09 September 2013

Snowflake Monday

Smile Away

Candid Snowflake Sunrise

Be Happy

I recently had a special request for a smiley snowflake. I pointed out there are already at least two smiley snowflakes I know of: Snowflake/Snöflingan and Xue the Snowflake. Yet there is always room in the world for one more smiling snowflake.

I wanted mine to be different from the existing smiley snowflakes, so I played with thread for a bit while The Lizard curiously watched. After six attempts at creating a lace smiley and finally coming up with a workable piece, The Lizard, who normally does not sing, crooned, "Smile, you're on Candid Snowflake!"

Hence, the name!

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!

Candid Snowflake

Finished Size: 5.5 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

Candid Snowflakes Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next dc , 2 dc in next dc (1st eye made), ch 2, sk next dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc (2nd eye made, mouth about to be formed), draw up loop through middle of dc just made, yo and draw through 1 loop on hook (counts as foundation ch 1), yo and draw through both loops on hook (sc made in foundation sc style), 1 sc in same foundation ch, * draw up loop through same foundation sc ch, yo and draw through1 hook on ch (counts as ch 1), yo and draw through both loops on hook (sc made), 1 sc in same foundation ch; repeat from * 3 times for a total of 10 foundation sc to complete mouth, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Insert hook through middle of dc just worked.

Bring up loop through middle of dc just worked.

YO and draw through one loop on hook to make a foundation chain.

1 sc, one sc in same foundation chain

Repeat for a total of 10 sc.

Sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to finish smile.

Round 3: 1 sc in same ch as sl st, 2 sc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next dc, 3 sc in next ch 2 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next dc, 3 sc in next ch 2 sp, * 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * 7 times for a total of 36 sc around; sl st in starting sc. You should have a perfect smiley disk now, and may bind off here if you don't want the snowflake edging.
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 4: 1 sc in same ch, ch 3, sk 2 sc, * 1 sc in next sc, ch 5, sk next 2 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 3, sk 2 sc; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 sc in next sc, ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 5: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc in same sp, * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, [ch 3, 1 dc in same sp] 2 times; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 5.

Round 6: Sl st in next ch 3 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc in same sp, 1 tr in same sp, sk next 2 ch 3 sp, * 1 tr in next ch 3 sp, 4 dc in same sp, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 12, 1 dc in 12th ch from hook, 1 dc in same sp, 4 dc in next ch 3 sp, 1 tr in same sp, sk next 2 ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 tr in next ch 3 sp, 4 dc in same sp, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 12, 1 dc in 12th ch from hook, 1 dc in same sp; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 7: 1 sc in join between dc just worked in Round 6 and next 4/dc group, * ch 5, 1 sc between next 2 tr, ch 5, 1 sc in same sp (picot made), ch 5, 1 sc in joint between next 4/dc group and dc, ch 1, 8 dc in next ch 12 loop, ch 6, sl st in 5th ch from hook (picot made), ch 1, 8 dc in same ch 12 loop, ch 1, 1 sc in joint between next dc and 4/dc group; 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.

Let the Smiles Roll

If you chance to meet a frown, do not let it stay.  Quickly turn it upside down and smile that frown away.

Smile Power

Covered in Smiles

I Love Happy

smiling with my gentians

Bike Smile

Purple Smiles

Colorful Smile

Red Smiles

Her newest phrase: That's so freakin' cool!

Smiling At You

16 comments :

  1. haha nice, like the directions built right into the pic too

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Pat! I do try to make the patterns easy to follow. But what comes easy for me might not be easy for someone else, with or without the tutorial, unfortunately.

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  2. This is the cutest thing! It makes me smile just to see it. Love your asters too, and the smiley stone on the bicycle symbol. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sue! This is one of my new favorites. And my four-year-old neighbor's favorite, of course!

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  3. o, you made smileys, how cute. Think I have to try it. :)

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    Replies
    1. I'd love to see what you come up with, Monica!

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  4. That has to be the happiest rock ever!
    A really nice pattern thought up so quickly and the Lizard sang the name perfectly. ;)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Maria! I wish the Lizard would sing more often!

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  5. This on should send a message to a soldier also. Just have to remember it has to fit inside a card sized envelope!

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    Replies
    1. Wendi, that is an awesome idea! Worked in a smaller thread with a smaller hook, this pattern would produce a smaller snowflake that would indeed fit in an envelope! Thank you for the idea!

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  6. I love love love you patterns and want to give you a HUGE thank you for sharing your creativity and talent with us. These are beautifully written patterns except for one little quirk. Sometimes it is difficult to tell how many time you are supposed to repeat something. For example in this pattern, Round 5, you write "[ch 3, 1 dc in same sp] 2 times". In many patterns this would mean 2 times total, but I think you mean 2 times plus the first time. I went through the whole round before I realized my mistake. Usually it's no problem if you use logic and your wonderful pictures, but it could definitely be more clear. It's just a little thing though and I'm sure most figure it out just fine. Thank you again for all you hard work!

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  7. Thank you, Karli! I hope this pattern (and all my patterns) are written correctly, but I do sometimes mess up or just make typos. My intention for [ch 3, 1 dc in same sp] 2 times would be for you to work that sequence 2 times, but it is entirely possible I miscounted. I will try to check the pattern and adjust it if necessary. Thank you for pointing this out to me! Hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  8. Thanks for the beautiful pattern. I'm wondering about the blocking template. I can't seem to find it at the link.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, crochetambassador! I loved your post with suggestions for snowflakes that don't necessarily need stiffening. There are a number of crocheters who prefer not to get their fingers messy!

      I fear Noel's link might be gone forever; very sad, as her information has guided snowflake crocheters for a whole generation, I think! I've linked to a different blocking template source in the sidebar and have not had a chance to go back and edit all 200 or so of my own snowflake patterns with the new link yet. Kate Crochets has a pretty thorough collection here.

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