The Incredibly Versatile Giant Snowflake
Author
by Even Howard
Introduction
I’ve wanted to make snowflake-inspired crochet forever. When I met with Rowan’s “Soft Baby” in my local yarn shop, I knew that the season had finally arrived. Thanks to the various ‘circle shrug’ patterns that have been published in print and discussed online, I had a vision that a snowflake could be worn in similar fashion. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of styles that can be created by a simple circle. By poking your arms through the various holes, this cuddly snowflake can be worn as a capelet, scarf, wrap, or shrug. You might find other ways too…
This project is pretty easy and only takes a few hours so it makes a wonderful quick winter gift. You can, of course, dress it up or make a homespun version depending on your yarn and closure choices.
Materials List
- 3 balls of Rowan “Soft Baby” (150m per 50g) in Cloud. Another soft worsted weight yarn will work too.
- 5.5mm (size I/9) hook
- brooch, clasp, or pin for a closure
Finished Size
This will fit a person with about a 16in (40cm) measurement across the upper back. For bigger or smaller sizes, substitute yarn weights and hook sizes until your first three rounds equal about 1/3 of your upper back measurement. The finished snowflake is pretty stretchy and can be worn multiple ways, so don’t worry too much!
Gauge
First three rounds measure 5in (11cm) in diameter.
Notes
Special stitches:
Picot: ch 3, sl st into 3rd ch from hook.
Picot cluster: ch 3, sl st into 3rd ch from hook (first picot made), ch 4, sl st into base ch of first picot, ch 3, sl st into base ch of first picot.
The Pattern
The Pattern
Begin with a slipknot and ch 6. Close chain with a slst into first chain to make a ring.
Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as a dc). Dc into center ring. Ch1. {2dc, ch1} five more times. (6 dc groups total). Slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 2: Slst over dc and into next ch1 space. Ch3. {Dc, ch2, 2dc} into same ch1 space (shell made). {Ch1, 2dc, ch2, 2dc} into each ch1 space around. Ch1 and slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 3: Slst over dc and into next ch2 space. Ch3. {Dc, ch2, 2dc} into same ch2 space. *Ch4, slst into 3rd ch from hook (picot made), ch1. {2dc, ch2, 2dc} into next ch1 space.* Repeat from * to * into each chain space around. Ch 4, make picot, ch1. Slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 4: Slst over dc and into next ch2 space. Ch3. {dc, ch2, 2dc} into same ch2 space. *Ch7. Skip next chain space with the picot and {2dc, ch2, 2dc} into next ch2 space.* Repeat from * to * around. Ch7 and slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 5: Slst over dc and into next ch2 space. Ch3. {dc, ch2, 2dc} into same ch2 space. *Ch9. Skip next ch7 space and work {2dc, ch2, 2dc} into next ch2 space.* Repeat from * to * around. Ch9 and slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 6: Slst over dc and into next ch2 space. Ch3. {dc, ch2, 2dc} into same ch2 space. *Ch5, Sc around two chains below. Work a ch3 picot and sc around again. Ch5. {2dc, ch2, 2dc} into next ch2 space.* Repeat from * to * around. Ch5, Sc around two chains below. Work a ch3 picot and sc around again. Ch5. Slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 7: Slst over dc and into next ch2 space. Ch3. {dc, ch2, 2dc} into same ch2 space. *Ch13. Skip next chain and picot space and work {2dc, ch2, 2dc} into next ch2 space.* Repeat from * to * around. Ch13 and slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 8: Slst over dc and into next ch2 space. Ch3. {dc, ch2, 2dc} into same ch2 space. *Ch15. Skip next ch13 space and work {2dc, ch2, 2dc} into next ch2 space.* Repeat from * to * around. Ch15 and slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 9: Slst over dc and into next ch2 space. Ch3. {dc, ch2, 2dc} into same ch2 space. *Ch7, Sc around two chains below. Work a ch3 picot and sc around again. Ch10. Sc around two chains below. Work a ch3 picot and sc around again. Ch7. {2dc, ch2, 2dc} into next ch2 space.* Repeat from * to * around. Ch7, Sc around two chains below. Work a ch3 picot and sc around again. Ch10. Sc around two chains below. Work a ch3 picot and sc around again. Ch7. Slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 10: Don’t slst over! Ch3. Work a dc cluster into the next 3dc by only pulling through two loops and then moving on to the next dc. After working half of each of the 3dc, yo and pull through all loops on hook. *Ch15. Sc into loop of ch10 below. Ch 15. Work a 4dc cluster into the top of next dc group.* Repeat from * to * around. Ch15. Sc into loop of Ch10 below. Ch 15. Slst into first cluster to join.
Rd 11: Ch3. Ch3 more, sl st into 3rd ch from hook (first picot), ch4, slst into base ch of first picot, ch 3, slst into base ch of first picot (picot cluster made). *{10Dc, ch2, 10dc} into ch15 space. Skip next sc. {10Dc, ch2, 10dc} into ch15 space. Dc into top of Dc cluster below. Work picot cluster.* Repeat from * to * around. (10Dc, ch2, 10dc) into ch15 space. Skip next sc. {10Dc, ch2, 10dc} into ch15 space. Slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd. 12: Slst into base of picot cluster and next 10dc. Ch1 and *3sc into ch2 space. 3Sc across 3dc below. Work ch3 picot. 5Sc across 5dc below . Work picot. 5Sc across 5dc below. Work picot. 5Sc across 5dc below. Work picot. 2Sc across 2dc below. Work 3sc into ch2 space. 3Sc across 3dc below. Work picot. 5Sc across 5dc below. Chain 14, skipping over picot group below and sc into 3rd dc from picot group. 5Sc across 5dc below. Work picot. 2Sc across 2dc below.* Repeat from * to * around. When working the last repeat, ch 14, skip over picot group, and sc into the 3rd sl st from picot group that was done at the beginning of the round. Work 5 sc in the next 5 sl sts. Work picot. Work 2 sc in the next 2 sl sts. Sl st to next sc to join.
Rd 13: (This is the round of ‘armholes’ so check the diameter of your work to make sure it will span your back.) Ch1 and sc1 into ch2 sp from round 11. *Ch30. Skip 4 picots and sc into center sc of round 11 ch2 space. Ch10. Sc into center of ch14 space. Ch10. Sc into center sc of round 11 ch2 space.* Repeat from * to * around. Slst into first sc to join.
Rd 14: Ch1 and sc1 into ch30. {19Sc, ch2, 20sc} in ch30 space. *15Sc in ch10 space. 15sc in next ch10 space. {20Sc, ch2, 20sc} in ch30 space.* Repeat from * to * around. Slst into first sc to join.
Rd 15: Slst along first 20sc up to ch2 space. (Ch3, dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 space. “Ch 20. Skip next 25sc and sc into 26th sc. Work a ch3 picot. Sc in next sc below. Ch20. Skip next 16sc and sc into 17th sc. Work a ch3 picot. Sc in next sc below. Ch 20. Skip next 25sc. (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2 space.” Repeat around. Ch 20. Skip next 25sc and sc into 26th sc. Work a ch3 picot. Sc in next sc below. Ch20. Skip next 16sc and sc into 17th sc. Work a ch3 picot. Sc in next sc below. Ch 20. Skip next 25sc. Slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 16: Slst over to ch2 space. (Ch3, dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 space. “Ch25. Skip ch20 space below and work (2dc, ch2, 2dc) into next ch20 space. Ch 25. Skip next ch20 space and work (2dc, ch2, 2dc) into next ch2 space.” Repeat around. Ch25. Skip ch20 space below and work (2dc, ch2, 2dc) into next ch20 space. Ch 25. Slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 17: Slst over to ch2 space. (Ch3, dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 space. “Ch 15 and (sc1, work ch3 picot, sc1, chain 14, sc1, work ch3 picot, sc1) around two chains below. Ch 15. (2Dc, ch2, 2dc) into next ch2 space.” Repeat around. Ch 15 and (sc1, work ch3 picot, sc1, chain 14, sc1, work ch3 picot, sc1) around two chains below. Ch 15. Slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 18: Slst over to ch2 space. (Ch3, dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 space. “Ch7. Sc into center of Ch 15 space. Ch7. Sc into center of ch14 space. Ch7. Sc into center of Ch15 space. Ch7. (2Dc, ch2, 2dc) into ch2 space.” Repeat around. Ch7. Sc into center of Ch 15 space. Ch7. Sc into center of ch14 space. Ch 7. Sc into center of Ch15 space. Ch7. Slst into top of ch3 to join.
Rd 19: Slst over to ch2 space. (Ch3, dc, ch1, work picot cluster, ch1, 2dc) in ch2 space. “*10Dc into ch7 space. Skip sc. Work ch3 picot.* 3 times. 10Dc. (Ch3, dc, ch1, work picot cluster, ch1, 2dc) in ch2 space. “ Repeat around. 10Dc into ch7 space. Skip sc. Work ch3 picot.* 3 times. 10Dc. Slst into top of ch3 to join. Fasten off.
Yea! Finished! Just weave in any extra ends and you’re ready to go. You may want to lightly block to even out any bunchy areas. The varying styles shown are worn with the arms through the large holes of round 13 with the center worn either above or below the shoulders. You can also just fold it in a bit less than half and wrap around your shoulders for a layered capelet. The scarf style is simply the snowflake rolled up and tied once.
i am making the giant snowflake at the moment, but i cant help wondering if the 3rd row is correct, i tryed to make 2dc, 2ch, 2d in every chain space, but then the piece became full of lumps, i have now made 2dc, 2ch, 2dc in only the chain2spaces and that looks the same as the picture above.
thanks for such a wonderfull idea
Row 10 error: The first instruction, "Dont sl st over" is wrong, as it ruins the appearance of the dc cluster. WHY would we not sl st over? If not, the cluster looks split wide open into 2 parts straddling the first 2 dc. Correct me if I am wrong, but I sl st over to begin 1st 4 dc cluster. I would like to see this pattern published again to include corrections and illustrations. A lot more people would make this beautiful crochet creation, and with a much higher success rate. As it is now, only the brave can get thru it. I consider it to be for intermediate skill level, not beginner, and not considered easy by any stretch. Can we post photos of our finished snowflakes and how would we do it?
I am now on row 19 (very excited) and agree with the correction described here by L. Redmond in this thread. Such a pity we cannot email each other to discuss (heads up to the website designers). I ran into the same exact error about (ch3, dc...) and fixed it exactly as you described doing (2dc, ch1, picot cl...). BTW, this pattern consists of a series of v-stitches; odd that the pattern doesnt call it a v-st as in published patterns, but instead tells us how to do the stitch over and over. Oh well. Lastly, I had no problem with how the first picot cluster in ea rep looks, it looks beautiful as is (2 dc, ch1, picot cl, ch1, 2dc). If all goes well, I will be wearing this to church Sunday over something I havent made yet, so gotta hurry. It will look great in black over any of the bright Halloween colors, paired with a black skirt. Here goes. Robin in NC Bostoncrocus at yahoo dot com
It looks extremely hard to me...
I am sort of a beginner, so please bear with me!!
I am having trouble understanding round 12 it says more than once to do in dc's below. I do not understand. Below what? where? I am not a total noob but I think I will have to just make something up on this row as I cannot find below. Other than that I love this pattern!
Now that's neat - a really USEFUL pattern. Thank you.
Does anyone have a close up photo of what this thing is supposed to look like? I'm on Row 9 and I haven't run into any problems yet *fingers crossed*, but it would be really useful to me for the sake of reference to see a closer photo of the finished product.
On that note. Is Round 9 supposed to have little loops sticking up in the middle of it or have I mistaken something there? I'm referring to the ch10.
Yes, this project is extremely hard for a beginner. I finished mine today after about 3 weeks of intense struggle, and I am experienced! I dont recommend it for a beginner, but you can try. Be sure to read and take our corrections as shown on this board. I recommend printing it out, then illustrating it as you go for future reference. I have done this and can mail you my illustrations. I constantly referred to the photograph of the completed project in order to try to figure out what the pattern was telling me. The pattern is not professionally written, so there are punctuation errors that will confuse a beginner. There are asterisks left out and other small ommisons that can mean big mistakes and disappointments for anyone inexperienced. Contact me for any help needed. Robin in NC (bostoncrocus at yahoo)
How to post photos of our finished work: use photobucket.com with your digital camera and PC. Here is my black spiderweb shawl. Robin in NC http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h229/Bostoncrocus/crochet/100_1853.jpg
I just love it! I'm working on a giant snowflake right now. I know that it's June and too early for snow but I just couldn't wait...
My knit blog's in Swedish. Sorry.
This pattern motivated me to learn crochet around 6 months ago.
I still haven't tried it, but due to all that I've learned I feel confident that I will do it soon (as long as I find nice yarn). It will be a drastic undertaking and an important landmark in my crocheting career.
Anyway, it's way too late to be awake (2 am.) but I wanted to thank you for inspiring me :3
I am now on row 9 of this semi-easy pattern. If it were not for the photo of the completed project I would not have been able to go on, due to lack of illustration. Maybe we can help each other along the way. I am making mine using black Simply Soft. It will look more like a spider web, just in time for Halloween. Robin in nC
Looks like a great pattern I can't wait to begin, I'll be doing it in homespun's blueish color...as a traveling gypsy I work Renn Faires around the country it's ok to be migratory! You are one person touching the lives of many - that is a good thing.
I just finished making this snowflake and I really like it. Everyone who sees it remarks on how different it is, which is just the effect I had in mind. I used Cotton Fine held double because I happened to have it, so my shawl drapes a little differently than the one in the pictures. It's a rusty red color and has a very funky, post-modern look.
I did find what I think are two small errors in Round 19. See what you think: I did not think "skip sc" sounded right, since you usually need something to anchor a picot to, so I put the sc back in, working it into the next ch 7 space and then working the picot, before doing the 10 dc group. It was a spur of the moment change and makes the picot a little off-center. If I were to do it again I'd simply use the sc in between the 10 sc groups to anchor the picot. Putting the picot by itself between the 10 dc groups just looked precarious to me somehow.
The other change is that, when working into the ch-2 space, I think it should be 2 dc, ch 1, work picot cluster, ch 1, 2 dc in every ch-2 space AFTER the first one, as opposed to ch 3, dc, etc. The ch 3 is correct the first time, though, in place of a dc, because it's at the beginning of the round.
I also did not find that it took just a few hours. I have been crocheting for decades but still I found this to be a difficult pattern, requiring close attention to the instructions. I have to work in small increments of time and every time I put it down and picked it up again I had to look carefully to be sure I was working into the right row, not a row or two below.
But these are very small quibbles. This is a truly original pattern and I am really enjoying wearing it. It's not just for show either; it's very functional - turns a tank top into appropriate office wear and wards against air conditioner chill. Thanks!!
Hi-
I LOVE this pattern!!!
I am somewhat new to crochet and I have a question. How do you SC around two chains below?
thanks!
Alicia
Even after reading the first reply to your Q, I still didnt understand which chains the sc was made around in row 6, so I looked at the finished photo again and got it. To make row 6, look back at row 5's ch9, and row 4's ch7. These are the chains to sc around in row 6. If it had not been for the finished photo, I never would have gotten it, since there are several chains to consider in the current and previous rows. Thank goodness for this opportunity to discuss!
To do this, just work a single crochet stitch (SC) around two chains from the previous row, instead of into the top of a stitch. Simply insert your hook under the chains, yarn over, and draw up a loop. Complete the single crochet as usual.
thank you so much!
Now I have another confusion... and I can't wait until thursday when i go to my snb meeting! this pattern is just too fabulous. I am at row 11. I was able to crochet the picot cluster no problem. What I don't understand is how to get to ch 15 space without losing circumference. Does that make sense? I keep thinking there should be some chains in there.
Even though this has been difficult to make- I am learning so much!!
Alicia
Nevermind- I figured it out. Now that I get it, I feel like a fool for not seeing it earlier!
Thanks, Alicia
Very pretty! I've no idea how to crochet, though. I was looking for point groups. Keep up the good work!
I made this last year and it's currently hanging above my bed like a giant spiderweb (I screwed up in round 6 or so and doubled the pattern). It reaches to my knees instead of my hips and definitely doesn't work as a scarf, but I love it anyway. It was the first complicated pattern I attempted and I learned a lot from making it (including the importance of counting!). Thank you!