Snowflake Monday

NOTE: Fundraising for 2016 has concluded. I haven't decided whether to do another booklet for 2017 because we haven't decided whether we can afford to participate in another MS-150 in 2017. I'll announce our decision as soon as we make it.


My MS-150 fundraising came to an early end this year when the Colorado/Wyoming Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society closed out its books for the year on October 1. Typically, registration for the next year's ride is in December for High Rollers and Premium Pedalers. The organization notified me they might be ready for registration for next year's ride a little earlier than that.

On a bright note, they said any money I raise between now and then may be applied to my 2015 ride. (Money raised this year, in 2013, is credited to the 2014 ride, although all donations begin immediately helping people with multiple sclerosis, I think.)

October and November typically are the months when I receive the most donations in exchange for the current year's snowflake pattern booklet. This year, the fundraising site isn't open yet, so I expected a lot of disappointed and/or frustrated crocheters who waited until snowflake season to make their donations or who have just been introduced to my website.

I recently received an email from the National (not state!) Multiple Sclerosis Society IT department notifying me a donation was made in another state via that state's chapter. The donor had asked their own state organization to track me down so they could get their snowflake booklet.

The IT department had indeed tracked me down, and my 2015 account was credited with the donation from another state's chapter!!!

About the same time this was transpiring, another crocheter contacted me to find out if there was any way to make the donation now so she could begin working on her Christmas gift list. Yes, my chapter is allowing donations in my name even though registration has not opened yet!

So, even though registration may not be open for another couple of months (although I hope it is sooner), I already have two donations toward 2015!

The early bird gets the snowflake!

5 NOV 2013 UPDATE: I'm now registered for next year's ride. My new fund-raising page is located here.

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: 4.25 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

Early Bird Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.

Round 2: 1 sc in same ch, * ch 3, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in starting sc to form 6th ch 3 sp of 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.

Round 3: 1 sc around post of dc just worked, * ch 14, 1 dc in 7th ch from hook and in next ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc.

Round 4: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dtr and ch 3), 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), * 2 dtr in next ch 6 sp, 2 tr in same sp, 3 dc in same sp, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), 3 dc in same sp, 2 tr in same sp, 2 dtr in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), 1 dtr in next sc in main body of snowflake, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last picot and dtr of final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 7; 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.

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