06 January 2014

Snowflake Monday

Knot Just for Christmas Anymore

NOTE: Formal fundraising on Snowcatcher has been paused. I haven't had time to create a new snowflake pattern booklet, and we don't know if or when we will be able to participate in organized charity rides again. If things favorably change, I will announce such in a new Snowflake Monday blog post. In the meantime, the previous eight booklets are still available, and I will do my best to respond to requests for them in a timely manner.

Avocados aren't a traditional Christmas symbol, and snowflakes aren't just for Christmas anymore.

This week I am celebrating the completion of my 2014 snowflake pattern PDF booklet to raise money for the battle against Parkinson's Disease.

This year's PDF booklet features my Winter Dreams Afghan, displayed last Thursday on my blog, with 25 individual yarn snowflake patterns. The PDF booklet also includes 12 all-new thread snowflake patterns (Every Mountain, Wetterhorn, Mount Meeker, Dream Weaver, Lemon Zest, Orange Spice, Lime Twist, Grapefruit Smoothie, Watermelon Slush, Coconut Ice and Pineapple Sorbet) and some tips for customizing snowflakes for different holidays and celebrations. Today's Avocado Frost Snowflake is the only pattern from the PDF booklet to be published on my blog.

A more traditional snowflake from today's pattern is included with the 2014 PDF booklet, "Knot Just for Christmas Anymore."

Lime Twist Variation

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!

Avocado Frost Snowflake

Finished Size: 3.75 inches across, 4.25 inches tall
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in brown or variegated brown, avocado, wasabi or sage green, and black, dark grey or very dark green, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Avocado Frost Snowflake Instructions

With brown thread, make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), * 2 dc in ring, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 5. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.

Round 2: Sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same sp, * ch 2, 1 sc between next 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 2, 1 sc between next 2 dc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: Sl st into next dc, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 6 dc in same dc, * 7 dc in middle dc of next 3/dc group; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 4: With avocado, 1 tr in joint between any 2 7/dc groups, * 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 1 tr in join between 7/dc groups; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in starting tr.

NOTE: Remainder of avocado rounds do not start and end in the same place.

Round 5: Ch 10, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in next dc of main body of flake and in each of next 7 dc, * 2 dc in next tr, 1 dc in each of next 8 dc; repeat from * around 4 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; yo and draw up loop in next dc, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw up loop through next dc, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw up loop through next ch in top of avocado, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (decrease made). Do not join.
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 6: 1 dc in each of next 5 ch, 2 dc in each of next 2 ch (in top of avocado), 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 st, yo and draw up loop in next sc, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw up loop through next sc, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw up loop through next dc, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (decrease made), 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc, * 1 dc in each of next 9 dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times; 1 dc in next dc, 1 dc decrease across next 3 dc; do not join.

Round 7: 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, sk next 2 dc, sl st in next dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 8: With black, 1 sc in any st and in every st around, increasing 6 times evenly space around main body of avocado, decreasing one stitch at each end of neck of avocado and increasing 3 stitches evenly spaced at top of avocado; bind off. Weave in ends.

NOTE: Worked in cotton worsted weight yarn with a size G or H hook, this pattern makes a nice dish cloth.

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. 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.

dip and dye

14 comments :

  1. That is a neat idea and cool shape too, who knew avocados had such uses, I guess you

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    Replies
    1. Many, many things can come from avocado, Pat! I just found out you can make smoothies and yogurt from avocado... :)

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  2. I am not sure I can make this into an avocado but thinking if I do a white snowflake in the middle and red for the avocado it can be a Christmas bulb for the tree. Just me, too traditional I guess. I can't wait to get the booklet. Thanks again this year for riding for those of us with MS! You and your husband are so awesome!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Always open to individual interpretation, Brenda! I admit, this one is beyond traditional, but when I first got the idea, I just could not resist!

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  3. What a super creative snowflake! You are amazing.

    The booklet looks great and I love the name. Off now to read back through your posts as once again I am behind on blogreading! :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sue! Wasn't 100% sure the name would fly, but now it's growing on me and I'm glad I played a bit. I get so behind on blog commenting, too, because of my internet issues. I think perhaps people like knowing someone is looking at their posts a few days (or weeks or months) later... I know I sure enjoy that!

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  4. Do you have any snowflake patterns that could be described as 'easy'? I recently suffered from seizures due to a misdiagnoses in the hospital and after being in a medically induced coma for a week I woke up with my memory severely impaired. I've had to teach myself to crochet all over again! I used to make intricate snowflakes but I am having a hard time understanding the directions now. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deb, I admire your tenacity in trying to relearn and remaster! I'm so sorry you are having to go through this, but what an inspiration!

      Here are, in my opinion, some of the easier snowflakes. Good luck with trying to get back to the level you once enjoyed!

      A Snowflake of its Own
      Fire and Ice Snowflake
      Light Rail Snowflake
      Mount Oxford Snowflake
      Plan Ahead Snowflake

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  5. I have Made A Donation to MS now how do I get all of your PDF Snowflakes Books ?

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Deborah! I hope you received your booklets via email. If not, please let me know, and I will find a way to get them to you.

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  6. Are you still taking donations so I can get your booklets??

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Grann616. Can you email me at snowcatcher at att dot net?

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  7. It's a bit disappointing to click on the Dream Weaver Snowflake in your Snowcatcher: Snoflake Monday "index" and get the avocado pattern instead of the Dream Weaver. Help, please!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for taking the time to comment. The Dream Weaver Snowflake is on page 17 of the 2016 pdf snowflake booklet I created to thank readers who donated to the Colorado/Wyoming Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Association, detailed above. All my pdf snowflake booklets are still available as a special way of thanking donors who join me in the fight against Parkinson's Disease, and details of that fundraising drive are available in this year's pdf booklet blog post and snowflake pattern. I'm sorry you missed this note at the top of the pattern directory: "Snowflake patterns that appear to be missing are included in the annual fundraiser booklets and will not ever be published on Snowcatcher blog. Information about the booklets is included in each linked blog post for patterns that appear to be missing."

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