Debut Flake

Hello. I'm an unemployed coal miner with a ton of time on my hands-and not a lot of money. In order to keep busy and/or sane, I have really developed my creative side. I spend a large portion of my idle time in my back room that my mom recently dubbed "The Laboratory". I have wanted to share my creations for some time and have finally braved the woes of my windows vista inhibited computer to bring to life my first contribution.

This is my "debut flake", a first appearance. I hope you like it. The pattern is free, all I ask is that you don't sell the pattern.

                                                      Debut Flake                                    

size 30 ( I used DMC cebelia)

#14 steel hook

Round 1. 6 sc in a magic ring. Join in 1st sc w/ sl st.

Round 2. ch 14 (counts as dtr and ch 9) in same sc as join. [ch 9, dtr in next sc] 4 times. Ch 9, sl st in 5th ch of beginning ch 14.

Round 3. Ch 5 (counts as dtr). *dtr in next ch, tr in next ch, dc in nect ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch, dtr in next ch* dtr in next dtr** . Repeat from * to **around, ending at last *. Sl st in top of beginning ch 5.

Round 4. Ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join. *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc*. Repeat from * to *  around. Join w/ sl st in first sc.

Round 5. Sl st in next 8 st. (you want to be in the st above the hdc on the left side of the sc from round 3). *ch 21, sk the next 12 sc, sl st in next 3 sc*. Repeat from * to * 5 times, ending with 1 sl st  in next sc.(middle sl st is directly above sc from round 3). No join.

Round 6. Sl st in next in next sc, ch 1 sc in same st. * Ch 12, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 7 ch. Ch 10, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 6 ch. Ch 9, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 5 ch. Ch 21, sl st in 1st ch. Ch 7 sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 5 ch. Sl st 2 remaining ch of ch 9. Ch 8 sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 6 ch. Sl st in remaining 3 ch of ch 10. Ch 9, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 7 ch. Sl st in remaining 4 ch of ch 12. Sl st in top of sc.* Sl st in chain 21 space. Ch 1, sc in same space. 9 sc in same space, ** sc into 11th ch of ch 21. Ch 13, sl st in 1st ch. Sc in 11th ch. 10 sc in same ch 21 space. Sc in middle sl st.**[ Repeat from * to *,  in next ch 21 sp do 10 sc, repeat from** to **] 5 times. Join w/ sl st to first sc. End off. Weave in ends.

To Finish, pin snowflake onto dense cork board or  a cardboard box covered with tinfoil or plastic wrap. The big diamonds are pinned in 5th, 10th, and 15th ch; while the small diamonds are pinned in the 3rd, 6th and 9th chs. For starching I like to use liquid starch. The stitches and luster of your thread are more visible this way. You may use glue or fabric stiffener if desired. I usually paint my stiffener on with a brush after my snowflake is pinned. However you may dip your snowflake in a plastic Ziploc with your preferred stiffener, and after blotting off excess with a paper towel, pin out your snowflake.

I hope you enjoyed my free crochet snow flake pattern. Check back because there are more free patterns to follow. Including some valentine flakes, and other projects too- not just snowflakes. Be sure to let me know if there are issues or you need any help with my pattern.