Knit a Valentine Bow Garland

The world is heavy right now, divided, and hurting. Today is also National Holocaust Remembrance Day. It wasn’t all that long ago where people stood by believing things couldn’t get worse, couldn’t hold more hate in their hearts. The world said never again, but here we are. I’m currently knitting red hats for the family and will publish a free pattern as soon as I can. In the meantime, here’s a fun pattern inspired by love. My hope is that it will spark joy in your heart, lighten it’s load a bit, and inspire more love. In this post you will learn how to knit a valentine bow garland.

What You Need to Knit a Valentine Bow Garland

A little bit of time is the first ingredient for this project. On slow days I was able to knit one bow, one good days I got two done. These are knit on double pointed needles with fine yarn. Yes, it sounds like a good bit of work, but it’s an easy project that will set your fingers a flame.

The second ingredient for this project, is double pointed needles. The project is so small that a magic loop is just too much work in my opinion. I used US Size 1 DPNs from KnitPicks. Near the end I broke two of my needles, so I finished this project up with a metal pair from Michaels that worked just fine.

Thirdly, you will need a tapestry needle to sew in the ends, and stitch the boys in the Valentine Bow Garland together. I really like the ones that are sort of “bent” at the end because it can help you when you are stitching them together.

Lastly, the yarn I used was three skeins of a pack from hobbii (not sponsored). But you can use any super fine yarn you have.

The Pattern for the Bows:

Cast on nine (9) stitches. I like to cast them all onto one needle and then distribute three stitches across three needles. Join in the round. Try not to twist your stitches.

Now knit and knit and knit in the round. I wouldn’t worry too much about marking the beginning of the round. You can if you are persnickity but this is such a small circle it won’t be noticed if you stop mid round.

When the tube is long enough, bind off your stitches. Using your tapestry needle, thread it through a few spots on the top and bottom of the tube and cinch the ends. Knot your yarn and weave in your ends. My Valentine bow garland took 15 bows.

Sewing the Bows in the Garland Together:

This yarn will mostly be hidden so you can use whatever color you’d like. I ended up using the waste bit of yarn from most of my yarn tails which was nice! Thread a bit of yarn on your needle. Insert it through three stitches on one bow and pull it 2/3 of the way through. Leave a bit of a tail. Now thread it through three stitches of the adjoining bow. Knot your yarn once or twice. Then repeat the process. Trim your two yarn tails so they are matching and thread them back through a piece of the bow to hide them.

All that’s left is to hang your garland!