Woven Heart Pocket Variations

 

Traditional Scandinavian treat pocket is woven from 

two contrast “halves”, but this version has 

one full length half and two “divided” halves that join 

at side bottom seam for somewhat easier weaving. 

 Extra overlay shapes can accent or reinforce 

rounded edges and provide punch hole guidance 

for ribbon hanger loop, making these "pockets"

a fun "container" for Christmas, Hanukkah and

Valentine's Day gifing or decor.

Alternatively, use the included strip as hanger. 

Completed heart measures 5.25” tall from lobe to tip 

x 5.75” across at widest. Use lighter weight (65 lb.) 

“card stock” paper for easier weaving. 

Variations in the four-design set include:

 six-point folk star cut out 

checker center "heart",

peppermint add-on, and reindeer head cut out.

NOTE that all four designs have very similar assembly

steps. Folk star version will be detailed first, with

other designs described afterward.

(The reindeer variation is practically identical

in assembly to the folk star pocket.)

FOLK STAR OR HANUKKAH POCKET

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes, shown here

as the main hull shape (blue with star cutouts),

contrast color hull in 2 halves, optional handle strip,

opt. rim half circle accent overlays (2 ea. of 2 colors)

opt. punch reinforcements for ribbon handles (2)

2. Identify the notch cutout of the main and secondary

hull shapes which show which edge of the shape must

be oriented toward the top or lobes location of

finished heart. Also carefully fold the main hull shape

with backsides together at the center perforations.

3. Fold back the tabs of the half hull shape, then

begin weaving with that half. At the lower edge,

separate the first strip, then weave it UNDER the

first strip of the main hull shape as shown.

4. Proceed to weave it OVER the second strip, then

UNDER the center strip, next to the center 

crease/perforations. Pause after the first 3 strips

to allow easier manipulation of other strips.

5. Repeat weaving for the second strip, going

OVER first strip, UNDER next, etc., pausing after

it is going over the center strip.

6. Repeat the weaving step for the third strip as shown,

noting that this contrast strip . . . 

. . . should be woven

UNDER the star cut out.

7. Continue to weave the final two strips in the same

manner. NOTE that as the strips are filled in, 

manipulating the strips to be inserted as needed will

become more difficult, and care required to avoid

bending and creasing the strips.

(If preferred, the steps can be "reversed" so that

the first strip at the top of the lobe is inserted first - 

woven UNDER the first strip of the main hull near

the rounded lobe end - which may allow easier weaving

toward the crease/perforations end of main hull.)

8. Return to first strip and continue the OVER/UNDER

weaving, carefully working more length of strips

through until the tab perforations reach to the opposite

straight edge of the main hull. This process will require

some patience and careful manipulation . . .

. . . pushing and easing each strip, then its neighbor,

etc., until . . .

. . . the half heart is fully into position. NOTE that

the lower straight edge of half should align at

the main hull's center crease, so that the fold

can "wrap" over the half heart edge . . .

. . . just as the tabs folds can bend around

the opposite edge of main hull.

9. With the second (non-tabbed) half contrast heart,

begin the weaving process with the strip positioned

exactly next to the bottom strip of first tabbed half.

NOTE that the bottom 2 strips will pass

UNDER and OVER in matching pattern.

Weave only through 3 strips or so,

weave the next strips in order, then complete 

remainder of strip weaving . . .

. . . while working the half shape fully

into position.

The final strip to be woven will be somewhat difficult

to fit into the remaining space. Take care and work

slowly.

Work the "plain" ends of second half heart through

weaving so that ends align at opposite straight

edge of main hull, as indicated.

10. Prepare to join the tabs-to-plain ends seam

of half heart strips by bending at opposite main hull

crease, brining the tab folds to align with 

the corresponding plain ends. 

NOTE that the tabs should be matched up as

the heart is completely folded, so that the tab

wraps under opposite tab. This will require that

some tabs wrap OVER the main hull strip's edge,

and alternate tabs tuck UNDER, following 

the established pattern of the weaving.

Apply glue to the tab face, then . . .

. . .wrap or tuck as indicated, adjust alignment, 

 apply fingertip pressure to join each seam.

11. If the contrast strip shows along seam edge,

try to adjust and move the strips more fully

into position as you are able.

12. If desired, position and attach the contrast

rim accents, centered, with rim edges aligned

as precisely as possible. NOTE there will be

a small margin beyond rim accent edges

where the main or half hull will remain visible.

If using liquid adhesive, it will be helpful to press

the glued-on accents, using a flat heavy object

such as the fabric-covered recycled weight bar

shown, or a heavy book, etc. Leave weight in place

until glue is thoroughly dried. This may require

a few hours, or over night.

13. If you plan to add a ribbon hanger loop through

punch holes, position the reinforcements on face

(or alternatively on the inside if desired) approx.

a scant 1/4" diagonally below the "valley" between

heart shape lobes. For this design variation,

the on-point square of the weaving is a good location.

(Other designs may differ.)

Use a .2" diam punch (or standard office punch

if the narrower punch is not available) to create

a hole to match that of the reinforcement square.

Repeat for both front and back of pocket.

14. To add the paper strip loop (which may NOT

require the reinforcement or punch), begin by

adding some back curl to the center of the strip

using a rod-like tool such as this narrow dowel.

Apply glue to lower end, tuck strip end behind

the heart wall, center, and apply pressure to

attach in place. Repeat for the second side.

NOTE that you may prefer to position the loop

to allow this joining to be accomplished in a more

flexible, pivoting way by creating a small hole

through pocket wall layers and handle to insert

a regular or small brad fastener instead of gluing.

Here is the FOLK STAR CUTOUT version finished,

ready to be filled for gifting.

For the sample, a coordinated decorating stud

was positioned over the punch hole.

CHECKER HEART CENTER POCKET

15. Identify and orient the main hull and tabbed half

hull sections upper edges, and prepared as 

described in Step 2.

Begin the weaving process near the lobe ends,

weaving the contrast half heart top strip UNDER

the corresponding top strip of main hull, and finally

OVER the bottom end strip to complete the first row.

16. Continue weaving by weaving the wide header

portion of the 3 narrow strips of contrast half

 OVER the first strip of main hull, but also UNDER

the rounded extension. 

17. Continue with only the upper narrow strip 

which is woven OVER the corresponding upper

narrow strip of main hull followed by the second strip 

which slides UNDER the half circle extension and 

OVER the first narrow strip, with the third strip 

weaving UNDER both the half circle extension AND

the first narrow strip of main hull, as shown.

18. Complete the weaving of narrow strips

in the regular OVER/UNDER pattern, then . . .

. . . complete the bottom row weaving of wide strip.

19. Repeat the process (in mirror image) to weave

the strips of the second contrast half, beginning

at the upper wide strip, and following the previous

steps to complete weaving. NOTE that as for 

the Hanukkah star pocket, the two rows that will

lay side by side at the center next to main hull bend

will have the SAME under and over weave pattern.

20. Refer to Step 10 above to add glue to the tabs

faces, then fold to align, tuck tabs under opposite

plain strip ends, adjust, and join.

Complete the finishing accents and reinforcement

as desired (see steps 13-14).

ATTACHING RIBBON LOOP

21. Cut a 14-15" length of soft ribbon of

.75" - 1" width. Insert from pocket inside through

punch hole to outside front.

Pull ribbon end through to allow enough play

to tie a neat overhand knot, with approx. .75" or

1" tail.

Decoratively trim ends, as desired. If fraying is

a concern, coat cut edge with clear fingernail polish.

Take care and make adjustments to ensure

that the knot will NOT pull through the punch hole.

Repeat the insertion and knotting, etc. for 

the second end.

Here is the completed heart checker pocket.

PEPPERMINT POCKET

22. Refer to previous design variation assembly steps

to prepare main hull, then begin weaving near top

as shown, weaving the contrast top strip OVER

the main hull top strip. Continue the pattern sequence

to weave all strips, completely across main hull.

Insert a stylus or equivalent tool to make sure

that the center opening is sufficiently large

for a decorative brad tines.

23. Complete the assembly steps to add decorative

rims, reinforcement for handle, etc. as desired.

Also, layer and attach the peppermint contrast swirl

shape on top of circle disc. Position the peppermint

shapes onto each wall front, insert brad tines through

aligned holes, and bend back on inside to secure.

Add loop from paper strip or ribbon, and finish.