20 February 2023

Snowflake Monday

A handful of AI-generated images of frost flowers on the Songhua River have sort of taken the internet by storm. I've so far not been able to identify the artist, but I've been told the images likely were created in MidJourney. I tried my hand at generating my own AI images (in a free program) of frozen flowers on the Chinese River, and I haven't been able to come up with anything quite as elaborate. YET. You can darn sure bet I won't give up trying!

I decided to give the AI a bit of help by layering one of my flowery flakes atop a favorite sunset reflection photo.

One of the things I'm learning is that if I don't achieve what I want in AI the first time around, keep trying. I think part of AI is it learns as it goes... (at least I hope it's learning...)

In my research, I came across this wonderful collection of winter photos, and they inspire me. I hope you will enjoy them, too. the horse shot... OH! MY!!! GOSH!!!!! I have nothing quite like that, but you can darn sure bet I will be keeping my eyes peeled for such a photographic opportunity for the rest of my life!!! (Here are a few shot from my archives...)

I had been inspired by an AI collaberation between one of my favorite snowflake photographers, Alexy Kljatov, and @ai_directress a few weeks ago to attempt creating such gorgeous, seemingly 3D AI using my own crocheted snowflakes. So far, I have yet to produce anything as exquisite, but that doesn't mean I will give up...

Until I can master AI, I guess I have to just keep crocheting snowflakes! Thanks heavens for inspiration such as this.

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: 5.5 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

Flummox Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 17 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 sc and ch 3), [sk next 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 3] 5 times; sl st in 1st ch of starting ch 4.

Round 3: 5 dc in each ch 3 sp around; sl st in starting sc.
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), 1 dc in same sc as sl st, [ch 3, sk next 3 sc, 2 dc in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in next sc] 6 times, omittting last 2 dc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 12th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dcx over post of dc directly below, [1 sc in next ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 tip work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc)] 5 times; 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, 3 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 6: ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, [ch 15, 3 dc in next ch 3 tip] 5 times; ch 15, 1 dc in next ch 3 tip, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 7: [In next ch 15 petal work (3 sc, 3 hdc, 9 dc, 3 hdc, 3 sc), sk next dc, in next dc work (sl st, ch 5, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, sl st)] 6 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

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.

1 comment :

  1. That is a pretty amazing lake image, and a lovely snowflake too.

    ReplyDelete


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