Snowflake Monday

This snowflake was inspired by a window cling I noticed during our recent road trip to California. After I finished the prototype snowflake, I had ideas of how to make it better. I like all three versions, so I'm sharing all three patterns.

This snowflake is worked from the outside in, which means mega-chaining at the beginning of the project. I know it's a pain to crochet so many chains for just a little snowflake, but I pretend I'm making a scarf while I'm chaining, and it doesn't bother me so much. When you think about it, a lot of the best snowflakes have a heck of a lot more than 90 stitches on the outside round...

Also, because the joints on this snowflake are supporting a lot of weight, I stiffened my samples using Epsom salt. This method takes away from the delicacy of lacy flakes, in my opinion, and makes the flakes very stiff and thick. I rather like that effect with this particular pattern. Plus, you may scent the Epsom salt with essential oils, and the aroma is very pleasant for a few days!

To stiffen, I put about a quarter cup of Epsom salt into a tea cup I do not use for anything else, then add about a quarter cup of water and stir. I microwave for 30 seconds, then dip the snowflake in and quickly pin on my plastic wrap-covered pizza box with blocking template. The flakes dry extremely quickly, and if the Epsom salt solution is very hot (which it sometimes is), I must be very careful not to burn my fingers. I use a plastic fork to remove the snowflake from the solution, and I try to use the pins to shape the snowflake, not touching it too much with my fingers.

I found out the hard way not to reheat the solution WITH the plastic fork. Epsom salts get very hot very quickly, and the solution will melt the plastic! That's why salt is used to melt ice on sidewalks.

If I'm able to pin the snowflake quick enough before it thoroughly stiffens, I like to sprinkle a little bit of dry Epsom salt (or glitter) onto the flake. The sprinkles will fall off with time or with heavy handling. But for me, the sprinkles have sometimes lasted for two Christmases. Epsom salt-stiffened snowflakes may be reshaped just by dipping them again in hot Epsom salts dissolved in water at any point, which means you may scent them again and sprinkle them again, too!

Here's wishing you a blessed Christmas and a snowflakey new year!

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern and variations, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 3.5 to 4 inches from point to point, depending upon options used
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

Outside In Snowflake Instructions

Ch 90; taking care not to twist ch, sl st in starting ch.

Round 1: * 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dtr in next ch, 1 trtr in next ch, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, 1 trtr in next ch of outer edge of snowflake, 1 dtr in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in each of next 3 ch; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sl st of final repeat; 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 I

Ch 90; taking care not to twist ch, sl st in starting ch.

Round 1: * 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dtr in next ch, 1 trtr in next ch, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, 1 trtr in next ch of outer edge of snowflake, 1 dtr in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in each of next 3 ch; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sl st of final repeat; 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 II

* Ch 24, 1 sc in 10th ch from hook; repeat from * 5 times; taking care not to twist ch, sl st in starting ch. TIP: Ch 14, pinch the 14th ch and ch 10 more; 1 sc in the ch above the pinched ch.

Round 1: * 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dtr in next ch, 1 trtr in next ch, ch 9, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch,1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 hdc in next ch,1 sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, 1 trtr in next ch of outer edge of snowflake, 1 dtr in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, 1 sc in next sc (at base of ch 10 loop), sl st in next ch; repeat from * around 5 times; 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.

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.

Tweet

Pin It