Last week I posted on Facebook about my little knitted heart dedication for the Melbourne Bourke Street tragedy. I've had such lovely feedback about this, I wanted to share a tutorial on how to knit the simple hearts.

Perhaps you can knit some and add them to my display on the tree in Bourke Street Mall near Ca de vin.

This is my guide to the Julie & the Knits pattern.

You don't need to be too precious about this project. I knitted the hearts with scrap wool I had lying around. I tried to use similar ply and tones, but that's about it.

For me it is more a project of the heart. In fact if you make a few mistakes and things look a little wonky I actually think it adds character. Life isn't perfect and we don't need all our creative attempts to be flawless.

TO START

I have used 4mm needles and 8ply or 10ply yarn.

You can use any yarn/needle combination that you have available.

1. Cast on 5 stitches

Then knit first row.

2. Increase by one stitch by knitting into the front and back of the first stitch.

Then knit rest of remaining 4 stitches

3. Knit next row (6 stitches)

Then at end of following row increase final stitch by knitting into front and back of that stitch. End row with 7 stitches

4. Knit the next row

Following row increase by knitting into front and back of first stitch.

Total 8 stitches

5. Knit all 8 stitches for next 4 rows

6.Cut yarn (leave tail for sewing in)

Push this knitting along the needle to start second top of heart on the same needle.

Repeat actions 1 through to 5.

Once you have the 2 heart tops on the same needle-

Knit the next row and join the second top to the first. You can sew in this end later.

Knit across all 16 stitches for 4 rows.

Next row, decrease by knitting 2 stitches together at beginning of row.

Continue to decrease by knitting 2 stitches together at beginning of every row until you have 2 stiches remaining.

Cast off.

Then sew in all ends.

If you wish to make a garland of these hearts.

Arrange in order take a long piece of chosen yarn to thread through middle of the back of each heart.

This works best for the small hearts and if you are tying on a solid wall/tree. If your hearts are larger than these, the top may droop over. No one wants a droopy heart!

Another garland option is not to sew the 2 cast on tails at top of heart. You can then tie them together in a knot you can then thread the hearts on a string/ribbon or hang them where you wish.

1. Portable.. you can take your knitting with you most places and quietly go about your business.

2. Social. If you are unafraid to knit in public you will find that people are keen to stop and chat. You can also join a knitting social group, like a book club, to learn new skills, be inspired or just gossip and drink wine! As I said, just like a book club!

3. Support the Wool Industry and Sheep farmers. Ideologically I love the idea that Wool is a natural resource, we wont delve too far into the chemical processing in China that happens with almost all Australian wool. However it is still possible to support small scale wool farmers on a local level, such as Tarndie and Ton of Wool.

4. Creativity. Even if you don't consider yourself to be particularly creative, with a little perseverance I'm sure anyone could knit a scarf and show it proudly to your friends and family. (Of course the holes are meant to be there!) The What Jane Knits kits are a great place to start.

5. Constantly learning. Once you have mastered the basics of knitting it's not a far stretch to learn new skills and techniques. In fact create an account on Ravelry.com and you will soon find your self inspired, if only to make that gorgeous brioche beanie! Note: Brioche knitting and brioche pastry are not the same.. but both are fairly enticing!

6. Sharing skills. It used to be common for the older generation to hand down skills such as knitting to the youth. These days technology has kind of kicked those old school skills to the curb and the kids are teaching Grandparents how to set up their Facebook page on the new iPad. Learning to knit or teaching someone else to knit is a great way to bridge the generation gap.

7. Gift giving. People often tell me I'm good at finding presents for people. My reply to that is it is because I actually enjoy giving gifts, I take time to think about what that person might like and will seek out a store or try to find it. I think the key to giving a good gift is listening for clues throughout the year. So with knitting it is a matter of setting that process up with a longer lead time. Remember most people don't want knitted things all the time, but once in a while is nice.

8. Family heirlooms. Creating a special garment or knitted piece usually takes a long time and the expense of the yarn is often a surprise to a non knitter. Therefore taking care of those pieces to hand down to other family members is to be encouraged.

9. Relaxing. Once you have mastered the basics, knitting is very relaxing. The repetitive nature of plain and purl stitches can calm your thoughts. In fact I often find myself very sleepy knitting in the evening.