17 December 2018

Snowflake Monday


Today's snowflake is the 599th pattern I've designed and written!!! So next week's pattern comes from the shrinking stash of unpublished but already designed patterns so I can finish the year with a couple of zeroes. Pretty snazzy, eh?

I'm celebrating this whole month with Light the World, trying to do something nice for others every single day in December. Of course, I try to do something nice for someone else every day, but Christmas makes the challenge a whole new level of fun because you know how much I love snowflakes!

Lizard asked to accompany me this year when I delivered a pizza box full of snowflakes to Children's Hospital, a tradition initially inspired by Sisters of the Snowflake co-leader Diane about six or so years ago. Initially, I mailed the boxes to the main campus in Denver. About four years ago, I realized a satellite Children's Hospital is located just a mile and a half or so from where Lizard works, so I could walk the package over to the hospital and present it in person on one of the days I rode in to work with Lizard prior to catching a bus to my regular commuter train.

The response by the hospital staff the first time I delivered in person convinced me to never mail the package again. I don't get to see the children, of course, but seeing the staff's reaction was SO heartwarming! It could melt the chilliest temperatures winter can throw at us!

A couple of weeks before Christmas, both Lizard and I had an afternoon off together so we could make the trip to Children's Hospital.

I didn't get to gift snowflakes last year because I didn't get to crochet much, thanks to elbow pain caused by collapsed neck disks. Since December 2016, procedures at Children's Hospital have changed. It's sad to think our world has forced security procedures that prohibit the gift reception I've experienced in the past, but at the same time, it's understandable, and I want all children to be safe.

The actual delivery was a big letdown for Lizard, who was primed for the emotional display we both expected. Instead of oohing and ahhhing and speculation about how much the children will love the flakes, particularly since there were a bundle of glow-in-the-dark snowflakes included in this year's batch, we were robotically asked to fill out a form. On the bright side, another family was donating a Santa bag of toys at the same time (and was equally surprised by the new procedures), so we got to smile at each other, knowing that even though we didn't get to witness the joy the packages might bring this year, there indeed would be cheer at some point in the next couple of weeks when the gifts were distributed.

So, this year's donation celebration requires a bit of imagination, but let me see if I can help inspire what the recipients may have felt when they opened up these gifts…















Nocturne Skullflake

Nocturne Skullflakes

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: 3.75 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 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

Festive Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Don't pull magic circle too tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc same sc as sl st, remove hook from loop and insert in 2nd ch of starting ch 2, insert hook back through loop of 4th dc and pull through ch loop (starting popcorn stitch made), * 5 dc in next sc, pull hook out of loop (dropped loop) and insert in top loop of 1st dc of this 5/dc group, insert in dropped loop, pull dropped loop through top loop of 1st dc (popcorn stitch made), ch 3, popcorn st in next sc; repeat from * around 4 times; popcorn st in next sc; ch 1, 1 dc in starting popcorn to form 6th ch 3 tip 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: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), [1 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3, 1 dc in same tip, ch 3] 5 times; 1 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form 12th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 4: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, ch 3, * sk next ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 sp work [1 dc, ch 3] 3 times; repeat from * 4 times; sk next ch 3 sp, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form 24th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 5: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc in same sp, [1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same ch 3 sp, sk next ch 3 sp, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, in next ch 3 sp work 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc, ch 5, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc] 6 times omitting last 2 dc and last ch 3 of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 5; 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 snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

2 comments :

  1. That stinks that paperwork got in the way. But sure much joy will come due indeed. 600 is a fine way to end 2018.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Pat. Even though the donation process has changed, I still feel good about what we did. I do have imagination, thank heavens! And glad you agree 600 is a cool way to spend New Year's Eve!!!

      Delete


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