13 February 2012

Snowflake Monday

Nitty Gritty Snowflake

Now that I've finished my 2012 snowflake pattern booklet and the Noro skirt, it's time to get serious about my entry in this year's Denver National Quilt Festival. After all, my entry blank has to be postmarked five weeks from now.

Last year's entry was my Spindrift Quilt, and today's snowflake was featured on that quilt. On the quilt, it was made of pink sock yarn, Noro Kureyon to be precise. I wanted one sock yarn snowflake on the quilt to be slightly three dimensional, but not overpowering. I wrote down what I did as I did it because I was curious how it would look in thread. I had to make a few adjustments in thread, and I didn't like the final row in thread, so I kept playing until I came up with something more attractive. This snowflake has a different persona in thread than yarn, but I think it turned out all right.

I pinned the petals slightly upward when blocking to maintain the mild 3D appearance I tried to achieve on the quilt.

3D blocking

I thought about naming this snowflake Spindrift II, but I think I'll save that name and sequential names for snowflakes made of the same thread I used in the quilt edging. Because the original pattern was conceived while I was under the gun to finish last year's quilt and because I'm on another deadline now to finish a new quilt, I think I'll call this my Nitty Gritty Snowflake.

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!

Nitty Gritty 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

Nitty Gritty Snowflake Instructions

Mmagic ring.

Round 1: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 4), * 1 dc in ring, ch 4; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 7. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: * 2 sc in next ch 4 sp, 4 dc in same sp, 2 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, sl st in starting sc.

Round 3: Ch 11 (counts as 1 dc and ch 8), * 1 dc in middle of next 4/sc group (between petals), ch 8; repeat from * around 3 times; 1 dc in middle of next 4/sc group, ch 3, 1 tr in 3rd ch of starting ch 11 (counts as final ch 8).

Round 4: Ch 13 (counts as 1 dc and ch 10), * 1 dc in next ch 8 sp, ch 10; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 13.

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 5: * 3 sc in next ch 10 sp, 4 hdc in same sp, 6 dc in same sp, 4 hdc in same sp, 3 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.

Round 6: Ch 16 (counts as 1 dc and ch 13), * 1 dc in middle of next 6/sc group (between petals), ch 13; repeat from * around 3 times; 1 dc in middle of next 6/sc group, ch 6, qtr in 3rd ch of starting ch 16 (qtr is yo 5 times; counts as final ch 13).

Round 7: Ch 20 (counts as 1 dc and ch 17), sl st in 10th ch from hook (TIP: to avoid having to count back 10 ch for sl st, ch 10, if right-handed, pinch 10th ch between left thumb and middle finger, ch 10, sl st in ch right next to left thumb), ch 7, *1 dc in next ch 13 sp, ch 17 (follow same TIP instructions here, only pinch the 7th ch), sl st in 10th ch from hook, ch 7; repeat from * around 5 times, sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 20.

Round 8: * 6 sc in next ch sp, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in next ch (leaf made), 6 sc in same ch sp, 3 sc in next ch loop, 3 hdc in same loop, 1 dc in same loop, ch 3, sl st in top of dc, 1 dc in same loop, 3 hdc in same loop, 3 sc in same loop (large loop picot made), 6 sc in same sp, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in next ch (leaf made), 6 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times; 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.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. 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.

Nitty Gritty Snowflake

4 comments :

  1. This one looks very nice, too, think pink....:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Can you please tell me how you came about your spider web pinning graft? I think that's a great idea to maintain sizing. Did you make it or is it available somewhere? Love all your designs. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, pcsava! A link to the blocking template I use is located here. That website has some of the most helpful snowflake information I know of. I also have a link to it on my sidebar to the right. I try to keep all the important links there so everyone will be able to find the information they need.

      Delete


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