Ziaflake Monday

The Lizard and I have wanted to do the Santa Fe Century for what feels like forever. I'm from New Mexico, and The Lizard is a true desert rat. Or desert lizard... We finally decided this year to quit waiting for the perfect opportunity and registered, caution to the wind.

During the drive to Santa Fe, we stopped in Raton to replenish the fuel tank and learned the 2015 Run for the Wall would be arriving in about 15 minutes. Santa Fe could wait! We weren't about to miss this!


Run for the Wall, in its 27th year and nearly 400 motorcycles strong, starts in Ontario, California, and travels across the country to arrive in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day to visit The Wall. Participants include veterans and retired military who share Run for the Wall's mission: raise awareness of prisoners of war and military members missing in action, promote healing for veterans, support military personnel and honor the memory of those killed in action.




















This year's Run was to feature one of New Mexico's own, Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry, the second living recipient of the Medal of Honor for services during the war in Afghanistan. Even though already wounded by gunfire, Petry lost his hand trying to throw a Taliban grenade that landed in his unit away from his fellow soldiers. He placed a tourniquet on his own arm after the grenade exploded. After surgery, recovery, a prosthetic and physical therapy, instead of a medical discharge, he returned to duty and continued to serve until his retirement last year. His prosthetic lists the names of the fallen Rangers from his regiment.

Petry's motorcycle broke down before Run for the Wall reached Raton, and he was unable to continue in this year's Run.

The Colfax County Young Marines presented a flag-raising ceremony for the motorcyclists, and city residents lined the streets to honor those who seek to honor POWs and MIAs.












I was able to see The Wall in 2004. I was able to touch The Wall. To feel The Wall.

I've never served in the military, but both my grandfathers served in World War II, one in the Pacific theater and one in the Atlantic theater. My brother retired from the Air Force after the Persian Gulf War. My husband's father, step-father and uncles all served in various branches of the military. I grew up in a small town neighboring an Air Force base and spent many hours watching the F-15s doing touch and goes, listening to them break the sound barrier and later covering Air Force news for the local newspaper. My dad serviced the radios for the base and the local law enforcement agencies throughout my childhood.

I have a deep respect for all who serve our country, and I honor them this day.


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: 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

Ziaflake Instructions

Make large magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (sc picot made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made, point made), 5 dc in ring; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. 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: Ch 14 (counts as 1 dtr and ch 9), * 1 tr over point into middle dc of next 5/dc group; ch 9; repeat from * around 4 times, sl st in 5th ch of starting ch 9.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), * 4 dc in next ch 9 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch, 2 dc in ring, [ch 9, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 7 ch, 2 dc in ring] 2 times, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch (zia spokes made), 4 dc in ring, 1 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; 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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