Free Pattern Friday: Heart Finger Puppet

I started this post on Friday, but got distracted by the call from the vet so it's a little late--but I'm keeping it as a "Free Pattern Friday" all the same.

Inspired by the success of the Halloween ghost finger puppets, I decided I wanted to do heart finger puppets for J and his classmates for Valentine's Day. I couldn't find a pattern so I decided to design one myself. I used this pattern for some inspiration, but made adjustments so mine was knitted in the round, from the top down, and was open at the bottom for a finger.


Knitted Heart Finger Puppet
(Finished size approximately 2 1/4 inches wide by 2 1/2 inches tall)
Yarn: Worsted Weight (I used Plymouth Encore)
Needles: Set of five SIZE 6 doublepoint needles

Abbreviation Key:
St = stitch
K = Knit
K tbl = Knit through back of loop
Kfb = Knit into the front and back of stitch
SSK = slip 2 stitches as if to knit, then knit those 2 stitches together
K2tog = Knit two together
P = Purl

Pattern:
The heart is knit on two doublepoint needles (the front of the heart on one needle and the back of the heart on another) with a third needle used for working the stitches. The heart is knit upside down from the top to the bottom. You will first knit the two tops of the hearts (right side and left side) and then join them for the body of the heart.

Right Top
Use the Figure 8 Cast On to cast on 8 stitches. (see Figure 8 Cast on Tutorial here--Thanks, Hello Yarn!). You will have four stitches on each of two needles.
K the 4 st on the top needle. Turn and tighten the stitches on the second needle.
K tbl the 4 st on the second needle. Place round marker.
K 4; K 4 (4 st per needle).
Kfb, K2, Kfb; Kfb, K2, Kfb (6 st per needle).
K5, Kfb; Kfb, K5 (7 st per needle).
Cut yarn and set aside.



Left Top
On a second set of two doublepoint needles, use the Figure 8 Cast On to cast 8 stitches. You will have four stitches on each of two needles.
K the 4 st on the top needle. Turn and tighten the stitches on the second needle.
K tbl the 4 st on the second needle. Place round marker.
K 4; K 4 (4 st per needle).
Kfb, K2, Kfb; Kfb, K2, Kfb (6 st per needle).
Kfb, K5; K5, Kfb (7 st per needle).

Body
Take Right Top and slide it onto the Left Top needles.

This picture shows the Right Top (on the left) and the Left Top (on the right).
The working yarn is on the right side of the back needle.

K 14; K 14 (14 st per needle).
SSK, K10, K2tog; SSK, K10, K2tog (12 st per needle).
K 12; K 12.
SSK, K8, K2tog; SSK, K8, K2tog (10 st per needle).
K10; K10.
SSK, K6, K2tog; SSK, K6, K2tog (8 st per needle).
K8; K8.
SSK, K4, K2tog; SSK, K4, K2tog (6 st per needle).
K6; K6.
SSK, K2, K2tog; SSK, K2, K2tog (4 st per needle).
K4; K4.



The Finger Opening
SSK, K2tog (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this front needle.
P2 (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this front needle.
SSK (1 st). Bind off.


Now finish the bottom of the other side of the heart. With the heart still upside down:
SSK, K2tog (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this needle.
P2 (2 st)--Turn work and continue working only on the stitches on this needle.
SSK (1 st). Bind off.

Seam the small hole at the top of the heart (between the two sides). Weave in all ends.
Make a face with scrap yarn or use buttons or googly eyes. Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's!
I'm still a newbie to pattern writing, so please let me know if you have any questions or if you find any problems with this pattern. Thanks!

For more photos of the finished finger puppet, click here.