Valentine Flake

Valentine Flake

Here it is. The 3rd flake in my series of heart inspired snowflakes. I won't call it my final flake. Because I know myself. I love hearts. I love snowflakes. There will be another. I never really truly saw myself this way. Being a coal miner by trade, my softer side was a little inhibited- OK, a lot inhibited. I'd call myself a tom boy even. When I was girl, my aunt tried to teach me to crochet with no success. Then a little over 4 years ago my young daughter received a crochet instruction book for her birthday. She was quit determined to learn, and then she turned to me for help with the stitches. I was mortified. I felt so guilty that my sweet girl had a coal miner for a mom. It wasn't her fault I had issues with 'girly' stuff. So, for the first time ever, I swallowed the tom boy's pride and really tried. I spent 24 hours working through the basic stitches so I could show her. I got her working on her merry way, and much to my surprise, I didn't want to put my daughter's hook down. I was so ashamed going into the 5 and dime the next day to buy my own hook. I didn't have anymore excuse to crochet. To my extreme embarrassment, I liked it... OK, I loved it! I couldn't stop. It became an obsession. It's how I relax. It was amazing how quickly the stress and exhaustion of mining would wash away as I crocheted those tiny stitches. Once I couldn't hide my girly side anymore, the flood gates opened. It wasn't long before my passion for hearts was born. And snowflakes. And stars.(yes, stars too.) I love creating beautiful things- even if their only purpose is beauty. I love sharing those things with you. (Even though I type like a coal miner, and my computer stinks.) I take pride hearing how much you enjoy my creations. Speaking of creations, and sharing them, I should get back to it.

I originally made this with size 12 pearl cotton. It worked up tiny and almost fragile looking. It was pretty. The glue I used then destroyed it, however. But if you get adventurous you should try it. This one was made with size 20 burgundy and white dmc cebelia.

1. With white, make a magic ring, (3 sc, ch 3) 5 times. Ch 3, sl st in first sc to join.
2. Sc in next sc, * ch 15, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (couns as ch 2 space) and in next 12 ch. Ch 1, sk next sc, sc, hdc, dc, ch 3, dc, hdc, sc in next ch 3 loop. Ch 1, sk next sc,sc in next sc. Repeat from * to *, around. Join w/ sl st in first sc. End off and weave in ends.
3. With Burgundy, Join w/ sl st to any ch 3 space. Begin working in rows.  

                  Row 1: Ch 1, sc in ch 3 loop. Ch 2, turn. (turning ch 2 counts as 1st sc in next row.)

Row 2: 2 sc in sc. ( 3 sc in row). Ch 3, turn. (counts as 1st dc in next row.)              

Row 3: Dcin same sc as ch 3, dc in next sc, 2 dc in last sc. (5 dc in row.) Ch 2, turn.

  Row 4: 1 sc in same dc as ch 2. (Sc in next dc) 3 times, 2 sc in last dc. (7 sc in row.)  

Ch 3, turn.                                                                                         

Row 5: 1 dc in same sc as ch 3, (1dc in next sc) twice, sc in next dc, (1 dc in next sc)

twice. 2 dc in last sc. ( 8 dc, 1sc). Ch 2, turn.                                      

Row 6:  Sk first dc, (sc in next dc) 3 times, sl st in center sc, (sc in next dc) 4 times.    

(8 sc, 1 sl st). Ch 2, turn.                                                                      

Row 7: Sk first sc, dc in next sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc, sl st in center sl st, sc in  

next sc, hdc in next sc, dc in next sc, sc in last sc. End off. weave in ends.

  Repeat in each ch 3 space around.                                                                                                             

   4. W/ white, join w/ sl st in ch 2 space of round 3 (top of ch 15). * Ch 6, sl st in                                      

        back loop of end sc on row 6  on right side of heart. Ch 10, dc in 3rd ch from hook,  hdc in next ch,   ch 2, sl st in next ch (6th ch of ch 10). Ch 7, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Ch 1, sc in ch 4 of previous ch 7, sl st in next 3 ch. Ch 5, dc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, ch 2, sl st in next ch (5th ch of ch 5). Sl st in 5th ch of ch 10. Ch 5, sl st in back loop of sc on row 6 on left side of same heart. Ch 6, sc in next ch 2 space. Ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Ch 1, sc in last ch of previous ch 4. Sl st in top of sc.* Repeat from * to * around. End off. Weave in ends.

So sorry about the above goof. I fixed it the best I could. Like I said, I can't type. Here is a close up of Valentine Flake, in case you need it.

            

         Also, as a preview to my next upcoming post, and since I used this particular snowflake, I wanted to share this valentine card idea with you.