I didn't get a chance to make a snowflake rock this week, darn it, but I did work in my garden! I added another row of lavender to Lizard's mini farm, and I replaced three lavender plants that didn't make it through the winter. We got a truckload of red mulch, and boy, did the fresh woodchips dress up our backyard, which has been in serious need of attention. I pulled weeds along the fence line (only halfway across the yard so far), removed the rocks, replaced the ground cover (with cardboard and tarp), then replaced the rocks. I also redid the rocks along the retaining wall because the wind had practically buried them with leaves and debris.
Back-breaking work. Seriously. But, it's gotta be done. The mini lavender farm looks so much better now! We still have a ton of work to do out there, but for now, I'm dreaming about the day I get to start crocheting wraps for some of the rocks lining the mini lavender farm.
This week's pattern and last week's accomplishment leave me searching for an appropriate name. And the name I picked leaves me wanting to crochet one more flake... in lavender!!! I wish I had more time!
Oh, wow!!! I almost forgot to show you my real snowflake from Winter Storm Rachel in March of 2022 that inspired today's flake!!! So now you can see clearly how distracted I've been...
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: 6.75 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
Lavandula Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: 12 sc in ring; sl st in starting sc. Don't pull magic circle too 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 2: Ch 7 (counts as 1 tr and [ch 3), 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 5, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch, ch 4, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch, ch 7, working back down spoke, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch, ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 3 ch, ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 tr in same sc as Round 1 sl st (or in same sc as previous tr in repeats), sk next sc, 1 tr in next sc] 6 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in 3rd ch from hook; 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.
That real snowflake is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen! And its crochet counterpart is lovely. Perfect name too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue!
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