Snowflake Monday

Earlier this month I returned to my kids' favorite vacation destination for the first time in a decade. I have missed my Seattle trips and drives up Mount Rainier. Now, equipped with just a four-day sneak peak, I can't wait to schedule another vacation there, so I'm naming this week's snowflake after my former co-worker's wedding backdrop.

Puget Sound was named by George Vancouver, captain of the HMS Discovery, to honor 3rd Lt. Peter Puget's exploration of the waterway by small boat. Puget went on to explore the Columbia River and later became captain of the HMS Chatham. He completed his sailing career as captain of the HMS Goliath following lengthy recuperation from a serious injury. He and his wife, Hannah, had seven sons and four daughters.

Puget Sound provided one of the most beautiful wedding venues I've ever seen, perhaps even rivaling my old favorite, Arrowhead Golf Course, right here in good old Colorado. I've always loved the lush forests of the Seattle area, the fabulous sunsets everywhere along the Sound and the Olympic Peninsula, and I have been drawn to Mount Rainier ever since long before I knew what a 14er was or that one day I'd be climbing or cycling them.

This was the first time The Lizard and I have been to the Pacific Northwest together. He earned his master's degree in Oregon, and I explored as much of Washington state as I could with two kids and no other adult to help with driving. I truly can't wait to go back again one day, and hopefully have more time to explore it all over again with the love of my life. Today's snowflake shall long be a symbol of that quest.


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: 5.25 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, 6 loop holders (I used straws cut in half), 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

Puget Sound Snowflake Instructions

Ch 3, sl st into 1st ch OR make magic ring.

Round 1: 9 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Pull loop on hook big enough to place on holder, twist twice and place on loop holder, draw up loop in each of next 2 sc, twist each loop individually twice and place on loop holder, [pull up loop in each of next 3 sc, twist each loop individually and place on next loop holder] 2 times. (nine loops on three holders)
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: Draw up thread to height of loop as if to make sl st, give it an extra twist; * [gently slide next loop off holder and work 2 sc into top of loop] 3 times, ch 6; repeat from * around 2 times; sl st in starting sc.

Round 4: 1 sc in same sc as sl st, * 1 hdc in next sc, 1 dc in each of next 2 sc, 1 hdc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 6, 1 dc in next ch 6 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp (V made), ch 6, 1 sc in next sc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st into starting sc.

Round 5: Pull loop on hook big enough to place on holder; twist twice and place on loop holder, draw up loop in each of next 5 st, twist each loop individually and place on loop holder, draw up loop in next ch and use it to begin ch, ch 5, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp (top of V), ch 5, sl st in next sc, [pull up loop on hook, twist twice and place on next loop holder, pull up loop in each of next 5 st, twist each loop individually and place on loop holder, draw up loop in next ch, ch 5, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, sl st in next sc] 2 times, omitting last 1 dc and ch 5 of 2nd repeat (working only 2 complete dc in top of last V); yo and draw up loop in top of V, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook (half of a dc made and 2 loops remaining on hook), 1 trtr in starting sc to form last ch 5, working last 2 loops of half of dc into top of trtr.

Round 6: * Ch 7, 1 sc in each of next loops, ch 7, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in same dc, 2 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in same dc; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in same sc.

Round 7: * Ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 7 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp (V made), ch 5, sl st in next sc, pull up loop on hook, twist twice and place on loop holder, draw up loop in each of next 5 st, twist each loop individually and place on loop holder, draw up loop in next ch to start new ch; repeat from * around 5 times, ending with new loop on hook to start new ch.

Round 8: * Ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp (top of V), ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 5, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 5, sl st in next sl st (at base of next loops on holder), ch 6, 1 sc in each of next 6 loops, ch 6, sl st in next sl st (at base of loops just removed from holder); repeat from * around 5 times; 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.

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