Snowflake Monday

When I first heard about Winter Storm Niko, I remembered a desktop cat I had on my computer many, many years ago, about 1998, I think.

I tried looking for Niko and learned it's the generic unisex equivalent of Nicolas or Nichole, but I couldn't find the kitty screensaver I loved. Gotta love the name, though. Do enough research, and the name eventually connects to Nikon! Which, in my opinion, makes it an extremely cool name.

Finally, I found Neko the kitty when I spelled it differently. Do you remember Neko? Does Neko bring back memories from before the turn of the century? Back before cellphones and iPads and computers on every desk in the workplace... Oh, I guess you probably had to have a Mac to remember Neko.

Here's a Neko you can play with on your current computer screen. Actually, 40 of them. Spirit is my favorite! Looks just like the triplet kitties who lived with me in Estes Park more than two decades ago – Bonsai, Kamikaze and Boo. That website also has a link to a super cute real-life Neko herd!


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

Neko Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through 2nd ch of starting ch 2 and replace loop on hook, pull loop through ch (popcorn stitch made), ch 10, sl st in 9th ch from hook, ch 1, * 5 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc (popcorn stitch made), ch 10, sl st in 9th ch from hook, ch 1; repeat from * 4 times around, omitting last ch 10 of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in top of starting popcorn st, ch 3, 1 dtr in top of dc just made to form 6th ch 9 loop of Round. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 6 dc over post of dtr directly below, 13 dc in each of next 5 ch 9 loops, 6 dc in starting ch 9 loop, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
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 3 (counts as 1 dc), sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, 1 dc in same dc (V-stitch made), * ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook (sc picot made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), sk next 6 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, 1 dc in same dc (V-stitch made), [sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, 1 dc in same dc (V-stitch made)] 2 times; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last V-stitch and last dc of final repeat; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 3; 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 snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

I leave you with one more Neko herd...


In case the above video doesn't work, check it out here. It is worth watching.

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