Snowflake Tuesday

Happy Snowflake Day!

Today's pattern is inspired by one of the snowflakes on my cross-country skis a few years ago atop the Grand Mesa. I love West Slope snowflakes! The snow there has more moisture content, and often the flakes are bigger, fluffier and more artistic than what falls along the Front Range.

This snowflake incorporates the buttons I picked up at Hobby Lobby when I made the mistake of going there to buy quilt batting. I should buy my batting online so I'm not tempted into other purchases! But then again, if I hadn't gone to the store, I wouldn't have wound up with these fabulous snowflake centers!

I worked up a version of the flake without the button, too. Instructions are provided. And… UPDATE: I discovered in December of 2023 I had already used the name I gave this snowflake in one of my charity booklets. Because the other one came first, this one gets to be II.

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: 4.75 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

Ice-Kissed II Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1, without button: 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 3, * 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 3; repeat from * 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in top of starting popcorn st to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round. Pull magic ring 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 1, with button: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Don't pull magic ring tight if you are going to attach button! You will be using the tail to attach the button after stiffening the snowflake.

Round 2, without button: 1 sc over post of dc directly below, * ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in starting sc to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 2, with button: Ch 4 (counts as 1 sc and ch 3), * sk next dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 3; repeat from * 4 times, omitting last ch 3 of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in 1st ch of starting ch 4 to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 3, both versions: 1 sc over post of dc directly below, * ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (1st picot made), ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (2nd picot made), ch 2, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (3rd picot made), ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (4th picot made), ch 8, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook (5th picot made), ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (6th picot made), ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (7th picot made), working back down spoke ch 2, sk 3rd through 7th picots, sk next ch, 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, 1 sc in same ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends of buttonless flake. For button flake, weave in finishing thread end and pull starting thread end through magic ring opening to front, leaving a small loop on back. After stiffening as instructed below, pull starting thread end through button opening, then back through magic ring and through loop on back of flake and pull tight. Dab with glue, allow to dry thoroughly, then trim off thread end.

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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