Snowflake Monday

This probably is the most complicated snowflake I've made and written to this point. That unnamed-as-far-as-I-know linked chains stitch seems to be making the rounds in crochet circles, so I had to try it on a snowflake.

(Here's a nice tutorial that results in a cowl.)

Yes, you could achieve close to the same visual effect as this technique by simply outlining a snowflake in a contrast color. But why take the easy path when you can take the challenging route and claim to have reached the Height of Excellence?!? (That was the theme for this year's Denver National Quilt Festival.)

Sunlight Spire is a distinctive tower just east of the main summit of 14er Sunlight Peak. Although most maps show the Spire as 13,995 feet in elevation, new measurements are continually being recorded, and accuracy may or may not be incorporated as technology continually changes. Any given source of information may or may not recognize any given measurement. One mountain climber asked why rope can't be used to measure the height of mountains, arguing that would be more accurate than electronic doodads.

Since 2002, Sunlight Spire has been recorded at an even 14,000 feet in elevation. Because its summit is the most difficult of Colorado's 14ers to reach, arguments have been made for Sunlight Spire to be included on the list of official 14ers. Its vertical prominence (the height of a mountain from the lowest point on the mountain) is nearly identical to that of Thunderbolt Peak in California, which is considered a sentimental 14er even though it does not have the required 300 feet of elevation gain above its lowest connecting saddle. The vertical 220-foot rise of Sunlight Spire puts it squarely in the category of not being a true 14er.

I've always believed if you climb a mountain with your feet, you've climbed a mountain, and the mathematic and scientific data doesn't matter. However, that gives way for those who've driven to the Mount Evans summit parking lot and walked up the last 134 feet to the true summit the bragging right to say they've climbed Mount Evans. To which I say: No, your car climbed the mountain!

Such argument could never be used in the pursuit of Sunlight Peak. No roads or railroads enter the Weminuche Wilderness or the Chicago Basin, where Sunlight Spire towers. Because of the sheer rock face on all sides of this tower, in my opinion, anyone who climbs it can count it. It's not a peak I plan to attempt, although I wouldn't mind taking pictures from a closer vantage point than I have been so far, which was from a couple miles or more away. I don't know that I could ever get up neighbor Sunlight Peak either, but if The Lizard ever takes me to the Chicago Basin, you can darn sure bet there will be more than a handful of pictures of all the nearby peaks! (As well as portraits of all the storied mountain goats supposedly roaming there!)


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, 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

Sunlight Spire Snowflake Instructions

With main color, make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through 2nd ch of starting ch 2 and replace loop on hook, pull loop through ch (popcorn stitch made), * ch 8, sl st in 6th ch from hook, ch 2; 5 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc (popcorn stitch made); repeat from * 4 times; ch 2, 1 tr in top of starting popcorn to form 6th ch 5 sp of Round; ch 3, 1 tr in top of tr to form 6th ch 6 loop of Round. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of tr directly below, * ch 3, 3 dc in next ch 6 loop, ch 15, 1 dc in 5th ch from hook, [ch 3, sk next 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch] 2 times, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch 6 loop; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; 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.

Linked Chain Round: With contrast color, ch 300, 1 dc in 7th ch from hook, catching ch 3 joint space of snowflake in chain loop made as show below. You will slip stitch into the tip of the ch 6 space you just made when you finish this Round.


* Ch 3, pull chain UP through next ch 3 sp of flake as shown below, sk next 3 ch, 1 sc in each of next 3 ch.


Ch 3, pull chain UP through next ch 3 sp of flake as shown below, sk next ch 3, 1 hdc in each of next 3 ch.


Ch 3, pull chain UP through next ch 3 sp of flake as shown below, sk next ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch.


Ch 3, pull up chain loop through next ch 4 tip of flake as shown below. (Don't pull chain all the way through!) Sk next ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 5, 1 sc in 5th ch from hook, ch 5, sl st in sc, ch 4, sl st in sc (tri-picot made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made).


1 dc in each of next 3 ch of long ch as shown below.


Ch 3, sk next 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, pull chain DOWN through next ch 3 sp of flake as shown below.


Ch 3, sk next 3 ch, 1 hdc in each of next 3 ch, pull chain DOWN through next ch 3 sp of flake as shown below.


Ch 3, sk next 3 ch, 1 sc in each of next 3 ch, pull chain DOWN through next ch 3 sp of flake as shown below. Ch 3, pull up chain loop up through next ch 3 joint as shown below. (Don't pull chain all the way through!). Sk next 3 ch, 1 dc in next ch.


Repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 3 and last dc of final repeat; pull starting tail down through next ch 3 sp and through tip of starting ch and sl st in tip of starting Linked Chain Round without going through ch 3 sp as shown below; bind off. Weave in ends.
NOTE: If you miscounted your chain or miscounted ch 3 spaces as you went along and have too many chains left at the end, that's okay. You may cut off the extras after binding off. If you are short 3 chains and don't have enough for the final 3 sc, you may ch 3 where the last 3 sc are supposed to be and then sl st into starting Linked Chain Round, then remove hook from work, bring loop up through ch 3 sp before starting dc, 1 sc into each ch of make-up ch 3 just worked and sl st into ch tail to bind off. If you are short more than 3 chains, work necessary number of chains before sl st into starting Linked Chain and work backwards into make-up chain with necessary number of stitches and chains, weaving through ch 3 spaces as you go, then sl st into ch tail when you reach it. Sounds complicated, but it works out fine. Just work the existing pattern backwards until you reach the end of your chain.




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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Friday Funny

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A Pink Wave

(affiliate links to my fabric designs)

Back in January, we made our second trip to The Wave, a beautiful striped oasis nearly sitting upon the Utah-Arizona border.

We'd been trying to score on the monthly permit lottery for seven years and finally were drawn last fall. Only 20 people are allowed to hike into The Wave each day, 10 three months in advance and 10 in a same-day lottery.

We'd taken our chances in 2012 and driven out to Kanab in the dead of winter to see if we might get lucky in the same-day lottery. A raging blizzard kept most same-day hopefuls warm at home, and we were able to visit The Wave for the first time. The winter day was short, we couldn't begin our hike until after the drawing, and Kanab is a good 50 miles or so from The Wave trailhead. We did it, but we longed for a full day and a sunrise at The Wave.




This year, we got what we wanted, minus the sunrise. We had a full day exploring The Wave and Coyote Buttes. I took about 800 photos. I turned one of them pink. Then I played with the pink landscape in Photoshop. I turned the manipulated images into Spoonflower fabric. And now I have a full yard, minus one square, with which to play!








I'm not sure yet what I will do with the fabric or the experimental quilt square I whipped up on the first night with my lovely new fabric, but I'm thinking that little square might make a nice baby blanket. I like to embellish my quilts with crochet, so I may make a few more log cabin squares, then cut a few white squares the same size to alternate with the pink ones, and then crochet pink snowflake motifs to applique onto the white squares.

I'd also like to make my favorite bag with a panel of six of the fabric squares. But I don't carry a pink bag. I may have to do this again with a blue Wave so I can make a bag I can use to haul my crafting on the commuter train every day.

I expect Photoshop fun is about to ensue...

Linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict here and Crazy Mom Quilts here.

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Wordless Wednesday

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Back on the Road Again

Our official cycling season has begun. Following completion of the official BikeMS High Roller training ride and Elephant Rock, one might think our training is over.

Not so, Grasshopper!

It's taking me a wee bit longer to work back up to being in shape than I anticipated. The weather has not helped much, but another obstacle I've been encountering this year is inability to sleep through the night. I think that will improve with time as I am able to ride more. Hopefully being more physically exhausted more often will keep those eyes shut through the night!

May offered a few more good weather riding days than I was able to take advantage of due to the sleeplessness. I had planned to be riding to work, a 60-mile round trip, at least three days a week by now.

I've been so embarrassed by my inability to meet my own challenges, I hadn't even updated my 2014 training journal since January 4!!!


We always get to watch a very long coal train roll by at Palmer Lake. Always.
Now that I have my first 100-mile-plus weekend since June 2013 beneath my belt, the training calender has been updated, and on goes the goal to work back up to riding to work at least three days per week. I hope to have this challenge mastered by BikeMS at the end of this month. Publicly announcing this goal hopefully will keep me motivated to rebuild the "good base" The Lizard says I have.

He says I'll get back in shape easier than I did following my 2004 emergency back surgery because I have a good base now. Even though the last two years have not been powerful for me, I did not lose everything I built up the previous several years, according to The Lizard.

Although I have not yet reached the mileage goal I had set for myself, there have been some great training accomplishments this year. During my first few attempts to build back up to 30 miles so I could ride to work, I was running out of energy by mile 26. My first 60-mile training ride of the year also was my first full work commute since June of last year. During that ride, I did not poop out before hitting the 30-mile mark.

During my very next work half commute, I shaved nearly a half hour from my morning ride time. Granted, that was due in part to less darkness. I can ride a little faster when I can see the bike path ahead of me! Absence of snow and ice on the bike path factored, as well. Nevertheless, the time improvement made me feel as if I'm not stagnating.

During my very next work half commute, I shaved another three minutes from my morning ride time. Talk about exciting! I'd left earlier in the morning so I could catch the sunrise at a desired point, so lack of darkness was not the reason I rode faster for this particular ride!


During my first ride up Deer Creek Canyon since last year, I set a goal to reach 13 miles of climb before turning back. At mile 13, I felt strong enough to go a little further, and I made it another full mile! That was the only real climbing I'd done so far this year, other than mountain bike rides up Waterton Canyon, which is not difficult climbing, in my opinion. So I was fairly unprepared for the free High Roller training ride I earned by raising $2,000 for the fight against multiple sclerosis last year. (Thank you, donors!!!)


I'm small fry compared to these folks.
The best part of the High Roller ride was riding nearly the entire 47-mile route with The Lizard. I typically send him on ahead so he can ride at his own pace and increase his own endurance. Both of us have been struggling to find consecutive days in the saddle this year, however, and he felt he could take it easy during the High Roller ride so he would still have strength for Elephant Rock the next day.

The MS-150 provides lunch for all riders both days of the tour. The High Roller ride was no different. I enjoyed a wonderful veggie wrap with avocado and spinach while The Lizard had a ham sandwich on whole grain bread. The menu included all-you-can-eat pickle wedges, vinegar and salt potato chips and chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies.

Following the ride, volunteers passed out our choice of cookies or chips. Believe it or not, most riders, including us, chose salt over sugar! Long rides tend to drain the body's salt supply.

My neighbor grows his own hops and brews his own beer, so I thought he might enjoy photos of ride host venue Left Hand Brewery.












When I lived north of the Denver metro area, Longmont was affectionately known as Fogmont because of the tendency for thick clouds to settle on the ground there for long periods of time. The High Roller training ride began with a very low cloud ceiling and very high humidity. That made for a pleasant ride for me, as I don't really like to ride in super hot weather. The lower temperature also prevented thundershowers from building until long after we finished riding.


Elephant Rock, the largest bicycle ride in the state with an estimated 7,000 riders of varied abilities and including all ages, from tiny kids to grandparents and great grandparents, began completely the opposite with nearly clear skies, high winds and temperatures to match. The wind was brutal most of the day, and a couple of times, it was a blessing.

Elephant Rock is what they call a "roller" because it is filled with ups and downs. Although it never reaches severe altitude, the ride traverses terrain such as appropriately named Roller Coaster Road. Riders spend their entire ride climbing and descending.


Check out those hills!
During a few of the steepest climbs, I felt as if wind gusts were slapping me in the face or outright body-slamming me. As the temperature climbed to 84 degrees, which feels a lot hotter on black pavement than when not riding, my clammy, sweaty back would get hit by a huge blast of ultra cooling wind, and all I could think was, "Please, do that again!!!"

As I approached the stiffest and longest climb of the day, I heard this extremely audible "POP!" Followed by a rapid and loud "pppsssssssssssssssssst." My heart sank. I knew I would not be able to finish the ride in time for the final church service of the day at 1 p.m. if it took me an hour to put a new tube on my bike. (I'm not just slow riding the bike...) My bike didn't begin veering, though. Instead, the bike in front of me began veering wildly, and the rider was able to pull off the side of the road without crashing, which my uncoordinated self probably would not have been able to master.

I would never wish a flat tire on anyone else ever. But I was so thankful it was not my tire! Some riders don't use Kevlar in their tires because it's extra weight.

There's a reason I run Kevlar in both my bikes!


most humorous jersey of the E-Rock day
I felt very slow the entire ride, but on the climbs, I could stay on my bike, even though I was pretty darned slow. On every climb, there was at least one rider who had to dismount and walk up the hill. I remember all too well when that was me, 13 or 14 years ago, and I fought the temptation with all my might this year not to walk up the steepest climbs.

I felt as if I got passed about 6,000 times throughout the day. I would spend only a couple of moments at each of the three rest stops in order to make it to the finish line in time to get to church, while faster riders would take longer breaks. So I pretty much rode with the same group of cyclists throughout the day. They would pass me, I'd see them at rest stops and get back out on the road quickly, and then they'd pass me again...

By the third and final rest stop of my 62-mile route, I wasn't feeling strong or well. I was running out of energy. I was worried I would miss church. And very little of the rest stop food appealed to me.


What I would have given to have High Roller food options at E-Rock!
At the third rest stop, I tossed around the urge to call The Lizard, who likely had already finished his ride, and ask him to come get me. I fought the urge so I could claim a 109-mile weekend and got back out on the road. There, I was passed by a man with one leg.

I thought, "If he can do it, I can, too!"

Photographers at the photo point always have a big clock so riders can try to find their pictures organized online by helmet color a little easier by narrowing choices down to 20-minute intervals. I had not looked at a clock since getting out of the car before starting the ride. I assumed it was well past noon. Fighting headwinds for 45 miles can do that to you. The clock read 10:20 a.m. I had only 17 miles to go. I would make it back in time for church!

At the end of the ride, we parallel the interstate on a frontage road for a few miles, then double back into Castle Rock in the opposite direction on another frontage road. The first leg of this final stretch (and most of the day) had been filled with outrageous headwinds or crosswinds strong enough to knock a tired rider off his or her bike.

That means the last few miles were powered by the most wonderful tailwinds in the world! I'd been averaging about 3 or 4 miles per hour on climbs and perhaps 13 miles per hour on rare flats. I can ride comfortably at about 28 miles per hour on a descent but have gotten as high as 38 (on straight roads with no potholes) before chickening out and applying breaks to keep my speed manageable.

On the home stretch into Castle Rock, I was pushing 22 miles per hour on flat road!!! That was not my legs. That was the wind.

Sometimes, the wind can be my friend. I sailed into church on time!

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Snowflake Monday

This snowflake was inspired by a flower snowflake rock necklace I created for my four-year-old neighbor, upon her request, after she helped me place an armful of snowflake rocks in my early spring garden.

I asked her what she would like to name her snowflake, and she picked Savanna. She explained she likes that name.

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 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

Savanna Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Don't pull magic circle too tight.

Round 2: 1 sc in same sc, * ch 5, sk 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 2, 1 dc in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, 2 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, * 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just worked (picot made), 1 dc in same sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2, ch 1, 1 dc in sl st to form 6th ch 3 picot of Round.
NOTE: Ending here and binding off makes a cute flower flake. Ch 3 and sl st into sl st instead of ch 1 and dc into sl st to bind off here.


Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc just made (into center of picot), * ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 1, 3 dc into next picot, ch 3, 3 dc into same picot; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 1, 3 dc into next picot, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 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 5: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc around post of dc directly below, * ch 1, 1 dc in top of next dc picot, ch 3, 1 dc in same picot, ch 1, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, [ch 3, 1 dc in same sp] 3 times; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in top of next dc picot, ch 3, 1 dc in same picot, ch 1, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 6: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), * 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 4, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, [ch 3, 1 dc around post of dc just made] 2 times (3 D-stitches made), sk next ch 3 sp, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), 1 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 5, 1 sc in 5th ch from hook, ch 6, sl st in sc, ch 4, sl st in sc (tri-picot made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook [(dc picot made)], 1 dc in same ch 3 tip, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made); repeat from * around 5 times, ending with [(dc picot)]; sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch 5; 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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