Snowflake Monday

"There is a mountain in the distant West
That, sun-defying, in its deep ravines
Displays a cross of snow upon its side."
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Cross of Snow”

Today being the memorable day it is, I couldn't resist pulling this snowflake-flavored little prank. April Fool's Day won't fall on a Monday again until 2019, and heaven only knows if I'll still be making snowflakes every week then.

Did you know April 1 also is International Tatting Day, Sorry Charlie Day, St. Stupid Day, Tater Day and US Air Force Academy Day?

Today's snowflake is named after an unofficially named peak in the Holy Cross Wilderness, which also makes this particular mountain appropriate following the religious significance of yesterday.

(Erosion has now diminished the appearance of a snowy cross on the east face of Mount of the Holy Cross, but the springtime cross was highly visible in the 1800s, and tourists came from across the country and around the world to view the cross in its heyday.)

The nearest summit to 12,953-foot Fools Peak is called Gold Dust Peak, to me symbolizing treasures perhaps await those willing to conquer what might seem nothing more than silliness.

Although I was unable to determine how Fool's Peak received such a name, I suspect unfulfilled dreams of miners, magnified by the difficult terrain of the mountain, played an important role. Early in the 19th century, one homesteader of the picturesque basin at the foot of Fool's Peak called the area Skyland. Too bad the name didn't stick. But then we wouldn't have a humorous name for today's snowflake, would we?

Much gratitude goes out to The Lizard for covering for me during the last five weeks while I was piecing, basting and quilting on deadline, trying to get my book "Heels Over Head" e-published, and sweating and stressing over tax deadlines. Oh, and making baskets...

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: 4 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 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

Special Stitches
Starting Cluster: Ch 2, [yo and draw up loop, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo and bring through all 3 loops on hook.
Cluster: [Yo and draw up loop, yo and bring through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and bring through all 4 loops on hook.

Fool's Peak Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 2 sc in ring, * ch 5, 2 sc in ring; repeat from * 4 times; ch 2, 1 dc in starting sc to form final ch 5 loop of round. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.

Round 2: Starting cluster in loop space just made, ch 7, * dc cluster in next ch 5 loop, ch 7; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting cluster.

Round 3: Starting cluster in same cluster, ch 9, * dc cluster in top of next cluster, ch 9; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting cluster.
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 4: Starting cluster in same cluster, ch 11, * dc cluster in top of next cluster, ch 11; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting cluster.

Round 5: Starting cluster in same cluster, * ch 3, sl st in top of cluster just made (picot made), [ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook] 2 times, cluster over 3 ch spaces below, [ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook] 2 times, cluster in top of next cluster; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last cluster of final repeat; sl st in top of starting 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. 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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