I had been planning to do another star for Veteran's Day when I received a request from Nanci Lawson. She asked if I might be able to pattern an ornament after a specific stained glass star, and her star just happens to be red, white and blue.
It would be difficult to top last year's Veteran's Day starflake story, so I won't even try. I have a strong patriotic streak, perhaps inspired by growing up near a military base. F-15s were always in the sky, and they were called the Proud Eagles.Although my parents never served in the military, my dad serviced the radios and communications equipment at the base, and one of my brothers now fills that role. One of my brothers completed a 20-year stint with the Air Force. The Lizard's dad served as a police officer in the Air Force and then continued the same career in civilian life.
My dad's dad retired from the Navy after a tour of the Pacific during World War II. Among other duties, my grandpa played the trumpet in his ship's band, and he was a photographer.
I did not find out until just a few years ago my maternal grandfather also dabbled in photography during his Atlantic Theater tour with the Army during World War II. Among his European responsibilities was the building of a darkroom.
No wonder I have photo chemicals in my blood! Even though I'm all digital now.
You may do whatever you'd like with the starflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!
Finished Size: 5.5 inches across
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in three colors (I used red, white and blue), size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture (I did not glitter this flake), paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line NOTE: I used spray starch and an iron on cotton setting to stiffen these snowflakes.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Veteran's Day Starflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (does not count as dc), 10 dc in ring, sl st across starting ch 2 and into starting dc. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc in next st, *1 dc in next st, 3 dc in next st; repeat from * around 3 more times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in next st, *5 dc in next st (in middle dc of 3/dc group), 1 dc in each of next 3 st; repeat from * around 4 times, ending with 1 dc instead of 3 in last st on final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 3 st, *5 dc in next st (in middle dc of 5/dc group), 1 dc in each of next 7 st; repeat from * around 4 times, ending with 1 dc in each of last 3 st instead of 5 on final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off.
Round 5: With white, 1 dc in 4th dc of any 5/dc group, ch 1, *[sk 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch 1] 5 times, 1 dc in next st, ch 1, [1 dc in same st, ch 1] 2 times (these st should be in middle dc of 5/dc group), 1 dc in next st, ch 1; repeat from * around 4 times, omitting last dc and ch on final repeat; sl st in starting dc.
NOTE: You will now begin working in rows instead of rounds; working back and forth.
Row 6: Ch 2 (does not count as dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st, *2 dc in each of next 6 ch 1 sp, ch 1, turn.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Row 7: 1 sc dec across next 2 st, 1 sc in each of next 9 st, 1 sc dec across next 2 st, ch 2, turn.
Row 8: 1 dc dec across next 2 st, 1 dc in each of next 7 st, 1 dc dec across next 2 st, ch 1, turn.
Row 9: 1 sc dec across next 2 st, 1 sc in each of next 5 st, 1 sc dec across next 2 st, ch 2, turn.
Row 10: 1 dc dec across next 2 st, 1 dc in each of next 3 st, 1 dc dec across next 2 st, ch 1, turn.
Row 11: 1 sc dec across next 2 st, 1 sc in next st, 1 sc dec across next 2 st, ch 2, turn.
Row 12: 1 dc dec across next 3 st; bind off.
With white and beginning on next side counter clockwise of pentagon, sk next 2 ch 1 sp, 1 dc in next ch 1 sp; repeat Rows 6-11 from * 4 times on each side of pentagon. Do not bind off on fifth and final point; ch 4. Do not turn.
Round 13: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), *working down side of point, [1 dc, ch 1] 5 times, spacing evenly, to 1st sc row, 1 dc dec across next 2 ch 1 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in next 1st sc row, ch 1, [1 dc, ch 1] 4 times up side of point, spacing evenly, to last dc row of point; in point work 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch1, 1 dc; repeat from * around 4 times, ending with 2 dc/ch sequence instead of 3 in same st as starting ch 4 on final repeat; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 4; bind off.
Row 14: With red, sl st into 4th dc on left side of any point; 5 dc in dc dec between points; sl st in 2nd dc of next point, turn and sl st in 3rd dc of same point.
Row 15: 3 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 3 dc in next dc; sl st in middle dc of point, turn and sl st in 2nd dc of same point.
Row 16: 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc; sl st in 4th dc of point, turn and sl st in 5th dc of point.
Row 17: 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in each of next 9 dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc; sl st in 1st dc of point, turn and sl st in 3rd dc of tip.
Row 18: 2 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in each of next 13 dc, 2 dc in each of next 2 dc; sl st in 1st dc of tip; bind off.
Repeat Rows 13-17 4 times. 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.
The coloured ones are fantastic, but somehow I love the subtle beauty of the white ones.
ReplyDeleteOur family was brought up on a happy diet of military aircraft too - via my dad's Army and Marine stints to his lifelong career in the aeronautics industry. I'm thrilled every time the National Guard jets from Madison fly over, and they're always doing bumps down at the airport there. It's great fun to see them come shrieking in, touch down briefly, then roar off again to start the whole process over. Wouldn't it be fun to catch a ride in one of those babies?
Very pretty! I love the subtle color combinations you made too.
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate your finding new and exciting shapes to brighten our path...this photo of the flags is outstanding....
ReplyDeleteHi, Snowcatcher!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Mrs. Micawber. Those pastel white ones are just gorgeous! I am WAY impressed with the photo of you mountain biking in the snow. :))
These are great!! Thanks for the step-by-step instructions. Always something I've wanted to learn..
ReplyDeleteLots of possibilities with this pattern. Thank you~
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteHi... Just found your blog and it blows my breath away. The patterns, the stories.... really impressive, while I struggle with trying to maintain a blog, myself. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I love the snowflake patterns and might try some in the very near future.
ReplyDelete