This snowflake was designed in November of 2011, but I couldn't remember what inspired it. Thank heavens I keep a journal!
I designed this snowflake in Moab after completing a 68-mile ride that began at 40 degrees and didn't get much warmer than that the entire day. Part of those miles came from riding back to the car twice to put on more layers! 40 degrees isn't that bad when you're packing for a ride. But in a breeze on a moving bike, 40 degrees turns to 20 real quick!
We rode from Moab to Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands National Park and finished back in Moab after dark. I was so cold! But I'd just completed my 11th consecutive month with a 60-mile ride. I'd made multiple attempts earlier in the month to get 60, and the weather just wasn't playing nice. We'd thought Moab would be warmer than Colorado, but not that weekend.
My goal in Moab had been 60 miles, and I got 68, with just five days left in the month!
My streak ended the following year after crashing in March, breaking my wrist and turning my knees and elbows into hamburger, then learning three months later I'd crushed a disc in my back. I was grounded from cycling for three months, and that was the end of my streak. My only cycling streak. Hard-earned and treasured, to this day.
My Journal That Day
I don't have monthly cycling goals anymore, but I can ride 60 miles in a day, and I've even done it on occasion without adequate training. I have learned it's more fun to ride where I want, when I want, because I want, than trying to maintain a streak. But when I nailed the 68-mile out-and-back to Island in the Sky that inspired this snowflake, I was on top of the world, and nothing could hold me down!
I looked up the name of the color of the thread I used for the prototype snowflake, and it is called Dawn Sky. Perfect!
The white snowflake, of course, is going in my special project!
You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!
Finished Size: 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, school glue (make sure it is water soluble), water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line
Island in the Sky Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: 12 sc in ring, sl st in starting sc.. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 2, [yo and draw up loop through same sc, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook (beginning dc cluster made), ch 5, sk next sc, * yo and draw up loop through next sc, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, [yo and draw up loop through same sc, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (dc cluster made), sk next sc, ch 5; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in top of starting dc cluster.
Round 3: * 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 3 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc. (NOTE: If desired, picot may be worked in 2nd/middle dc of each repeat: ch 2, sl st in top of dc.)
Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as dc), * ch 16, 1 dc in 13th ch from hook (TIP: ch 4, pinch 4th ch, ch 12, 1 dc in pinched ch), ch 4, 1 dc in middle of next 2 sc group; repeat around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. (NOTE: If desired, dc cluster may be worked instead of dc between scs on this 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 5: * 7 sc in next ch 4 sp, 3 sc in next ch 12 sp, [ch 3, 3 sc in same sp] 4 times, 7 sc in next ch 4 sp; repeat from* around 5 times; sl st in starting sc. (NOTE: If desired, dc stitches may be substituted instead of sc stitches in each ch 12 sp on this Round. If desired, work 5 repeats instead of 4 in each ch 12 sp and bind off at end of Round. See a fun version of these options in next week's snowflake.)
Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as dc), * 1 dc in 4th sc of next 7 sc group, sk next 3 sc, 1 dc in each of next 3 sc, ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 3 sc, ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 3 sc, ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 3 sc, ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 3 sc, sk next 3 sc, 1 dc in next sc, sk next 3 sc, 1 dc between this 7 sc group and next (above dc of Round 4); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting dc; 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.
haha I'm surprised you can remember what inspired even half of them, as you make tons. Good call on the journal indeed
ReplyDeleteMost of them, I write in the notes what inspired them, Pat. This one, I must have been either half asleep or too excited (and exhausted) to write anything more than just the pattern. I am very grateful I've been keeping an almost-daily journal since an English class project in 7th grade. I'm even more grateful I can do it on computer now because the paper ones take up a LOT of space! (And have been threatened with floodwaters twice now!)
DeleteOh, this one's a beauty! I love the subtle differences that blocking gives to each flake - the coloured-thread version is faintly reminiscent of gear cogs :) while the white one has amazing negative space.
ReplyDeleteYes, you can ride where you want, when you want because you want! It's a lifetime streak now. What a great story about your Moab ride, and what incredible terrain. Whenever I had a window seat on a plane to California, I would get a stiff neck over Utah from the constant craning to look at the amazing rocks and mountains.
Sue, I almost wrote in this post that to me, it looks a bit like cogs, but The Lizard thought the story was good enough as is. :)
DeleteI get the neck-craning pain EVERY time I cross the Colorado state line into Utah...
I remember that adventure well, especially the wind and descent back to Moab. It was a good climb. Moab sits around 4,000 feet and the road leading to the Island In The Sky District of Canyonlands tops out around 6,000 feet. I especially like the white flake, it would go well with all the red rock.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lizard! Can't wait until our next adventure (and the snowflake inspiration it might bring!) Let's hope for no snow this next trip...
Delete