One of nature's best decorating ideas is the snowflake: It adds sparkle to upturned eyelashes, embellishment to bare tree branches. With crocheted versions of this seasonal icon, you can bring its frosty filigree indoors.

Crocheting a scarf or vest might take a month, but you can complete a simple flake in about an hour. Adorn your Christmas tree with these lacy beauties as the Victorians did, or use them in one of our projects, such as the snowflake garland or the frosty stockings. Add one to a gift bow, take a half dozen to a tree-trimming party, tie one to your sweater's zipper pull, or suspend a bunch from the ceiling to imitate a blizzard.

This pattern uses the single-crochet stitch in four rounds and calls for counting stitches. Starch and block your snowflakes before hanging so that they hold their shape. Then give the house a cheery dusting with your delicate creations. And if you're a beginner, review the basics of How to Crochet before you start.

Tools and Materials
Thin yarn and small hooks create airy, delicate snowflakes. Size 10 crochet cotton and U.S. sizes 5 to 8 hooks are good for novices. Experienced needleworkers may use threads to size 20 or 30 and hooks to U.S. size 13 or 14. Try making a few fuzzy flakes with mohair or angora; it's more difficult, but the result is dazzling. As you crochet, the emerging design may look floppy or askew, but starching and blocking will turn the piece into a symmetrical marvel.

Counting Stitches
As you follow the directions, the loop on the hook does not count as a stitch. The stitch just below it should be the first in your reckoning.

Starching and Blocking
Enlarge the snowflake template to 150 percent. Cut it out, then glue to a 6-inch square of cardboard. Cover cardboard with clear packing tape; set aside. Pour fabric stiffener (available at crafts stores) into a bowl. Soak snowflake in stiffener, 1 minute. Remove with tweezers; pat dry with paper towels. Pin tautly to blocking board, using lines as a guide. Let dry overnight; wiggle pins to remove.

Key
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
rnd = round

Slip Stitch (sl st)
The sl st is used to join a stitch that was just worked with another one. Insert the hook into a stitch that you want to join with another; catch the yarn, and draw it through all the loops on the hook.