Snowflake Monday

When I first decided to name my snowflakes after mountain peaks, Mount Wilson and Wilson Peak did not seem like appealing snowflake names.

Then I came up with today's idea. The name fits. If you've never played any kind of ball and don't catch the drift, watch the movie "Castaway," although the "character" in the movie hails from a different sport.

14,246-foot Mount Wilson and 14,017-foot Wilson Peak are two of three fourteeners in the Lizard Head Wilderness. Although in my opinion these two mountain names are somewhat redundant, the pair lies a mile apart, with a county line in between, and each is the tallest peak within its respective county.

Mount Wilson is thought to be one of the ten most difficult fourteeners to climb in Colorado, and both peaks are creatively named after Allen David Wilson, who as chief topographer of the Hayden survey was among the first known white men to summit Mount Wilson. He was one of three men instrumental in exposing the Great Diamond Hoax of 1872, and he and other civic leaders organized Athenian Bank, which went on to be absorbed by Bank of Italy, which later became Bank of America.

The mile-long ridge connecting Mount Wilson to El Diente is considered one of four classic fourteener traverses in Colorado.

Wilson Peak is perhaps one of the most visually recognized landmarks within Colorado. Although the Maroon Bells are among the most photographed peaks in the state and Mount Sneffels from Dallas Divide often is considered one of the most photogenic landscapes in autumn, neither of these picturesque scenes grace the aluminum covering for a popular alcoholic beverage. Adolph Coors chose Wilson Peak to brand his beer in 1873. Interesting trivia: he couldn't drink his beer. He was allergic to beer.

Wilson Peak was at the heart of a major conflict between one of its landowners and the climbing community. The landowner, who had been subjected to increasing vandalism and acts of cruelty by those crossing his land to access the wilderness and who had charged $100 per head for hiking privileges, had long hoped to sell a portion of his land to the Forest Service and be free of the problems associated with the popularity of mountain climbing and threatened to begin mining operations again. The Forest Service, however, could not/would not afford the price or proposed land swap, and the primary Wilson Peak trailhead was closed in 2004. In a seven-year effort spurred in part by blind climber Eric Weihenmayer, a handful of corporations, foundations and individuals came together to purchase the disputed land and reopen the primary trailhead with an improved and rerouted trail to the summit.

I've named this week's snowflake after Wilson Peak because it's the easier of the two mountains to see from nearby roads. Mount Wilson is hidden and therefore lends its name to the bonus project I've included at the end of today's post. Happy Father's Day!


Roberta Overby is the winner of last week's drawing for the most recent edition of "Crochet Traditions." I'll announce our next drawing on June 18.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes and basketball hoops you make from this week's patterns, but you may not sell or republish the patterns. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 6 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 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

Wilson Peak Snowflake Instructions

Ch 4, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 2), *1 dc in ring, ch 2; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 4. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), *3 dc in next ch 2 sp, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, 1 dc in next dc; repeat from * 2 times, omitting last dc of 2nd repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
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: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), *sk next 3 dc, 1 dc in next dc, 5 dc in next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in next dc; repeat from * 2 times, omitting last dc of 2nd repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 7.
Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), *7 dc in next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in next dc, ch 7, 1 dc in next dc; repeat from * 2 times, omitting last dc of 2nd repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
Round 5: Ch 11 (counts as 1 dc and ch 9), *sk next 7 dc, 1 dc in next dc, 7 dc in next ch 7 sp, 1 dc in next dc; repeat from * 2 times, omitting last dc of 2nd repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 11.
Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), *9 dc in next ch 9 sp, 1 dc in next dc, ch 11, 1 dc in next dc; repeat from * 2 times, omitting last dc of 2nd repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
Round 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), *1 dc in each of next 11 dc, 3 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 11 ch, 3 dc in next dc; repeat from * 2 times, working only 2 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 instead of 3 of 2nd repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
Round 8: To form 1st basketball hoop, 1 sc in same ch as sl st, *[ch 6, sk 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc] 3 times, ch 9, turn, [1 sc in next ch 6 sp, ch 6] 3 times, turn, [1 sc in next ch 6 sp, ch 6] 2 times, 1 sc in next ch 9 sp, ch 9, turn, [1 sc in next ch 6 sp, ch 6] 3 times, turn, [1 sc in next ch 6 sp, ch 6] 2 times, ch 6, 1 sc in next ch 9 sp, ch 6, working down side of basket toward main body of flake, 1 sc in same sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 9 sp, ch 3, sk next 2 dc in main body of flake, 1 sc in next dc, sl st in next dc, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc, bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: 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 the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.


Finished Size: 5 inches tall and 4 inches wide
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, round plastic lid measuring approximately 4 inches in diameter and 12-13 inches circumference, awl or other tool to poke holes in lid, non-useable CD or DVD, adhesive suitable for plastic (we used Loctite; Super Glue or Krazy Glue probably would work, too), spray bottle of water, clothes hangers, school glue, packing tape OR suction cup with metal hanger OR Velcro to attach DVD backboard to surface when project is complete
NOTE: I used the lid of a small container of ice cream and easily poked the cardboard center away from the ring. If your lid is all plastic, you will need something sharp to remove the center.
WARNING: Both the awl and any tool used to cut plastic are sharp and can cause serious injury.

Mount Wilson Basketball Net Instructions


Carefully use the awl to poke holes in the plastic ring about an inch apart, all the way around. I poked my holes too close together, less than an inch apart, and the net is a little too wide, but I creatively blocked it when done to pull it down and make it more narrow.

Carefully push the crochet hook through each hole to make it easier to bring thread through the holes when you begin making the net.

Round 1: Make a slip stitch, then work one single crochet into any hole in the plastic ring. *Ch 10. 1 sc in next hole. Repeat from * around until no holes remain. To form final ch 10 loop, ch 4 and 1 trtr into starting sc.
Rounds 2-6: 1 sc in ch4/1 trtr space just made. *Ch 10. 1 sc in next ch 10 loop. Repeat from * around to final ch 10 loop. Ch 4, 1 trtr into starting sc.

Adjust net length as necessary by adding or subtracting rounds. Net length should be about 1/5th longer than diameter of hoop. So if your ring is 4 inches wide, the net should be about 5 inches long. A 3-inch hoop should have a net about 4 inches long, and a 5-inch hoop should have a net about 6 inches long.

When net is appropriate length, bind off and wave in ends as best as you can. A dab of school glue on a thread end will keep it in place and prevent unsightliness.

I used clothes hangers on the shower curtain rod to shape the net after lightly misting it with water.


I allowed the net to dry overnight. We used a very small dab of Loctite Glue (applied with a cotton swab) to attach the basketball rim to a lemon DVD that would not record in our computer. We allowed the adhesive to dry overnight. I attached the DVD to our kitchen counter with packing tape. The Lizard enjoyed shooting trash wads into the garbage can, even though he was never that interested in basketball until now!

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Snowflake Monday

This snowflake is by request. After last week's Six Golf Clubs for Dad, teakaycee on Crochetville said the men in her life love baseball. I'd actually tried working out a baseball bat and ball pattern last year, but never finished them. Saturday we had thundershowers, which doesn't make for safe cycling, so I wrote the snowflake, baseball bat, hat and baseball patterns.

For fun, I toyed with naming this snowflake after one of my favorite baseball teams, especially since one particular team is named after my favorite place in Colorado. (Rockies, in case my clue was too vague.) But I also love the Mariners, and I didn't want to play favorites or make either team jealous, so this snowflake will get yet another goofy name: Six Baseball Bats for Dad. Or Hubby. Or Brother. Or Son. Or Boss. Hey, did you know the acronym for Dear Husband is the same as Designated Hitter?!? Six Baseball Bats for DH. (HUGE grin!)

This snowflake was a lot more fun for me than the golf club flake because I love baseball and actually played softball for many years until emergency back surgery in November of 2004 derailed much of my limited athletic prowess.

This snowflake also gave me a chance to use up some of my Dirty Thread, which I previewed in last week's Snowflake Monday. (Thanks for this week's inspiration, Tam!) I've been working on a surprise snowflake project since April that requires more shades of white, off-white, ecru, natural, eggshell and antique than I have been able to find commercially. (Let this be a clue to start stocking up on whites for a future snowflake pattern!) I began tea-staining thread the same way my grandmother did more than 44 years ago to achieve the variety in hues I wanted.

Everything was going just fine until I left a batch of cranberry apple, pomegranate, orange spice and wild berry tea-stained thread to dry on the wrought iron shelf where my indoor flower seedlings are attempting to get a head start on life. I didn't know the wrought iron would further enhance my self-dyed thread...

Initially, I was devastated, but after I wound the mini hanks into tiny balls, I decided I would find or design a way to use the thread anyway, because it wasn't all that bad looking once I got accustomed to it. I even decided to find ways to multiple stain one or two balls with an assortment of additional colors so I can make some fun animal amigurumi after cycling season. (Yes, the bear and lizard patterns are coming – eventually.)

Lucky for me, one of the wrought-iron damaged thread shades is just the perfect color for a baseball bat, and I've been wanting to craft a bat for one of my tiny thread bears for more than a year now. In my opinion, the baseball bat, hat and baseball are perfect standalone ornaments for any sports lover. I think they would make great sports snowflake danglies, too, but not on the flat baseball bat snowflake.


I wanted to see what it would look like to make a 3D baseball bat snowflake, so I let my imagination go wild on that idea, as well. The 3D baseball bat snowflake would be strong enough to support the weight of danglies.


You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes, baseballs, hats and bats you make from these patterns, but you may not sell or republish the patterns. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 4.75 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 9 crochet hook, small amount of stuffing for 3D bat and ball, red sewing thread and needle or red permanent marker for baseball marking, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Six Baseball Bats for Dad Snowflake Instructions

NOTE: The first snowflake is not worked in the round. The rest of the projects ARE worked in the round. You may use larger thread or even yarn to make the 3D bat or snowflake, but use a smaller hook than what you normally would use with the size of fiber you choose to prevent stuffing from showing through the stitches. The amigurumi bat and ball are worked very tightly. Also, I did not glitter these snowflakes. They might look cool with glitter the colors of your favorite baseball team...
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Flat Baseball Bat Flake

*Ch 20, 1 2c in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 4 ch, 1 hdcc in each of next 5 ch, 1 sc in each of next 4 ch, sl st in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch; repeat from * around 5 times; taking care not to twist work, sl st in starting ch; bind off. Weave in ends.

You also may make 6 or 12 individual flat bats by binding off at the base of each bat and then stiffening bats individually before gluing them into desired snowflake shapes.


3D Amigurumi Bat

Make 6 for Snowflake. Make one (or desired number) to hang individually.

Round 1: Make magic ring. 9 sc in ring. Pull magic ring tight. Keep tail on wrong side of work so it will be inside bat when you are done. I use the crochet hook to stuff the end of the tail inside the amigurumi as I work.

Rounds 2-6: 1 sc in each sc around. (Or work 56 sc, if it's easier for you to count stitches than rounds on something so small.) Stuff lightly as you go.
Rounds 7-10: Dec 1 sc in each round, taking care not to work decs directly above each other, for a total of 5 sc in Round 10. (If it's easier to count stitches than rounds, work 1 dec, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc in each of next 7 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, and you should have a total of 5 sc remaining.) Stuff lightly as you go. I use the crochet hook to insert the stuffing into the narrow opening.

Rounds 11-18: 1 sc in each sc around (or work a total of 40 sc if it's easier for you to count stitches than rounds). I did not stuff this section of the bat.

Round 19: 2 sc in each sc around for a total of 10.

Round 20: 1 sc in each sc around. Bind off, leaving a 3-inch to 4-inch tail. Weave tail through each st in Round 20 and pull tight, taking care not to break thread. Pull thread into bat to hide end. If making the 3D baseball bat snowflake, leave a long tail on the sixth bat, and use it to string all six bats together (for strength, make two passes through each bat) before tying a strong knot and weaving the end into a bat.

Finish Snowflakes: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. If making flat baseball bat snowflake, pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap. If making snowflake from individual bats, stiffen bats first and allow to adequately dry, then pin as desired in snowflake shape again and repeat stiffening process.

To stiffen: Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. Sprinkle lightly with glitter (optional). 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 light pull, chandelier, doorknob or cabinet handle.

3D Amigurumi Baseball

em>Round 1: Make magic ring. 9 sc in ring. Pull magic ring tight. Keep tail on wrong side of work so it will be inside ball when you are done.

Round 2: *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc next sc; repeat from * around for a total of 15 (you're actually going one stitch beyond end of round).

Round 3-5: 1 sc in each sc around (or 45 sc if it is easier for you to count st than rounds).

Round 6: *1 dec, 1 sc; repeat from * around for a total of 6 st (or work a dec every other st until 6 st remain). Stuff lightly as you go.

Round 7: *Draw up loop in each of next 3 sc, yo and bring through all 4 loops on hook; repeat from * 1 time; sl st tightly in next sc, bind off, leaving a 2-inch tail. Weave tail into ball. Using red sewing thread or red permanent marker, make pinched circle/disconnected figure 8 on ball for baseball marking.

3D Baseball Hat

Round 1: Make magic ring. 9 sc in ring. Do not join. Pull magic ring tight.

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around for a total of 18 sc.

Round 3: 1 sc in each sc around. Ch 1, turn.

Round 4: 1 sc in each sc around. Ch 1, turn.

Round 5: Working in the opposite direction, 1 sc in each of the next 16 sc. Ch 1, turn.

Round 6: Working in opposite direction of previous round, 1 sc in each of the next 16 sc. Ch 3 using foundation ch (ch 1, pull up loop through under side of ch, yo and bring through both loops on hook, pull up loop through under side of 2nd ch, yo and bring through both loops).

Round 7: Sk 2 sc opening left by previous 2 rounds and 1 sc in 1st sc of Round 6. (You've just made the opening in the back of the baseball hat.) 1 sc in each of next 5 sc. Working in front loop only for next 10 st, 1 hdc in next sc, 2 dc in same sc, 2 tr in next sc, 2 tr in next sc, 2 dc in next sc, 1 hdc in same sc. (You've just made hat brim.) Working in both loops again, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, sl st in next sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

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Snowflake Monday

Cycling season is in full gear now, and Father's Day is just around the corner. Last year I had an idea for a Father's Day flake I didn't have time to work out then, so I hastily crocheted the Six Ties for Dad snowflake, which actually turned out far better than I expected.

Now I'm in the same boat, well, on the same bike again this year. I haven't had time to work with last year's idea. I came up with two more options. Name a flake I'd already designed after Father Dyer Peak, or finally start writing my crocheted bicycle pattern and use the wheel as a kind-of, halfway, sort-of, distantly connected Father's Day snowflake. Because some dads like to bike...

I couldn't decide what to do, so I asked The Lizard.

"Finish up your golf club flake," he suggested.

I guess that means the other two ideas don't cut the mustard!

So, I finished the prototype snowflake, pinned and glued it, then asked The Lizard what he thought.

"Oh, that looks great!" he said.

"Are you sure?"

"Why? What's wrong with it?" He had that same expression guys display when they've accidentally said the wrong thing after their gals ask if something makes them look fat or if they are wearing the right color or if their hair is right.

"It doesn't really look like a snowflake," I complained.

"No, it doesn't," The Lizard replied. "But it looks like golf clubs."

Back to the drawing board. My second attempt is more acceptable to me, and The Lizard still likes it, even though he doesn't golf. The second one looks a bit more like putt putt golf than real golf to me, but it still looks like golf clubs, so I'm happy, AND it looks like a snowflake. Sort of. Even better is one of each, stacked and glued, for a 12-point snowflake. I'm including both sets of instructions because Dolores likes to make all versions of my snowflakes, including the ones I consider Fails.

I thought about naming this snowflake after a golf course. At one time, I had to do disclosure for every golf course in Colorado, so I'm familiar with most of them, even though I don't golf. I even have a favorite... Arrowhead, shown above, where I've shot a few weddings. It's one of the most beautiful backdrops I've used in portraiture, but to me, a snowflake with the name Arrowhead should at least look like an arrowhead, so I'll work on that one in the future. As a result, today's goofy (or golfy) snowflake is going to get a goofy (or golfy) name: Six Golf Clubs for Dad.

My suggestion is to give Dad more than just this snowflake. Attach it to a box of brand new golf balls.

You've heard of "Dirty Dancing," right? We have Dirty Golf Clubs! This spotty thread has a story behind it. I'll share the tale and photos of how it happened in an upcoming snowflake pattern.

And check this out. You can use this pattern to make fringe, bunting or prayer flags. (huge grin)


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: 6 inches and 4 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Six Golf Clubs for Dad Snowflake Instructions

NOTE: This snowflake is not worked in the round. Also, I did not glitter this snowflake.


Big Golf Club Flake

*Ch 25, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of next 3 ch, ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, bring up loop through each of next 2 sc, yo and draw through all three loops on hook (dec made), DO NOT ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, sk next ch in starting ch 25 and 1 sc in each of next 14 ch, 1 dc in each of next 5 ch; repeat from * around 5 times; taking care not to twist work, sl st in starting 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.

Small Golf Club Flake

*Ch 15, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of next 3 ch, ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, bring up loop through each of next 2 sc, yo and draw through all three loops on hook (dec made), DO NOT ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, sk next ch in starting ch 15 and 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, 1 dc in each of next 4 ch; repeat from * around 5 times; taking care not to twist work, sl st in starting ch; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. 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 the 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

This isn't the Father's Day flake I had in my head, but I didn't have enough time to finish designing the snowflake I wanted to share. Hopefully this one, Six Ties for Dad, will be just as fun.

Dad can never have too many ties, right?

When I first finished the first attempt at this design, I asked for The Lizard's honest opinion, because, after all, he is a guy. And he liked my flake! I was so excited! So I told him I'd thought about making another one with longer spokes, and tying knots in the spokes to make each look more like a tie.

"Oh, yeah, do that!" he exclaimed. "That will look great! I will really like that one!"

So, I can't promise your dad/husband/brother/significant other is going to love this flake as much as my better half, but here are the two variations for your Third Sunday in June pleasure!

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!

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

Finished Size: 6 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 11 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or foil, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line


Instructions

Shorter Spokes, Solid Center Snowflake

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring or in 2nd ch from hook. Pull magic circle tight.
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 2: Working in rounds (do not join), 2 sc in each sc around for a total of 12 sc.

Round 3: *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc; repeat from * around for a total of 18 sc.

Round 4: *Sc in next sc, ch 18; working in back loop of ch for the next 17 stitches, sc in next ch, dc in next ch, 1 tr in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, 1 hdc in each of next 3 ch, 1 sc in each of next 3 ch, sl st in next ch, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch; skip next sc in flake body and sc in next sc (one Tie for Dad made); repeat from * around 5 more times for a total of Six Ties for Dad; sl st in next sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Longer Spokes, Star Center Snowflake

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring or in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 3, 2 dc in ring; repeat from * 4 times for a total of 6 spokes; tr in 3rd ch of starting ch 3. Don't pull magic circle too tight.
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 2: * 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 25, working in back loop of ch for the next 24 stitches, sc in next ch, dc in next ch, 1 tr in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of next 4 ch, 1 hdc in each of next 4 ch, 1 sc in each of next 12 ch, 3 sc in same ch 3 sp (one Tie for Dad made); repeat from * around 5 more times for a total of Six Ties for Dad; sl st in next sc; bind off. Tie a knot in each spoke, pushing the knot as close to the body of the flake as you can and pulling as tight as you can. Try to do each knot the same way so they will lay flat. Weave in ends.

Note: The centers on these two flakes are interchangeable. Do rounds 1-3 on either flake for a solid center, and round 1 on either flake for a star center.

Finish: Tape wax paper or foil to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or foil.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. (ANOTHER NOTE: I did NOT glitter my Father's Day Snowflakes, but I'm providing the same old instructions just in case you decide you want a sparkly flake.) 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 foil. 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 the 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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