28 February 2011

Snowflake Monday

Ice Mountain Snowflake Rug

Give your eyes and hands a rest and put away your tiny hooks and thread this week. We're going to make an Ice Mountain Snowflake Rug!


I pulled out all the white yarn leftovers in my stash from at least the last 20 or 30 years because I decided instead of buying a space rug for my wood floors, I wanted something unique. What I made has eight strands of yarn, including one that is off-white, which I believe adds a little bit of depth to the project.

My "handspun" includes at least two but possibly three skeins of Red Heart Super Saver (in various assorted balls leftover from multiple projects), two skeins of Aunt Lydia's rug yarn (does that date me or what?), one skein of an unknown brand with a little bit of sheen, one skein of Christmas yarn with an iridescent strand, two skeins of baby pompadour (from Super Yarn Mart... how old is that?!?) and one unmarked skein of boucle. Ends are extremely easy to weave in on this project, so I used up every small white ball I could find, joining new balls to whatever ran out, taking no thought to matching strands when tying knots. If you don't have any white Christmas yarn and are unable to get your hands on some, consider using a strand of metallic thread to add a touch of sparkle.


Ideally, this project is made with no new purchases, just busting the white stash. During the final row of my project, I ran out of yarn three times. I pulled some yarn off the biggest remaining skein each time and was able to finish up. At the very end, I was within inches of running out of two more skeins. Mission accomplished! Stash busted!

This is a very soft rug and suitable for cuddling if you decide it's too nice to put on the floor. If you use lots of acrylic yarn, it is weather proof and will take quite a feet beating. You don't have to block it, you don't have to stiffen it, and you don't have to glitter it.

Three Apostles

Ice Mountain is the middle of the Three Apostles, a trio of 13,000-plus-foot rugged peaks in the heart of the Sawatch Range. At 13,951 feet, Ice Mountain is the third highest point along the Continental Divide (behind 14ers Grays and Torreys Peaks), is one of Colorado's Centennial Peaks (highest hundred) and is considered one of the most challenging in the state to climb. One of the most popular routes for climbing Ice Mountain has a great name: Refrigerator Couloir. A day climb of all three peaks, North Apostle, Ice and West Apostle, is called Ice Squared, another awesome name. I have no desire whatsoever to climb Ice Mountain, but I'd sure like to get a sunset shot of it reflecting in Lake Ann at the base of West Apostle. The picture above shows the Three Apostles from beaver ponds at the base of 14er Huron Peak. Ice Mountain is the middle peak. The photo below is Lake Ann from the top of Huron Peak. Oh, and Sawatch is a Ute term meaning "blue earth" or "water at blue earth." See why this picturesque valley is called by that name?

Lake Ann

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


The critters wasted no time staking out territory on the new rug.

Ice Mountain Snowflake Rug

Finished Size: 49 inches from point to point
Materials: White yarn leftovers, size Q crochet hook or desired size for number of yarn strands being used (I used eight strands and approximately 6 skeins of yarn)

Ice Mountain Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring. I wrapped the magic ring around all my fingers instead of just one for the rug version!

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, * ch 3, 2 dc in ring; repeat from * around4 more times; ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 (ch 1 and 1 dc count as final ch 3, and you will be working over the post of the dc on the next round). Pull magic circle tight.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc around post of dc directly below, * ch 1, 1 sc between next 2 dc and pull tight, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 4 more times; ch 1, 1 sc between next 2 dc and pull tight, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc around post of dc directly below, * ch 2, 1 sc in next sc and pull tight, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 4 times, ch 2, 1 sc in next sc and pull tight, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post of dc directly below, * ch 1, 1 dc in next ch 2 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in next ch 2 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post of dc directly below, * ch 1, 1 hdc in next ch 1 sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 tr in same sp, 1 tr in next ch 1 sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 4 times, ch 1, 1 hdc in next ch 1 sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 tr in same sp, 1 tr in next ch 1 sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 6: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post dc directly below, * ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, 1 dc between next 2 tr, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, 1 dc between next 2 tr, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.


Round 7: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post dc directly below, * ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 sp, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 sp, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 8: Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr around post of dc directly below, 1 dc in same sp, * 1 dc in each of next 2 st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next sp, 1 sc in next sc, ch 1, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just made, 1 dc in same sp, 1 tr in same sp, ch 4, sl st in top of tr just made, 1 tr in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just made, 1 dc in same sp, ch 1, 1 sc in next sc, 1 hdc in next sp, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 2 st, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, 2 tr in same sp, ch 4, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 2 tr in same sp as previous 2 tr, 1 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; omitting last tr and last dc of final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 4; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Weave in any ends still showing. Throw snowflake on the floor and finger shape. Treat your feet by standing on it, walking on it, dancing on it, or curl up on it and get the feel of Ice Mountain all over. You're done! Welcome to the exploded snowflake club!

Ice Mountain and the Refrigerator Couloir
Ice Mountain and the Refrigerator Couloir

27 comments :

  1. Very nice :) and great photos again..

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  2. Omgosh, that is AWESOME! Makes me want to make a gigantic snowflake out of some white acrylic and hang it in my window, but it's cold enough here. I love the idea of a snowflake rug!

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  3. I didn't think you could top the thread snowflakes.....but you did!
    Wow! You rock, Deb!

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  4. Wow, that rug is something! What did you use for knitting needles...fence posts? It's amazing!

    I hope you get that shot of the peaks...they're truly magnificent.

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  5. This is awesome. I have been digging out my office/craft room, and I was just thinking I could use a nice area rug in there.

    I would love the patterns for the lizard and teddy bear!

    I looked on Ravelry and can't find them.

    I especially LOVE the lizard!


    Thanks, Yvonne

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  6. Stash busting is always so satisfying and that snowflake rug is fantastic!!!

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  7. Thanks for sharing this pattern and I will definitely try it. I am quite certain I have enough yarn for it. It is so pretty.

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  8. I am crocheting this pattern out of some old bed sheets cut into strips. It's looking pretty good so far, but am wondering if in round 7, should there maybe be a chain 2 between the single crochet in the ch2 sp and the 3 dc, chain 3, 3dc? Please advise. Thank you. becko@3rivers.net

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    Replies
    1. How many sheets and what size sheets did you use for this rug . I really want tomake it it's so beautiful

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    2. Hi, Anonymous, and thank you! I have not made anything yet with sheets, so I know only how much yarn it takes. You might check with the comment poster above to see if she finished her project with sheets; I couldn't find a finished one made with sheets on Ravelry.

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  9. Old bed sheets sound like a perfect fabric for this, Anonymous. I hope you will share photos when you are done! You are right about the missing ch 2, and the pattern has been corrected. Thanks for the head's up!

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  10. If using Aunt Lydia's dates you imagine how I am with all my antique thread!

    Heidi

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  11. Heidi, I'm with you! Check this out...

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  12. I love this. I'm thinking of making this as a rug under my Christmas tree.
    Thanks for the pattern.

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  13. Your patterns are AWESOME!!!!! There are not enough explanation marks to emphasis!!!! I have several people on my Christmas list who will be getting this snowflake rug this year. I always add a gift strickly in the Christmas theme among my gifts to my loved ones. Great idea for making this out of bed sheets and also I love the idea of placing this under the Christmas tree. Not only patterns, but great people sharing great ideas!!!! Here I go again with the explanation points!!!! WHEW!!!! Also, the pics of the mountains bring back fond memories of when I was a kid and our family vacations were in Colorado.....Happy Holidays to you and your family and all my fellow crocheters out there. Grandma Jeanine

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  14. I am not very good at crochet, so I am going to ask this question. When the pattern says "working OVER the post" and "dc AROUND the post, are these directions the same, or do I go opposite directions around the post?
    I saw this pattern and really want to make it for winter this year. Any help would be apppreciated.

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  15. Hi, Grandma Jeannie, and I apologize for taking so long to acknowledge all your wonderful exclamation points. I think this would be great beneath the Christmas tree, too. And I, too, love when people pool their ideas and suggestions. It makes for great learning for all of us. Including me!

    Anonymous, yes, over and around the post are identical. There is a photo tutorial on the sidebar, and I'll add the link here, too. Just beware comment on blogger don't allow me to link it to open in a new page, so the link I just typed in is going to take you away from this page. The link on the sidebar opens in a new page.

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  16. Hello,
    I'm a newbie when it comes to crocheting. I've been trying to make this for about 2 weeks now and I'm having trouble with the round 2.I don't understand what you mean by 1 dc around post of final dc of Round 1. Do I crochet backwards for the one post then continue forward? I tend to make things more difficult than they are. But I'm really stuck on this. I appreciate your patience and time.
    Thank You,

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  17. Hi, Anonymous. Pretend like the last dc you made at the end of Round 1 is not a dc but a ch space instead. Work over it the very same way you would work over a chain space. A photo tutorial is located here. By doing it this way, you are avoiding having to sl st across stitches to get to the next ch space. But definitely do that instead if this is too complicated.

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  18. Another gorgeous pattern! This looks so plush, I just love it. Included in a roundup on moogly today! :D http://www.mooglyblog.com/quick-crochet-with-a-q-hook/

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  19. You are a talented ROCK STAR!!!!!

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  20. Having problems with round 3 going into round 4. Should there be a sc between the two dc of row 2 on the last repeat?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for pointing that out, Debra. This pattern was written before I knew how to properly format and write patterns. I've rewritten it in modern terms. I hope that helps.

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  21. Where is the pattern for the second snowflake rug pictured?
    jeannebeans@gmail.com

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  22. JeanneBeans, there is only one rug pictured, and that's the pattern I've shared here.

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