Snowflake Monday

This snowflake was inspired by one of W.A. Bentley's gorgeous crystals, as well as a new batch of hand-dyed thread I picked up last month. This pattern is one of six I designed on Christmas Eve, and it's 3-in-1, making this past Christmas a very productive one in the Snowcatcher household.

Because this pattern makes attractive snowflakes when ending on any of the second, third or fourth rounds (or even after the first round for an incredibly easy and fast snowflake), I decided to name it Mount Sneffels. I have yet to climb this particular peak, which just happens to be The Lizard's favorite mountain, but I have been to alpine lakes on two sides. The Lizard has climbed a third route, called The Snake, a highly popular back country ski descent, more than once and would do it again, given the opportunity.


Mount Sneffels is one of the most picturesque peaks in Colorado, and admirers do not have to reach the summit in order to behold the beauty. Just like crocheters do not have to complete all rounds on this snowflake pattern to achieve a beautiful ornament.


14,150-foot Mount Sneffels was named for an Icelandic volcano featured in Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth. The monarch of the Dallas Divide, Mount Sneffels and surrounding peaks are among the most photographed mountain range in Colorado, second only to the Maroon Bells near Aspen. It has been featured in big screen movies, most notably "How the West was Won" and the original version of "True Grit."




Yankee Boy Basin offers the standard and easiest route up Mount Sneffels. I'd been to this basin a few times before I met The Lizard, but I'd never attempted climbing the peak because I knew the peak was a little more difficult than what I'd been able to achieve at that point. I knew it was something I should not attempt alone. Aside from being a great name, Yankee Boy Basin also features a shelf road that surely will result in some fingernail biting for first-time motorists.








From the Blue Lakes Trailhead, the summit of Mount Sneffels is visible nearly the entire route, but halfway to the top of the peak is Blue Lakes, my second favorite hiking destination in all of Colorado. The first time The Lizard took me to Blue Lakes, the first summer after my back surgery, the wildflowers were as tall as my shoulders and so thick and dense, I couldn't venture far from the trail for photos. I captured some of my favorite hummingbird shots during this trip. We had no intention of climbing the peak that day because I hadn't recovered enough to be able to descend more than a few miles then. The beauty of Blue Lakes would have stolen the summit from me anyway. I would have spent the entire day taking pictures, even if I had been in better physical shape and less pain then.






I could never narrow my Blue Lakes photos down to one. This truly is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I wish you such beauty and wonder throughout the new year.

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: 3.5 inches from point to point, one-round flake; 6.5 inches from point to point, four-round flake
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, school glue (make sure it is water soluble) or desired stiffening agent, 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: I finally made my own homemade glue of water and cornstarch on Boxing Day, and I am completely satisfied with this method, as well as liquid starch. These snowflakes are stiffened with the cooked cornstarch/water mixture.

Mount Sneffels Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 1 sc in ring, *ch 18, sl st in 9th ch from hook, ch 9, 3 sc in ring; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc on final repeat; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.
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: *4 sc in next sp, 4 hdc in same sp, 4 dc in same sp, 5 dc in next sp, ch 3, [3 dc in same sp, ch 3] 2 times, 5 dc in same sp, 4 dc in next sp, 4 hdc in same sp, 4 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.


Round 3: Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), *sk next 4 sc (including the one you sl st into), 1 sc in each of next 4 hdc, 1 hdc in each of next 1 dc, sk next 4 dc, ch 1, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 3 dc in next sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, [1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 3 dc in next sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp] 2 times, 1 dc in each of next 3 st, sk next 4 dc, ch 1, 1 hdc in each of next 2 dc, 1 sc in each of next 4 hdc, sk next 4 sc, 1 tr in joint sp between 2 4/sc groups; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 4.


Round 4: Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), *sk next 4 sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 hdc, ch 1, sk next 1 dc, 1 hdc in each of next 5 dc, 3 hdc in next sp, ch 3, [3 dc in same sp, 1 dc in each of next 9 dc, 3 dc in next sp, ch 3] 2 times, 3 hdc in same sp, 1 hdc in each of next 5 dc, ch 1, sk next 1 dc and 1 hdc, 1 sc in next hdc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 tr in next tr; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 4; 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.

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