Snowflake Monday

It's about time I get my now traditional Halloween Snowflakes in the mail to my grands, isn't it???

Actually, I'm a lot later than I initially intended. Lots of medical emergencies in the extended family the last couple of months kept me from my crochet hook too often. I can't believe I started this project back in late August, and I finally finished the final grandkid Halloween snowflake at 7:48 last night, barely enough time to get it in the mail. Plus, I found out Friday one of the foster families took in a new three-sibling group. I thought I was done, then had to open one of the prepared packages after making three more snowflakes!

I've found some outstanding Halloween buttons in the past. My favorite (Etsy) button shop has been on time out for a long time (just like my own Etsy shop...), and I was having a very difficult time tracking down 26 (and now, 29!!!) suitable Halloween buttons different from what I've used in the past. I decided to try Croc buttons, not knowing in advance if I was wasting my money.

The Croc buttons I ordered (Mario Brothers) require a different method of attaching, but once I figured out a way to get them through the center of my snowflakes, the process became smooth and easy after about the fifth flake. I think I may even like these better than shank buttons now.

Typically, I have performed my magic ring snowflake centers by completing half the stitches, tightening the ring, then completing the first round stitches. Halloween buttons would be tied on via the loose thread ends, after the snowflakes were stiffened, with an additional dab of glue securing the knotted thread ends. With these Croc buttons, I have to complete all my first round stitches, then insert the button, then tighten the ring. That took a bit of getting used to.

Snowflakes were stiffened with regular glue, carefully trying to make sure I didn't get glue on the Croc charms. (It does wash off when I goof up; nevertheless, I stiffened these babies by putting glue on the backs of the snowflakes and gently massaging in with my fingers.)

Now that I'm out of Elmer's glow glue, my Halloween snowflakes this year are not going to glow in the dark. I can't spray paint the flakes after the buttons are inserted. I think the kiddos will still treasure these. Hopefully, each of them will have a good set of starter snowflakes when they go away to their first year of college. Or get married. Or whatever.

I love it when I can come up with fun snowflake names, and today's are gems, as far as I'm concerned. I love trying new ideas with points, too, so the bonus patterns featured today made me one very happy crocheter!

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: 3, 5 and 5.25 inches from point to point (Yes, there are THREE snowflake patterns today!!!
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

Wii Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 12 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 10), 1 dc in ring, ch 6, 1 dc in ring] 5 times; ch 10, 1 dc in ring, ch 3, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 12 to form 6th ch 6 petal of Round. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), 1 sc over post of tr directly below, [ch 3, 3 sc in next ch 10 petal, ch 3, 3 sc in next ch 6 petal] 6 times, omitting last 2 sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc and pull 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 3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 1), in next middle sc work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc), ch 1, 1 dc in next middle sc] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 3; bind off. Weave in ends.

I really like this year's Halloween snowflakes, but I thought the plain, unembellished flake deserved fancier points, so I worked up this alternative.

Manga Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic ring tight.

Round 2: Ch 12 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 10), 1 dc in next dc, ch 6, 1 dc in in next dc] 5 times; ch 10, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 12 to form 6th ch 6 petal 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 3: Ch 4 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 3), in next ch 10 petal work (1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc), ch 3, in next ch 6 petal work (1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc)] 6 times, omitting last sc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 1st ch of starting ch 4 to form 12th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 1), in next ch 3 tip work (3 dc, ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch (1st branch made), ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch (2nd branch made), ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch (3rd branch made), working back down spoke ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, sk 3rd branch, sl st in next spoke ch, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch, sk 2nd branch, sl st in next spoke ch, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch, sk 1st branch, sl st in next spoke ch, ch 1, 3 dc), ch 1, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 3; bind off. Weave in ends.

I love the bonus flake. I really do. But it inspired yet another flake. Which I love even more. So here you go...

Joust Snowflake Instructions

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.

Make magic ring.

Round 1: [Pc in ring, ch 3] 5 times; pc in ring, ch 1, 1 dc in top of first pc to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 12 (counts as 1 dc and ch 10), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, [ch 6, in next ch 3 sp work (1 dc, ch 10, 1 dc)] 5 times; ch 3, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 12 to form 6th ch 6 petal 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 3: Ch 6 (counts as 1 sc and [ch 5), in next ch 10 petal work (1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc), ch 5, in next ch 6 petal work (1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc)] 6 times, omitting last sc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 1st ch of starting ch 4 to form 12th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 4: Ch 6 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 4), 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 1, in next ch 3 tip work (3 dc, ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch (1st branch made), ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch (2nd branch made), ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch (3rd branch made), working back down spoke ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, sk 3rd branch, sl st in next spoke ch, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch, sk 2nd branch, sl st in next spoke ch, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch, sk 1st branch, sl st in next spoke ch, ch 1, 3 dc), ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 1, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 3; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.

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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