Snowflake Monday

What, another snowflake lamp snowflake pattern?!?

Well, yes, as a matter of fact. When you have to make 157 snowflakes for a project, you're bound to come up with a few new patterns. Especially if you want to make snowflakes while you are on a road trip or commuter train without much signal and therefore have little to no access to established patterns.

I've received a few questions regarding my snowflake lamp, so I thought this might be a good place and time to address them.


The first question hit me over the head like a baseball bat: "Is dust a problem?"

Well, I didn't anticipate it to be, but yet, dust does collect on the crocheted snowflakes.

"How do you deal with the dust?"

Feather duster. Gently.


Next question: "Does your stiffener droop with time?"

The snowflakes I stiffened with glue and water have not begun drooping yet. The snowflakes I got in a hurry and stiffened with starch... yes, they are drooping. This also may be due to their weight; all three droopers are in excess of 7 inches across.

"What do you suggest?"

Don't use starch to stiffen snowflakes that will hang indefinitely. Use glue, glue and water, or other durable stiffening method. I haven't tried homemade cornstarch glue on my lamp snowflakes, but it might be worth a try.


"Do your snowflakes fall off the lamp?"

A couple of the first few snowflakes I attached did fall off after a few days, mostly because I was catching them on my sleeves as I attached more snowflakes. I started and the bottom of the hung lamp and worked up. If I ever do this again, I will start at the top and work my way down.

I think only two snowflakes have fallen off without my assistance. I took the opportunity to rotate the fallers out and apply fresh snow, so to speak. That's kind of fun, so I wouldn't mind if it happens again a few times. I like a rotating exhibit! Now, if only we could motorize the lamp and make it rotate... Ha ha ha!


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!


hand-dyed Inquisitive Snowflake with extra picots at the joints
Finished Size: 2.25 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

Inquisitive Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 17 dc in ring, 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 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in same ch as sl st, pull hook out of loop (dropped loop) and insert in 2nd ch of starting ch 2, insert in dropped loop, pull dropped loop through 2nd ch of starting ch 2 (starting popcorn stitch made), ch 5, * sk next 2 dc, 5 dc in next dc, pull hook out of loop (dropped loop) and insert in top loop of 1st dc of this 5/dc group, insert in dropped loop, pull dropped loop through top loop of 1st dc (popcorn stitch made), ch 5; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in top of starting popcorn.

Round 3: [In next ch 5 sp work 1 sc, ch 2, 1 hdc, ch 2, 1 dc, ch 4, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (picot made), ch 2, 1 dc, ch 2, 1 hdc, ch 2, 1 sc] 6 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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