05 November 2012

Snowflake Monday

Mermaid Snowflake Rock

I've alluded a few times to being a huge fan of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean series. I really enjoyed the mermaid subplot in the most recent movie, even though mermaids and hissing don't mix at all, in my opinion. I'm anxious to see what becomes of Philip and Serena in the next movie.

Last week's snowflake was named after the best-known title for the stitch that inspired it: crocodile. The stitch also is known by the name of mermaid. Last week I confessed I liked mermaid for a snowflake name much more than crocodile.

This week's flake is based on the same stitch, and it's daintier than last week's huge 10.5-inch doily, so I get to use the name Mermaid Snowflake after all! This snowflake does not hiss, works up very quickly, and my husband finds it attractive because of the layers. All three of these samples are worked up in my very own hand-dyed thread!

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!

unblocked Mermaid Snowflakes
unblocked Mermaid Snowflakes

blocked Mermaid Snowflakes
blocked Mermaid Snowflakes

Finished Size: 2.25 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, 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: This snowflake does not require stiffening but does look better blocked.

Mermaid Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. 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 9 (counts as 1 dc and ch 6), *sk 3 sc, 2 dc in next sc, ch 6; repeat from * 1 more time; 1 dc in same Round 1 sc as sl st; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 9.

Round 3: Ch 2, working down 3 chains that count as dc on Round 2, 5 dc around chains, * sk 1 Round 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, sk next sc; working up next dc, 5 dc around post of dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just worked; working down next dc, 5 dc around dc post; repeat from * more 1 time; sk 1 Round 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, sk next sc, 5 dc around next dc post, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just worked, sl st in top of starting dc, ch 1, sl st in back of mermaid scale just finished.

Round 4: Ch 2, sl st in joint between 2 ch/6 spaces (center of mermaid scale just finished), ch 9 (counts as 1 dc and ch 6), * 2 dc in next ch 6 sp, ch 6, 2 dc in joint between next 2 ch/6 spaces, ch 6; repeat from * around 2 times; 2 dc in next ch 6 sp, ch 6, 1 dc in joint with starting sl st; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 9.

Round 5: Ch 2, working down 3 chains that count as dc on Round 4, 5 dc around chains, * 1 sc in next ch 6 sp (halved by 2 dc in Round 4), working up next dc, 5 dc around post of dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just worked; working down next dc, 5 dc around dc post; repeat from * more 4 times; 1 sc in next ch 6 sp (halved by by 2 dc in Round 4), 5 dc around next dc post, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just worked, sl st in top of starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

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.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. 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.

unblocked Mermaid Snowflake
unblocked Mermaid Snowflake

blocked Mermaid Snowflake
blocked Mermaid Snowflake

blocked Mermaid Snowflake
blocked Mermaid Snowflake

blocked Mermaid Snowflake
blocked Mermaid Snowflake

21 comments :

  1. Oh I love these ... I can see these done in a sparkle thread and hanging from my tree. They look like they are just tumbling down. Another superb winner! Have a wonderful, blessed day.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Glor! These ones work up so fast, I really could make a whole blizzard of them in time for this year's tree!

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  2. Beautiful! I love the Pirates movies!Johnny Depp, yum!

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    Replies
    1. ha ha! I'm not so much enamored over Johnny Depp, but boy, I do love the movies!

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  3. Thank you for stopping over at my little place & for leaving a comment,,how I appreciate that. I love looking at all your lacy, delicate snowflakes, and I'm trying my hand one, I'll let you know how it turns out...:)

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    Replies
    1. Faith, I can't wait to see what you come up with! Other people's snowflakes always make me drool!

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  4. I just discovered your blog last week -- amazing! I endeavored a few years ago to make snowflakes for our children's teachers as gifts each year. You've given me a lot of fresh inspiration. Now to get busy and make another dozen or so before Dec 14th!

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    Replies
    1. Welcome, Doodlebug! Great idea, making snowflakes for teachers. It does feel as if Christmas is coming way too fast this year! My crocheting fingers will be very busy!

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  5. LOVELY! Funny thing our weatherman promised a touch of snowflakes...but nothing as lasting as what you have posted here! You are talented!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Karen! I love real snow, but I don't know if I'd like it as much if it lasted all year!

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  6. Beautiful! I WISH my snowflakes turn out as nicely as yours after stiffening them. I like using the ittiest bittiest crochet hook and the most delicate thread I can manage with my snowflakes, so this might be why it's more challenging for me. Any chance you can show us lowly crochet plebeians a picture tutorial on how you pin your flakes?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jackie!

      Sure, I can do that next week. I've still got next week's snowflake pinned; these days, it takes them longer than 24 hours to dry at my house! I even stuck last week's in the microwave to finish it up because it still wasn't dry after two days!!!

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    2. PS: WITHOUT pins!!! Never stick pins in the microwave!!!

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  7. I like the different colours of this design.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Camera Girl! I love playing with colors, too. I could do it all day every day and never get tired of it!

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  8. These are so pretty and flowerlike. And mermaid is a much nicer name than crocodile!

    I have to tell you what my sister saw in an antique store this weekend - a Sears & Roebuck doily blocking board. Wooden, covered with evenly spaced little pegs and apparently some kind of diagrams to show how to place various doilies onto the board. I suppose you would just wet the doily and spread it out onto the appropriate pegs. Ever heard of anything like this? (Of course I thought of you as soon as she mentioned it.) :)

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    Replies
    1. I guess it wouldn't take much for you to figure out I would have grabbed that thing up in a heartbeat!!! I'd not ever heard of such a thing, but I think it would be a treasure to own! (Of course, I'd use it, too...)

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  9. I cannot believe I forgot to look at this week's snowflake until today (Wednes.) But again you never cease to amaze me! Another beautiful creation! Thanks!!

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  10. I just found your blog and am thrilled! I used to come up with patterns but after having a stroke in my 30's I find it extremely difficult to do and finding patterns I like is hard since so many are horrible as far as I am concerned! I was searching for patterns last week for more snowflakes to do for friends. i will be back!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Michelle, and welcome! I'm so amazed you are able to crochet after a stroke, especially snowflakes! You are an inspiration!

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