07 September 2020

Snowflake Monday

Freedom Flake

I wasn't sure I was going to try to finish a new pattern today because after being in the hospital with Lizard for 14 days, or the last six months of his waning independence, I have so much that needs to be caught up on at home. Plus, I had to take 11 more vacation days from work than I expected. So work was behind, too. My day job pays the house payment, utilities, medical bills, for craft supplies, for food…

On Saturday, the only time last week I might be able to work on a snowflake pattern, my daughter made a pretty desperate plea for me to make more masks for my granddaughter to wear at school.

I think someone must have already lost (or traded away?!?) a mask or two in just one week of kindergarten!

I ended up cutting out 14 masks and seven dresses (because I'd intended to make clothing for her prior to school's start, not knowing how 2020 this whole year was going to be), and I'm trying to get all of that, plus unused diapers from the hospital (because grandson #6, or #16 counting all siblings) arrived a couple of weeks before Lizard's surgery) in the mail to her tomorrow. So not much crocheting time exists in the Snowcatcher household!!!

However, after self-quarantining for 14 days prior to Lizard's surgery to make sure we didn't take any unwanted baggage with us to the hospital, then an unexpected 11 extra days (for a total of 14 days) in the hospital (for which I am eternally grateful I was allowed to stay with Lizard due to our special circumstances), and now another 14 days of self-quarantining to make sure we don't share any unwanted hospital souvenirs, then his slow yet remarkable healing progress, Lizard and I are in need of some serious celebration.

(Both of us have tested negative, and we hope to keep it that way.)

First, though, I have to acknowledge, all the hospital staff works extremely hard to provide safe and sanitary conditions for every single patient and visitor/guest. I do think both Lizard and I are going to be okay. But I was duly reminded during our stay of what was going on in the outside world, from which we were sheltered, and I don't want to be the one who spreads the virus.

One evening while we still had forest fire smoke-enhanced pink fireball sunsets, I asked if there was a window from which I could take a photo. The head nurse winced just a bit before telling me, "There might be a couple of good vantage points, but I don't really want you to leave this floor because COVID is on some of the other floors. This is the safest floor for you to be."

Needless to say, I have a couple of phone sunset photos from the 9th floor. I went home for one hour five times in 14 days for clean clothes, and on the first trip home, I grabbed my little point and shoot and kept it with me the entire rest of the stay. As a result, we never got to see another fireball sunset during the remainder of our stay. Of course. If I'd left my camera at home, I probably would have seen sunsets and sunrises galore!!!

I abhor what causes these dramatic sunrises and sunset, and I'm grateful we were likewise sheltered from both the relentless heat and thick smoke during our hospital stay, but oh, have I seen some simply incredible silhouettes caused by the awful fires.

And here's my hospital window, dinky phone zoom contributions to the August 2020 Colorado collection…

When we tell people we are self-quarantining because we spent 14 days at the hospital, the first question they ask is, "Were people there coughing?"

Um, the sky was sometimes very dark gray with smoke. Yes, people were coughing. But no one we came in contact with was sick. I think by law they have to notify us if anyone we came in contact with becomes sick within that 14-day self-quarantine we are observing.

Acute rehab was one of the most difficult things either of us have ever endured, but it helped Lizard so much. The extra 11 days were challenging in many ways, but Lizard has reaped the blessings because he stayed. Freedom will always have a richer meaning for us now. How fitting for this discovery to occur the week of September 11.

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!

Finished Size: 3.5 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

Special Stitches
3 dc cluster: [yo and draw up loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook

Freedom Flake Instructions

Make magic ring.

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

Round 2: Ch 6 (counts as trtr), 1 trtr in same ch as sl st, [sk next dc, 2 trtr in next dc, ch 8, 2 trtr in same dc] 5 times; 2 trtr in same ch as starting trtr, ch 4, 1 dtr in 6th ch of starting ch 6 to form final ch 8 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 2, yo and draw up loop through sp below, [yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook (beginning dc cluster made), [ch 3, 8 dc in same sp, 8 dc in next ch 8 sp, ch 3, 3 dc cluster in same sp, ch 3, 8 dc in same sp] 5 times; 8 dc in next sp, ch 3; sl st in top of starting dc cluster; bind off. Weave in ends.
Please go here to see the original.

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 snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

4 comments :

  1. You are amazing! Masks and dresses for a kindergartner, taking care of Lizard and then designing snowflakes for us to enjoy! Thank-you so much. When she is older she will treasure the memory of those beautiful dresses and your kindness. My Aunt made me many dresses when I started first grade and I still remember my favorite (I've been out of school many years). Please take care of you too!

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    Replies
    1. What a neat memory, Jan! Thank you for sharing it! I hope she will always remember everything I’ve made for her and how much I love her, even though we are far apart. I hope to design many more snowflakes, but they may slow down just a bit from time to time. Thank you for understanding! Best wishes to you!

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  2. Wow, I didn't realize you guys were in the hospital that long! I'm so glad they let you stay with him, and that he was able to get the intense therapy.

    There are stories here of kindergartners trading masks, which seems pretty scary. I hope your little grand will hang on to hers!

    Adorable dress, and great snowflake! I especially like the blue-green one.

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    Replies
    1. We'd planned three to five days, Sue. I'm so thankful now he got such intense therapy, but boy, was that a booger of an experience. Turns out my grand did not lose or trade her mask, and I don't think she will trade any of the masks I sent because she loved them so much!

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