27 October 2014

Snowflake Monday

Every once in a while, I get a request to convert a snowflake pattern from American terminology to British terminology. This feels like a second language to me, one I haven't learned yet because I haven't practiced, practiced, practiced until I can "speak" it without having to look at a conversion chart.

Most often, the requests come for a complicated snowflake. I tried running a search and replace once in an attempt to cheat my way into British terminology, and I ended up with one very screwed-up pattern.

I feel bad when I can't help new crocheters who aren't able to do the conversion any better than I can. So I decided it's high time I practice, practice, practice, but with an easy pattern, to see if maybe I might get a better grasp on this so I can help beginning crocheters across the pond.

Here’s my first attempt. I tried very hard to make it perfect, but because I do not use British terminology in my everyday crochet, I can't vouch for how well my translation of his pattern is; I hope my British (and Australian!) readers will be patient with me as I try to learn to speak a new language.

Here's a conversion chart, if that helps more than what I've done below.

I get quite a few requests for charts, too. I am able to chart; charting, however, takes me a very long time, especially during fourth quarter, when work is so busy I hardly see daylight. I have been working on one chart for two months now and still haven't finished. So charting is another area you'll just have to be patient with me while I give it my best shot.

Sometimes I wish there were two of me!!!

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: 2.5 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

Bilingual Snowflake Instructions, American Terminology

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), * 2 dc in ring, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 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.
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 2: Sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 sc between next 2 dc, * ch 3, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 sc between next 2 dc; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), *1 sc in next dc, ch 3, 1 sc in same dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, ch 2, sk next 2 ch 3 spaces, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting ch; bind off. Weave in ends.

Bilingual Snowflake Instructions, British Terminology

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 5 (counts as 1 tr and ch 3), * 2 tr in ring, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 tr 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: Sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1 tr), 2 tr in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc between next 2 tr, * ch 3, 3 tr in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc between next 2 tr; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
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: Ch 1 (counts as 1 dc), *1 dc in next tr, ch 3, 1 dc in same tr, 1 dc in next tr, ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 htr in next ch, ch 2, 1 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in starting ch; 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.

5 comments :

  1. I can see that doing a search and replace-type "translation" could really tangle things up! If you did each term twice it might work better: for instance, change all "sc" to "Bdc", "dc" to "Btr", etc. Then you could go through and change the B-whatevers to just plain whatevers.

    Charting DOES take forever on the computer. I find that a sketched chart is much, much quicker (though not nearly so professional-looking). I can usually knock out a sketch in 5 minutes or less.

    What a very pretty snowflake!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sue! I actually did work up a bit of a code when I tried the search and replace, and I still had some things change that shouldn't have. I'll eventually come up with something; mastering global search and replacing is one of my responsibilities at work. I just haven't come up with the right combination yet for this.

      What would work is to do each change individually, one at a time, instead of via group, which always ends up catching something it shouldn't. But that takes as long as trying to translate it one line at a time! It really is like learning a second language! Just a small language. So my brain should be able to grasp it. I hope.

      You're right. I should just chart by hand; it would be much quicker and probably easier to boot. I will give that some thought.

      Delete
  2. Love this snowflake - and Merry Christmas. I just whipped it up while waiting for the bread to come out of the oven - both yummy. In the third row, I eliminated the ch 3 that is immediately before the semicolon - seems to work better for me :) Thanks again for the start of my year of snowflakes :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Patty! I'll have to whip this one up again to see if that works for me, too; that won't be a bad thing because I really like this one.

      Can't wait to see your whole year of snowflakes! Don't forget to take a picture and share!

      Delete
  3. I'd be glad to share them.... The plan is at least 50 snowflakes and goal is to make 100! by next Thanksgiving. When I get to certain benchmarks - I'll send photographs

    Thank you for your artistry - my inspiration is flowing!

    ReplyDelete


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