Snowflake Monday

Last week we had a special anniversary celebration for two of my co-workers. Both hit the 30-year-mark with my employer this year.

Some co-workers mused about how old they would be if they stuck around 30 years. Some pondered how many of our co-workers would still be around by the time they hit their own 30-year marks. Some were simply amazed that anyone could stay with one company that long.

We have three more co-workers coming up on 30 years; they've each hit 25 years already. Then it will be my turn. I've been with my current employer for 18 years. It is completely feasible I could last 12 more years and still be capable and willing to work.

One thing I've learned during my overall 34-year, varied-position career is November and December are extremely busy in some fields, and I seem to be drawn to those jobs. This year has been one of the most hectic and demanding for my department, and needlework time (as well as sleep and cycling) has been falling by the wayside all month.

I'm slowly beginning to learn not to put too much pressure on myself this time of year in order to preserve the spirit of the true holiday and still be able to get my work done. Christmas isn't just about gifts, trees, lights, giving, gathering and snowflakes. Christmas is the time of year my family and I celebrate and remember the birth of our Savior, and I don't ever want to get so buried in commitments I forget the true reason for the season.

I have a stash, so to speak, of snowflake patterns I've worked up to carry me through cycling season. I'm always afraid I'll be so bicycle-brained, I won't be inspired enough to create new patterns. This year, I was able to keep up with producing at least one new snowflake a week almost all year long, until November, so the pattern stash is well-stocked for next year. Which means I can draw from it now without diminishing what I'll need for next summer. Plus, it takes the pressure off of trying to design right now when life just doesn't accommodate as many personal goals.

Maybe, just maybe, snowflake designing will one day reach a memorable milestone of years equal to what I've been able to achieve at work. Although, because I've been publishing my own designs for only 28 months now, 30 years may be quite out of the question!

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: 2 inches from point to point (1.25 inches if using size 40 thread and size 14 hook)
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, school glue (NOT all-purpose 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
NOTE: If worked tightly, this snowflake does not necessarily require stiffening.


Respite Snowflake Instructions

Round 1: *Ch 3, 3 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook; repeat from * 5 times; sl st in 1st ch of starting ch 3.
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: *3 dc over 3rd dc of next 3/dc group, ch 2, 3 dc over same dc, sl st over next lone dc; repeat from * 5 times; do not join.

Round 3: *1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * 5 times; sl st in starting sc; 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.

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.

Tweet

Pin It