Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

CONTEST TIME AGAIN!! Think Winter….

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snowflake-crystal.jpg

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.

snowflake-not-this-one.jpg
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 Forest Valley Shawl – Crochet Pattern

This is one of those shawl patterns that feels instantly calming, even before you pick up a hook. The Forest Valley Shawl (After Party Pattern 23) by Scheepjes, available through Jimmy Beans Wool, has a very gentle, nature-inspired feel that really lives up to its name.

What I love about this design is how wearable it is. Some shawls are beautiful but awkward to style; this one feels practical in the best way. It drapes naturally, sits nicely on the shoulders, and works just as well for everyday wear as it does for something a little dressier. It’s the sort of piece you grab when the air cools in the evening and you don’t want anything heavy.

From a crochet perspective, this is a lovely “slow and steady” project. The stitch pattern has enough variation to keep your interest, but it’s not overly complicated. It’s very much the kind of crochet you can sink into — the sort that lets your mind wander while your hands keep moving. Perfect for quiet afternoons or evening crochet sessions.

Skill-wise, this one is best suited to confident beginners moving into intermediate territory. If you’re comfortable following a pattern and keeping your stitch count in check, you’ll enjoy this a lot. It’s also a great pattern for appreciating beautiful yarn — especially colourways that shift and flow, as the shawl really lets them shine.

Overall, the Forest Valley Shawl is one of those free crochet patterns that feels thoughtful and soothing. It’s wearable, relaxing to make, and finished with a look that feels timeless rather than trendy. If you enjoy shawls that are as comforting to crochet as they are to wear, this one is definitely worth bookmarking.