04 March 2013

Snowflake Monday

family fun

Rustlers Loop

Hi folks, it's the Lizard. If I keep this up, I may have to start maintaining a blog for myself again. Anywhoooo, I have another manflake to talk about. It's the Rustler Snowflake. The Rowdy Yates of the Clint Eastwood world, if you will.

Rustler is a tenacious flake named for Rustlers Loop, which is located off the start of the Kokopelli Trail southwest of Loma, Colorado. Rustlers received its name when several mountain bikers came upon a band of hooligans rustling black and white goats off neighboring farms and ranches. In a nutshell, the rustlers disappeared without a trace, the mountain bikers went on to bigger rides to the west and the goats named this small plateau of freedom Rustlers Loop.

Just kidding.

Actually Rustlers is a delightful little interpretive loop created for novice and visiting riders new to the high desert sandstone riding that is predominant to western Colorado and eastern Utah. During the riding season, on any given weekend, the trail is host to all types of riders, including their dogs. There is easy access to the Colorado River, as well.

The loop consists of small climbs, a fair amount of loose sand and hard sandstone riding, loose river gravels, small ledges and off-cambers. There is even a section of twisty-turny sagebrush riding. Aspiring riders can work on various bike-handling skills before venturing farther west on more to very isolated trails. Snowcatcher has honed a number of skills here. The loop also makes a nice warm-up prior to hitting other areas.

Geology is colorful, terraced, fractured rock of the late Triassic, Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous Periods. Terracing right above the river is primarily the result of river deposition of gravels over time. The climate is delightfully hot and dry, as well as cold and dry. Only a tough flake will survive here, and the Rustler flake is no exception.

Lizard Flake

Above is my version of the Rustlers Snowflake. After some real-time rustling, I came up with enough tools, cogs and chain rings to create a real manflake!

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!

Rustler Snowflake

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

Rustler Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: * 3 sc in ring, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; 3 sc in ring, sl st in starting sc, ch 1, 1 dc in same sc to form final ch 3 loop. Don't pull magic ring too tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in sp just made, * 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 3 dc in starting sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form final ch 3 sp.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in sp just made, * ch 4, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 4, 3 dc in starting sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form final ch 3 sp.
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: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in st just made, * ch 8, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 8, 3 dc in starting sp, ch 3; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 5: Ch 5, sl st in 4th ch from hook (picot made), ch 3, 3 dc cluster ([yo and draw up loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and draw through all four loops on hook) into sp over ch 8 sp and ch 4 sp between 3/dc groups of Round 2, ch 7, sl st in 4th ch from hook (picot made), ch 2, 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in final sl st of Round 4; bind off. Weave in ends. (NOTE: To better fit this snowflake over my rock, I clustered over just the chain spaces and not into the 2nd Round double crochet groups.)

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.

Rustler Snowflake Rock

Rustler Snowflake Rock

20 comments :

  1. May I just say, the family that rides together stays together! I just had to, it was too cool a photo not to!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Karen! I had been taking pictures of a cute little lizard when that family approached, and the lizard ran off while I was shooting the cute kids on their bikes!

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    2. Hi Karen, I agree with ya! I would like to see every kid on a bike. Although, in recent years, I have noticed more and more kids outside on bikes. Maybe times be a changin'.

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  2. Great job Lizard and Snowcatcher! I love, love, love it! We want more, more, more!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Brenda! I think we make a pretty awesome team. I think we have two more manflakes to go...

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    2. Thank you Brenda! I enjoyed the task. Yes, several more manflakes are on the horizon.

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  3. Hi Lizard. I love that manflake. :) But I guess you have to keep it on he floor. Woudl be hard to hang it. :)

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    Replies
    1. Monica, you made me laugh so hard, I nearly spewed on my computer screen!!!

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    2. Thanks Monica! I have several ideas I would like to apply to the flake so it could be hung. I just need to get my hands on a welder.

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  4. I like both the manflake and the snowflake! Both of you are so creative!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, CameraGirl! I think I like his snowflake better than mine this time around!

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    2. Thank you CameraGirl! Snowcatcher is a tough act to follow. I figured gears and size would catch peoples attention.

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  5. Brett, you kill me. (Deb actually told me you were doing this, but the visual is beyond all expectation.)

    The brake levers are a touch of genius.

    P.S. That photo would make a great centerfold for the 2014 Snowcatcher calendar. Suggested caption: something containing the words "Lizard" and "hardware". (ahem)

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    Replies
    1. Sue, I don't think we've ever laughed so hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ahem)

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    2. Ahem what? I think it's a great idea!

      Thanks Mrs. M! The project did unleash some ideas for old parts, chains and wheels.

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  6. The man flake is great :)

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  7. I think you made this story up. No one would rustle black and white goats. It just isn't done, is it? No, indeed. The goats would go along willingly with any would-be rustlers and when they got where they were going, the goats would wipe out their entire Peanut supply. Of course the rustlers would never even know it because, let's face it, rustlers aren't known for intelligence. This could actually be why they disappeared without a trace...because they are, in fact. lost.
    At any rate, your manly snowflake is quite, well, manly. You simply must be a very courageous man because,Mrs. Micawber pointed out that it would make wonderful centerfold for the SnowCatcher calendar and obvioulsy only a brave and creative man could show off his hardware so well.

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    Replies
    1. Tee hee hee, Marigold!!! I think you're right. The goats saved the day and ate the rustlers. Or butted them over the cliffs into the river...

      And now, if you'll pardon me, I have to go giggle some more over Lizard hardware...

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