Snowflake Saturday

January 30, 2012 Update: The Connecticut PTSA has announced they have a semi truck full of snowflakes. (WOW!!!) They have enough snowflakes. Read more here. Please send any more snowflakes you make have created to your own elementary school and delight children close to home! Thank you for making this possible!

Please join me in helping create a winter wonderland for the students at Sandy Hook. Read more about the project here, then help spread the true spirit of Christmas by coming together as one, doing something very special to help traumatized children feel a little safer and a lot more loved, and to personally experience the energy and revitalization that comes from serving others and spreading beauty.

Here is a bonus snowflake pattern, but please feel free to make ANY snowflake for this project. The Connecticut PTA would like them all to be different!

I have included instructions for three different variations, and all three rounds of all three variations are interchangeable. Just remember that regardless which starting round you use, you will need to work a total of six V-stitches evenly spaced in the second round. Whatever size chain space you use on the second round, be sure to fill evenly on both sides of each chain space during the third round, using the instructions I've provided or any stitch combination you choose. Mix and match to your heart's delight, and truly no two snowflakes will be identical.

If making a solid center, you also may add googly eyes or tiny buttons and embroider a big smile to make a happy face in the center of the snowflake. I'm told little children are thrilled with smiley face snowflakes.

See the first post in this thread for a list of snowflake pattern resources. Ravelry's snowflake database is here. My snowflake pattern index is located here.

Sandy Hook school colors are green and white. White snowflakes are entirely appropriate for this project. And no, they don't have to be crocheted, knitted or tatted. I know of many school children who are making paper snowflakes to send.

Please make and send snowflakes for your own elementary school!

Thank you for helping make a difference!

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thank you again for helping in this meaningful project.

Finished Size: 4.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, 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: Snowflakes may be stiffened with sugar water, Epsom salt dissolved in water, homemade glue made with cornstarch, liquid or power fabric starch, spray starch and LIGHTLY ironed (be careful not to scorch!), water soluble school glue (do NOT use all-purpose glue; it leaves residue that will NOT come off), fabric stiffener found at craft and some department stores, or Modge Podge. Please note that liquid starch may cause hand-dyed thread to run. Please note that Modge Podge and Epsom salts can take away from the delicacy of very fine, lacey snowflakes, but otherwise work just fine. Epsom salts dissolved in warm water will harden the fastest.

Winter Wonderland Snowflake Instructions


Variation 1

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic ring as tight as desired.
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: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch as sl st, sk next dc, * 2 dc in next dc, ch 8, 2 dc in same dc (V-stitch made), sk next dc; repeat from * around 4 times; 2 dc in same ch as starting dc, ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: * 1 sc in space between next 2 2/dc groups, 8 sc in next ch 8 loop, ch 16, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, ch 13, 8 sc in same ch 8 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.


Variation 2

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 17 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic ring as tight as desired.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch as sl st, sk next 2 dc, * 2 dc in next dc, ch 5, 2 dc in same dc (V-stitch made), sk next 2 dc; repeat from * around 4 times; 2 dc in same ch as starting dc, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: * 1 sc in space between next 2 2/dc groups, 5 sc in next ch 5 loop, ch 16, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, ch 13, 5 sc in same ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.


Variation 3

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), * 1 dc in ring, ch 3; repeat from * around 4 times, omitting last ch 3 of final repeat; ch 1, 1 hdc in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form last ch 3 sp. Pull magic ring as tight as desired.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc around post of hdc just made, * 2 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 2 dc in same sp (V-stitch made); repeat from * around 4 times; 2 dc in same sp as starting dc, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch of starting 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 3: Ch 2, yo and draw up loop from sp between next 2 2/dc groups, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw up loop through same sp between 2/dc groups, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook (starting dc cluster made), 2 sc in next ch 5 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 16, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, ch 13, 1 dc in same ch 5 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 2 sc in same sp, * yo and draw up loop through next sp between 2/dc groups, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, [yo and draw up loop through same sp, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (3/dc cluster made), 2 sc in next ch 5 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 16, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, ch 13, 1 dc in same ch 5 sp, 2 hdc in same sp, 2 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in top of starting dc cluster; 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. Place on small piece of cardboard or inside stiff greeting card for mailing. If sending a large group of snowflakes, a small (clean) pizza box will hold the snowflakes flat. Resealable plastic bags may be used to hold snowflakes inside mailing box.

Please send snowflakes to your own elementary school!

Now make another snowflake or two for your own elementary school, your own home or your own child. If you live alone, make one or two snowflakes for yourself, and hang them where they will always remind you of the day we formed a new Hands Across America or Hands Across the World to make this planet a better and more beautiful place.

Tweet

Pin It