Week 3 of my rock crochet-a-long is underway! Today's rock was inspired by last week's RtR disappointment and fueled by my recent visit to my Ti Light Snowflake to create a white version for my Snowcatcher Snowflake Directory. I often wonder what Ti is up to these days and if she ever managed to live out her dream.
I've also wondered if I might be able to cover a rock with a crocheted bicycle. Because that would be the perfect addition to my garden, right? Initially, I thought I might be able to attach the bike to the rock covering via Irish crochet, but the stitching visually took away too much from the bicycle shape. I completed this project appliqué style instead. I did consider gluing the bike directly onto a rock with permanent glue...
I also considered gluing the bike directly onto the covering, using permanent glue. I think this would work fine, and I would be tempted to turn the rock covering upside down beneath the weight of a rock once the glue dries enough to not drip. This seems like a great way to have the bike dry completely flat, with no warping. However, I opted to sew (by machine) the bike onto the covering before I began the mesh crochet portion of the covering. Feel free to use the method you like best; there is no right or wrong way.
I recently spent some time with my mother-in-law, and she gave me a bag full of crocheted doilies she made before my husband began school. I used to crochet doilies on the bus during my commute to work back in the late '90s. So the doilies from my husband's mom brought back some great memories; I wonder what happened to all my doilies?!? Anyway, it did occur to me while I was working on the rock covering pattern below that I could turn this project into a table runner instead of making a rock covering for the garden, where it surely will sun bleach and fade, likely before the end of this coming summer. But I really want a bicycle rock in the garden. I will try to place it so that it doesn't get as much sun, and maybe the color will last just a tad longer.
Today's pattern isn't for a snowflake. This rock covering is the only way I could think of to make what I saw in my head come to life. Other than Photoshop or AI, of course...
You may do whatever you'd like with snowflake bikes and/or rocks you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!
Finished Size: 12 inches from wheel to wheel and 7 inches tall (you'll need a BIG rock for this one!!!)
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in at least 2 colors (second color should be a strong contrast), size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue for bike stiffening, non-soluble glue for attaching snowflake to rock covering (or whatever surface desired, such as greeting card or poster board), water, rust-proof stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, optional thread for attaching bicycle to rock if desired
Snowbike Instructions
Make 2 Ti Light Snowflakes and set aside.
Ch 90. Taking care not to twist work, sl st in starting ch.
Round 1: To make bike seat, ch 10, 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, draw up loop in next ch and in next ch of ch 10, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook, 1 sc in next ch of bike seat; to make bicycle top tube, 1 sc in each of next 30 ch; to make handlebars, ch 15, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 9 ch, ch 9, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in same ch as sc just worked into, 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, 2 sc in same ch as 30th sc; to make downtube, 1 sc in each of next 29 ch, 3 sc in next ch; to make seat tube, 1 sc in each of next 29 ch, sl st in next ch; bind off. Weave in ends.
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: I would either stiffen or pin and spray lightly with water all pieces at this point so they will have the correct shape when you connect them to the rock. If you aren't making a rock and plan to just keep the bike as is, I would stiffen the wheels and the bike body.
Snowbike Rock Wrapper Instructions
Ch 39.
Row 1: 1 hdc in 5th ch from hook, [sk next ch, 1 hdc in next ch] 17 times. Do not turn on this Row or on any of the Rounds to follow.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 5 dc over post of hdc just made to begin working in the round; working along bottom of piece, 2 dc in each ch 1 sp 16 times, 8 dc in next ch 4 sp to continue around to top side of piece, 2 dc in each ch 1 sp 16 times; 2 dc in end sp; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Round 3: Sl st back over sl st just made between 2/dc groups, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), 1 dc over same sl st, ch 1, [in next gap between 2/dc groups work (1 dc, ch 1) 3 times] 2 times, [1 dc in next gap between 2/dc groups, ch 1] 17 times, [in next gap between 2/dc groups work (1 dc, ch 1) 3 times] 3 times, [1 dc in next gap between 2/dc groups, ch 1] 18 times, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 3.
Round 4: Sl st into next ch 1 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch 1 sp, 2 dc in each ch 1 sp around; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
Round 5: Repeat Round 3 on each uneven Round to reach desired size. (I worked Round 3 9 times.) Increase 3 times on each end evenly spaced to achieve a round oval or above previous uneven Round increase to achieve elongated hexagon shape.
Round 6: Repeat Round 4 on each even Round to reach desired size. If desired, bind off after reaching desired size to create a doily or table topper.
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 21 (or Round after achieving desired size): Sl st back over sl st just made between 2/dc groups, ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), sk next gap or next 2 gaps between 2/dc groups, 1 dc between next 2/dc groups] around; ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form final ch 5 sp of Round. (I alternated between skipping 1 2/dc gap and 2 2/dc gaps because my rock is so gigantic.)
Round 22: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), 1 dc in next ch 5 sp] around; ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form final ch 5 sp of Round. Continue with Round 22 until snowflake fits snugly around rock, leaving about a 1- to 2-inch opening on the back or bottom side. (I think I did seven Rounds, and I didn't try to completely cover my rock. There is a large hole on the back of my rock. I ran out of Ocean thread. The front of the covered rock is what matters.)
Final Round, Rock Covering:Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 5 sp around, inserting rock after about 2/3rds of Round, gently stitching while finishing Round and closing up hole so as not to damage crochet hook; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off, leaving 4- to 5-inch tail. Weave end through final Round of dc and pull tight. Bind off again, weave in end. Place in garden!
Finish: Attach bicycle motifs as desired if desired. I sewed mine on by machine with motif-matching thread before beginning Round 21.
This is so cool! The frame and saddle are so perfectly shaped. Really creative attachment too.
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