Snowflake Monday

Today's pattern, yet another very old pattern from my stash, initially was worked in size 40 thread with a size 14 crochet hook. I can't do that anymore without glasses!

While testing and upgrading the pattern, I used leftover tea-stained size 5 thread from an antique tablecloth repair job I undertook in 2015. The snowflake with the larger thread, in addition to having more picots, is not an identical twin to the original flake. The original was about an inch and a half across, if that big. (It was given away long, long ago, and sadly, I didn't measure it.) The more recent version is 6 inches across!

I began another snowflake with the same upgraded pattern, but decided during the first round to see what the pattern would look like as a star. I made only five points instead of six. Another fraternal twin!

Just under half a century ago, my grandmother made snowflakes with tea-stained crochet thread. As she got older, she, too, worked more and more often with larger threads because her eyesight was challenging her.

My grandmother and me... I think we're fraternal twins!

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: 6 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 3 crochet thread, size 1 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

NOTE: To make a star, work 5 points instead of 6. No other adjustments are necessary.


Fraternal Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, ch 4, * 2 dc in ring, ch 4; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Don't pull magic ring too tight.

Round 2: * In next ch 4 sp work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc; 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: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dtr), * 1 tr in next hdc, 1 dc in next dc, 3 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 tr in next hdc, 1 dtr in gap between next 2 sc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dtr of final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 4.

Round 4: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), * ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 3, sl st in top of dc just made (picot made), ch 6, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 tr in next ch, 1 dtr in next ch, ch 3, sl st in top of dtr just made (picot made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), sk next 7 st, 1 sc in next dtr; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting ch; 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.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. 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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