Snowflake Monday

I designed this snowflake aboard a commuter train the day I realized I was less than 5,000 page views away from 3,000,000. The adrenaline rush of all those zeroes inspired this pattern.

My blog recorded its 3,000,000th visitor at 4:18 a.m. Sunday, July 14. I'd expected the milestone to occur while The Lizard was climbing Loveland Pass during the Double Triple Bypass on Sunday morning. Because I would have no signal then and miss the magic moment. That's just my luck.

Way back in February, I'd calculated the date – with a calculator – to fall on July 16, based on my average daily hits. The 3,000,000 mark two days early means I've had roughly 3,000 more visits than average for the last six months. (Yes, I still get excited about these things. I hope I never grow bored with conquering challenges.) Last week I estimated this magnificent moment would happen on Sunday morning, but I didn't use a calculator for that prediction. I didn't do any math at all. Just Murphy's Law.

At the hotel Saturday night, I kept hitting the refresh on the phone, hoping the changing of the guard would happen before I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. I worked on these two snowflake rocks in an effort to keep myself awake.

Finally, it was time to go to bed, with or without a memorable screen shot. I needed 100 more page views to reach the 3,000,000 mark at about 10:30 p.m. The Lizard would have to embark upon Day 2 of the Double Triple Bypass at 5 a.m. to beat forecasted lightning on the alpine tundra, so the alarm was set for 4 a.m. I could not chance staying up any longer. I went to bed knowing and accepting I would miss the blog milestone yet again.


The alarm (my phone) went off at 4 a.m. I shut off the alarm and quickly checked the page views and was shocked to see I needed six more hits!!! I hadn't missed it!!!


I swiftly dressed, packed and then checked the page hits one more time before we checked out of our hotel room. Oh, my gosh!!! I got to see it! Exactly when it happened! The first check was 2,999,998, and the refresh was magic! I got to see it! I got to see it!!!


If you look very closely, you can see six zeroes in the snowflake.

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: 3 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

Six Zeroes Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in ring, * ch 3, 3 dc in ring; repeat from * 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form final ch 3 sp of round. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.

Round 2: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), 1 dc over post of dc ending Round 1, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, * 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 5, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 dc in same sp as starting dc, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 7.
NOTE: Binding off here and weaving in ends makes an attractive little 1.5-inch snowflake.


Round 3: * 3 sc in next ch 5 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 3 sc in same sp, 2 sc in each of next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.
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 3 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), * 1 [dc] in next dc (skipping next sc and hdc), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), 1 dc in same dc as [dc], ch 5, 1 dc in same dc, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in same dc, ch 1, sk next hdc and next 2 sc, 1 dc in next sc, ch 3, 1 sc into triangle gap between 2 upside-down V-shaped dc in Round 2 below, ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 1 dc in next sc, ch 1; repeat from * around 5 times, skipping last dc and ch 1 of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 3; 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.

Tweet

Pin It