Snowflake Monday

I'm often asked how I prevent designing the same snowflake more than once. I've redesigned many of my 837 (to date) snowflakes, and many have similarities. I don't know if I'd notice an identical duplicate unless someone pointed it out for me. :)

Duplicate names, however, are an entirely different story. I've been trying to draw from master lists of names I haven't used, but I guess I sometimes don't think to look up a potential new snowflake name on my Snowcatcher Snowflake Directory to make sure the name hasn't already been used before I publish a new pattern. I've accidentally created MANY duplicates, which I had to go back and number after discovering reuse, as well as many intentional duplicates, also designated by number (because Garden 27 Snowflake is much easier than coming up with a name, sometimes!!!).

And then there are all the mountain names duplicated on our state map. I've already created a Crystal Peak Snowflake; while researching today's mountain name, I discovered there is at least one more Crystal Peak, and it sits right next to today's 13,535-foot Treasure Mountain. (And while looking for a photo of that Crystal Peak, I found a third...) We have three Treasure Mountains. You'd think I'd have a photo of at least one of them! Nope!

The best I can do is share photos from our 2015 trip to nearby Crystal Mill, one of the top five most photographed landmarks in the US. I'm so thankful we were able to make that trip before Lizard was diagnosed with Parkinson's; no way I would have made it up that four-wheel-drive road without his driving skills. And I'm so thankful I was able to see the famed mill before scores of rude tourists succeeded in getting the general store and access to the most photogenic perch shut down last year. Due to unauthorized access and vandalism, there is talk of visibly fencing off (blockade style) the entire historic site, making it impossible for casual visitors to see it anymore. How sad that hiding this national treasure might be the only way to protect it now.

I went through six mountain names before settling for Treasure Mountain. I actually took the time to look up mountain names on my Snowflake Directory this time! Good thing, because those first six mountain names were already in use! Can you believe I can forget I've already used a name??? Treasure Mountain has a history all its own. It was named for a legendary and possibly non-existent buried gold stash that has never been found. The entire Crystal area is such a treasure; I hope visitors this year were more gentle and respectful so the area will be accessible for many generations to come. Wouldn't that be a treasure?

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: 7.75 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

Treasure Mountain 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] 6 times; sl st in top of starting pc. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: 3 sc in each ch 3 sp around; sl st into top of starting Round 1 pc.

Round 3: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 2), sk next sc, in next sc work (1 dc, ch 15, 1 sc in 4th ch from hook and in each of next 7 ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc), ch 2, sk next sc, 1 fpdc around top of next pc] 6 times, omitting last fpdc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 4.
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 fpdc and [ch 16), in next ch 3 tip work (1 sc, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 4 ch, 1 sc), working back down spoke ch 16, sk next ch 2 sp, 1 fpdc around next Round 3 fpdc] 6 times, omitting last fpdc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 18; 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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