Paper Hearts

Paper Hearts Hat by Amy van de Laar

What Is Being Made

Paper Hearts is a knitted hat designed by independent designer Amy van de Laar, inspired by hand-woven heart-shaped paper baskets traditionally filled with sweets and hung from Christmas trees. The hat features decorative hearts that encircle the crown, outlined with mini-cables and filled with a knit-purl texture that creates a woven appearance. The pattern includes five different sizes, ranging from Baby through Adult Large, making it suitable for the entire family.

Knitting Techniques and Skills

This intermediate-level knitting project requires several fundamental techniques to complete successfully. Knitters will practice working in the round, a core skill for hat construction that ensures seamless, tubular fabric. The pattern incorporates basic decreases to shape the crown as the hat narrows toward the top, and introduces simple two-stitch cables that outline each heart motif. The combination of knit and purl stitches creates textural contrast, with the purl sections filling the heart shapes to mimic the woven appearance of the original paper baskets.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch – forms the foundation of the hat fabric
• Purl stitch – creates texture within the heart shapes and contributes to the woven visual effect
• Two-stitch cables – outline each heart motif with simple twists for definition
• Basic decreases – shape the crown as stitches are reduced toward the top

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Paper Hearts calls for sock or fingering-weight yarn, classified as 4-ply in weight. Yardage requirements vary by size: Baby through Adult Medium sizes require approximately 95–180 yards (90–165 metres), while Adult Large requires 200–220 yards (180–200 metres). One 50-gram ball of Skeinz Merino Soft 4ply provides sufficient yardage for any size except Adult Large, which requires two balls. The pattern recommends selecting a smooth, bouncy yarn that will showcase the textured heart motifs and cable definition clearly.

Needles and Tools

Knitters will need US size 2½ / 3mm circular needles in an appropriate length for hat knitting, paired with matching double-pointed needles (dpns) of the same size for the final crown decreases. Alternatively, knitters experienced with the magic loop technique may use a long circular needle throughout. A cable needle is optional but recommended for managing the two-stitch cables that define the heart outlines.

Design Inspiration and Construction

The Paper Hearts design draws from nostalgic childhood memories of hand-woven paper heart baskets, translating that traditional craft into a contemporary knitted accessory. The heart motifs are created through strategic placement of cables and textured stitches rather than colorwork, making this an accessible project for intermediate knitters who may not yet be comfortable with stranded knitting techniques. The combination of outline cables and filled knit-purl texture creates visual depth and interest while remaining achievable within the intermediate skill level.