Snowflake Monday

I struggled with whether I should make today's pattern an Easter egg to go with my original Alkanet Snowflake or make it a pattern of its own when I went back to make a white version of Alkanet. Ultimately, I decided it has been so long since I have used broomstick crochet to make a snowflake, I should issue the challenge to crocheters to learn and/or try broomstick lace as a delicate and optically gossamery form of snowflake making.

Ultimately, the reason my Alkanet redo became a new pattern is because I didn't have any drinking straws when I began making the snowflake. Not a single one! I searched the house for anything that might be a feasible option. Pens, pencils and crayons seemed handy... Until I spied my oversized knitting needles. That opened the option of creating a whole different look, a true broomstick appearance, to a pattern that upon first glance, especially when worked in a dark color, doesn't even appear to be broomstick lace.

Here are some potential broomstick crochet tools I found around the house back in 2012 when I first attempted to use this method of crochet for making a snowflake.

The knitting needles I used for today's pattern were the perfect size, but I had only two, so I ended up working my loops in thirds (two sets at a time), which is why I didn't get photos of the process. Not a very good excuse, I know, but true. I worked a petal of loops with one needle, then worked the next petal of loops onto the second needle. I then carefully removed the first needle, trying not to pull existing loops out of shape (which actually worked amazingly well) and reused the needle for the next set of loops.

When I worked my way back around for the next Round of crochet, I had to pay a little closer attention to which loops should come next, so for those who aren't into counting and spending extra time gently straightening (again, without misshaping) loops, it definitely would be easier to use six loop holders. The idea of three or more straws tied (or stung) together came to my head, but I didn't have any straws at the time, so I couldn't try the method. I'll look for some straws I might be able to cut up and photographically add to today's blog post because I still need a white Alkanet Snowflake... I see a few McDonald's orange juices in my future. That makes me VERY happy! Please be patient with me while I use, clean and save drinking straws!!!

I ended up using six Sharpies as loopholders for my white Alkanet Snowflake, which wasn't ideal, but it did work.

Crestone Peak, at 14,300 feet, is the seventh-tallest mountain in Colorado. I have not climbed it and likely never will now that my favorite climbing partner has been grounded, but I've climbed nearby Humboldt and achieved some glorious views. I even went back the following week to capture sunrise on this photographic gem and its even more photogenic but slightly lower twin, Crestone Needle. I guess I'm going to have to design yet another broomstick crochet snowflake now to take the twin's name!

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: 7 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, six stitchholders, 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

Crestone Peak Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5); [1 dc in ring, ch 5] 5 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 7. Don't pull magic circle too tight.

Round 2: [In next ch 5 loop work (2 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 2 sc)] 6 times; sl st in starting sc.
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: Pull loop on hook large enough to place on loop holder and place on loop holder, draw up loop in each of next 6 st and place on holder, [draw up loop in each of next 7 st and place on new holder] 5 times.
NOTE: This is what Round 3 looked like back in 2013.

Round 4: Pull up thread on hook large enough to make [3 sc in 1st loop on next holder, in next 5 loops work (5 dc, ch 3, 5 dc) and gently slide loops off holder onto hook, taking care not to pull too much on 7th loop (which will cause loops just removed from holder to pull tight), 3 sc in 7th loop, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook] 6 times; sl st in starting sc.

Round 5: [1 sc in next sc (or middle sc of next 3/sc group on repeats), ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), ch 1, in next ch 3 tip work (3 dc, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 6, 1 sc in 6th ch from hook, ch 10, sl st in sc, ch 5, sl st in sc (tri-picot made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 3 dc), ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), 1 sc in middle sc of next 3/sc group, ch 5, sk next picot, in next ch work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc), ch 5, sk next picot] 6 times; sl st in starting sc; 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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