Snowflake Monday

Sochi is absolutely full of inspiration! Check out the quilt banners inspired by actual quilts made by Russian peasant women.

The gorgeous snowy mountains of Sochi, the Olympic spirit and this month's Make a Snowflake Day (February 6) are the inspirations behind today's snowflake.

Because I am so obsessed with snowflakes, all my friends and loved ones are constantly sending me links to snowflake-related news.

Right before the Sochi Olympics began, one of my friends sent me a link to a story about a one-time hopeful who didn't compete in Sochi, although some events are dedicated to her. This particular athlete had a snowflake tattoo on her foot. That very snowflake is being worn by many of the Canadian athletes in this year's competition to honor her.

Sarah Burke was a pioneer in the superpipe, or extreme skiing in a large snow halfpipe. She won four gold medals in freestyle skiing in the Winter X Games and lobbied for slopestyle to be included in the Olympics. Sochi marks the first time this event is included in the Winter Olympics. Two years before the first Olympic slopestyle, Sarah was expected to take the gold. However, the 29-year-old died of complications after a fall during a training run in Salt Lake two years ago last month. She may not be competing in the event she brought to the Olympics, but she has left her mark on the sport and on the slopes.

I was moved by this story not only because I love winter sports and snowflakes, but because of the way Sarah is remembered by those who knew her. Not a single negative comment is ever made. She is remembered as being charitable, kind, supportive. She was the kind of person I want to be.

I designed this snowflake on Make a Snowflake Day. I am considering using the white Sochi Snowflake to embellish my Fjord Beanie, inspired by the Norwegian Olympic team's ski hats, pattern to be featured here Thursday, February 20. After I rewrite the pattern, darn it...

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: 3.5 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

Sochi Snowflake Instructions

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 circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.
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 9, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch (picot branch made), ch 1, sk next 3 ch, 1 tr in next ch, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch (picot branch made), ch 4, 3 dc in 2nd ch from hook (bobble made), working back down spoke sl st in each of next 2 ch, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch (picot branch made), sl st in ch between picot branch on opposite side and tr, sl st in top of tr, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch (picot branch made), ch 3, sl st in bottom of tr, sl st in next 2 ch below tr, sl st in same st as last main snowflake body sl st, sl st in next dc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (picot made), sl st in same dc, sl st in next dc; 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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