02 September 2013

Snowflake Monday

Stash Acquisition

I had to stop at the budget department store the other night to pick up things I buy in bulk. You know, toilet paper, dishwasher soap, softener sheets... I can NEVER go to this particular store without at least looking in the craft section.

Dangerous. Just flat out dangerous when you live on a budget.

As it turns out, I did shoot that month's budget in the foot. The store was closing out all its fine crochet thread.

SCORE!!!

I'd done the very same thing just a couple of years ago when a craft shop was closing out all of its Cebelia, my favorite thread, including a bunch of size 20. I bought the entire bin. Then and now.

I have to use reading glasses to work with such tiny thread these days, but it's worth the sacrifice. My stash already includes quite a bit of destash from friends inherited from mothers and grandmothers who worked with "teensy tiny thread," flea market finds from a couple of co-workers, and estate sale treasures from another cyclist who knows I love thread. I also have fine crochet thread I inherited from my own grandmother, plus an entire shelf full from my friend Shonna, who died of ovarian cancer a few years ago.

I will never, ever run out of fine crochet thread. And I'm SO glad!

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!

Acquisition Snowflakes

Tiny Acquisition Snowflakes

Acquisition Snowflake

Finished Size: 3.5 inches from point to point (5 inches from point to point when using size 7 crochet hook and size 10 thread)
Materials: Size 30 crochet thread, size 11 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

Acquisition Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, * ch 13, 1 dc in 7th ch from hook, ch 3, 1 dc in same ch, ch 5, sl st in same ch, sl st in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, ch 1, 2 dc in ring; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.
NOTE: This makes a nice snowflake if you want to end here and skip the 2nd Round.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

One-Round Acquisition Snowflake

Round 2: 1 dc in any ch 3 sp at tip of snowflake, * ch 3, 1 tr in same sp, ch 5, 1 tr in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 loop, 1 hdc in same loop, 1 dc in same loop, 1 tr in same loop, 1 dtr in same loop, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), 1 dtr in next ch 5 loop, 1 tr in same loop, 1 dc in same loop, 1 hdc in same loop, 1 sc in same loop, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; 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.

Fine, oh so Fine

10 comments :

  1. Love a bargain especially when it concerns thread or yarn! I have some size 20 and 30 thread but don't like to use them. Happy Labor Day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you, Charlotte, on bargains, but I do love fine thread. Don't like that I have to use glasses to see the hook now, but I still love the tiny stuff!

      Delete
  2. Wow you are well stocked, poor budget, hope it gets a new foot

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lifetime supply! Endless snow, right on your closet shelf. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello and thank you for all the snowflakes pattern :) Can I ask you what do you mean when you say "dc in same ch"? I'm a beginner crocheter and I love love love snowflakes and christmas ornaments.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Valentina. That means to work the double crochet in the same chain as the previous stitch. Please let me know if you need help, and I'll try me best.

      Delete
  5. Hi snowctcher. Your flakes are amazing. This is a first for me using what must be US terms. Your single is UK double and US double is UK treble so am I correct in assuming that US treble is UK 's double treble?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you, Margaret. I do not trust myself with the conversion, so here is a chart I hope will be helpful. Crochet Conversion Chart

    ReplyDelete


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