Snowflake Monday

Sometimes while I'm trying to use up tiny scraps of thread, I come up with what I think is a great idea for a one-round snowflake, but there are too many stitches for a tiny flake. After I finish off the thread scraps, I try again with a bigger center and a bigger supply of thread. Sometimes, the second flake comes out better than the first!

Sometimes the first flake isn't too bad once I get it pinned out. Today I present a double whammy because I like both variations. And I finished off two short thread remnants in the process!

Because this is such a handy little pair of patterns, I've named them after one of the 14ers in my favorite part of the state: Handies Peak.

There is no record of how 14,048-foot Handies got such a handy name, but according to speculation, the name Handie may have been one of the early pioneers or surveyors along Cinnamon Pass. The name was already in place prior to the Hayden survey in 1874. If the U.S. Forest Service had its way, the peak would have been named Tabasco, after the Tabasco Meat Sauce Company that financed a prolific silver mine near Handies.

Handies Peak is the highest point managed by the Bureau of Land Management outside of Alaska. It's also the highest point of the Hardrock 100-mile foot race, which features 33,992 feet of climbing. !!! Now, THAT's Tabasco!!!

No, I have never done the Hardrock 100, and I have no interest whatsoever in running 100 miles anywhere. Give me a bike, and we're on. But 100 miles of trail running: My knee would not survive.

Nevertheless, I have been atop the gorgeous summit of Handies. It was such a fun and beautiful climb, I would handily do it again someday in order to photograph participants in the Hardrock 100.

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: Handies Peak Snowflake, 2 inches from point to point; Tabasco Peak Snowflake, 3 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

Handies Peak Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: * 1 sc in ring, ch 8, 1 sc in ring, ch 5; repeat from * 4 times; 1 sc in ring, ch 8, 1 sc in ring, ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form last ch 5 sp of round. Don’t pull magic ring too tight.
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: 2 sc over post of tr just worked, * ch 1, 2 dc in next ch 8 sp, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, 3 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Tabasco Peak Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 2), * 1 dc in next sc, ch 2; repeat from * around 10 times; 1 dc in next sc, ch 1, 1 hdc in 2nd ch of starting ch 4 to form last ch 2 sp of round.
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: 1 sc over post of hdc just worked, ch 8, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, * ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 8, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form last ch 5 sp of round.

Round 4: 2 sc over post of tr just worked, * ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 8 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in 4th ch from hook, ch 6, sl st in sc, ch 4, sl st in sc (tri-picot made), 3 dc in same ch 8 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends. Weave in ends.

While remaking Tabasco Peak in white for my snowflake directory, I decided to dress it up a bit. I like the new points so much, I am including the Easter egg pattern here, but I think I’ll be using these points on future snowflakes. I really like this new flake!

Round 4: 2 sc over post of tr just worked, [in next ch 8 tip work (3 dc, ch 10, 1 dc, ch 15, 1 dc, ch 10, 3 dc), 3 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends. 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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