I've had my obsessions...
Snowflakes...
Lizards...
Bears...
Socks...
Butterflies...
Dragonflies...
Owls...
Turtles...
Hearts...
Flowers...
Rocks...
Rainbows...
And even more rainbows...
The last few weeks, my obsession has been cakes.
Wedding cakes made by mothers of the groom...
Low-Sugar Birthday Cakes...
Cupcakes for Little Critters...
Now I find myself wanting to crochet cakes! No calories, no mess, use up thread spools, make beautiful birthday cards, use up hand-dyed thread so I can dye more!
Have you ever wondered if there's a way to use up all those cardboard Lizbeth spools?
Today's cakes may, of course, be stuffed, rather than filled with a cardboard tube.
Last week's Dwarf Pyramid Snowflake, worked in different colors, makes the perfect cake top!
Just like my new favorite baker had to experiment with several different recipes before she came up with the perfect tasty low-sugar combination, I had to experiment with several different recipes to achieve a flat crocheted cake top.
My first recipe looks as though someone slammed the oven door. Or my self-rising thread swallowed a little too much dye during the cooking stage.
My second concoction looks as though it wants to be a volcano when it grows up.
Third time's a charm! You may construct your cake top with a standard six increases on each round if you prefer, but now you know why my instructions below are a little unusual.
You may do whatever you'd like with cakes and snowflakes you make from today's patterns, but you may not sell or republish the patterns. Thanks, and enjoy! Happy Mother's Day!
Finished Size: snowflake: 2.5 inches from point to point; cake: 1.25 inches tall and 1.75 inches in diameter; cake plate: .75 inch tall
Materials: One finished but unstiffened Dwarf Pyramid Snowflake in desired frosting/topping colors, size 10 crochet thread in cake, frosting and plate colors, size 7 crochet hook, 1-inch by 1.5-inch empty cardboard Lizbeth thread spools or suitable stuffing, stuffing for cake plate base, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, Mod Podge, 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
Gauge: 10 sc=1 inch; 10 rows of sc=1 inch
Cake Instructions
NOTE: This pattern is worked in the round, with no joins unless otherwise instructed. Use stitch markers if desired.
With cake color, make magic ring.
Round 1: 6 sc in ring; pull magic ring tight.
Rounds 2 and 3: 2 sc in each sc around for a total of 12 sc and 24 sc, respectively.
Round 4: 1 sc in each sc around.
Round 5: * 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around 11 times for a total of 36 sc.
Round 6: * 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc; repeat from * around 11 tims for a total of 48 sc.
Round 7: Sl st in next sc, 1 sc in back loop only of each sc around; 1 sc in back loop of sl st; do not join.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Rounds 7-19: 1 sc in each sc around. Periodically check to make sure crocheted cake will fit over cardboard spool, with just enough spool showing after Round 19 for a round of double crochet to cover. Increase or decrease sc on Round 6 in multiples of 2 if cake does not fit width-wise over cardboard tube. Decrease or increase Rounds if necessary to make cake fit height of cardboard tube.
Round 20: Sl st into next sc, ch 2, * 5 dc in next sc, 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 1, sk next sc; repeat from * around 23 times (or adjusted number if you increased or decreased number of sc on Round 6); sl st in top of starting popcorn; bind off. Weave in ends.
Insert cardboard tube or stuffing. Stiffen and allow to dry thoroughly if desired.
Top with Dwarf Pyramid Snowflake if desired, and fingershape. Topping may be glued into place if desired. Allow to dry thoroughly.
Cake Plate Instructions
With cake plate color and beginning at bottom base of cake plate, make magic ring.
Round 1: 6 sc in ring. Pull magic ring tight. Do not join unless instructed to do so.
Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around for a total of 12 sc.
Round 3: * 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 18 sc. Sl st in next sc.
Round 4: To form cake plate stem, ch 2; working in back loop only 1 dc in each sc around for a total of 18 dc. Sl st in starting dc.
Round 5: Ch 2; * 1 dc dec across next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 12 dc. Sl st in starting dc.
Round 6: Ch 2; 1 dc in each dc around; sl st in starting dc. Stuff for desired shape, and continue and complete stuffing during next Round.
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 7: Ch 2; * 1 dc dec across next 2 dc; repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 6 dc dec; sl st in starting dc dec.
Round 8: To begin forming plate, ch 2; working around lower post from front of each dc (not upper dc dec), 1 dc around lower post of each dc around for a total of 12 dc; sl st in starting dc; turn.
Round 9: Ch 2; 2 dc in each dc around for a total of 24 dc; sl st in starting dc.
Round 10: Ch 2; * 1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 11 times for a total of 36 dc.
Round 11: Ch 2, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just made (picot made), 1 dc in same dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc; repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 48 dc and 6 picots; sl st in top of starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.
Finish: To stiffen, I positioned cake plate upside down on blocking template, pinning like a snowflake and applied Mod Podge with a paint brush to both plate and stem, finger-shaping stem. Allow to dry thoroughly. The magic of Mod Podge is it allows you to shape after drying. Once dry, I removed pins and any Mod Podge residue, then pressed bottom of cake against hard surface to shape it into standing position. I then finger-shaped plate to hold cake without falling over. Sometimes this takes a few minutes to achieve proper balance.
Now, I can't very well exit stage left on a Snowflake Monday without a snowflake pattern, right? Well, here you go!
Cake Flake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 2; 12 dc in ring; sl st in starting dc. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 2; 2 dc in each dc around for a total of 24 dc. Sl st in starting dc.
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 2, * 1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around 11 times for a total of 36 dc. Sl st in starting dc.
Round 4: Ch 2, * 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just made (picot made), 1 dc in same dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc; repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 48 dc and 6 picots; sl st in top of starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.
Finish: This snowflake does not necessarily require stiffening. It also may be used, unstiffened as an applique by simply sewing onto flat surface. If desired, snowflake make be shaped by pinning, then spraying lightly with water and allowing to dry.
To stiffen, tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap. This snowflake may be pinned in a circular shape or pulled tight to form a hexagon, depending upon personal preference.
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.
Linking up with Busy Hands Quilts, Crazy Mom Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.
haha nothing wrong with wanting to be a volcano. You can sure produce just about anything indeed at your feed.
ReplyDeleteHa! Perhaps I should go for it and crochet a volcano next, Pat...
DeleteI absolutely adore your Mother's Day cake! I can't wait to make this for my mother. I am so grateful to you for sharing your talent and skills with crochet snowflakes and patterns. I wish you a very happy Mother's Day! ~~Shantelle, Heber City, UT
ReplyDeleteThank you, Princess Quiltsalot! I’m very happy I can still come up with a really good idea once in a while!
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