Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

CONTEST TIME AGAIN!! Think Winter….

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Okay, I’m ready to host another contest. This one is for the best CROCHETED SNOWFLAKE. The snowflake can be an ornament, a wall hanging, a doily, a runner, an applique, or whatever – so long as it can be identified as a snowflake.

Now, this is where it gets hard. You gotta be honest with me. THE SNOWFLAKE MUST BE YOUR ORIGINAL CREATION – A PATTERN YOU CREATED AND NOT ONE YOU SAW SOMEWHERE ELSE. There are a gazillion and one snowflake patterns. But, I’m greedy. I want some more.

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www.karpstyles.com example of a beaded snowflake.
So, send me pictures (jpeg format please) and patterns of your snowflakes. The contest opens now and will close on October 31, 2007. It will take me another week or so to review all the entries. You may enter more than once, but each entry must be represented in its own picture and pattern separate from any other entry.

You can use thread, yarn, water hose, macrame rope or whatever. I don’t care what size the finished product is. As usual, I will be the final judge. As usual, I have my biases, so if you are not willing to go with my decision, please don’t enter. BUT, PLEASE DO ENTER. I want to see all your great ideas. And, I want to give something away.

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Not this kind of snowflake!

What’s the prize? A selection of items from my stash. This time the prize will include yarn/thread and books/magazines/leaflets. If your entry is especially charming, I might even ASK you what interests you to determine what of my stash to share.

Plus, you’ll have braggin’ rights all through the Winter of 2007-2008. So, get busy with those hooks!

Comments

  1. i would like to find out where i can find snowflake patterns that are between beginners and intermediate thanks
    debbie mcmahen

  3. debbie,
    there are lots of free snowflake patterns online. just google ‘crochet snowflake patterns’ and you’ll have several hours of surfing ahead of you!
    jd

  6. Sorry to ask a stupid question, but, assuming I have something to send in, to what email address do I send it ?

  7. entry from vl titus

    3-d snowflake

    size 10 thread
    size 7 hook (or hook of choice)

    Stitches:
    sl st – slip stitch,
    ch – chain
    sc – single crochet
    dc – double crochet
    tr – treble crochet

    Special stitch – picot – ch 3, sc in first ch.

    Chain 6, join with sl st to make loop.
    Row 1: ch 1, *sc into loop, ch 1*, repeat * to * 5 times, join with sl st (6sc, 6 ch spaces).
    Row 2: ch 1, (sc,dc,sc in sc, ch 1) 6 times, join with sl st (6 ch spaces).
    Row 3: sl st into dc, ch 1, *sc in dc, picot, ch 1,*, repeat 5 times (6 picots).
    Row 4: ch 4, *(ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1) in sc of picot, tr in sc*, repeat * to * 4 times, do () one more time, sl st into 4th ch of beginning ch.

    3-d effect:
    [*ch 2, (dc, ch2, dc, ch2, dc) in sc of row 4, ch 2,* sl st into sc of row 2. sl st in ch, and into next sc, repeat * to *, sl into tr. sl st in each stitch until next tr]. do a total of 3 times.
    After sl st in starting tr, repeat for other side.

    Hanger:
    Make a chain about 4 inches long, sl st into first ch. Finish off, and weave in any ends.

    _________________

  8. SNOWFLAKE I

    Original Pattern by Aparna Mukherjee

    1. Thread 6 gold beads on to white thread.

    2. Make 4 ch, join into ring with a sl st.

    3. Make 10 ch, holding last lps on hook, make 2 dtr into the 5th ch. Draw thread through all the lps on hook. This combination of 5ch, 2 dtr is a cluster = cl.

    4. 1 dtr into ring. 1 cl into tip of previous cl. Rep. 4 times more so that you have a total of 6. Join the tip of the last cl to the 5th ch which is the base of the 1st cl.

    5. make 12 ch. Join with sl st to junction of 2 clusters of previous rnd. Rep. around.

    6. 1 ch. Turn. ( 8 sc into 12 ch sp. 1 ch, 1 beaded ch. Sc into last sc made. 7 sc into 12 ch sp.) Rep. the bracketed section around. Sl st to join. Turn.

    7. 5 ch. 1 dtr into 4th sc. 18 ch. ( Holding the last lps on hk, dtr into 4th sc after the beaded picot, dtr into sp between sc at the junction, dtr into 4th sc. Draw thread through all lps. 18 ch) Rep bracketed portion around. Join with a sl st.

    8. Into the 18 ch sp, make 10 sc. Mow make a triple picot thus : ( 3 ch, sl st into 3rd ch from hk ) 3 times. Sl st into last sc made. 9 sc into sp. Rep. into remaining 18 ch sps. (There are 5 more). Sl st to join.

    Fasten off.

    Beaded ch : draw up a bead before making the next ch.

  9. SNOWFLAKE II

    Original Pattern by Aparna Mukherjee

    1. Thread 18 gold beads on to white thread.
    2. Make 6 ch. Sl st to join into a ring.
    3. Sl st into ring. Ch 1, 18 sc into ring. Sl st to join.
    4. Make 20 ch, sl st into 7th ch from hk.

    Make 5 ch, sl st into 6th ch from previous sl st.

    Make 7 ch, sl st into starting point.

    5. 1ch, insert hk into the 1st 7-ch sp. 5 sc into sp, 3 ch, 4 sc into same sp.

    ( 4 sc into 5-ch sp, 1 ch, 1 beaded ch, sc into last sc made, 3 sc into same sp.

    4 sc into 6 -ch sp on top of spoke, 1 ch, 1 beaded ch, 4 sc into same sp.)

    Now make a reverse journey, repeating the sts as given for the 2 sps. Sl st into starting point.

    6. Sc into the front lps of the next 5 sc. Sc into both lps of the next sc.
    7. Rep Step 4.
    8. Rep. Step 5.
    9. Rep. Step 6.
    10. Rep. Step 4.
    11. Rep. Step 5.
    12. Sc into front lps of remaining 5 sc. Do not join.
    13. 1ch, sc into free lps of next 3 sts.
    14. Rep Step 4.
    15. On the reverse journey, join to the 3 – ch sp on the next spoke, by making (1 ch, drop lp from hk, insert hk into 3-ch sp, make 2 more ch.) Make sure the thread remains at the back of the work throughout, or it will be impossible to continue.
    16. Sc into next 2 free lps. 1 ch. Sc into next 3 free lps.
    17. Rep Steps 4, 15, and 16, until 2 more spokes have been completed. Sc into remaining free lps. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
    18. This snowflake has to be blocked to lie flat. Also, pull up the beads to the front of the work.

    Beaded ch : draw up a bead before making the next ch.

  10. Original Pattern by Aparna Mukherjee

    Thread 18 gold beads on to white thread.

    1. 6ch, sl st to join into a ring.
    2. Sl st into ring. 2ch, holding last lps on hk, make 2 dc, draw thread through all lps – beg cluster made. ( 7 ch, sl st into 6th ch from hk, 1 ch, make a cluster by holding last lps on hk, make 3 dc, draw thread through all lps.) Rep until a total of 6 clusters have been made. 7 ch, sl st into 6th ch from hk, 1 ch, sl st to tip of 1st cluster.
    3. Sl st upto and into 1st 5-ch lp. 5 ch, 1dtr into next 5-ch lp.
    4. Make 11 ch, sl st into 6th ch from hk. 5 ch, holding last lps on hk, dtr into previous 5-ch lp, dtr into next 5-ch lp, draw thread through all lps on hk. Rep around, make last dtr into 1st 5-ch lp, and join the length of ch with a sl st.
    5. 4 sc into 1st sp. 1 ch, 1 beaded ch, sc into last sc made, 2 sc, 4 sc into sp, 1 ch, 1 beaded ch, sc into last sc made, 3 sc into same sp. Rep. above sequence all around. Sl st to join. Fasten off.

    Beaded ch : draw up a bead before making the next ch.

  11. FOR YOUR INFORMATION –
    Aparna sent her three contest entries in a timely fashion to my private email. the delay in posting them here was my fault.

    I’ll be getting back to readers with the contest winner(s) in a week or so.
    THANKS to those who entered!
    jd

Have you read?

The Miffy Crochet Book Review: 16 Sweet Projects for Bunny Lovers

Some characters need elaborate outfits and a whole collection of accessories to be recognisable. Miffy manages it with two long ears and the simplest little face. There is something rather lovely about that, especially when you’re looking for crochet projects that feel sweet without being overly fussy.

The Miffy Crochet Book brings that familiar storybook charm to a collection of handmade toys, decorations and home accessories. If you have a Miffy fan in the family, or you’re rather fond of the little bunny yourself, this is a crochet book worth a closer look.

What appeals to me is the possibility of making several coordinating gifts from one collection. A bunny is lovely on its own, but a bunny with a matching blanket? That is how a small project quietly becomes an entire gift basket.

What Is The Miffy Crochet Book?

Created by crochet designer Kimberley Zwaans, with designs based on Dick Bruna’s illustrations, this official Miffy crochet book is published by Search Press.

The 128-page paperback contains 16 projects, with a mixture of smaller makes and larger pieces. You can find The Miffy Crochet Book at Knit Picks.

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

More Than a Miffy Bunny Crochet Pattern

The collection includes Miffy and friends as amigurumi toys, alongside projects such as a blanket, motif cushion and moon-and-stars mobile.

There is also a birthday theme, with a crochet cake, placemats, bunting and a crown. That gives the book an appeal beyond toy making, particularly if you enjoy creating decorations that can come out again for family celebrations.

I like that mixture. Sometimes you want a small character project with a face to embroider. Other times, a larger piece of crochet is exactly what you want beside your chair for the evening.

The collection uses seven yarn shades, which gives it a cohesive feel. You will still need to check the quantities and requirements for each project before shopping. Seven colours does not necessarily mean seven balls, much as our yarn budgets might wish otherwise.

Is It Suitable for Beginners?

The publisher describes the book as beginner-friendly and says it includes illustrated guidance for the key stitches. There are also projects offering more challenge.

My practical advice is to choose your first make by the techniques involved, rather than simply picking the smallest item. Small amigurumi pieces can require quite a bit of counting, shaping and careful assembly.

If working in the round is still new territory, our magic ring crochet tutorials for beginners are useful preparation. You can also build confidence with these easy crochet projects that start with a magic loop.

Before starting, check the book’s stitch terminology, recommended yarn and hook size. Those details matter more than choosing a colour that happens to look lovely in the basket.

The Appeal, and What to Consider

For me, the strongest selling point is the coordinated theme. This would be particularly appealing for crocheters who love Miffy, enjoy character projects or want several related handmade gift ideas.

The narrower theme is also something to consider before buying. If you prefer a crochet book packed with different animals and styles, this collection may feel too specific. Its appeal depends on how much you enjoy Miffy’s simple, recognisable world.

Simple faces also deserve careful finishing. A tiny change in eye placement or the angle of an ear can alter a character’s expression, so I would allow time for pinning and checking before sewing everything permanently.

If you would like a separate bunny project to try first, our free kawaii bunny crochet pattern on CraftBits offers another option. It is a different pattern, rather than an extract from this book.

Who Would Enjoy This Book?

I would put The Miffy Crochet Book on the shortlist for a crocheter who enjoys nostalgic characters and likes the idea of making a coordinated collection.

The combination of toys, home accessories and celebration projects gives those 16 designs several different uses. You could choose one special make or gradually work towards a whole Miffy-themed gift.

That is the charm for me: familiar, cheerful designs with room to make something personal. Just decide which project you’re starting before buying the yarn. Otherwise, “one little bunny” has a habit of acquiring a blanket, bunting and its own birthday party.