Weighted Hearts

Knitted and felted heart patterns have been selected to inspire individuals to use their creativity to make a gift to bring encouragement or comfort. The idea and symbolism of the weighted heart is to mimic the feeling of someone holding one’s hand.

  • Sentiments included: “May you feel the warmth of my hand and the love in my heart when I leave until I return. Know I am with you always.” “Sending love & comfort your way!” Or, you can create your own message of encouragement that is more appropriate for you, the one receiving or the circumstance.

  • These gifts can be given for a variety of reasons: someone going through a hard time; preparing for surgery; going through treatment or an illness.

  • Various fibers and colors can be used along with the addition of notions — participants will purchase supplies at local yarn shops or online resources.

KNITTED HEARTS

Materials

*Note: one skein makes 4-6 hearts per skein, depending on fiber selected.

  • One skein Malbrigo “Rios” (Worsted) - variety of colors! Camaleon, English Rose (Pink)

  • One skein of Malbrigo “Washted” (Worsted) Ravelry Red

  • OR one skein Malbrigo “Mecha” (Bulky) in Anniversario (multicolored) or Cereza (red variegated)

  • Needle Size for Rios & Washted - US Size 7 (straight or circular)

  • Needle Size for Mecha - US Size 10 (straight or circular)

Pattern: Heart Shaped Handwarmers - “Little Red Window”

Purchase Supplies Locally or Online: https://www.northwestwools.com/

Malbrigo Washted (611 Ravelry Red) - one skein makes six (6) hearts

Stitch Suggestion: Use “Running Stitch” for sewing together two sides of heart.

Sentiment Cards: Click here to download and print.

Packaging for Gifting: Click here to purchase.

  • Cellophane bag.

  • Insert with sentiment message.

  • HeartForward Project sticker to seal outside of cellophane bag.

FELTED HEARTS

Materials

  • One Skein Lamb’s Pride Bulky or Worsted weight of: “Red Hot Passion”, “Spice” or around “RPM Pink". Use a single strand of bulky; or hold two strands of worsted weight fiber together for this pattern.

  • Needle size: US 13 circulars are recommended (16” cable)

  • Stitch Marker (for beginning of row)

  • Tapestry Needle

  • Notions: flowers, buttons, additional yarn for decorative stitching.

Patterns/Templates

Purchase Supplies Locally or Online: https://www.churchmouseyarns.com or https://www.northwestwools.com

Stitch Guides: See “CYT Felted Gingerbread Ornaments”, page three (3)

  • Back Stitch

  • Ric-Rac Stitch

Sentiment Cards: Click here to download and print.

Packaging for Gifting: Click here to purchase.

  • Cellophane bag.

  • Insert card with sentiment message.

  • HeartForward Project sticker to seal outside of cellophane bag.

Instructions for Weighted Heart Inserts

Materials & Tools

  • Red craft felt (“washable”, if available)

  • Sewing machine

  • Red thread

  • Sewing needle

  • Fabric scissors

  • Millet (approximately 80-90g per heart)

  • Small kitchen funnel

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cut two hearts out of craft felt, 1/4” smaller than the felted heart “cookies”.

  2. Pin together.

  3. Sew on the right side of fabric, approximately 1/4” from the outer edge around all sides, but the bottom side. Leave approximately ½” opening.

  4. Fill heart with millet.

  5. Hand-sew the small opening after filling.

Special Note: If you do not have access to the above materials and tools, please click here to purchase finished inserts to use for your project.

Testimonial

“I’ve been volunteering for a couple organizations that involve supporting hospice patients. A friend of mine made a prototype weighted heart – basically a bean-bag-type heart, about 6” wide and filled with millet. The fabric was a sweet cotton print in black and white with a black and white striped bow. My friend described how when a friend or loved one is at the end of life, placing the heart into their hand lets them know that they are loved and not alone. While I thought this was a lovely gesture, I couldn’t imagine how this could have much of an impact.

Months later, my husband’s and my good friend, Rita, was dying. She was so miserable. We felt terrible we couldn’t be there 24/7. I know she didn’t want to be alone and it was always difficult to leave her. Suddenly I remembered the weighted heart. The next day after we visited her, I placed it in her hand and whispered in her ear that although we couldn’t be there all the time, she should know that the heart in her hand would remind her that she wasn’t alone and that we loved her. She gave out a gentle moan as she clung to it. I could see her relax and we knew she would be okay if we left.

After she passed away and I was cleaning out her apartment, I realized I couldn’t find the heart anywhere. I figured someone took it or it got thrown away. A couple weeks later we received the paperwork from the cremation society that handled her body. They listed the possessions on her and asked us what we would like to do with them:

  • 1 T-shirt

  • 1 beanbag heart

I was stunned! I hadn’t been there when they picked her up, but she must have had it in her hand, so it went along. I let them know that without a doubt, they should stay with her.”

~ Jan Striemer, Portland, Oregon

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