You warm my heart (and hands too :). These perfect little lavender rice pack warmers make such sweet handmade Valentines, and are an easy way to bring beautiful life to our merino scraps! With just a quick minute in the microwave, these little hearts will be oh-so-cozy and ready to warm up winter in no time.
My children have definitely made me appreciate Valentine’s Day more. In our practice of striving for simplicity, initially, the thought of both of my children coming home with 20+ Valentine’s was not at all appealing. But each year, with my kids showing me that they truly put their love and care into crafting small treasures for their classmates- savoring the slow, thinking of others, and appreciating natural and upcycled materials- has caused me to have a change of heart and believe that beauty can exist in school Valentines (especially if they are woolly :). I now look forward to hearing all of their ideas bubbling and then working together with our busy hands to spread all the love year after year.
Little ones will love practicing their stitching, smelling the scent of lavender, and holding the warmth in their hands! My kids like to also double them as juggling bags ;). Happy heart and hand warming.
WHAT YOU NEED:
– scrap fabric for top layer of heart (merino preferably, of course ;)
– felt for other side of star (it gives stability to the knit merino)
– embroidery thread or thin yarn
– rice
– dried lavender (optional)
- scissors
- needle & pin
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1. Layer fabric scrap on top of felt and cut out heart shape. I did not use a pattern or outline ahead of time. For ease and love of all the wobbliness/imperfection/character, I just cut the two layers together free hand. My hearts vary from about 2.25” - 3” in height.
Step 2. Pin the two cut out heart layers together.
Step 3. Knot one end of thread/yarn (I used about 35 inches of yarn for a heart) and begin blanket stitching along top edge.
Step 4. When stitched almost all the way around, pause and fill your heart with rice and a touch of dried lavender.
Step 5. Continue stitching until you reach your beginning stitch. Tie thread off securely with a knot and sew end of thread inside of heart. Trim remaining thread.
Step 6. Microwave for 30-60 seconds, and spread all the warmth and love!
