It's not even February yet, and I'm obsessed with heartflakes!
I recently stopped in Michael's, a craft chain, for the first time in more than two years. Oh, was I in heaven!!! I was out of glow-in-the-dark glue, and my local grocery store was, too. As you may guess, I came out with more than just a couple of bottles of glue!
I've been excited about glitter glues in the past, and I've been disappointed with the final results. I think this little bottle almost qualifies for another disappointment, but perhaps I can squeeze in time to make just one more flake and apply both the glitter glue AND the new blue glitter...
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
SPECIAL STITCHES:
Popcorn Stitch (pc)
Work 5 dc in designated st, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc.
Chained Heart Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: [1 pc in ring, ch 8], 6 times, omitting last 4 ch of final repeat; 1 dtr in starting pc to form 6th ch 8 point of Round. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc over post of dtr directly below, [in next ch 8 tip work 5 dc, ch 3, 5 dc] 5 times; 5 dc in next ch 8 tip, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.
Round 3: Ch 10 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 8, 1 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3, 1 dc in same tip] 5 times; ch 8, 1 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 10 to form 6th ch 3 tip of 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 4: Ch 18 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 16), 1 dc in next ch 3 tip] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 18; 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.
Have you ever tried blocking with the plain clear Elmer's glue?
ReplyDeleteYes, Krista, I used that almost exclusively for many years. I watered it down just a bit. However, I used full-strength for my snowflake lamp, and some of the flakes are beginning to yellow and droop. Fortunately, those that aren’t permanently attached to a lamp or other surface can be washed and restiffened.
DeleteSorry, I just noticed the word clear. Don’t know why I didn’t see that the first time. Yes, I have tried the clear, and I find the dried flakes aren’t as stiff as I like. But it does work.
DeleteThanks for the reply! My goal for 2022 is to get back into crocheting and I haven't made a snowflake for several years. I just looked at my old ones that have been living in a box, and sadly they have all yellowed, but remained stiff. I used the Elmer's glue-all on them because I liked how stiff they got.
ReplyDeleteSo you've used the regular Elmer's glue before (not glue-all) and those haven't yellowed at all or as much? If only I had a time machine to check on my snowflakes.
So sorry for the delay in responding, Krista. We had multiple medical appointments this week, and this is the first chance I've had to look at my blog since Wednesday.
DeleteYes, I have had yellowing with every stiffening method I've used except Epsom salts. So, I think, in the long run, it's better to use something that can be washed out so the flakes can be re-stiffened. My snowflake lamp has approximately 88 snowflakes, made in 2015, I think, and about half of them have yellowed. Also, several (maybe 10) have begun to droop. I think it may be because I run a humidifier in the house during the dry months. It is rather close to the lamp. But that should not affect the flakes I have stored in reusable food containers on the other side of the house.
I have not used Glue-All on flakes (unless I'm trying to permanently attach a bead or button or trying to permanently attach the snowflake to a surface) since about 2012 because of the residue it left on the flake. It really does last forever! I couldn't get it off at all!
My favorite stiffener these days is the Elmer's glow-in-the-dark glue. Many of my flakes go to children, and recipients do not care if the flakes yellow with time as long as they keep glowing. :)
Welcome back to crocheting, especially snowflakes, and I hope 2022 brings all of us many blessings!