Snowflake Monday

Today's snowflake is another from my unpublished stash. The weeks go by way too quickly in one sense, but way to slowly in another. Time speeds by, and yet, it drags slowly.

My prototype, back in September of 2014, was stiffened with Epsom salt, so it isn't very delicate. (In the photograph. The original has been gone for so long, I don't even remember it.) The Epsom salt also camouflages the pale blue I used as a second color back then. I assume that's why I didn't publish the pattern then. I never got around to making another sample to test the pattern. This is a really pretty flake to me. (I made a small modification to the original pattern because I wanted to highlight the almost-heart-shaped holes in the original.) (Hmmm… hole in my heart. Yeah, that fits.)

I didn't look up in my journal what was going on in my life when I designed this snowflake because last time I did that, I cried for what felt like hours. Lizard was whole back then. No visible signs of Parkinson's yet. I hope one day those memories will be joyful for me, but right now, they are still too painful.

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: 8 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in 2 colors (I used very pale blue and white), 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

Oscillation Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: With Color A, [2 sc in ring; ch 7] 5 times; 2 sc in ring; ch 3, 1 dtr in starting sc to form 6th ch 7 sp of Round. Do not pull magic ring too tight.

Round 2: 1 sc over post of dtr just made, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, [in next ch 7 sp work (1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc)] 5 times; in next ch 7 sp work (1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc), ch 1, 1 dc in starting sc to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 13 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 11), 1 tr in 6th ch from hook, ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 hdc in next ch, ch 1, 1 dc over post of dd directly below (same ch 3 tip on repeats), ch 3, 1 sc between next 2 dc, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 13.
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: [2 sc in next ch 1 sp, 2 hdc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, in next ch 5 tip work (2 tr, [ch 8, 1 dc in 6th ch from hook] 3 times, ch 2, 2 tr), ch 3, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, 2 hdc in next ch 1 sp, 2 sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 3, sk next 2 ch 3 sp] 6 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends. Round 5: With Color B, 1 dc in ch 3 sp between 2 hdc and 2 dc on right side of any spoke, [ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, in next ch 5 loop work (1 sc, ch 3, 1 hdc, ch 3, 1 dc), in next ch 5 tip work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 tr, ch 5, 1 tr, ch 3, 1 dc), in next ch 5 loop work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 hdc, ch 3, 1 sc, ch 3), working back down opposite side of spoke [1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3] 2 times, ch 12, 1 sc in 9th ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, ch 2, sk over next picot, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp] 6 times, ch 3; sl st in starting dc; 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.

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