DIY Projects & Crafts Knitting Crocheted Snowflakes 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. By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 12, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email If you're a beginner, learn how to crochet before you start. While crocheting a scarf or vest might take a month, but you can complete a single 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. How to Stiffen Crocheted Snowflakes Starch and block your snowflakes before hanging so that they hold their shape. Then give the house a cheery dusting with your delicate creations. Thin yarn and small hooks create airy, delicate snowflakes. 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. This pattern uses the single-crochet stitch in four rounds and calls for counting stitches. 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. Key sc = single crochetsl st = slip stitchch = chainrnd = round Slip Stitch 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. What You'll Need Materials Snowflake template Size 10 crochet cotton Crochet hook Detail scissors Glue Cardboard Clear packing tape Fabric stiffener Bowl Tweezers Paper towels Pins Blocking board Instructions Simple Crocheted Snowflake Pattern Dainty Crocheted Snowflake Elegant Crocheted Snowflake Classic Crocheted Snowflake To stiffen crocheted snowflakes: 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.