Snowflake Monday

I've wanted to make a mandala snowflake for several years now, and last week I finally had a slap upside the head to get it done.

I've used the basic 12-round mandala pattern located here . If you haven't heard Wink's story, you may read about her here.


After making the mandala, I worked up today's snowflake and appliqued it to the mandala. I tried to make this snowflake lacey and subdued to allow the mandala to show through.


I'll be submitting my Wink and a Prayer Snowflake Mandala to #MandalasForMarinke in support of raising awareness of depression and suicide. It's a cause to which I have always been deeply committed.

UPDATE: Kathryn wrote a wonderful post about my submission.

I've had Seth Adam Smith's blog post on suicide linked in my sidebar to the right since the day he published it. In this post, he writes, "Depression thrives in secrecy but shrinks in empathy."


I'd like to invite you to participate in #MandalasForMarinke, too, if you feel so motivated. You don't have to use the same mandala pattern I did, and you don't have to use this or any snowflake. Use your imagination, and put a lot love and hugs into it. Make your mandalas cheerful and joyous. Chances are, donated mandalas may end up going to people who have battled or who are battling depression.

"If you know someone who is struggling with depression, the best advice I can give you is to love them and empathize with their pain. The empathy, coupled with your encouragement, will open the door to other solutions." - Seth Adam Smith

"I say we keep our antennas up, we watch out for one another, we love one another..." - Elder M. Russell Ballard

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: 4 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 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
NOTE: I did not glitter this snowflake.

Wink and a Prayer Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr in ring, ch 2, * 2 tr in ring, ch 2; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 4. 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: 1 sc in gap between tr and ch 4 directly below, * 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 10, 1 sc in same sp, 1 sc in gap between next 2 tr, ch 5, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 10, 1 sc in same sp, 1 sc in starting gap, ch 2, 1 dc in starting sc for form 6th ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 3: 1 sc over post of dc directly below, * ch 4, 1 sc in next ch 10 sp, ch 10, 1 sc in same sp, ch 4, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last ch 5 and last sc of final repeat; ch 2, 1 dc in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 4: 1 sc over post of dc directly below, * ch 7, 1 sc in next ch 10 sp, ch 10, 1 sc in same sp, ch 7, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.


Finish: To finish the snowflake for mandala (or other) applique, follow stiffening instructions below, using water instead of stiffener. Then glue or stitch the snowflake onto mandala (or desired surface). Mandala does not require stiffening, but it does lay flat better when stiffened.

To finish the snowflake for hanging, 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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