Snowflake Monday

This may be my free pattern and crochet swan song for a while. I'm doing a service project next weekend that will result in about 80 hours of intensive photo retouching I hope to get done before the holidays. And then I'll need a nice little vacation from my computer and Photoshop!

Because I won't get a chance to do this again for a while, I'm sharing two patterns this time, and the second one is super simple with a fun and creative triple twist.

To me, the first snowflake looks a little like bicycle spokes. But then again, I'm a cycling fanatic...

If you like a bigger flake, as a variation of the first pattern below, I made a second snowflake from the same pattern using a [half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet] sequence instead of the [half double crochet, double crochet] sequence in the third and fourth rounds and increasing the chain spaces from eight to ten stitches on the fourth round. The flake looks nearly identical but measures five inches across.

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 1/2 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

Bicycle Spokes Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc into ring; sl st in starting sc.

Round 2: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), *dc into same sc, dc into next sc, ch 3; repeat from * around for total of 6 points, join in 2nd ch of starting ch 5, sl st into ch 2 space.
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 2 (counts as first hdc), *dc into same ch 3 space, ch 3, dc into same ch 3 space, hdc into same ch 3 space, sc between two dc below, hdc into next ch 3 space; repeat from * around, ending with sc between two dc below; join in 2nd ch of beginning of round, sl st into dc and into ch 3 space.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), *into same ch 3 space, work dc, ch 3, 2 dc into 3rd ch from hook, ch 5, sc into 5th ch from hook, ch 5, sl st into sc, ch 5, sl st into sc, ch 3, 2 dc into 3rd ch from hook, dc, hdc, sc into dc below, ch 8, skip hdc, sc, hdc and sc into next dc; hdc into next ch 3 space, repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 6 spokes and 6 points, finishing with sl st into 2nd ch of starting ch 2 instead of hdc on final repeat; 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.


For the second flake, you don't need thread! (Well, except to hang it.) A couple of readers have mentioned they are not able to work with thread and tiny hooks anymore, so I wanted to design a flake with regular worsted weight yarn. And then, while discussing my pink ribbon flake with Allicats on Ravelry, she inspired a terrific idea I incorporated here. Plus, I'm into recycling, and a snowflake would be the perfect way to bust a stash of those dreaded white shopping bags everyone seems to hate because they are so darned plain.

Finished Size: 3 1/2 inches to 5 inches from point to point, depending upon yarn used
Materials: 1/8th inch wide white ribbon OR white yarn OR narrow plarn (instructions below), size F crochet hook, thread for hanging, and that's it! You' won't have to block or stiffen this flake! (Unless you want to.)

Super Simple Plarn Snowflake Instructions
Ch 6; join to form ring.

Round 1: Ch 6 (counts as first dc and ch 3), *dc into ring, ch 3; repeat from * around for a total of six spikes; join in 3rd ch at beginning.
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: *Sl st into next ch 2 space, ch 3, dc into same space, ch 4, sc in 4th ch from hook, ch 4, sl st into sc, ch 4, sl st into sc, dc into same ch 2 space, ch 3, sl st into same ch 2 space; repeat from * around for a total of six points. Bind off. Weave in ends.

That's it! You're done! Attach a thread to the tip of any point, and hang your flake! If you used plarn, this flake is weatherproof! You can line your patio with flakes that will twirl in the breeze all through the holidays!


Narrow Plarn

To make narrow plarn, lay a white plastic bag out flat, smoothing out wrinkles and seams as much as possible. Slice off the bottom half inch all the way across. Gently open up the folds of the bag with your hands and smooth the bag out once again. Starting anywhere along the bottom, cut at an angle inward for half an inch, then cut along edge, maintaining half-inch margin all the way around and continue keeping the strand half an inch wide as you reach the point of beginning. Continue cutting and cutting and cutting until you reach the handles. Don't stop each time you go around and start a new strand. Keep cutting in one continuous piece.

Your plarn does not have to be perfect, and mistakes will not show. I promise. This plarn is much thinner than what is used to make crocheted and knitted bags and sandals, but it doesn't have to be sturdy for a snowflake.

However, thin plarn is easier to break, so be careful not to pull too tight while crocheting with it, especially when chaining. If it does break, just tie the ends together and keep going. Weave in the ends when you're done.

Snowflakes look best when made from all-white bags or bags with blue or pastel writing. (Pastel bags make nice accent flakes, too!) I'm hoping to have instructions for another holiday project using up the tons and tons of white bags with black and red writing after Thanksgiving. So stay tuned!


Many thanks to The Lizard for taking the photo of my hands cutting the plastic bag because I couldn't shoot and cut at the same time.

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