14 April 2014

Snowflake Monday

Garden Snowflake Rocks

Because everything in my garden is once again popping up, I've been busy making more garden rocks. I've been writing each pattern as a snowflake if I like the way a specific rock turns out. Meanwhile, I still get a lot of questions about how to cover a rock with crochet. So I thought I should write another snowflake rock pattern to assist those who are having difficulty.

Garden Snowflake Rocks

The hard thing about following a snowflake rock pattern is you have to find a rock the same size as the one used in the pattern, and that's not always easy. You also have to match the gauge of the pattern writer, which in this case would be me. Thread crochet is different for many people; it is much more difficult, in my opinion, to match someone's stitch gauge in thread crochet than in yarn crochet.

Nevertheless, some people prefer written instructions rather than trying to improvise, so below is the pattern for the entire rock, as well as the snowflake.

In my opinion, the most difficult part of covering a rock with a crocheted snowflake is the final round, closing up the hole on the back of the rock. If the rock is big and/or heavy, all of the rounds encasing the rock are a bit more difficult due to the weight of the rock. In my opinion, the most important thing is to take care not to scrape the hook against the rock. Sometimes it can't be helped; just keep in mind the rock can be stronger than the hook. Scissors cut paper, rock crushes hook...

Brenda's Snowflake
Brenda's Snowflake

Johanna's Snowflake
Johanna's Snowflake

The winners of our Pineapple Sorbet Snowflake embellishing challenge are Brenda and Johanna. Johann selected a greeting card set as her prize, and Brenda has not selected a prize yet. Thank you for participating, and keep up the excellent embellishing work!

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this week's snowflake pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Garden Snowflakes

Finished Size: 1.5 to 2 inches from point to point, depending upon snowflake made
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, 2-inch round, flat rock if making Garden 11 Snowflake, 2-inch round, flat rock if making Garden 12 Snowflake, 2.5-inch round, flat rock if making Garden 13 Snowflake

Garden 11 Snowflake

Garden 11 Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, *ch 3, 2 dc in ring; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round. Don’t pull magic ring too tight.

Round 2: 2 sc over post of dc just worked, * 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 2 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 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 tr just worked, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 tr in same sp, * 1 tr in next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, ch 5, 1 sc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 tr in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 tr in next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, then:

FOR SNOWFLAKE: Ch 5, sl st in starting sc, bind off, weave in ends. You are done.

Garden 11 Snowflake Rock

FOR ROCK: Ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 sp of Round. Keep on going with the following Rounds.

Round 4: 1 sc around post of tr just worked, * ch 5, 1 sc in gap between next 2 tr, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 5, 1 sc in gap between next 2 tr, ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 12th ch 5 sp of Round. Gently squeeze rock into snowflake. 4th Round chains may be tight, and that’s okay. If they are too tight and you can’t get the rock in, unravel the last round and add one ch to each ch 5 sp. Or get a smaller rock. If the snowflake is too loose on the rock, that should be okay, too. It should tighten up in the next Round.

Round 5: 1 sc around post of tr just worked, * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 10 times; ch 1, 1 dc in starting sc to form 12th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 6: 1 sc around post of dc just worked; * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 10 time; ch 1, 1 dc in starting sc to form 12th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 3 sp around; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Garden 12 Snowflake

Garden 12 Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc); 1 dc in ring, * ch 3, 2 dc in ring; repeat from * 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round. Don’t pull magic ring too tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc); 2 dc over post of dc directly below, *3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * 4 times; 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 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.

NOTE: This pattern makes a cute little snowflake if you bind off at the end of Round 3.

Garden 12 Snowflake

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc over post of dc directly below, * 1 sc in gap between next 2 3/dc groups, 9 dc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * 4 times; 1 sc in gap between next 2 3/dc groups, 4 dc in starting ch 3 sp, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2, then:

FOR SNOWFLAKE Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 5, 1 dc in next sc, ch 5, 2 dc in middle (5th) dc of next 9/dc group, ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (picot made), ch 1, 2 dc in same dc; 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. You are done.

Garden 12 Snowflake Rock

FOR ROCK Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 5, 1 dc in next sc, ch 5, 2 dc in middle (5th) dc of next 9/dc group, ch 5, 2 dc in same dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Keep on going with the following Rounds.

Round 5: 1 sc over post of tr directly below, * ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 tip; repeat from * around 5 times, gently squeezing rock into snowflake before the opening becomes too small; ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 sp of Round. 4th Round chains may be tight, and that’s okay. If they are too tight and you can’t get the rock in, unravel the last round and add one ch to each ch 5 sp. Or get a smaller rock. If the snowflake is too loose on the rock, that should be okay, too. It should tighten up in the next Round.

Round 6: 1 sc around post of tr just worked, * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; ch 1, 1 dc in starting sc to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 3 sp around; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Garden 13 Snowflake

Garden 13 Snowflake Instructions

NOTE: 13 is my lucky number!

Make magic ring.

Round 1: * 2 sc in ring, ch 4, sl st in 4th ch from hook; repeat from * 4 times; 2 sc in ring, sl st in starting sc, ch 1, 1 dc in sl st to form 6th ch 3 loop of round. Don't pull magic circle too tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in same loop, take loop off hook, insert hook into top of 2nd ch of starting ch 2, put loop back on hook and pull through ch (popcorn st made), * ch 1, 5 dc in next ch 3 loop, take loop off hook, insert hook into top of 1st dc of same 5 dc group, put loop back on hook, pull through top of 1st dc (popcorn st made), ch 5, work another popcorn st in same loop; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 1, work popcorn st in next ch 3 loop, ch 2, 1 tr in top of starting popcorn st to form 6th ch 5 sp of round.

Round 3: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of tr directly below, * 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 5, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form 6th ch 5 sp of round.

Round 4: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of tr directly below, * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 5, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, and then...

FOR SNOWFLAKE: Ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 5; bind off, weave in ends. You are done.

My Lucky Number

FOR ROCK: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 5 sp of round. Keep on going with the following Rounds.

Round 5: 1 sc over post of tr directly below, * ch 7, 1 sc in next ch 5 tip; repeat from * around 5 times; ch 3, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 7 sp of round. Gently insert rock before closing round.

Round 6: 1 sc over post of tr directly below, * ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 7 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 sp of round.

Round 7: 1 sc over post of tr directly below, * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 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 8: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 5 ch 3 sp; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish For Snowflakes: 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.

Garden 13 Snowflake

14 comments :

  1. Thanks. I have made three covered rocks and the last row was the hardest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to agree with you, Charlotte. Thankfully, the last round is always the shortest!

      Delete
  2. That must be a pain in the butt a bit to look for a rock the right size, never really thought of that. Good thing there are plenty of rocks around haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To me, Pat, the easiest part is just designing the snowflake as I go to fit the rock. I'd rather do it that way than trying to find a rock to fit a specific pattern, but, different strokes for different folks...

      Delete
  3. Your thinking intrigues me, Missy Snowcatcher. :) I admire you so much....sometimes I am speechless and have to remind myself to close my mouth after my jaw fell. LOL
    It's like when I look at a knitting pattern.....I see a different way to knit it to fit my style....seamless or with a thicker yarn and make it with my gauge.
    So, I love your work and I can just see you walking about searching for the right shaped rock and then seeing the pattern on it. Yup.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's funny, Maria! I do sometimes look for the right-shaped rock, but most of the time, I just crochet to fit... Get more snowflake patterns that way!

      Delete
  4. PS: I'm over my spring cold and fever so will look for a rock to put near my newly fenced raised garden bed. I know one of your designs will look just right on it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll have to do a picture of it when you get done, Maria! I'd love to see what you come up with!

      Delete
  5. They are truly lovely! Great patterns and colours!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really love the way #11 looks on the rock ... and the way #12 looks flat! But they are all beautiful. :)

    Congrats to the winners! A lovely job on both snowflakes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sue! I'm crazy about snowflake rocks!

      Delete
  7. Hi Snowcatcher,
    I have a very large rock pile here in south Texas. I have combined, by joining at the corners like an afghan, several of the patterns together to cover some of these rocks. I don't always get to cover them with stitches as they are too large to move let alone pick up. So I sit outside on the rock pile with the lizards scampering around me while I crochet a design for these rocks. The largest rock so far is about 3 1/2 feet across. For the last row since I can not move these rocks I just crochet tightly and knot well at the end so it does not come loose.
    What I wanted to tell all the other women and you is that I bought the cheap plastic cutting mats at the dollar store and cut them in pieces which I slide under the area where I am doing the crochet. That way I do the crochet work on top of the cutting mat instead of the rock and have no damage to my hooks. It works great.
    I also did one in the nylon line they sell at Home Depot and Lowe's to mark areas for construction. It is cheaper than the nylon the sell for crochet work just limited in colors. I am planning to edge my walk in rocks done with the bright orange so it is easy to see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brilliant ideas, Pallie! Thank you for sharing. I'd love to see a picture of your "afghan" rock! That would be so doggone awesome!

      Delete


Dusty words lying under carpets,
seldom heard, well must you keep your secrets
locked inside, hidden deep from view?
You can talk to me... (Stevie Nicks)

All spam is promptly and cheerfully deleted without ever appearing in print.

If you are unable to leave a comment and need to contact me, please use the email address in the sidebar. Thank you!

Related Posts with Thumbnails