Heart Flake

Heart Flake

Here is the second of my valentine themed snowflake pattern. I hope you like it as much as I do. This is the 2nd of 3 free crochet patterns. I am having a lot of fun working on crafts for Valentine's Day. Sure beats going underground, but the moneys not as good! I'm looking forward to sharing some of the creations formulating in The Laboratory.  I am working on some crochet heart patterns for card making, as well as some hand carved wooden stamps. All of which I plan to share. But, that's another day...Today is my Heart Flake pattern. I used size 30 DMC cebelia, I love the fine, pearl cotton threads. I used a size 14 steel hook. I think the smaller the thread and hook the more delicate and lace like your snowflake appears. But, use what you like. It doesn't matter. There is no gauge or tension to worry about. If you use size 10 thread you'll end up with larger snowflakes, and that's o.k. Just have fun!

Patter stitch guide

double treble (dtr): yo 3 times, insert hook in indicated stitch, draw up a loop, (yo draw through 2 loops on hook) 4 times.

double single crochet:  Insert hook in indicated st, draw up a loop, yo draw through 1 loop on hook, yo, insert hook in same st, draw up a loop, yo, draw through 1 loop on hook, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook.

Long Treble (ltr); Wrap yarn around hook 5 times. insert hook in ch 3 space, draw up a loop, (yo, draw through 2 lops on hook) 5 times.

4 treble together (4trtog):  yo twice, insert hook in 4th ch from hook, draw up a loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook,) twice,  [yo twice, insert hook in next ch, draw up a loop, (yo draw through 2 loops on hook) 2 times,] 3 times, yo, draw through all 5 loops on hook.

4 double crochet together (4dctog):  yo, insert hook in 3rd ch from hook, draw up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, (yo, insert hook in next ch, draw up a loop, yo draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times, yo, draw through all 5 loops on hook.

1. In magic ring, 6 sc, join / sl st in first sc.
2. Ch 14 (counts as dtr and ch 9), ch 9, dtr in next sc, around. Join w/ sl st in 5th ch of beginning ch 14.
3. Sl st into ch 9 space. 4 dsc, ch 3, 4 dsc in each ch 9 space around. Do not join.
4. *Ch 2, sc in 1st ch from hook. Ch 9, 4trtog in 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th ch from hook. Ch 8, 4dctog in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th ch from hook. Ch 7, sc in 5th ch from hook. Ch 6, sl st in sc. Ch 4 sl st in sc. Sl st in last 2 ch of ch 7. Sl st in top of 4dctog, ch 3, 4 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Sl st in 3rd ch of ch 8 (same ch as bottom of 4dctog), and in next 2 ch. Sl st in top of 4trtog. Ch 4, 4 tr in in 4th ch from hook. Sl st in 3rd ch of ch 9 (same ch as bottom of 4trtog), and in next 2 ch. Ch 2, sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st in next dsc. Ch 11, sk next 3 dsc, ltr in ch 3 space, ch 11, sk next 3 dsc, sl st in next dsc*. Repeat from * to* around. Join w/ sl st in beginning sc. End off. When  I weave in ends, I sew the 1st 2 "ch 2, sc in 2nd ch" together, so they don't pull apart and it gives a more uniform look.

I also like to use #12 pearl cotton thread. It  comes in such a variety of color and works up well with #11 hook (I even used # 14, in this instance).

Imagine a whole flurry of  heart flakes in all sorts of pastel colors, fluttering in a door jam or window seal. I think I may have to work that up and share a photo with you. I like to pin my snowflakes out on dense cork board (or a tinfoil covered cardboard box), and stiffen using liquid starch. Especially when using the pearl cottons as it allows the luster of the thread to show better than with glue. But if glue is all you have on hand, by all means use glue. I would dilute it a little first, however.

This pattern may not be sold, but you can do whatever else you so desire. And whatever you make from it is yours to do with what you wish.

Until next time.