These directions yield a snowflake that is 6 inches in diameter, with three arms attached to each spoke. To create larger or smaller snowflakes, simply adjust the proportions of the pipe-cleaner pieces accordingly. You can also use more or fewer arms on each spoke.

What You'll Need

Wire cutter or pair of old scissors
Three 6-inch pieces of pipe cleaner, plus six 2 1/2-inch pieces, six 2-inch pieces, and six 1 1/2-inch pieces
Needlenose pliers

Pipe-Cleaner Snowflake Ornament How-To

1. Using a wire cutter or old scissors, cut three 6-inch pieces of pipe cleaner. Then cut six 2 1/2-inch pieces, six 2-inch pieces, and six 1 1/2-inch pieces. 

2. Twist 6-inch pieces together at their midpoints to make a six-spoked asterisk. Tighten twist by clamping down with needlenose pliers. 

3. Center one 2 1/2-inch piece at the midpoint of a spoke, and twist onto spoke. Tighten twist with needlenose pliers. Repeat on remaining 5 spokes. 

4. About 1/2 inch from an arm attached in step 3 (toward spoke's tip), center one 2-inch piece, and twist onto spoke. Tighten twist with needlenose pliers. Repeat on remaining 5 spokes. 

5. About 1/2 inch from an arm attached in step 4 (toward spoke's tip), center one 1 1/2-inch piece, and twist onto spoke. Tighten twist with needlenose pliers. Repeat on remaining 5 spokes. Trim arms if needed.

6. To hang, glue a loop of cord to the back of a spoke.

Interior-Star Variation

Cut three 6-inch pieces of pipe cleaner, then cut six 3-inch pieces. Twist 6-inch pieces together. Center one 3-inch piece at the midpoint of a spoke, and twist onto spoke. Tighten twist with needlenose pliers. Repeat on remaining 5 spokes. Twist the adjacent ends of 3-inch arms together, and tighten with pliers.