No other explanation. It's gotta be bots. I'm not sure why bots would be interested in my blog, but perhaps one day we'll learn the bots are learning how to crochet. Ha ha!
Overnight, just about, I hit my next million. But it's almost not worth noting anymore because I don't think it's real.
This time, I got nearly 46,000 hits on a Saturday. I don't even publish on Saturdays!
I know!!! It's because I published such brilliant posts the entire week of Valentine's Day!!!
This flake was designed on public transportation 13 years ago, and the pattern was hastily written on my phone, where the pattern has remained until now. 'Bout time it sees the light of day! I called it Spring Lace then, and that name seems perfect now.
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: 7.25 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
Spring Lace Snowflake Instructions
SPECIAL STITCHES:
Popcorn Stitch (pc)
Work 5 dc in designated st, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc.
Make magic ring.
Round 1: [1 pc in ring, ch 10, sl st in 7th ch from hook, ch 10] 5 times; 1 pc in ring, ch 2, 1 dc in top of starting pc, ch 3, 1 tr in top of dc to form 6th ch 6 tip of Round. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of tr directly below, [ch 12, sl st in 8th ch from hook, ch 4, in next ch 6 tip work (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc)] 6 times, omitting last 2 dc and last 2 ch of final repeat; 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 point of Round.
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 3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), [in next ch 7 point work (1 trtr, ch 3, 1 trtr, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 trtr, ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 trtr, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, 1 trtr, ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 trtr, ch 3, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 trtr, ch 3, 1 trtr, 1 tr in next ch 3 point] 6 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 3; bind off. Weave in ends.
Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.
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.
I got the eyes sewed onto my white, glow-in-the-dark fox two hours before church on Sunday. I'm not so sure it looks more like a fox than a bear with a funky tail, but the recipient seemed very pleased. I can always make her a unicorn next year... She's the only one in my class not turning eight this year; she turned seven today, so she'll be in my class again next year!
There are things I'd do differently if I had time to make this fox again. I'd make the ears wider, the face and snout more fox-shaped, and I might even make the limbs jointed. But there wasn't time to do a second prototype in time for gifting last Sunday.
I finally ran out of the first skein of glow-in-the-dark yarn while crafting the fox tail. So, one 114-yard skein is enough for a tiny snowflake and nearly three little amigurumi; two if one of the amigurumi is bigger and more complex than a snake. I have three more skeins (all of which I paid for myself) and four more kidlets to craft for later this year, so I felt confident to use up a bit of the yarn for a selfish and personal amigurumi - a replica origami crane such as the Zero Gravity Indicator on the Crew 10 flight to the International Space Station last weekend. I love cranes, and I didn't get to see the sandhills in Monte Vista again this year. But now I have my own. Thank you, Dennis, for the free pattern!
"This is a hand-crocheted origami crane. His name is 'Droog,' which is the Russian name for friend," said Crew 10 commander Anne McClain. "Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper. This is a nod to the unique and deep cultural traditions from which each of us come. While all from different parts of the world, we are brought together in this bold endeavor, and we represent all of humanity."
One of the Crew 10 astronauts, Nichole Ayers, is from Colorado, which makes this particular mission more poignant for me. I also absolutely love the reason the crew chose an origami crane as their ZGI. Three of the seven astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station are from Russia, three are from the US, and one is from Japan. In Japan, the paper crane is a symbol of peace, love, hope and healing. Man, does our country and our world ever need all of that every single day!
I was trying to finish up a snowflake while Lizard loaded the bikes onto the car. We had been around the block on our bikes a couple of times last month, but hadn't really gone for a good ride in months. Since winter weather set in. I hate taking breaks that long because I know Lizard will have to start all over again from scratch when he gets back on his bike. And the tiniest bit of stress will make him feel like he can't ride.
I should have known something was wrong. It normally doesn't take snowflake-finishing long for him to put the bikes on the rack. When Lizard came back in the house, he was completely stressed out and ready to give up. I told him to sit down and rest for a bit, and I'd finish loading the bikes, not knowing what a mess I was getting myself into. He sat down, and I could tell I was going to have to go into cheerleader mode to get him to go once the bikes were loaded.
The first bike was backwards and completely caught in the rack. In four short months, Lizard had forgotten how to load the bikes. I should have offered to help when he couldn't remember the code to open the garage door. I should have known Parkinson's had stolen more than just the code he set up 15 years ago. The brace for the front wheel was completely tangled in the spokes of the back wheel. I didn't know if I'd be able to safely extract the bike, and I didn't know if the wheel would still be true.
A little more than half an hour later, I had the bikes loaded, and I went back into the house to tell Lizard we could go. He was asleep on the floor. He often lays on the floor to stretch, but he typically puts his exercise mat down first. Weather was expected to move in within the next three hours. We'd vowed to ride every day for the past two weeks, but Lizard has been having great difficulty sleeping at night again, and he's too tired every single day. This was the first day he'd been awake. Until he wasn't...
With another storm expected in a couple of days, I thought we'd better ride while we could; we might not get another chance until the following week. I woke Lizard and told him the bikes were ready.
Nearly an hour later, he was in the car and ready to go. We got to the trailhead, and I took the bikes off the rack. He typically does that, but I didn't want him to stress again. Good thing, too, because he soon was stressed out and ready to give up again because once again, just like each time we've tried to get back into the routine, he couldn't get his leg over his bike.
I tried holding his bike for him and guiding his foot, which was super Parkinson's rigid, over the back tire and onto the pedal. The entire time, he kept saying he was done and wanted to go home. This had happened multiple times last year, and each time, I was able to cheer him into not giving up. It was SO much harder this time. But I finally got him back on his bike, and he was able to pedal upright, with better balance than he has when walking. That also is normal. His bike has been like his wheelchair for the past five years. He often can ride immediately once he's able to get on the bike, as if he'd never been off it. It's just a matter of getting back on the bike.
I suggested we ride around the parking lot first, to make sure he was going to be able to ride, as well as turn around, which he'd have to do if we made it onto the trail. He was extremely slow, but he was riding. Until it came time to turn around. We'd gone barely a mile when he said his legs were gone. Sometimes he can get a second wind, if I can keep him on the bike. But I wasn't able to keep him on his bike. He struggled getting off while I dismounted as quickly as I could to help him. He sat on the ground and said he was done. He said he'd walk his bike back to the car. He didn't want to try getting back on the bike. He already knew he couldn't do it.
A couple of times last year, he was able to get back on his bike by standing on a curb, so he was just a bit higher than the bike, enabling him to get his leg over the bike. I walked both bikes to the closest curb, about a quarter mile away, while he slowly followed behind, the standard Parkinson's gait. Shuffling his feet, arms not moving at all, extremely hunched over. Beaten. Defeated.
"I can't speak anymore," he said when he finally reached me. "I can't read anymore. I can't wrench on my bike anymore. I walk at a snail's pace. And now I can't ride anymore. I can't even get on my bike. My life is over."
It was the most he'd said in weeks, perhaps months, and I could understand every word. He tends to be loud enough for me to hear when he's angry. I told him to turn that fire into determination and get back on that bike. He coughed up all kinds of excuses for the next ten or so minutes. Meanwhile, other cyclists rode by, each pausing and asking if we were okay. I would explain he has Parkinson's and is trying to get back on his bike. Each passing cyclist would compliment Lizard on his determination and progress, but then ride off. I suppose it's uncomfortable to try to help someone when you perhaps don't have the slightest clue how to help and are afraid you might help cause an injury.
I tried the entire afternoon to stay cheerful, loving, patient and believing. I kept telling him I knew he could do it. I would remind him of the times he wouldn't let me give up. Trying to get up the Grand Mesa during Ride the Rockies, when he came up behind me and gently pushed my back, cheering me to "Push! Push! Push!!" The time he had to encourage me across a stream deeper than I was comfortable crossing while descending a 14er... while lightning was chasing us back to our car. The time he coached me up an arch in Rattlesnake Canyon when I had never, ever rock-climbed.
"You can do this!" I kept telling him. "You've got this! I believe in you!"
I silently prayed. Oh, how I prayed. I begged God to please not let this be the end of his cycling. It's his only remaining passion. Please don't let him give up yet. Please help me to get him back on his bike. I know he can do this.
Meanwhile, the temperature had dropped about 15 degrees, and the wind had become pretty furious. Such conditions do NOT help anyone get back on a bike. Lizard finally asked if he could have a hot chocolate with almond milk if he was able to get back on his bike.
"Of course! The perfect reward!!! Now let's try to get back on the bike. I think you can do it if you stand on the curb."
It took a while, but Lizard got back on his bike. And he rode all the way back to the car. And around the parking lot three times before announcing his legs were beginning to come back to life. His legs weren't the only thing that came back to life. He remembered, finally, how much he loves riding his bike. Now it's my job not to let him forget. No matter the weather.
Every once in a while, I can still come up with a totally unique snowflake idea. When that happens, I'm tickled pink. Or, I guess, tickled green, being as it's March and today is THE day... Luck o' the Irish to ya!
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: 5 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
Spiroflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), 17 tr in ring; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 3. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: [1 sc in next tr, ch 8, sk next 2 tr] 6 times; sl st in starting sc.
Round 3: Ch 1, working in back of piece, 1 sc in next Round 1 tr, [ch 8, sk next Round 1 tr, 1 sc in next tr (should be tr just left of next Round 2 sc)] 6 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc.
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 1, still working in back of piece, 1 sc in next Round 1 tr, [ch 8, sk next Round 1 tr, 1 sc in next tr (should be tr just left of next Round 3 sc)] 6 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc.
Round 5: Ch 3, making sure to work in ch 8 loops sequentially, 3 sc in each ch 8 loop around; sl st in starting sc.
Round 6: Sl st in next sc, ch 17 (counts as 1 dc and ch 15), [sk next 8 sc, 1 dc in next sc (should be middle sc of 3/sc group), ch 15] 5 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 17.
Rounds 7 and 8: Ch 3, working in back of piece, 1 dc in middle Round 5 sc of next Round 5 3/sc group, [ch 15, sk next 8 Round 5 sc, 1 dc in next Round 5 sc (should be middle sc of 3/sc group)] 6 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc.
Round 9: Ch 3, making sure to work entire Round in ch 15 loops sequentially, sl st in next closest ch 15 loop, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), in same ch 15 loop work (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc), [6 dc in each of next 2 ch 15 loops*, in next ch 15 loop work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc)] 6 times, ending * on final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.
Finish: I've been stiffening my flakes with undiluted, full-strength water soluble school glue for quite a while now, and I've been squishing the glue onto and throughout each flake with my fingers (yucky mess!!!) instead of gingerly painting the flakes with glue. Yes, it's a mess. But it's faster. And stiffer.
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.
Greg and Susan long for a child. Abused and abandoned five-year-old Gene needs a new family, The match of family to child seems perfect, but the past refuses to let go. Find out what it takes to rebuild a broken family and to heal damaged trust.
It's here! It's here! Now available in ebook format at:
The story of a serious automobile accident 24 years ago and how I finally got back behind the wheel, after battling six months of crippling fear, to continue the photographic journeys you enjoy every weekday here on Snowcatcher.
Available in ebook format at:
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