It's that time of year again!!! Time to crank out 20 flakes suitable for Halloween buttons and quick enough that I can get them in the mail before it's too late! This is becoming a Halloween tradition for my family. It's a great way to send easy handmade Halloween gifts that don't rot the teeth!
I scored on an excellent Etsy deal again this year with beautiful embellishments from ButtonJones. Honestly, I try to purchase all my buttons here now, not only because I don't have to drive around looking for what I want, but also because the shop is in my home state of New Mexico, the selection is awesome, the prices are great and the shipping has always been super fast.
I've wanted to stiffen identical flakes with all five colors of my glow-in-the-dark glue for months now but haven't had the opportunity to make six of one pattern until now. I mixed the blue and yellow to see if it would make green, and I can barely tell the difference between "my" green and the out-of-the-bottle blue. But it was a fun experiment, and I hope the kids like them more than they argue over who gets what color. Ha ha!
I had reported earlier this year when I made glueflakes that the glow-in-the-dark glue may have a shelf life. Several of the year-or-more older, never-opened glues seemed to be drying inside the airtight bottles, and I had difficulty getting the glue out. Well, now here it is seven months later, and the glues have dried out even more. So I guess I better use them up quickly! Just don't do like I did and buy a two-year supply. It doesn't last that long!!!
I have to apologize for uncut strings on all of today's flake photos. I'm finishing up this blog post at 9:24 Sunday night. I just realized I'm two flakes short, and I haven't had time to attach any of the buttons yet. I will add more photos once I get them done. I'm just in a time crunch right now to get this pattern published and get to bed on time to be worth what I’m paid to work today!
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: 6 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
Mojo II Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2. Don't pull magic circle too tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same ch as sl st, [sk next dc, 5 dc in next dc] 6 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same ch as sl st, [ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), sk next 4 dc, 5 dc in next dc (middle dc of Round 2 5/dc shell),] 6 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
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 7 (counts as 1 dc and [ch 5), sk next 2 dc, sk next picot, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 20, 1 sc in 18th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 dc in same middle dc of Round 3 5/dc shell] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 7; bind off. Weave ending tail down back of flake to center. After stiffening flake (as directed below), use both starting and ending tail to securely tie button or other embellishment onto flake, if desired. Secure knot and ends on back of flake with dot of glue, if desired, and allow to dry, then clip off long tails, leaving knot in place.
NOTE: Work a ch 7 or ch 9 between points in Round 4, and pull the chains out when stiffening to form hearts! But probably not suitable for pre-teen boys!!!
Finish: 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.
