03 February 2014

Snowflake Monday

Fire and Ice Snowflake

This was the final flake in my Lost Amigo snowflake collection when I finally wrote the pattern a couple of weeks ago. Now I have at least three more "lost" snowflakes for which I must write patterns.

This particular Lost Amigo, however, has more of a southwestern theme than the other two (here and here), thanks to some bulk ornamental glass beads I just couldn't resist. I had to get a little more creative with the snowflake name for this gem.

Anyone who knows me well knows I come from New Mexico, the land of spicy food. I've never lost my taste for the authentic hot dishes of legends. (Or their Tex Mex equivalents. I am, after all, Texan by birth.) I have been growing my own Anaheims, habaneros, poblanos, Santa Fe Grandes, Serannos and cayennes for five years now, and most of them grow year-round because I bring them indoors for winter. (I long to get my hands on seeds for scorpion and viper pepper varieties. They supposedly are SUPER off-the-scale hot!) Granted, my peppers all are miniatures, due no doubt to elevation, nevertheless, the flavor my peppers provide curbs some of my homesickness for the desert southwest.

Because I typically am drawn to all things southwest (chili peppers, lizards, kachinas, lizards, yucca, lizards, prickly pear, lizards, Ojos de Dios, lizards, etc.), inexpensive glass chili pepper beads from Oriental Trading caught my eye, and I couldn't resist. I bought one package, and I may have to buy more, given how much I love the way they spiced up this snowflake!

(Not all of the chili pepper beads had holes, and the ones without broke when I gently attempted to poke holes with a sharp needle, but I still think this is an adorable project, and the beads are relatively inexpensive. I just won't ruin any more hole-less beads, but use them in potpourri or some other craft...)

I love snowflakes with danglies. Snowflakes with danglies often require a bit more stiffening than plain snowflakes. My favorite stiffening agent is liquid starch (or homemade cornstarch glue). Liquid starch is not quite sturdy enough to support the weight of multiple ornamental beads. Because this snowflake is not particularly delicate, I decided to give Epsom salts a go, adding a bit of aromatic essential oil to further spice up the ornament, and then I sprinkled some undissolved salts on the snowflake before it finished hardening. Gives a bit more of an icy effect, don't you think?

Here is a list of some of the beads currently on my wishlist, in case the chili pepper beads don't suit your tastes.

acrylic Christmas ornaments
heart-shaped crystals
Christmas charms
more Christmas charms
even more Christmas charms
charms
dragon teardrops
glass pendants

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!

Fire and Ice Snowflake

Finished Size: 4 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, 6 ornamental beads or charms (5 if you prefer to hang your snowflake on point), 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

Fire and Ice Snowflake Instructions

String 6 beads or charms onto thread. Make magic ring.

Round 1: 18 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.

Round 2: * 1 sc in next sc, ch 10, sk next 2 sc; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 5, 1 trtr in starting sc to form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of tr just worked, * ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 3, 2 dc in next ch 10 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc and ch 3 of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form final 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 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc just worked, * ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 1, pull up bead and ch 1, catching bead in ch, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 4, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp (skipping over dc picot of Round below), ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), 3 dc in same ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; 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.

Fire and Ice Snowflake

3 comments :

  1. Like the little additions to it too, another one done great by you

    ReplyDelete
  2. You'll have to check out ShipwreckBeads... They've got an awesome supply. :)
    http://www.shipwreckbeads.com/

    Love the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fire and Ice is the PERFECT name for this flake! I like the Epsom salt effect too.

    You are much braver than I when it comes to peppers. :)

    ReplyDelete


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