OnLine Forever

I’m writing this pattern in UK crochet terms, and the stitches you will need to know are chains, double crochet (dc) and slip stitch, as follows ::

sl st :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.

dc:: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook. [this is equivalent to a US sc]

To begin :: chain 5 and join to make a ring. You will work the first round out of this ring.

ROUND 1 ::

Chain 1 (counts as 1dc), 1dc, then chain 3 (as in above pic)

*2dc, chain 3* (as in above pic)

Repeat the *2dc, chain3* four more times, creating little pointy chain-loops.

Slip stitch into initial chain-1 to join.

You should be able to clearly see the six chain loops you’ve made….you’ll be working out of these chain loops in the  next round.

ROUND 2 ::

To begin, slip stitch into the first chain loop (as in above pic). This makes sure you will be starting the round in the right place.

In the first chain loop, work the following :: chain 1 (counts as 1dc), 1dc, chain 3, 2dc (as in above pic).

In the second chain loop, work the following ::

*2dc, chain 3, 2dc*

Repeat four more times between **, working out of the four remaining chain loops.

Slip stitch into initial chain-1 to join.

As in the previous round, you should be able to clearly see the six pointy chain loops you’ve just made….you’ll be working out of these chain loops in the  next round.

You can fasten off at this point which creates a small, neat, star-shaped snowflake, or you can continue to add a third round……

ROUND 3 ::

To begin, slip stitch into the first chain loop which makes sure you will be starting the round in the right place.

Now work the following, all out of the first chain loop ::

*1dc, chain 3, 1dc, chain 5, 1dc, chain 3, 1dc, chain 2*

Repeat five more times between **, working out of the five remaining chain loops.

You should have ended the round with a chain-2 (as in above pic)…now slip stitch into the first dc you made to join the round.

Fasten off, and weave in the end on the reverse.

Eh Voila!!!! One six-pointy, pretty-lacy hooky snowflake!!

Now a little note about the finishing-off stage…as you can see in the above before-and-after picture, these little snowflakes really benefit from some after-hooky spa treatment. It makes a tremendous difference and is soooo worth the extra time and effort.

To block out my crochet, I use a piece of inch-thick foam covered with an old towel :: if you don’t have foam then don’t worry, you could use an old cushion/pillow covered in a towel, or maybe cover some packaging cardboard with a towel or simply fold the towel up until you have a thickness that you can happily stick pins in to.

Now take some dressmaking pins and pin out the six points of the snowflake, stretching them right out until you are happy with the shape.

You can either spray them with luke warm water, or better still, use a laundry spray starch to stiffen the snowflake slightly. The starch (which is readily available from supermarkets or shops selling household/laundry products) works brilliantly, and makes the snowy flakes hang beautifully without curling…I can heartily recommend this starchy spray stuff for decorative projects such as this. Leave the snowflakes to dry completely before removing the pins and admiring your little creation.

And I think that’s about all I can tell you about snowflake making….hope you enjoy trying these, and I wish you many festive joyful moments with hook and yarn :o)

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PS, a note about my pattern………my snowflake has been directly inspired by a free pattern I came across on the “Coats and Clark” website. The Original pattern was written by Mary Jane Protus, and can be found on the Coats and Crafts website HERE.

I have altered it to suit my way of thinking and working with crochet, simplifying it a little if you like, and written it out in UK crochet terms. But I give full credit for the original design to Mary Jane Protus.

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