Snowflake Monday

I kind of hoped I might be able to come up with a new Halloween snowflake for today, but my creative juices seem to have evaporated this spooky season. Just know I tried!

I couldn't even come up with just a plain, regular new snowflake pattern this week! Even though it's snowing as I type! (First of the season for us!!!) Mostly likely due to time constraints, NOT because I'm losing interest. Here is just a tiny sampling of time bandits from my last few weeks...

I even had to bury my Brussels sprouts because they are under the eaves and don't get much snow (or rain). I'd read the sprouts will become sweeter if I let them keep going when it freezes, but they are only good to 10 degrees. We are supposed to hit 9 degrees tonight and 8 degrees tomorrow night!!!

For this week's snowflake, I had to dip into my dwindling collection of unpublished patterns.

This week's pattern is a bit of a gem for me. I didn't realize it was still lurking in my undone stack. Back in November of 2011 (Wow!!! Have I really been blogging that long?!?), I published my first in a series of snowflakes designed with one theme and two common center rounds. I think Longs Peak may have been my first snowflake series all inspired by one snowflake design. (See also: Longs Peak II and Longs Peak III.)

Back when I first concocted my Longs Peak idea(s), I came up with motif projects, too, which are included in the above-linked patterns.

(And thank you so much to those who have been sharing tips about where to find Elmer's glow-in-the-dark glue!!! I have bought several bottles of purple, orange and blue Elmer's glow glue, and I'll probably never quit hunting for for the yellow that dries clearest, but I have stocked up on glow beads, glow glitter and glow-in-the-dark spray paint. So glow-in-the-dark adventures at Snowcatcher have not died!)

I don't have a new motif project to go with today's version of my Longs Peak Snowflake, which bears the name of the third of four mountain peaks flanking Longs Peak, but I am still occassionally working on the motif project that goes along with the fourth version of my Longs Peak flake, and I'm hoping to publish both of these new patterns, perhaps as soon as I finish my 2023 crochet temperature project. Wouldn't that be a great way to start 2024???

The stunning beauty of my crochet temperature project motivated me to get going on two other long-term motif projects earlier in the year, and for a few weeks, I actually did do one motif from each of the three projects every single day. As always, though, life got in the way, and soon I was back down to just the temperature motif on a daily basis. I've continued working on the Harvest Flower motif project as time allows, but the third motif project, also awaiting pattern publication, which awaits project completion, has, in essence, gathered a bit of dust while waiting. I'm hoping my avocado-pit-dyed thread project also will find the light of day once I get done with my 2023 crochet temperature project.

I've not climbed Pagoda Mountain or any of the other three 13ers flanking Longs Peak, but there was a time when all four were on my bucket list. I did climb Longs, my first 14er, and I've been up to Chasm Lake below the diamond face of Longs, one of my most favorite sunrise locations in Colorado, multiple times.

Now I'm not sure we will ever be able to climb again; we've done a few very short and easy hikes since Lizard was diagnosed with Parkinson's, and two at altitude. So Pagoda, Meeker, Lady Washington and Storm might be off my climbing map. But they definitely make thrilling notches on my crochet belt.

13,497-foot Pagoda Peak sits just over half a mile southwest of the summit of Longs along the picturesque Keyboard of the Winds. I've "Long"ed for years to create a crochet project using that name and inspiration!!! The name Pagoda, which the peak received because the mountain is a visual reminder of Asian eaves, inspired the points on this snowflake. Pagoda Mountain is the second-tallest subpeak flanking Longs behind Mount Meeker, and it sits prominently above the gorgeous Glacier Gorge. When you climb all four subpeaks in a day, you earn the title Grand Slam. If you throw in Longs, too, you get a Radical Slam. It never was my goal to climb all four peaks in a day or perhaps even a year. Now, if we do get to visit the area again one day, we'll likely have to be content getting peak reflections in nearby lakes. But, nothing wrong with that, right? It's still better than sitting on the couch!

I will leave you with a very old teaser photo of my yet unpublished Longs Peak-inspired motif project, and let's hope this baby will help ring in the new year in a just few cold, short (hopefully snow-filled!!!) months!

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: 7.25 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

Special Stitches:

dc cluster: [yo and draw up loop, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and bring through all 4 loops on hook
tr cluster: [yo twice and draw up loop, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook] 4 times, yo and bring through all five loops on hook

Pagoda Mountain Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, [ch 3, 2 dc in ring] 6 times; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round. Don't pull magic ring too tight.

Round 2: Dc cluster around post of dc directly below, [in next ch 3 sp work (dc cluster, ch 4, dc cluster)] 5 times; dc cluster in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, 1 dc in top of starting cluster to form 6th ch 4 sp 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 3: Tr cluster over post of dc directly below, [in next ch 4 sp work (tr cluster, ch 9, tr cluster)] 6 times, omitting last tr cluster of final repeat; sl st in top of starting cluster.

Round 4: Sl st in top of next cluster, [sl st in next ch, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 8 ch, [ch 14, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in each of next 7 ch, ch 9, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in each of next 5 ch, ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in each of next 3 ch, ch 7, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 dtr in next ch, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (spoke picot made), ch 5, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 dtr in next ch, working back down spoke, sl st in each of next 2 ch (diamond point made), ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in each of next 3 ch, sl st in ch between next 2 branches, ch 8, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in each of next 5 ch, sl st in ch between next 2 branches, ch 10, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in each of next 7 ch, sl st in next ch below bottom branch and in next ch, ch 2, sk next 2 tr culsters, 1 dc in each of next 9 ch] 6 times, omitting last nine dc; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; 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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Snowflake Monday

I began this snowflake pattern, which includes four distinct variations, back in April. It has taken a long, long, long time to get a little more than halfway done with each of the four variations. So of course, that means this pattern gets the name Longs Peak!

Longs Peak is a sentimental favorite of mine because I spent eight years in its shadow when I first moved to Colorado. It also was the first 14er I climbed. Not having any clue what I was getting myself into when I began the hike at 3 a.m. that took a full 17.5 hours to complete, I decided back then Longs Peak got its name from the long, long, long trail leading to the summit!

Of course, that's not how the mountain got the name, but even my condensed trip report is long, long, long! Everything about this mountain is LONG!

Longs Peak was named after Major Stephen Long, an explorer with the US Army and topographic engineer who never set foot atop the mountain. Until doing research for this post, I never knew my dad might be interested in Stephen Long, who served as a consultant engineer for many railroads. (Hear that, Dad?) (My dad's life revolves around railroads the way mine revolves around needlework, photography and writing.)

Stephen Long led the first scientific exploration up the Platte River, which leads to near what later became metro Denver, where Longs Peak may be seen from almost any viewpoint. Stephen Long may have been one of the first white men to see Longs Peak, and he gave the peak his name. He also is responsible for naming the Rocky Mountains.

John Wesley Powell, for which Lake Powell was named, led the first successful non-native climbing party up Longs Peak in 1868. With one arm! Powell lost an arm in the 1862 Battle of Shiloh, and the severed nerve endings gave him problems and pain the rest of his life, but he never quit exploring and discovering. Having climbed Longs Peak with both legs and both arms, I cannot imagine ascending it with a missing limb.

At 14,255 feet, Longs Peak is the 15th tallest mountain in Colorado, the northernmost of the state's 14ers and the only 14er in Rocky Mountain National Park. The mountain's western face graces the Colorado quarter.

This snowflake is full of diamond shapes, and Longs Peak is best known for The Diamond, the dramatic 2,000-foot eastern face overlooking photogenic Chasm Lake. The view of Longs Peak from Chasm Lake is about my third favorite view in all of Colorado. I never tire of seeing the sun hit the very tip of the peak and slowly melting down The Diamond like liquid gold.

I keep returning to this snowflake pattern just like I keep returning to Chasm Lake, too. Each of the four different versions will be featured over the next few weeks. One, by request, is specifically for sock yarn! Think afghan!

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this Shades of White piece. When I began it last spring, I planned to make a purse. As the piece grew, I fell more and more in love with the patchwork hues, and I thought it would make a splendid vest or shawl. When I held the piece up to our hotel room window for a photo on Saturday, I wondered if this lace might make the perfect covering for the window of our back door, which came with UGLY blinds I have wanted to replace ever since we moved in. If I quadruple the size of this piece (currently 10x21 inches; the window measures 23x38 inches), it would be big enough to hang over that window! I could trash the trashy blinds! I'll share photos of whatever my Shades of White grows up to be when I'm done.

I've included photos of this piece blocked and unblocked, not only because I had no way to properly block or photograph it as I continued working on it while on the road over the long weekend, but also to demonstrate why blocking is important in needlework, especially a crocheted lace piece. The character of the lace completely changes once blocked. Blocking is not something to be intimidated by; it is a finishing step that makes the difference between something handmade and something handmade that looks professional.

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!


blocked


unblocked


blocked and unblocked


all blocked




purse layout


shawl layout


Finished Size: 4 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread (I used every shade of white, ecru, eggshell, natural, chai and latte I could find plus my own white thread tea-stained for varying amounts of time to achieve gradients), size 9 crochet hook

Special Stitches:
dc cluster: [yo and draw up loop, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and bring through all 4 loops on hook
tr cluster: [yo twice and draw up loop, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook] 4 times, yo and bring through all five loops on hook

If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Longs Peak Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, ch 3, *2 dc in ring, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times for a total of 6 spokes; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic ring tight.

Round 2: Sl st in next ch 3 sp, make loop on hook nearly the size of a regular dc and twist twice (does not count as dc), work dc cluster as instructed above in Special Stitches into same sp, ch 4, work dc cluster into same sp, *work dc cluster into next ch 3 sp, ch 4, work dc cluster into same sp; repeat from * around 4 times for a total of 12 dc clusters, sl st across starting dc cluster into next ch 3 sp.

Round 3: Ch 2 and make loop on hook length of ch 2 (counts as start of 1st tr of tr cluster), work next 3 tr of tr cluster as instructed above in Special Stitches in same sp, ch 9, tr cluster in same ch 4 sp, *tr cluster in next ch 4 sp, ch 9, tr cluster in same ch 4 sp; repeat from * around 4 times for a total of 12 tr clusters; sl st in top of starting tr cluster, sl st into next ch 9 sp.
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 same ch 9 sp, *2 hdc in same sp, 3 dc in same sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, 2 hdc in same sp, [2 sc in same sp], 2 sc in next ch 9 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, ending with [2 sc in same sp] and omitting last 2 sc in next ch 9 sp of final repeat, sl st in starting sc.

Round 5: Pull loop to near size of dc and twist twice, work dc cluster between sl st and last sc of Round 4, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (shell made), ch 1, *6 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1, 1 dc cluster between next 2 2/sc groups, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1; sl st in starting dc cluster.

Round 6, First Flake: Sl st in next ch and into top of next shell, 1 sc in same shell, ch 5, *1 sc in 3rd sc of next 6 sc group, ch 5, 1 sc in next sc, ch 5, 1 sc in next shell, ch 5, 1 sc in next shell, ch 5; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 sc in 3rd sc of next 6 sc group, ch 5, 1 sc in next sc, ch 5, 1 sc in next shell, ch 5, sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 6, Joining Flakes: Sl st in next ch and into top of next shell, 1 sc in same shell, ch 5, [1 sc in 3rd sc of next 6 sc group, ch 2, sl st into any corner ch 5 sp of first flake, ch 2, 1 sc in next sc of current flake, ch 2, sl st into corresponding ch 5 sp of first flake, ch 2, 1 sc in next shell of current flake, ch 2, sl st into next ch 5 sp of first flake, ch 2, 1 sc in next shell of current flake, ch 2, sl st into next ch 5 sp of first flake, ch 2, 1 sc in 3rd sc of next 6 sc group of current flake, ch 2, sl st in next corner ch 5 sp of first flake, ch 2, 1 sc in next sc of current flake], *ch 5, 1 sc in next shell of current flake, ch 5; 1 sc in next shell, ch 5; 1 sc in 3rd sc of next 6 sc group, ch 5, 1 sc in next sc; repeat from * around 3 times; ch 5, 1 sc in next shell, ch 5, sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
After first row of snowflakes, work second row of [ ] joinings the same except joining flakes on two or three sides, as applicable. In corner ch 5 spaces where two flakes are already joined, sl st into join.

And here is an option for a regular snowflake, to be hung instead of joined. I have several versions of this I plan to share in upcoming weeks, also.


Round 4; Individual Snowflake: 2 sc in same ch 9 sp, *2 hdc in same sp, 3 dc in same sp, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 5, 1 sc in 5th ch from hook, ch 5, sl st in sc, ch 4, sl st in sc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 3 dc in same ch 9 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, [2 sc in same sp], 2 sc in next ch 9 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, ending with [2 sc in same sp] and omitting last 2 sc in next ch 9 sp of final repeat, sl st in starting sc.

Finish: Continue working snowflakes and adding onto main piece to attain desired shape and size.

Pin, in sections if necessary, to shape flakes as desired and spray lightly with water. Allow to dry. Unpin and wrap up. Have a wonderful evening in your snowflake garment!

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Mount Chiquita

20 August 2005

We got up at 4, drove up to Chapin Pass Trailhead and then took a half-hour nap before heading up the trail. Bluebird skies slowly turned into full overcast by the end of the day, but we arrived back at our car before the storms hit. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful hike.

I was able to carry my pack the entire route. I wasn’t always pain-free, but this was my best hike so far since surgery in November. Best of all, I didn’t have to let The Lizard rescue me and carry my pack for me. Maybe I’m finally beginning to heal.

Mount Chiquita is the lowest named 13er in Rocky Mountain National Park. It rises 283 vertical feet above its connecting saddle with nearby Mount Ypsilon, so technically it is not a mountain but a sub-summit. To people who adhere to the 300-foot rule. I am not one of those. A mountain is a mountain, and if your feet (or bicycle, unicycle, skateboard, etc.) went up it, you certainly may claim it. If your car drove up it, I’m sorry, you did not climb that mountain. Your car did.

Mount Ypsilon, in contrast with its neighbor, is the second highest summit of the Mummy Range, the fifth-highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park and one of Colorado's 300 highest summits. Two distinct couloirs form a large Y on its east face, prompting Frederick Hastings Chapin’s wife to call it Ypsilon, a misspelling of the Greek letter of the alphabet.

Chapin, a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, was not the first historical photographer and writer to venture into Rocky Mountain National Park, but his popularization of hikes there left his name upon a mountain summit (on the other side of Chiquita), the aforementioned mountain pass and the creek below.

This was my first time returning to this particular trailhead since about 2001. My children and I frequented Rocky Mountain National Park on weekends during the school year and every chance we got during the summer when they were still young. This hike, however, bears special memories. It was the first hike I took with my son, although he wasn’t my son then. His adoption took five long years, and he wasn’t allowed to call me his mom that whole time until the adoption was finalized. Crazy rules!!!

He was about seven years old when I decided this would be a fun summer outing for him. We made it up to the Chapin/Chiquita saddle, where he joyously sat right on the edge and innocently swung his feet, completely oblivious to my fear of heights and pleadings to get away from there. Only by coaxing him upward on Mount Chapin, which does not have a sheer cliff face, was I able to distract him long enough to squelch his hunger for danger!

As The Lizard and I made our way up this same saddle so many years later, I visualized my son’s expression as he beheld the entire Estes Valley below him. And then I remembered him rushing ahead on the descent and somehow losing me. I found him, whimpering in the trees about 45 minutes later, thoroughly convinced he’d been abandoned, even though he was the one who took off without warning. He threw his arms around me and promised never to leave my side again.

Needless to say, that was not a promise he kept. Kids grow up. Or at least move on.

Now, in that same spot with my newly acquired husband, I could experience the visual, mental and physical joy of climbing in the Mummy Range again. The views are outstanding. The tundra is addictive. Wildflowers and wildlife might be plentiful, or they might not. The trail is never as crowded as Longs Peak on the other end of RNMP, and it’s easier to get a feel of wilderness.

I lost my hair scrunchie in the first half hour or so of our hike. The Lizard made jokes about cow elk confiscating it for a “barn dance” next month. He also tiptoed and made tiny bird wing motions along the trail a couple of times, like dancing. (He swears he does not dance or sing. If my camera had a video function, I’d have proof to the contrary.) We both had the words and tune of the song “Chiquitita” by Abba on our minds as we climbed Chiquita. The Lizard chanted the banana song, as well as “Copacabana”, I guess because it rhymes with banana.

I made it only up and down Chiquita. The Lizard did Chiquita, Ypsilon, Chiquita and Chapin. Quite a big day, in my book. Doing these and two other nearby peaks in a day is referred to as Mummy Madness.

My goal was Ypsilon, but by the time I reached the summit of Chiquita, I knew there was no way I could do another peak, too. I did try to make each upward spurt a little longer than the previous one, but I had to stop to let my heart slow down far too many times. It’s been way too long since I’ve been at altitude.

After the hike, we traveled the initial section of Stillwater Pass, looking for moose. Came up empty-handed. We drove to Grand Lake for a caramel apple (with cinnamon!) and mint chocolate chip ice cream. Then we made our way back through Rocky Mountain National Park, once again searching for moose, and once again empty camera-ed.

In his trip report, The Lizard wrote that he went hiking with his favorite person. I find it simply remarkable that he still finds time and opportunities to express romance, fondness and warmth, even though we have morphed from the dating stage to the hitched stage. I couldn’t have picked a better mate!

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