It’s the final countdown to Little Scraplet’s school Christmas fair this weekend, and I’m making as many blanket hearts as I can. The blanket in question was an old family one which was too far gone to be mended, so I decided its time was up: it was curtains for the blanket.

Heart-making in progress

I gave it a good boil-wash before starting, then steam-pressed it. My template is a cookie cutter: no point reinventing the wheel.

I’ve been experimenting with different threads (embroidery floss, mohair, crochet cotton) with pleasing results; I really like the way pink mohair looks – it lifts the rather spartan blanket-weave – but haven’t taken shots of those hearts yet. The ones pictured use half a length of 6-strand embroidery cotton (so three strands) just out of habit; that’s how I was shown to used embroidery floss as a girl. The needle I used is a tapestry one, partly because it’s blunt (I may be showing kids how to make these), partly because it has a large eye to accommodate thick yarn. It gets through the rather loose weave of the blanket pretty well, though I think I’d prefer a chenille needle, with a large eye (like a tapestry) and with a pointed end.

Stuffing with lavender

The loop is old linen upholstery string I had lying around. I knot the length of string and sandwich it between the two blanket hearts, cinching it in place with my first blanket stitch. Once I’ve blanket-stitched most of the way round, I teaspoon in the lavender stuffing before finishing off. There’s probably an easier and more efficient way, but this is mine.

All done

A little rough and ready, though not without charm. They can decorate the Christmas tree, or go over a hanger to keep clothes fresh and moth-free. I hope the kids (and their parents) like them.

Before I go, I must tip my hat to the hugely talented Lisa who creates the most beautiful upcycled woollen hearts and who inspired me to have a go too, even if mine are a far cry from the perfection she manages to achieve.