The week before Thanksgiving, my sister had a biopsy. She called me the following Thursday night to ask what it means when the doctor calls after office hours and wants her back in his office first thing the next morning. I knew, and I was crushed. We had prayed and fasted for her. She does not see God in her life and doesn't really care to, and I wanted to try to help her keep her spirits high. When she called again the next morning, she didn't have to say the C word. I'd had all night to prepare. But my words for her wouldn't come.
Pinktober came a little late this year.
A few days later, I discovered this precious video on YouTube. It was exactly what I needed. Exactly when I needed it. But how could I help it be what she needed?
I was able to share the video with my sister-in-law, who also is a full-time caregiver right now while her dad battles terminal cancer. She is not of my faith, but we've had so many heartfelt discussions about faith and our Savior. We can read scriptures together as we talk or text on the phone. Our differences in faith have never mattered. I wished I could have that kind of relationship with my sister.
I decided perhaps that's what I need to pray for. The day before Thanksgiving, the opportunity arose during a painful phone conversation with my sister. I seized the moment and asked if I could send her the video. I acknowledged she doesn't have the same beliefs as me, and I told her I understand her apprehension, especially now. I told her I face my own faith battles from time to time, and I completely respect her point of view. She said to go ahead and send the video.
A few minutes after I sent it, she texted me a thumb's-up. I responded that it's really difficult for me to think of Parkinson's as bread, but I'm doing the best I can. "Understood," was her reply. I wasn't sure she'd ever confide in me again. I wasn't sure if I'd be the one she'd turn to with questions anymore. But I thanked God for giving me that brief window and helping me recognize it as an opening.
I crocheted these snowflakes in her honor on White Friday (which experience won't appear on my blog until November 2025).
I decided I should send her a bunch of pink snowflakes, the way I used to for everyone I knew who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Back before Parkinson's consumed so much of my life and so much of my husband's soul. Back when I did Pink Friday in honor of those battling breast cancer. As today's flakes were drying, my sister texted me and proceded to carry on a completely normal conversation. Thanksgiving lasted longer than one day for me this year.
I created a White Friday Snowflake rug from T-shirt yarn (tarn) seven years ago but never made a plain white (or pink) snowflake from the pattern until now. I might need to challenge myself to design a new snowflake pattern every White Friday...
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, optional1-1.25" stone, jewel or charm for necklace, 12-inch or desired length of chain for necklace (although you also could crochet a chain or use a ribbon), 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
White Friday II Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 6 (counts as 1 dtr and ch 2), [1 dtr in ring, ch 2] 11 times; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 6. Pull magic circle tight. For necklace, make 2 Round 1 discs, and bind off at the end of the 1st one.
Round 2: 4 sc in each ch 2 sp around; sl st in starting sc. For necklace, hold 2 motifs together and work 4 sc in each ch 2 sp around, inserting stone/jewel or charm 2/3s of the way around before completing 4 sc in final ch 2 spaces, sealing insert inside of snowflake center.
Round 3: [1 sc in same sc as sl st (or next sc in repeats), ch 1, 1 hdc in next sc, ch 1, 1 dc in next sc, ch 1, 1 tr in next sc, ch 3, 1 tr in next sc, ch 1, 1 dc in next sc, ch 1, 1 hdc in next sc, ch 1, 1 sc in next sc] 6 times; 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: Sl st in next ch 1 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 1), 1 hdc in next ch 1 sp, 1 dc in next ch 1 sp, in next ch 3 tip work (1 tr, ch 5, 1 dtr, ch 7, 1 dtr, ch 5, 1 tr), 1 dc in next ch 1 sp, 1 hdc in next ch 1 sp, 1 sc in next ch 1 sp, sk next 2 sc, 1 sc in next ch 1 sp] 6 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in 1st ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends. For necklace, work 2 sc/hdc/dc in ch 1 sp to provide more structure strength for heavy pendant.
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.
For necklace, stiffen same as snowflake, taking care not to get glue on stone/jewel/charm. Once dry and removed from pinning surface, attach chain (or attach thread/yarn and crochet a chain). Brighten the life of any Frozen-loving little girl with a White Friday II Snowflake Pendant!
No comments :
Post a Comment
Dusty words lying under carpets,
seldom heard, well must you keep your secrets
locked inside, hidden deep from view?
You can talk to me... (Stevie Nicks)
All spam is promptly and cheerfully deleted without ever appearing in print.
If you are unable to leave a comment and need to contact me, please use the email address in the sidebar. Thank you!