Snowflake Monday

Kenneth Libbrecht's snowflake
This snowflake is inspired by one of Kenneth Libbrecht's gorgeous crystals, shown above. I worked out this design during my recent road trip to The Wave, so I thought a name from somewhere along the route might be appropriate.


En route to The Wave, we once again drooled over the beauty of the San Rafael Swell and once again vowed to spend time there next time we are in that little corner of the world. We say that every time we drive through but have yet to keep the promise because we always seem to be on deadline to reach a specific destination.

I could learn much from another snowflake photography master, Wilson Bentley, who said, "When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind."

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: 7.5 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

San Rafael Swell Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 7 (counts as 1 tr and ch 3), *2 tr in ring, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times; 1 tr in ring; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 7. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.

Round 2: * 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 11, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 9 ch, 3 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.
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 in each of next 2 sc, sk next sc, [1 sc in next sc, ch 1, sk nex sc] 2 times, 1 hdc in next sc, ch 1, sk next sc, 1 dc in next sc, ch 1, sk next sc, 1 tr in ch 1 tip of post, ch 3, [3 tr in same sp, ch 3] 2 times, 1 tr in same sp, ch 1, sk next sc, 1 dc in next sc, ch 1, sk next sc, 1 hdc in next sc, [ch 1, sk next sc, 1 sc in next sc] 2 times, sk next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, sk next 2 sc; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.

Round 4: * Ch 2, 2 sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, 2 hdc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, [2 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2] 2 times, sl st in same ch 1 sp, sl st in next ch 3 sp, ch 4, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (picot made), 2 dc in same ch 3 sp, ch 5, 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, 2 dc in same ch 3 sp, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, sk next tr, 1 dc in next tr, 1 hdc in next tr, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, ch 5, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 6, working back down spoke, sl st in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, sl st in each of next 2 ch between sc picot and sl st picot, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in ch between sl st picot and 2/sl st picot, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch, sl st in ch between 2/sl st picot and 3/sl st picot, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, sl st in next ch directly after 3/sl st picot, ch 1, 1 sc in same ch 3 sp as previous sc, 1 hdc in next tr, 1 dc in next tr, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, 2 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, 2 dc in same ch 3 sp, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in same ch 3 sp, sl st in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, 2 hdc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, 2 sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, sk next 3 sc, sl st in small joint between 2/sc groups (main body center between spokes); 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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