Union Jack Yarn Heart Garland

First, take a look at the Union Jack and what a Union Jack heart would look like to prepare. As you can see, the pattern is simple but does take some care to recreate. The "X" is behind the "+". The white also has to be added before the red for each. When it becomes the heart, you aren't seeing much blue between the X and + but there is a bit. The + is also thicker than the X.

There is no need to get it exactly right but these are small differences that help you get it more precise.

With a pen or pencil, outline a heart (use our template, a cookie cutter, or draw one freehand) onto a piece of cardboard. Cut out the heart.

Note: If you are comfortable, you can skip the drawing part and cut out the cardboard hearts without a template.

Optional: Use the scissors to cut out tiny snips around the edge of the heart. This will help the yarn wrapping process.

With the blue yarn, wrap the cardboard heart. Keep it tight and move diagonally to help the yarn stay in place. You don't have to cover every single piece of the cardboard since a lot of it will be covered in later steps, but get a good layer or two of blue.

Once it is to your satisfaction, cut the tail and loop it around one or two of the yarn pieces wrapped around the heart. Add a small knot to secure.

Tip: For more stability at the beginning, you can tape the end of the yarn onto the "back" of the cardboard heart. This is beneficial for children.

With the white yarn, create a diagonal cross or "X" shape across the heart. You will want to wrap the yarn around tightly several times so that there is no blue coming through the white. Start with the right side and then do the left side.

Once each section is to your satisfaction, cut the tail and loop it around one or two of the white yarn pieces. Add a small knot to secure.

With the red yarn, create a diagonal cross or "X" shape over the white "X" across the heart. You will want to wrap the yarn around a few times, leaving white on either side of the red. Start with the right side and then do the left side.

Once each section is to your satisfaction, cut the tail and loop it around one or two of the white yarn pieces. Add a small knot to secure.

With the white yarn, create a cross or "+" shape around the heart. You will want to wrap the yarn around tightly several times so that there is no blue coming through the white. Start horizontal and then do the vertical.

Once each section is to your satisfaction, cut the tail and loop it around one or two of the white yarn pieces. Add a small knot to secure.

With the red yarn, create a cross or "+" shape around the white "+" on the heart. You will want to wrap the yarn around several times so that there is no white coming through. Start horizontal and then do the vertical.

Once each section is to your satisfaction, cut the tail and loop it around one or two of the white yarn pieces. Add a small knot to secure.

Your Union Jack yarn heart is complete! Repeat Steps 2-8 for create more hearts.

See the next section to learn how to make these into a garland.

Cut a long length of yarn (or another string-like material). This tutorial used a doubled-up length of red sport-weight yarn.

Thread the tail of the yarn for your garland through the yarn needle. Then feed the needle through the yarn in the dip at the top of the heart. You add more stability by looping the needle through again.

Repeat this process for each of the hearts, with the desired space in between each one. Hang by tacking or tying the ends.