I didn't really have time to create a new snowflake and write a pattern last week, but my heart was breaking as I watched the news of the fires in southern New Mexico, less than an hour from where I grew up. Sierra Blanca, the 11,981-foot white mountain towering over both Ruidoso and Mescalero, was a favorite photo and hiking destination throughout my New Mexico life. It's probably the root of my 14er addiction, although I never tried to reach the summit.
My brother and I spent many hours cycling up the mountain to Ruidoso (never together, though!), and girls my age performed many service projects in Mescalero. That's actually how I got into quilting. We teens made quilts for new mothers in Mescalero and for church nurseries there, among other service projects. During the last few days, my New Mexico family has been staging barbecues to help feed evacuees and firefighters. My Colorado friends have been asking if I will be donating snowflakes for the ornament drive. This year's fire evacuees probably won't be on the list until next year because organizers want recipients to be settled enough to receive handmade keepsakes when they are delivered. But yes, you can darn sure bet this snowflake and at least 99 more will be headed to New Mexico next year.
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 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, 5- to 6-inch round flatish river rock
Sierra Blanca Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, [ch 7, sl st in 5th ch from hook, ch 2, 2 dc in ring) 5 times; ch 2, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 4 gap of Round, ch 2, 1 dc in top of dc just worked to form 6th ch 4 picot of Round. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr and [ch 1), 1 tr in same picot] 3 times, ch 1, [in next picot work ([1 tr, ch 1] 7 times) 5 times]; in next picot work ([1 tr, ch 1] 3 times), sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 4.
Round 3: Ch 5 (counts as 1 fptr and [ch 2), [1 fptr around next tr] 2 times, [ch 3, sk next 2 tr, [1 fptr around next tr, ch 2] 4 times, 1 fptr around next tr] 5 times; ch 3, sk next 2 tr, [1 fptr around next tr, ch 2] 2 times; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 5.
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 6 (counts as 1 fptr and [ch 3), 1 fptr around next fptr, ch 3, sk next ch 3 sp and next fptr, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, 1 tr inch 1 sp of Round 2, 1 dc in same ch 3 sp, ch 3, sk next fptr, 1 fptr around next fptr, ch 3, around next fptr work (1 fptr, ch 3, 1 fptr)] 6 times, omitting last 2 ch and last fptr of final repeat; 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 6 to form 6th ch 3 tip (or fptr V-st) of Round.
Round 5: 2 sc over post of dc directly below, [3 sc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, yo and draw up loop through each of next 3 st (dc, tr, dc), 3 sc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, in next ch 3 sp work (2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc) 6 times, omitting last 2 sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off for snowflake and weave in ends. For Rock Covering, omit last 2 ch and last 2 sc of final repeat; 1 dc in starting sc to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.
Round 6, Rock Covering: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and [[ch 5), 1 dc in middle sc of next 3/sc group, ch 5] 2 times, sk next sc dec, [ch 5, 1 dc in middle sc of next 3/sc group] 2 times, ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 3 tip] 6 times; omitting last 3 ch and last dc of final repeat; 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 30th ch 5 sp of Round.
Round 7-?: Ch 7 (counts as 1 dc and ch 5), [1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 29 times; 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 7 to form 30th ch 5 sp of Round. Continue with Round 7 until snowflake fits snugly around rock, leaving about a 1- to 2-inch opening on the back or bottom side.
Final Round, Rock Covering:Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each ch 5 sp around, inserting rock after about 2/3rds of Round, gently stitching while finishing Round and closing up hole so as not to damage crochet hook; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off, leaving 4- to 5-inch tail. Weave end through final Round of dc and pull tight. Bind off again, weave in end. Place in garden!
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.
No comments :
Post a Comment
Dusty words lying under carpets,
seldom heard, well must you keep your secrets
locked inside, hidden deep from view?
You can talk to me... (Stevie Nicks)
All spam is promptly and cheerfully deleted without ever appearing in print.
If you are unable to leave a comment and need to contact me, please use the email address in the sidebar. Thank you!