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Baby Loss Awareness Week is something very close to my heart. On 17th November 2016, our little Coley 2.0 was born sleeping at 16 weeks. This was one of the hardest things that I've ever had to deal with and although it was a horrible time, the amount of support around me was incredible. It helps to know that there is so much support to help other families who have been affected by baby loss, whether it be a charity, health professionals and family. So when I saw this blog hop, I knew I had to get involved!
"The one who left gentle footprints on our hearts left a story worth telling" - Unknown
BLAW 2020
FOOTPRINTS ON MY HEART - BABY LOSS AWARENESS KEEPSAKE
This pattern has been created as a little keepsake that you can hang up on the wall or place on a surface. It really doesn't matter which yarn and colours you use, the most important thing is that you make it special to you.
As part of the blog hop, this pattern is available for free as an ad free PDF during 12th October 2020 until 18th October 2020 using a special code that can be found HERE. A very special thank you to Simply Hooked By Janet for hosting this very special blog hop! Click the button below or here to download the pattern.
You will need:
- Paintbox Yarns Simply DK Cotton (50g) in:
Champagne White (MC)
Ballet Pink (CC)
- Polyester Fibrefill
- 4mm Hook
- Stitch Marker
- Darning Needle
- Scissors
STITCH ABBREVIATIONS - UK TERMS
Ch – Chain
dc – Double Crochet
Slst – Slip Stich
PM – Place Marker
dc2tog – Double Crochet 2 stitches together.
st(s) – Stitch(es)
MC - Main Colour
CC - Contrasting Colour
HOW TO MAKE THIS FOOTPRINTS ON MY HEART - BABY LOSS AWARENESS KEEPSAKE
Heart (Make 2)
Using MC yarn, Ch2.
Row 1 – 2dc in second ch from hook. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 2 – 2dc in first st, 2 dc in next st. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 3 – 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 2 st, 2dc in last st. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 4 - 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 4 st, 2dc in last st. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 5 - 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 6 st, 2dc in last st. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 6 - 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 8 st, 2dc in last st. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 7 - 2dc in first st, 1dc in next 10 st, 2dc in last st. Ch 1 and turn.
Row 8 – 1dc in each st. Ch 1 and turn.
Rows 9-11 – Repeat Row 8.
Row 12 – 1dc in next 7 st. Ch1 and turn.
Row 13 – dc2tog, 1dc in next 3 st, dc2tog. Ch1 and turn.
Row 14 – dc2tog, 1dc in next st, dc2tog.
Fasten off.
Reattach on 8th st (photo above).
Row 1 – 1dc in next 7 st. Ch1 and turn.
Row 2 – dc2tog, 1dc in next 3 st, dc2tog. Ch1 and turn.
Row 3 – dc2tog, 1dc in next st, dc2tog.
Do not fasten off and continue to work around the heart.
Rnd 1 - Ch1. Make 1dc in each st around the heart (PM in first dc), with 2dc in the bottom tip of the heart. It can be quite hard to see where to place your hook, so I have included a photo (below) to show you where the stitches should go. Slst to first dc.
Rnd 2 - Ch1. 2dc in same st. PM in first dc. 1dc in next 5st, 2dc in next st. 1dc in next 6 st. 2dc in next st. 1dc in next 5 st. 2dc in next st. 1dc in next 4 st. 2 dc in next st. 1dc in next 4 st. 2dc in next st. 1dc in next 2 st. 2dc in last st. Slst to first dc.
Rnd 3 - Ch1. 1dc in each st around. Slst to first dc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Footprints (Make 2):
Using CC, Ch5.
Round 1 – 1dc in 2nd ch from hook (PM) and next 2 ch, 6dc in last ch. Rotate work so you continue working in the bottoms on the ch. 1dc in next 3 st. Slst to first st.
Round 2 – 1dc in same st, 1dc in next 3 st, 2dc in next 4 st. 1dc in next 5 st. Slst to first st of round.
Fasten off leaving a long tail.
Attach each footprint to the centre of the heart. Arrange the footprints in a 'stepping' order (see photo 2) and stitch all around. Fasten off and weave in ends.
If you would like to add some little toes, make 5 little stitches around the top of each foot with the same colour as the footprints.
To Assemble:
Using CC:
Place both hearts on top of each other.
Starting at the tip of the heart, line up stitches and Slst in each st, until you get 3/4 of the way around.
Stuff the heart to your own preference and continue to Slst the heart until it's closed.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Attach a piece of yarn through the middle stitch between the two heart 'bumps' (photo above), and tie at the top.
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Simply Hooked By Janet has also been very kind enough to create some beautiful tags that you can add to your keepsake makes. Click here to get them for free!
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You're all finished! I hope you enjoyed this pattern as much as I did creating it. Baby Loss is REAL and shouldn't be something that we don't talk about. There are so many people you can talk to if you need support, so please, don't suffer in silence. Below I've added some amazing support charities (UK) that have helped so many bereaved parents, including myself.
- SANDS UK
- SIMBA UK
- Tommy's
- The Lullaby Trust
This pattern and its images are copyright protected and the sole property of Francesca Cole / CCbyFran. Please do not redistribute, transfer, sell the pattern, or alter it to claim as your own. You may sell any products you create from this pattern but please credit the designer by tagging @CCbyFran
