's ok to wear a heart on your sleeve

For that beloved young girl in your life there is the Charity sweater from Book #16-Kindred. From the lace and heart cuffs to the all over lace pattern on the body, this sweater will be as enjoyable to knit as a box of chocolates is to eat.

Charity is knit using eight balls of Kashmir Baby, a 55% Merino Wool, 10% Cashmere, 35% Microfiber Acrylic blend that comes in 32 colors. If pink is a little too sweat for your little lady other abound.

Elsebeth Lavold

XO cables are subtle love notes

If all these hearts are a little too over the top for you, cover your loved one in hugs and kisses instead with the Dakar set from Book #21-The City(e)scapes Collection.

In addition to being fun to knit the XO cable is a bit more subtle.  This set is knit using Silky Flamme, a 50% Peruvian Wool, 30% Alpaca, 20% Silk blend sure to keep the person wearing it warm when they are away from you.

Be Your Own Valentine

Since not everyone loves Valentine’s Day, I have some anti-VD suggestions as well.

You are your best Valentine.

The most obvious one is to go ahead and treat yourself!

The Party Angle Stole by Debbie Bliss uses five balls of her Party Angel yarn. This beautiful yarn is a 72% Superkid Mohair, 24% Silk, 4% blend that is both warm and lofty. It comes in 10 colors to suit your mood.

Another option to to take any of the patterns I’ve suggested and make them in black or your favorite color, instead of the traditional pink and red.

Or you can stick with the red heart and duplicate stitch a crack using black yarn to create a broken heart. The options are endless.

Whether your Valentine’s Day is sappy or serious keep in mind that yarn lasts longer than flowers!