Snowflake Monday

I was testing the pattern for my Storm King Snowflake when I realized on the third round I'd already published pattern I was testing. I didn't feel like starting all over again, so I designed a whole new flake from that center.

I've been focusing on the Weminuche Range for snowflake names ever since we were drawn for Ride the Rockies in March, so I suppose I should continue until I use up the landmark names or until after Ride the Rockies, whichever comes first. Mount Silex sits right next to Storm King, so that makes a pretty good name for this literally related pattern.

At 13,628 feet, Mount Silex is the 128th tallest of 584 13ers in Colorado. It's yet another peak in the San Juan Mountain sub-range called the Grenadiers and also known as one of the quartzite peaks. If that geographical tem is not inspirational, I don't know what is!

This trip report has a close-up photo of the rugged summit and a wonderful shot of the alpine lake bearing the peak's name, as well as a beautiful close-up of Storm King from a point of view from which I've never been. All of the photos in this trip report make me want to go back to the Weminuche, although both Silex and Guardian summits look beyond my skills AND confidence. Hopefully I'd get good photos instead...

Silex reflects the Latin word for flint, according to "Colorado Place Names" author William Bright.

Here's a bit of trivia I didn't stumble upon while I was writing the Storm King post. Four Colorado mountains share the name, but the one I wrote about is the tallest.

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 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

Mount Silex Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Don't pull magic ring too tight.

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), * 1 dc in next sc, ch 1, 1 dc in next sc, ch 10, 1 dc in same sc, ch 1; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 dc in next sc, ch 1, 1 dc in next same sc as sl st, ch 5, 1 trtr in 2nd ch of starting ch 3 to form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 5 dc over post of trtr directly below, [6 dc in next ch 10 loop, ch 3, 6 dc in same loop] 5 times; 6 dc in next ch 10 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.
NOTE: Stopping here and binding off makes an adorable little snowflake.
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 4: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 13, 1 dc in 8th ch from hook, ch 5, 1 dc in same ch, ch 7, sl st in same ch (tri-picot made), ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, [ch 5], 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp; repeat from * 5 times, ending at [ch 5] on 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 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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