Snowflake Monday

I recently ran out of pink thread and needed more to finish up a special snowflake for a special person. I'd read on Ravelry that a particular craft store had selected yarn on sale half off, so that seemed like the best place to pick up the thread.

I didn't buy any more yarn (for which The Lizard might be jumping for joy!), but I did find a package of timely beads for one-third off. This package of rainbows set my imagination soaring, being as my 12-year quest to become a High Roller for raising $2,000 for multiple sclerosis finally became reality.


The snowflake I pictured in my head when I first saw these beads didn't turn out to be an attractive pattern with dice beads, but it might work with plain beads. Decide for yourself next week when I publish that pattern.

Today's snowflake could also be worked with plain round beads if desired, and it also could be worked with no beads at all. It's a huge snowflake, in honor of a huge accomplishment that would not have been possible without generous snowflake crocheters around the world who last year helped me reach my High Roller goal. If you contributed in my name last year, you have a stake in my newest jersey.


While working on this snowflake, my mind kept wandering back to a place in my younger days – High Rolls, New Mexico, mountain home of annual cherry and apple festivals that always made my taste buds very happy. The name High Rolls came in 1901 when a post office opened there. The name supposedly was a description of the rolling hills of 6,800-foot High Rolls as compared to sharp peaks above and beyond en route to 8,600-foot high Cloudcroft.


5 NOV 2013 UPDATE: I'm now registered for next year's ride. My new fund-raising page is located here.

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: 12 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, 30 beads (I used colorful 8mm dice beads), 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
NOTE: When using glass beads that might bread while snowflake is in progress, I always string more beads than required, just in case. Dice beads do not seem easily breakable, so no need to string extras.
PINK TEXT: Bead Rounds

Instructions

String 30 beads onto thread.

Ch 4, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Don't pull magic ring too tight.

Round 2: Ch 3 (yes, 3 this round, not 2, counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same sp, sk next dc, *2 dc in next dc, ch 2, pull up a bead, ch 1 around bead to hold it in place, ch 2, 2 dc in same dc, sk next dc; repeat from * around 4 times; 2 dc in same sp as starting dc, ch 2, pull up a bead, ch 1 around bead, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 (counts as final ch 2, and you will be working around dc post just made on next round).

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post of last dc of Round 2, * 3 dc in next bead space, on right side of bead, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, on left side of bead; repeat from * around 4 times; 3 dc in next bead space, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 (counts as last ch 3 sp).

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc in same sp, ch 2, 1 sc between next 2 3/dc groups, ch 2, * 4 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 4 dc in same sp, ch 2, 1 sc between next 2 3/dc groups, ch 2; repeat from * around 4 times; 4 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 (counts as final ch 3 sp).

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in same sp, *ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, 5 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, pull up a bead, ch 1 around bead, ch 2, 5 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 2 and last 5 dc of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 (counts as final ch 2).
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 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in same sp, *ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, 5 dc in next bead space on right side of bead, ch 3, 5 dc in same bead spce on left side of bead; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 3 and 5 dc of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 (counts as final ch 3 sp).

Round 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 5 dc in same sp, *ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 1 sc over next ch 5 sp and over ch 3 sp below, catching sc around both chains, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 6 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 6 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 5 and 6 dc of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 (counts as final ch 3 sp).

Round 8: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 4 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, pull up a bead, ch 1 around the bead, ch 2, 4 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 2 and 4 dc of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 sp (counts as final ch 2).

Round 9: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc in same bead sp, on left side of bead, *1 dc in each of next 13 st, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 dc in each of next 13 st, 4 dc in next bead sp, on right side of bead, ch 3, 4 dc in same sp, on left side of bead; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 3 and 4 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 10: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each of next 18 dc, [yo and draw up loop through next hdc, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw up loop through next ch 3 sp, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw up loop through next ch 3 sp, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook, sk next sc, yo and draw up loop through next hdc, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw through all 5 loops on hook] (dc dec made), 1 dc in each of next 18 dc, 4 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 4 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 3 and 4 dc of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 (counts as ch 3 sp).

Round 11: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc in same sp, *1 dc in each of next 20 dc, {yo and draw up loop through next st, yo and draw through 2 loops] 3 times, pull up a bead, [yo and draw through 2 loops] 3 times, yo and draw through all 7 loops on hook} (dc dec made), 1 dc in each of next 19 st, 4 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, pull up a bead, ch 1 around bead, ch 2, 4 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 2 and 4 dc of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 (counts as last ch 2).

Round 12: Ch 2, counts as 1 dc), 3 dc in bead space (on left side of bead), *1 dc in each of next 17 dc, ch 7, sk 1 dc, {yo 4 times and draw up loop through next dc, [yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 4 times (trtr almost made), sk 1 dc, yo 3 times and draw up loop through next dc,[yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times (dtr almost made), sk 1 dc, yo 2 times and draw up loop through next dc, [yo and pull through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, (tr almost made), sk 1 dc, yo and draw up loop through next dc (this should be at center joint between points and directly above dc dec in Round 11 below), yo and pull through 2 loops on hook (dc almost made), sk 1 dc, yo 3 times and draw up loop through next dc, [yo and pull through 2 loops on hook] 2 times (tr almost made), sk 1 dc, yo 3 times and draw up loop through next dc, [yo and pull through 2 loops on hook] 3 times (dtr almost made), sk 1 dc, yo 4 times and draw up loop through next dc, [yo and pull through 2 loops on hook] 4 times (dtr almost made), yo and pull through all 8 loops on hook} (fan dec made), sk 1 dc, ch 7, 1 dc in each of next 16 dc, 4 dc in next bead space (on right side of bead), ch 3, 3 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 4 dc in same bead space (on left side of bead); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 4 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.


triple treble almost made


double treble almost made


treble almost made


double crochet almost made


treble almost made


double treble almost made


triple treble almost made
yarn over and pull through all eight loops on hook


Fan Decrease Complete


Ta da!
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.

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