Free crochet pattern - Southern Snowflake

The only way I'm ever going to have a white Christmas here in Australia is to make it myself.

Southern Snowflake:

made in Anchor Pearl Cotton but any fine crochet thread will do. You just might have to tinker with the hook size.
hook:1.75mm

finished size: approximately 4 .5" across widest point

This is the British/Australian version: [American version follows - scroll down ]

foundation:
chain 8, sl st in first chain to form ring.

NOTE:
ch 3 at start of row counts as first tr

Row 1:
13 ch [ 3tr into ring, ch 10 ] 5 times, 2 tr into ring, sl st into 3rd ch.
Row 2:
sl st in first 5 ch to bring you to the center of the loop, ch 3, [2tr,3ch,3tr] into loop, 6 ch,* [ 3tr,3ch,3tr,ch6] into loop. Repeat from * 4 times, join to 3rd ch at start of round
Row3:
ch 3, tr in next 2 tr, [3 tr,3ch,3tr] into 3 ch loop of previous round,1 tr in each of next 3 tr, 5 ch,* tr in each of next 3 tr [3tr,3ch,3tr into loop] tr in each of next 3 tr, ch 5. Repeat from* 4 times. Sl st into 3rd ch of turning ch.
Row 4:
ch 3, tr in next 5 tr, [3tr,3ch,3tr ] into 3 ch loop of previous round, 1 tr in each of next 6 tr, ch 4 * tr in each of next 6 tr [3 tr, 3ch, 3tr] into 3 ch loop of previous round, 1 tr in each of next 6 tr, ch 4. Repeat from* 4 times. Sl st into 3rd ch of turning ch.Sew in ends.

The flake will look too 'full' - almost ruffled - but trust me. It pins out.

Stiffening:
Use a [ slightly watered down ] commercial fabric stiffener or PVA glue with a little water. Soak flake. Don't wring it. Pin into position. Look at it from all angles to make sure it's as symmetrical as possible.
I pin my flakes to a piece of polystyrene.
Allow to air dry.
Enjoy.
I hang snowflakes in groups from window frames , doors and the old ladder over my kitchen bench.

Thanks to Phoenix for test crocheting.


American version:
ch 3 at start of row counts as first dc

Row 1:
13 ch [ 3dc into ring, ch 10 ] 5 times, 2 dc into ring, sl st into 3rd ch.
Row 2:
sl st in first 5 ch to bring you to the center of the loop, ch 3, [2dc,3ch,3dc] into loop, 6 ch, *[ 3dc,3ch,3dc,ch6] into loop. Repeat from * 4 times, join to 3rd ch at start of round
Row3:
ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, [3 dc,3ch,3dc] into 3 ch loop of previous round,1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 5 ch,* dc in each of next 3 dc [3dc,3ch,3dc into loop] dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 5. Repeat from* 4 times. Sl st into 3rd ch of turning ch.
Row 4:
ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, [3dc,3ch,3dc ] into 3 ch loop of previous round, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, ch 4 * dc in each of next 6 dc [3 dc, 3ch, 3dc] into 3 ch loop of previous round, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, ch 4. Repeat from* 4 times. Sl st into 3rd ch of turning ch.

Sew in ends.

The flake will look too 'full' - almost ruffled - but trust me. It pins out.

Stiffening:
Use a [ slightly watered down ] commercial fabric stiffener or PVA glue with a little water. Soak flake. Don't wring it. Pin into position. Look at it from all angles to make sure it's as symmetrical as possible.
I pin my flakes to a piece of polystyrene.
Allow to air dry.
Enjoy.
I hang snowflakes in groups from window frames , doors and the old ladder over my kitchen bench.

Thanks to Phoenix for test crocheting.

This pattern is copyright Susan Iacuone 2007. Please don't sell it... that would be extremely tacky not to mention downright illegal. You can however sell the finished flakes with my blessing.