Knit a blood group heart
We're getting cosy this Christmas by knitting blood group hearts for our trees.
Here is what you'll need to join in:
Yarn: (Suggested) DK red yarn (MC) and DK any colour of contrasting yarn (CC).
(less than 30g yarn required).
Needles: UK 3.5 mm / US # 4 straight knitting needles.
Please use appropriate needle size for yarn used. For a tighter knit, use a slightly smaller needle size
Other:
A small amount of toy stuffing.
A tapestry needle.
Red Yarn for sewing together.
Yarn or ribbon for hanging loop.
Pattern Notes
The final heart measures approximately 4.5 in' high x 4.5 in' wide when using 3.5mm needles and DK yarn.
The front and back are worked flat and separate on straight knitting needles, then sewn together using the mattress stitch with a tapestry needle.
9 charts are provided showing the 8 different blood groups, plus 1 for 'unknown' blood group, please choose the correct chart for your project and refer to this chart at the appropriate section as indicated by the pattern.
Abbreviations
MC = Main colour of yarn
CC = Contrasting colour of yarn
P = Purl
K = Knit
RS = Right-side
WS = Wrong-side
CO = Cast on
Sts = Stitches
Inc = Increase (add one or more stitches)
P2tog = Purl 2 stitches together. (1 stitch decreased)
K2tog – Knit 2 stitches together. (1 stitch decreased)
BO = Bind off.
To make
Knit the front of the heart first followed by the back of the heart.
Cast On (CO) 4 sts with MC.
Row 1: P4. (WS)
Row 2: Inc 1, K1, Inc 1, K1. (RS) (6 sts).
Row 3: P6.
Row 4: Inc 1, K3, Inc 1, K1 (8 sts).
Row 5: P8.
Row 6: Inc 1, K5, Inc 1, K1. (10 sts).
Row 7: P10.
Row 8: Inc 1, K7, Inc 1, K1. (12 sts).
Row 9: P12.
Row 10: Inc 1, K9, Inc 1, K1. (14 sts).
Row 11: P14.
Row 12: K14.
Now cut yarn leaving a tail approx. 4 cm long. Leave 14 sts on the needle and slide to the end. CO 4 sts and repeat the previous 12 rows.
Once the two semi-circle sections that will form the top of the heart are both completed, proceed with the following rows.
Row 13: P28 sts, joining both semi-circles together. Take care to pull slightly tighter on the yarn in the middle to tighten the stitches.
Row 14: Inc 1, K25, Inc 1, K1. (30 sts)
Row 15: P30.
Blood group band chart (pages 4,5,6)
Next select a blood group chart (1-9).
The heart is shaped while working the 15 row band chart, pay close attention to the following rows while working the band chart.
Row 16 - 21: working in stocking stitch follow band chart joining CC when instructed to do so. (30 sts)
Row 22: K2tog, continue in K stitches following band chart until last 2 sts, K2tog. (28 sts)
Row 23: Follow band chart, P all sts.
Row 24: K2tog, continue in K stitches following band chart until last 2 sts, K2tog. (26 sts)
Row 25: Follow band chart, P all sts.
Row 26: K2tog, continue in K stitches following band chart until last 2 sts, K2tog. (24 sts)
Row 27: Follow band chart, P all sts.
Row 28: K2tog, continue in K stitches following band chart until last 2 sts, K2tog. (22 sts)
Row 29: Follow band chart, P all sts.
Row 30: K2tog, continue in K stitches following band chart until last 2 sts, K2tog. (20 sts)
End of band chart. Cut CC yarn and continue with MC yarn as follows.
Row 31: P20.
Row 32: K2tog, K all sts until last 2sts, K2tog. (18 sts)
Row 33: P18.
Row 34: K2tog, K all sts until last 2 sts, K2tog. (16 sts)
Row 35: P16.
Row 36: K2tog, K all sts until last 2 sts, K2tog. (14 sts)
Row 37: P2tog, P 10 sts, P2tog. (12 sts)
Row 38: K2tog, K 8 sts, K2tog. (10 sts)
Row 39: P2tog, P6 sts, P2tog. (8 sts)
Row 40: K2tog, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
Row 41: P2tog, P2, P2tog. (4 sts)
Row 42: K1, K2tog, K1 (3 sts).
BO the last 3 sts.
Now knit the back of the heart.
This section is knitted entirely in MC yarn.
Repeat pattern for front of heart (Rows 1 -42), without adding the CC yarn through rows 16 - 30.
Making Up and Finishing Touches
Using scrap MC yarn and a tapestry needle, sew the front and back of the heart together using the mattress stitch, ensure to leave a small opening for the toy stuffing to be inserted, then close gap using the mattress stitch.
Finally using a tapestry needle and a small measure of yarn or thin ribbon, thread the yarn through the top of the heart to create the hanging loop and tie together securely with a knot. Cut off any loose tails of yarn and your blood group heart is ready for display.
Blood Group Band Charts
