Snowflake Monday

Today's snowflake, inspired one of my snowflake photos from 2023, may have been better-suited for Halloween, especially had I chosen a bloody idiom as the name. You see, while removing the pins after stiffening, I accidentally stabbed myself without knowing it. I literally painted the flake red. (Lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide successfully bleached the blood stains.) While researching potential names, I kept thinking back to the October holiday. Vampire Juice, cold-blooded, bleeding heart, blood boil; blood, sweat and tears... I couldn't find a suitable name with the word red either. In the red, seeing red, red in the face, red flag, red-handed, red herring, red tape... Then I got the wild idea to look for emotions the color red inspires. I mean, besides, "Ouch!!!" Passionate, energetic, impulsive, ambitious, determined, courageous...

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: 8.5 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:

Popcorn Stitch (pc)

Work 5 dc in designated st, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc.

Vigorous Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: [1 pc in same sc as sl st (or next sc in repeats), ch 3] 6 times, omitting last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in starting pc to form 6th ch 3 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: Ch 9 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 7), 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (1st picot made), ch 4, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook (2nd picot made), ch 7, 1 sc in 6th ch from hook (3rd picot made), [ch 9, 1 sc in 8th ch from hook] 2 times (4th and 5th picots made), ch 4, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook (6th picot made), ch 9, 1 sc in 8th ch from hook (7th picot made), ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (spoke tip made), working back down spoke, ch 8, 1 sc in 8th ch from hook, 1 dc in ch below 7th picot, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in ch below 6th picot, [ch 8, 1 sc in 8th ch from hook, 1 dc in ch below 5th picot (or 4th picot in repeat] 2 times, ch 6, 1 sc in 6th ch from hook, 1 dc in ch below 3rd picot, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in ch below 2nd picot, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in ch below 1st picot, ch 3, sk next 3 ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 dc in same ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 9; 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

Today's pattern is the fourth inspired by the pillow I received for Christmas. This one was kind of fun to work up because I had several ideas for interpreting the design into thread. I think a large bead may be substituted in the final round instead of the popcorn stitch. I'd love to see photos if you give that a try.

The prototype of today's snowflake wasn't perfect. I'm a little embarrassed to show what it looked like when I got ready to pin it. I quickly worked up one more spoke and tied it on with a knot, then wove the ends in on the back. Can't believe how well it turned out after that snowflake surgery!!!

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, 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:

Popcorn Stitch (pc)

Work 5 dc in designated st, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc.

Let It Snowflake IV Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, [ch 1, 2 dc in ring] 5 times; ch 1, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [2 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, 1 dc in next dc] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: Ch 13 (counts as 1 tr and [ch 10), 1 dtr in 7th ch from hook, ch 2, sk next 5 dc, 1 tr in next dc] 5 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in 3rd 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: Ch 15 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 13), 1 dc in next tr] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 15.

Round 5: Ch 1, [1 sc in each of next 6 ch, in next ch work (1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc), 1 sc in each of next 6 ch, ch 12, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch (long branch made), ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch (short branch made), ch 4, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in 1st sc of 6/sc circle (round point of spoke made), (NOTE: next ch will be pulled extremely tight by the 6/sc circle; skip it), sl st in next ch (right above short branch), working back down spoke, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, sl st in ch between short branch and long branch, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch, sl st in next 2 ch (below long branch), sk next 2 ch, pc in next ch, (NOTE: next ch will be pulled extremely tight by the pc; skip it); sl st in next ch] 6 times; 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.

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

Have you ever finished what you thought was a perfect flake, only to have rusty blemishes marring it when you remove the pins?

Three of my flakes have suffered that fate in the last month.

The first thing I learned is it's okay to throw out ten-year-old pins and buy a new box. And then I learned white fingernail polish has just the right magic to fix a faulty flake.

I suppose typewriter correction fluid or bleach might work, too. But I've not tried them. I did dab a few snowflakes with fingernail polish, and I'm completely satisfied with the results.


Because I didn't want to share just a tip on how to fix a defective flake, I decided to quickly jot down yet one more pattern. Makes a nice (and much-needed) break from zapping zits on teenagers, which is what I'll be doing with Photoshop during most of my spare time for the next couple of weeks. Sometimes I think I'd rather be crocheting!

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but please do not sell the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 4 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

Rust Spot Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc into ring; sl st in 1st sc.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in same sc, *ch 8, skip 1 sc, sc in next sc; repeat from * around for a total of 6 chain loops, ending with ch 8, join in first sc of round; bind off.

Round 3: Join in top of any ch 8 loop, sc in same loop, *ch 13, sl st in 10th ch from hook, ch 3, sc in next chain loop; repeat from * around, ending with sl st in first sc 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 4: *4 sc across next ch 3, sc into ch 10 loop, ch 5, sc into same loop, ch 7, sc into same loop, ch 9, sc into same loop, ch 11, sc into same loop, ch 9, sc into same loop, ch 7, sc into same loop, ch 5, sc into same loop, 4 sc across next ch 3p repeat from * around, ending with sl st in first sc of round, 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.

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Snowflake Surgery

A couple of weeks ago, I found the PERFECT group for me. Snowflake Mondays. Never in my wildest dreams could I have dreamed someone other than me could concoct such a brilliant challenge – make a snowflake every Monday.

(And I can make it a more suitable challenge… Snap a creative and unusual photo of each new snowflake!)

I go through phases, and typically each lasts about two months. I quilt, sew, crochet, knit or embroider during my weekday commute on public transportation. My biggest challenges are trying not to stab fellow passengers when we stop unexpectedly and trying to fish various needles out of the seat or heater vents when I drop them due to unexpected stops or bumps.

I’ve been having such a ball designing and crocheting tiny bears on the way to work each day for the last 14 weeks or so, my current phase has yet to become boring. Throwing in an additional project one day a week is guaranteed to keep me from growing jaded until I break the world record for number of bears to inhabit a tote bag. Crocheting tiny bears is habit-forming.

Snowflakes are addictive, too. I made my first one in about 1981, with baby yarn, which didn’t work so well. Once I learned how to do them with thread, I was hooked and literally hooking every winter to fill my Christmas tree with new and improved lacy geometric masterpieces.

Because it’s been a while since I’d made a snowflake, I’d forgotten how fun it is to design them. Ever since I began the SnowMon challenge, I’ve found myself making them at home while I’m waiting on computer programs to run. Always multi-tasking…

I’d started yet another flake this morning while waiting for a CD of retouched senior photos to burn while simultaneously peeping out the window to monitor colors of the sunrise. I planned to shoot yet another snowflake sunrise and had taped my most recent snowflake to the window so I could capture it with the glowing golden orb behind it. (Didn’t your mother ever tell you never to look directly at the sun, especially through a telephoto lens?!?)

Everything finished at the same time, and I still had ten minutes before I had to leave for work. So I began pinning the snowflake to my starch factory, fashioned from a recycled pizza box. To my horror, I noticed I had added a couple of superfluous shells on one point. My snowflake was noticeably deformed!!!

Granted, real snowflakes aren’t always perfect, but crocheted snowflakes with extra shells are akin to teddy bears with extra arms. To me, the booboo just wasn’t appealing at all.

Under normal circumstances, I would have painstakingly taken the knot apart and unraveled so I could redo the faulty section. But I didn’t have that kind of time, and I knew if I waited, I wouldn’t want to fix it. I didn’t want my newest snowflake to wind up in the bottom of the already full “Things I’ll Fix One Day” drawer.

Without a second thought, I grabbed the sewing shears and cut between the two extra shells. Unraveling the one on the right was easy, just pulling out a stitch and redoing it. The one on the left, however, presented more of a challenge. Unraveling backwards is brain-coiling! After the amputation, I tied the two loose threads, wove the ends in through the neighboring stitches and pinned the snowflake to the pizza box for starching, which I then didn’t have ample time to do because it was past time to leave for work.

I gazed at the recovering flake for a few seconds, trying to see if I could tell what I had done. No blood. Not even my own! Suddenly it hit me that I had adopted special needs kids, and now I had created a special needs snowflake!

Too bad damaged kiddos don’t heal as easily as snowflakes!

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