I wonder if Independence Day this year means something a whole lot more, a whole lot more meaningful, for most Americans.
During our Shelter in Place, one of my goals was to replace
my directory photo of my
Independence Pass Snowflake. Many, many years ago, one of my readers suggested I make a white version of each snowflake and photograph it on a solid background, not only to help those who have difficulty trying to figure out stitches in a pattern, but also to display the beauty of each snowflake. I've been trying to do that each week now ever since.
Every once in a while, I notice another photo in
my directory that could use an update. I decided a long time ago Independence Pass was one that needed to be updated. I was shocked, when I finally got around to making an all-white version of the snowflake, to discover a typo in the 4th Round and a pretty glaring omission on the very last round of the pattern. I wondered why no one else had noticed and, even more so, why no one had complained.
Perhaps that's because the photo didn't leave anyone hungry to make the flake! It's patriotic, but…
Updating an older pattern takes more than just a couple of changes to the errant paragraph. All the photos must be reformatted and all the links must be changed. Back when I started this blog, https (the "s" means secure) didn't exist. An s must be added to every single old link now.
Inserting photos in a blog post back then was an entirely different process than it is now, plus, I've also learned how to code my own layouts. I like the way they look much better when I write the html myself, but I suspect I still have approximately 400 snowflake pattern blog posts that need to be reformatted and updated.
It's going to take a while.
And this relates right back into independence and freedom. It's my blog. I'm not getting paid to do this. I have no sponsors. I have the freedom to go at my own pace and let my husband be my priority. So, all my patterns eventually will be updated, but it could take until I retire or beyond. And that's a whole new flavor of independence, right?
Today's pattern is a reimagining of my nine-year-old Independence Pass Snowflake. I'm redoing many of the rocks in my garden, and this flake is a perfect candidate to be on year-round display.
Today's pattern also works as a 5-point starflake, simply by making 5 points instead of 6. No other adjustments are required.
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: 7 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
Reimagined Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: 6 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic ring tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same sc, [ch 3, 2 dc in next sc] 5 times; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round.
Round 3: 1 sc over post of dc directly below, [ch 4, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 12, 1 sc in same sp] 5 times; ch 4, 1 sc in same sp as starting sc, ch 6, 1 trtr in starting sc to form 6th ch 12 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 4: 6 sc over post of trtr directly below, [ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 4 sp, ch 2, 6 sc in next ch 12 tip, ch 12, 6 sc in same ch 12 sp] 5 times; ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 4 sp, ch 2, 6 sc in next ch 12 point, ch 6, 1 trtr in starting sc to form 6th ch 12 tip of Round.
Round 5: 6 sc over post of trtr directly below, [1 dc in each of next 2 sc, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, ch 3, sk over next 2 ch 2 sp, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sc, 1 dc in each of next 2 sc, 6 sc in next ch 12 point, ch 12, 6 sc in same sp] 6 times, omitting last 6 sc of final repeat; 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.