23 September 2013

Snowflake Monday

Thread Rose, Then Alkanet

I attempted to dye thread and yarn with deep red roses I bought on clearance at the grocery store, and the resulting gorgeous deep purple turned chocolate brown when I excitedly dried it in the dryer with a few hanks of sunflower-dyed yarn that had been briefly dipped in rusty iron water to deepen the color.

I overdyed all the brown with alkanet root, which leaves a lovely shade of purple, even on brown yarn. The thread has scattered white spots where the hank had been tied. I love the accidental tweedy look!

This thread inspired me to play with broomstick crochet once again. Although I guess I should call it drinking straw crochet...

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!

Alkanet Snowflake

Finished Size: 5.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, 6 loop holders (I used drinking straws cut in 3-inch pieces), 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

Alkanet Snowflake Instructions

Ch 3, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5); * 1 dc in ring, ch 5; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 7. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: * 2 sc in next ch 5 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 2 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times.
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 3: Pull loop on hook large enough to place on loop holder and place on loop holder, draw up loop in each of next 6 st and place on holder, * draw up loop in each of next 7 st and place on new holder; repeat from * around 4 times.

Alkanet Snowflake

Round 4: Yo and pull up thread on hook large enough to make * 1 sc in 1st loop on next holder, yo (to begin 1st of next 3 dc) and gently slide next 5 loops from holder onto hook, work 3 dc in center of loops (move 7th loop to middle of holder to make sure it doesn't slip off holder until you are ready to stitch into it), ch 3, work 3 more dc in same loops, taking care not to pull too much on 7th loop (which will cause loops just removed from holder to pull tight), 1 sc in 7th loop; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.

Round 5: 1 sc in same sc * ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 5, 1 sc in 5th ch from hook, ch 7, sl st in sc, ch 5, sl st in sc (tri-picot made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 3 dc in same ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), 1 sc in each of next 2 sc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; 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.

Alkanet Snowflake

5 comments :

  1. I still haven't tried your other snowflakes that have these loops but this one may be the one that turns that around to "I tried it and loved it". And I absolutely love the colors. Do the flowers have to be somewhat fresh or do dried ones work also? I have some rose bushes and I need to dye with these because each rose bush has a special meaning to me.

    Thanks again for all the great snowflakes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Brenda! I'm glad I finally designed a broomstick snowflake that makes you want to give it a try!

      Yes, you can use dried or frozen plants as dye material. Roses supposedly are fugitive, though, meaning they aren't necessarily light fast or colorfast. Doesn't make them less fun to work with, though!

      Delete
  2. Looks great indeed, really stands out

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such a lovely pattern (thank you) and WOW! What awesome yarn/thread. You are getting so creative in your color dyes.

    Blessings always sweet friend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a gorgeous plummy colour....

    Can't wait to see what happens with the next batch of roses! :)

    ReplyDelete


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