I've spoken out many times on this blog about the battle against depression, multiple sclerosis and cancer, particularly breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
I have avoided politics because politics and crochet or politics and photography or politics and just plain life in general do not play well together.
Volunteering in a political campaign this last couple of months for the first time in my life has thrust me so far outside my comfort zone, some mornings I'm not even sure I'm still me when I awake. I simply cannot wait until next week is over so I can crawl back beneath my crocheted rock and be my quiet, shy and invisible little self again. Hmmm... there's a bit of a creative inspiration in that statement. I may have to tackle that next month!!!
beneath a frozen rock
So please know that the only reason I'm treading the water here today is I believe as strongly about this year's presidential election as I have felt about any of the other battles I have fought, privately or with friends or even just by riding my bike or writing a pattern.
One of the arguments I keep getting from main candidate supporters is that my candidate entered the race so late. "Wait until 2020," they say. Too late to change anything. Can't be done in such a short amount of time.
I got to meet my candidate in person last Tuesday. During my train ride home from work the day before, with just 24 hours before the town hall, I got an idea for a snowflake. I thought it would be a cool gift, plus an awesome pattern today with some pretty cool modifications.
I furiously began crocheting, and I blocked and pinned the starch-soaked prototype and embellishments before I went to bed that night, then carefully unpinned it and assembled the pieces before I went to work. The glue on the snowflake was not dry when I had to leave, so I packed the plastic-wrapped snowflake inside the center of a quilting magazine, hoping it would survive the train trip to work the day of the town hall because I would have to leave work a few minutes early and go directly to the town hall to be there in time to get a (really good) seat.
At lunch, I removed the snowflake and strung it, then put it back in the quilting magazine for safe keeping during the drive to the town hall. My husband picked me up after work, and we proudly presented the undamaged and totally dry snowflake to my favorite presidential candidate at the town hall.
(For those who want to know, he thanked me, said I'm very creative and then thanked me for all the memes I've created for the campaign. I didn't know the vice presidential candidate was going to be there, too, or I would have made a snowflake for her, also, and I told her as much.)
The next day's commute and that night, I worked furiously on a Pink October version of the snowflake, even though the last day of October is today. The next two days of train commuting and part of the day on Saturday, I worked furiously on a Halloween version of the snowflake.
Everything was so last-minute!
Should I have waited until next September to make the second two snowflakes because it was the end of the month? Should I have waited four years to make a patriotic snowflake because the time is too short?
MORAL OF THE STORY: If I had waited, we wouldn't have today's patterns. Some people may not churn them out tonight because they don't have time. But some crocheters will answer the challenge and have them ready before the clock strikes midnight. Some people, including me, will continue making Pink October snowflakes because it doesn't matter how short the time is or what month it is when you know someone with breast cancer. You want to do all you can to try to bring joy into the life of that person while you have the time. You want to give them a reason to be strong, have hope and believe in the future.
My favorite presidential candidate jumped into the race after the conventions because he was horrified by our choices this year and because NO ONE ELSE WOULD. A whole committee tried to get someone with a bigger name. No one else had the guts. My favorite candidate knew lots of other people across the country felt the same way he did, so he decided to take the chance. If he hadn't, we'd have just the two choices and some other third-party candidates who don't quite fit my personal taste for various reasons. My favorite candidate wanted to give Americans a better choice and a reason to believe in the future.
I'm voting for a presidential candidate this year (instead of against a candidate) because there is one candidate I can feel proud of and whom I trust. Without this particular candidate, I was going to skip over the presidential portion of my ballot altogether because I couldn't, in good conscience, vote for either of the main two at all.
In my opinion, my favorite candidate is not late at all. He's right on time.
And now I'll step down off my soap box and present today's patterns. I've included the political version of the snowflake because many crocheters who've seen it asked for the pattern and requested I get it done "SOON!!!"
Happy Halloween! Hope your Pink October has been spectacular!
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: 4.75 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in two colors, 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
NOTE: For the pink versions of this snowflake, I used white or light pink for Color A and darker pink or gradient pink for Color B. For the Halloween versions of this snowflake, I used black or purple for Color A and lime green or orange/variegated orange for Color B. For the birthday/anniversary version of this snowflake, I used white for Color A and Turquoise for color B. For the campaign/patriotic version of this snowflake, I used white for Color A and navy blue for Color B.
Cypher Snowflake Instructions
With Color A, make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, * ch 3, 2 dc in ring; repeat from * 4 times; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round. Pull magic ring tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, * 3 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 3, 3 dc in same tip; repeat from * around 4 times; 3 dc in next ch 3 tip, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.
Round 3: 1 sc over post of dc directly below, ch 7, * 1 sc in next ch 3 tip, ch 7; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting sc.
Round 4: Sl st into next ch, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 12 dc in same ch 7 sp, 13 dc in each of next 5 ch 7 sp; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.
Round 5: With Color B, 1 sc in the 1st dc of any 13/dc group; 1 sc in each sc around for a total of 78 sc; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
Round 6: With Color A, 1 dc in one of the sc above 1st dc of any 13/dc group, 1 dc in same sc, * 1 dc in each of next 11 sc, 2 dc in each of next 2 sc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat for a total of 90 dc; sl st in starting dc.
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 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same dc as sl st, ch 3 (or 5 or 7 or 10, depending upon desired length of snowflake points), * 3 dc in next dc, ch 5, sk next 6 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 5, sk next 6 dc, 3 dc in next dc, ch 3 (or 5 or 7 or 10, to match first snowflake point); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc and last ch 3 (or 5 or 7 or 10) of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.
Cypher Snowflake Embellishment Instructions
Pink Ribbon
NOTE: A small piece of pink ribbon may be used instead of a crocheted ribbon.
With pink thread, ch 23.
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 7 ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, 1 sc in each of next 8 sc. Bind off. Weave in ends. Shape, block and stiffen using same method as snowflake. After snowflake and ribbon have dried, attach ribbon to center of flake and allow to dry thoroughly.
Boo
For B, with orange thread, ch 10.
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 8 ch; ch 8, turn.
Row 2:Sk first 4 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 8, sk next 3 sc, sl st in next sc (this is your joining sc on next Round), ch 1, turn.
Row 3. 2 sc in each of next 8 ch for a total of 16 sc, sk next joining sc, 2 sc in each of next 8 ch; sl st in base of B. Bind off. Weave in ends.
For O (make 2), with orange thread, ch 24; taking care not to twist ch, sl st in starting ch to form a ring.
Row 1: 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 6 ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 6 ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch; sl st in starting sc. Bind off. Weave in ends.
For exclamation point period, with orange thread, 6 sc in magic ring; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
For exclamation point, with orange thread, ch 12.
Row 1: 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, 1 hdc in each of next 3 ch, 1 sc in each of next 3 ch, sl st in next ch; bind off. Weave in ends.
Row 1: 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 6 ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 6 ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch; sl st in starting sc. Bind off. Weave in ends.
Shape, block and stiffen letters and exclamation point using same method as snowflake. (Period probably doesn't need to be stiffened.) After snowflake and Boo! have dried, attach Boo! to center of flake with glue and allow to dry thoroughly.
Pumpkin Smiley
To make the eyes, with orange thread, ch 7.
Row 1: Yo 2 times and draw up loop through 5th ch from hook, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook 2 times, [yo 2 times and draw up loop through next ch and yo draw through 2 loops on hook 2 times] 2 times (tr dec made); bind off. Weave in ends.
To make the pumpkin smile, with orange thread, ch 16.
Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, 1 hdc in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, sl st in each of next 2 ch; bind off. Weave in ends.
Shape, block and stiffen using same method as snowflake. After snowflake and smiley face have dried, attach face to center of flake with glue and allow to dry thoroughly.
50
To make the 5, with turquoise or gold thread, ch 29.
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of the next 4 ch, 3 sc in next ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch, 3 sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch, dec 1 across next 2 ch (pull up a loop in each of next 2 ch, yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook) 9 times; bind off. Weave in ends.
To make the 0, with turquoise or gold thread, ch 22. Taking care not to twist chain, sl st into 1st ch to form ring
Row 1: 1 sc in each of next 8 ch, 2 sc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch, 1 sc in each of next 8 ch, 2 sc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch, sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
Shape, block and stiffen using same method as snowflake. After snowflake and numbers have dried, attach numbers to center of flake with glue and allow to dry thoroughly.
Logo
NOTE: Some people have asked what the star and bar on the logo mean. My favorite candidate said they represent the Stars and Stripes of our flag.
For M, with navy blue thread, ch 29.
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 5 ch, 3 sc in next ch, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, draw up loop in each of next 4 ch, yo and draw through all 5 loops on hook (dec and bottom point of M made), 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, 3 sc in next ch, 1 sc in each of next 6 ch. Bind off. Weave in ends. Shape, block and stiffen using same method as snowflake.
For star, with red thread, make magic ring.
Row 1: * 1 sc in ring, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in starting sc. Bind off. Weave in ends. Shape, block and stiffen using same method as snowflake.
For stripe, with red thread, ch 7.
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 5 ch. Bind off. Weave in ends. Shape, block and stiffen using same method as snowflake. After snowflake and embellishments have dried, attach embellishments to center of flake with glue and allow to dry thoroughly.
Finish: 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 the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.