02 January 2012

Snowflake Monday

Mount Sneffels

This snowflake was inspired by one of W.A. Bentley's gorgeous crystals, as well as a new batch of hand-dyed thread I picked up last month. This pattern is one of six I designed on Christmas Eve, and it's 3-in-1, making this past Christmas a very productive one in the Snowcatcher household.

Because this pattern makes attractive snowflakes when ending on any of the second, third or fourth rounds (or even after the first round for an incredibly easy and fast snowflake), I decided to name it Mount Sneffels. I have yet to climb this particular peak, which just happens to be The Lizard's favorite mountain, but I have been to alpine lakes on two sides. The Lizard has climbed a third route, called The Snake, a highly popular back country ski descent, more than once and would do it again, given the opportunity.

The Snake on Mount Sneffels

Mount Sneffels is one of the most picturesque peaks in Colorado, and admirers do not have to reach the summit in order to behold the beauty. Just like crocheters do not have to complete all rounds on this snowflake pattern to achieve a beautiful ornament.

Mount Sneffels and the Dallas Divide

14,150-foot Mount Sneffels was named for an Icelandic volcano featured in Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth. The monarch of the Dallas Divide, Mount Sneffels and surrounding peaks are among the most photographed mountain range in Colorado, second only to the Maroon Bells near Aspen. It has been featured in big screen movies, most notably "How the West was Won" and the original version of "True Grit."

Yikes!!!

I drove that road.  Alone.

Yankee Boy Basin offers the standard and easiest route up Mount Sneffels. I'd been to this basin a few times before I met The Lizard, but I'd never attempted climbing the peak because I knew the peak was a little more difficult than what I'd been able to achieve at that point. I knew it was something I should not attempt alone. Aside from being a great name, Yankee Boy Basin also features a shelf road that surely will result in some fingernail biting for first-time motorists.

I guess that's why they call it the blues...

Dazzling Upper Blue Lake

wildflower paradise

primary colors high above Blue Lake

From the Blue Lakes Trailhead, the summit of Mount Sneffels is visible nearly the entire route, but halfway to the top of the peak is Blue Lakes, my second favorite hiking destination in all of Colorado. The first time The Lizard took me to Blue Lakes, the first summer after my back surgery, the wildflowers were as tall as my shoulders and so thick and dense, I couldn't venture far from the trail for photos. I captured some of my favorite hummingbird shots during this trip. We had no intention of climbing the peak that day because I hadn't recovered enough to be able to descend more than a few miles then. The beauty of Blue Lakes would have stolen the summit from me anyway. I would have spent the entire day taking pictures, even if I had been in better physical shape and less pain then.

Blue Lakes hummer sipping larkspur

My Guy

wildflower jungle

I could never narrow my Blue Lakes photos down to one. This truly is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I wish you such beauty and wonder throughout the new year.

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!

Mount Sneffels Snowflakes

Finished Size: 3.5 inches from point to point, one-round flake; 6.5 inches from point to point, four-round flake
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, school glue (make sure it is water soluble) or desired stiffening agent, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

NOTE: I finally made my own homemade glue of water and cornstarch on Boxing Day, and I am completely satisfied with this method, as well as liquid starch. These snowflakes are stiffened with the cooked cornstarch/water mixture.

Mount Sneffels Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 1 sc in ring, *ch 18, sl st in 9th ch from hook, ch 9, 3 sc in ring; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc on final repeat; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

one round

Round 2: *4 sc in next sp, 4 hdc in same sp, 4 dc in same sp, 5 dc in next sp, ch 3, [3 dc in same sp, ch 3] 2 times, 5 dc in same sp, 4 dc in next sp, 4 hdc in same sp, 4 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.

two rounds

Round 3: Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), *sk next 4 sc (including the one you sl st into), 1 sc in each of next 4 hdc, 1 hdc in each of next 1 dc, sk next 4 dc, ch 1, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 3 dc in next sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, [1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 3 dc in next sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp] 2 times, 1 dc in each of next 3 st, sk next 4 dc, ch 1, 1 hdc in each of next 2 dc, 1 sc in each of next 4 hdc, sk next 4 sc, 1 tr in joint sp between 2 4/sc groups; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 4.

three rounds

Round 4: Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), *sk next 4 sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 hdc, ch 1, sk next 1 dc, 1 hdc in each of next 5 dc, 3 hdc in next sp, ch 3, [3 dc in same sp, 1 dc in each of next 9 dc, 3 dc in next sp, ch 3] 2 times, 3 hdc in same sp, 1 hdc in each of next 5 dc, ch 1, sk next 1 dc and 1 hdc, 1 sc in next hdc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 tr in next tr; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 4; bind off. Weave in ends.

all four rounds

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

Mount Sneffels from near Blue Lakes Trailhead

17 comments :

  1. Oooooooooo, I love the photos and the colors....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh these photos can take your breath away...the water and flowers such a treat to shine over our ice and more ice and frozen snow and the worst cruel fast blowing wind at the moment...yeah old man winter just woke up sadly! Your Christmas Eve design is precious! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dang, some of the pictures are so pretty, they look unreal! You make me want to visit all these places with your wonderful photos. (Btw, the snowflake is lovely too.) Hope you have an awesome 2012!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! Such a beautiful place and awesome wildflowers! I particularly like the one with the Fireweed. Are the blue ones Larkspurs?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I was so close to Mt. Sneffels last summer, and I didn't hike near it. The Blue Lakes seem like a fabulous destination (since climbing big mountains is out my spine's league). Your photos make me want to pencil it in for next summer right now...

    It also is incredibly refreshing to see summer photos, with the incredible wildflowers, now in the depths of winter. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. That place is impossibly beautiful. That turquoise lake took my breath away. Hard to believe it's real!

    I love that this snowflake looks good on every round.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful snowflake and the photo's are unbelievable!
    Love the one of the hummingbird. Spent many hours watching them as a child.
    Thank you SO MUCH for sharing all you adventures and creativity!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow breath takeing ty for shareing the places in your beautiful work

    ReplyDelete
  9. Awesome photos. Great snowflakes too. Thanks very much for sharing.
    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lexi A. Island Lady10 January, 2012 04:33

    Thanks for the time you took to share all of these beautiful pics. I really needed a lift when I came upon your blog through a crochet page that featured it as the pattern of the day. It does look like one of the few awesome places on Earth. You have a lot of talent and apparently are using it for simply living. Thank you again.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The pics are breathtaking! How lucky are you?! I have a ? on the Mount Sneffels pattern. On Rnd 3 are you supposed to ch 4(tr) then skip the first 4 sc? all it says is to *next 4 sc(including the one you ss in). Thank you for all the hard work you put into not only this blog but in everything you do. You inspire us all. Happy "crocycling"!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you, everyone!

    Good eye and smart thinking, Gamom! I skipped the sk... I can't fix it right now because I have no access to posts, but I will fix it as soon as Blogger quits burping and lets me in... Thanks for pointing out my owie!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yay!!! Blogger works again today! Pattern fixed! Thanks again, Gamom!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful!!
    Quick question, should Round 3 say " 1 sc in each of next 4 hdc, 1 hdc in each of next TWO dc, sk next 4 dc..."
    Instead of 'in each of next 1 dc'?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Charlie Ann! You likely are right. Someone else asked via email about Round 3 a while back, and I've been working on it for more than two months now (isn't that sad???) to figure out where the problem is. My guess is you discovered it. I finally finished Round 2 last night, so if I can get home at a decent hour one night this week, I will finally fix the post, but it might not be until the weekend, sadly. Thank you for giving me a clue where to look!

      Delete
  15. Faaaaabulous, this 4 for the price of one design! Thamk you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Whimsical! This is still one of my favorites!

      Delete


Dusty words lying under carpets,
seldom heard, well must you keep your secrets
locked inside, hidden deep from view?
You can talk to me... (Stevie Nicks)

All spam is promptly and cheerfully deleted without ever appearing in print.

If you are unable to leave a comment and need to contact me, please use the email address in the sidebar. Thank you!

Related Posts with Thumbnails