I came across the Peyton Heart Project on social media quite by accident, and it touched me so much I felt I wanted to take part and to share it with likeminded people. I believe that’s all of you who visit Planet Penny…
This is from the Peyton Heart Project website…
‘The Peyton Heart Project was inspired by several stories including that of a 13-year-old boy named Peyton James who died by suicide in 2014.
During Peyton’s young life he had experienced a tremendous amount of bullying by his peers. Many of us know far too well what the negative effects of bullying are on a child and how difficult it can be to believe that it will ever get better. Far too often bullying leads to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Sometimes these issues can increase the likelihood of suicide.
The delicate hearts, each one made by hand and each one representing the delicate heart of a life lost to suicide, have various inspiring quotes attached to them, along with our social media information. The hearts are placed in public places around the world for people to find during their everyday lives. We hope the hearts cause people to stop for a moment and reflect on a life lost to suicide, on bullying and on the fact that everyone’s life matters. We want to leave people with a feeling that there is still good out there in the world and we would like to inspire others to join us on this mission of kindness.
If you would like to help spread the Peyton Heart Project and its message in your town, please read through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to learn how you can become involved. Most of your questions can be answered there.
We would like to thank Peyton’s parents, David James and Jacki James, for allowing us to use Peyton’s name for this project.’
If you find one of the hearts in your travels, please post a photo on the Facebook page or post it to Twitter using the hashtag #PeytonHeartProject and say where you found it.
Taking part in the Peyton Heart Project is so simple, and yet this small, simple act can raise awareness of young people suffering from the effects of bullying, which can lead to depression, self-harm or even suicide. A little token to raise the spirits and spread kindness in the world.
All you have to do is to knit or crochet a little heart with an oddment of yarn and attach a small tag. There are specific tags which are linked to the Project which you can find here and it’s important to only use these tags. Then leave it in a public place where it can be found…
There are lots of links to knit and crochet heart patterns available on the Peyton Heart Project Facebook Page and I’ve also written a crochet pattern especially for this post. If you don’t knit or crochet, there are ideas for making hearts in other ways which you can find here.
Planet Penny Heart Pattern
I used DK weight cotton yarn and a 3mm hook. The pattern is written using UK crochet terms
The heart measures the required 2.5″ x 2″
Work 6 dc into a magic circle, join with a ss and pull up the tail to close the hole.
Round 1: 1ch, 2dc into each st (12 st) join with ss.
Round 2: 1ch, 5tr into next st, ss into next st, 5tr into next st, dc into next 4st. Make point by working 2tr, 1ch, ss into top of tr, 2tr, all into 1 st. Work dc into next 4st. Join with ss into 1st tr.
Round 3: 2ch, 2tr into next 3st, cont.by working 1htr, 1dc, ss into centre top of heart, 1dc, 1htr, 2tr into next 3tr, 3htr, dc to point working 2dc into picot ch, dc along 2nd side to last 3 st, work 3htr and join with a ss. Fasten off and darn in end.
Add an 8″ length of yarn at the top to make a hanging loop and tie with a reef knot.
Do let me know if you decide to join in. This an ideal project for knit and crochet groups, and if you are not able to distribute the hearts yourselves you can send the hearts direct to the Project, the address is on their website.
See you soon…x
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