Christmas Ornament Snowflake DIY Tutorial

The snowflake is often a traditional seasonal image or motif used around the Christmas period. It represents the traditional White Christmas. During this period it is quite popular to make paper or crochet snowflakes. Snowflakes form in a wide variety of intricate shapes, leading to the popular expression that "no two are alike". Although possible, it is very unlikely for any two randomly selected snowflakes to appear exactly alike due to the many changes in temperature and humidity the crystal experiences during its fall to earth. A non-aggregated snowflake often exhibits six-fold radial symmetry.
To make a crochet snowflake you will need a fine cotton yarn and the appropriate crochet hook. More thin and soft yarn you will choose more delicate your snowflake will be. Size of the snowflake will also vary depending on yarn thickness you will choose.
To make the process easier, I created the crochet chart and step by step instructions for you. Enjoy your Holidays!

Snowflake DIY Tutorial

Crochet chart for Snowflake Christmas ornament

I used two colors for this crochet chart to separate the rounds for easy understanding of pattern. Red color represents odd rounds (1st,3rd, 5th), black represents even rounds (2nd, 4th) There are only five rounds in this pattern.

Snowflake Step By Step Instructions:

 Round 1 (red color on the chart):   Ch7, ss in beginning of chain to form a circle

 Round 2 (black color on the chart): Ch1, * sc in the chain ring, ch10, sc in the chain ring * rep 6 times to form six petals.

All petals connect with sc by inserting the hook inside the ch7 ring:
Insert the hook inside the chain ring (see pic.), YO, draw the yarn ( there are two loops on the hook at this point ), YO and draw through the two loops to form sc. Repeat for all six ch10 petals. You will have 6 petal flower at the end of the second round.

 Round 3 (red color): Ss one in each of the 4 chains of the petal (to climb up the petal chain). Do it only once in the beginning of the round

Ss in ch10 ring of the petal, ch3 (counts as first tr), 3tr inside of ch10 ring, ch5, 4tr in the same space;;
* ch1, 4tr in next ch10 ring, ch5, 4tr in the same space * rep 5 times. Ss in the top of ch3 to finish the round.

 Round4(black color):   Ss in next 2 tr of the previous round, (ss in ch5 space, ch3 (counts as a first tr), 4tr, ch3, 3tr, ch8, 3tr, ch3, 5tr) in the same space. Work by inserting the hook in ch5 space from the previous round.

* Sc in next ch1 space, 5rt in next ch5 space, ch3, 3tr in the same space, ch8, 3tr in the same space, ch3, 5tr in the same space * rep 5 times around, sc in last ch1 rem space, ss in the top of ch3 to finish the round.

 Round 5 (red color):   Ss one in each of the 4 tr of previous round (ss in ch3 space, ch3, tr, ch3, ss) in the same space;; ss in next two tr * ss in ch8 space, ch3, tr in the same space, ch3, ss in the same space* rep 5 times in the same ch8 space;; ss in next two tr, (ss in ch3 space, ch3, tr, ch3, ss) in the same ch3 space. We have formed only first petal out of 6.

* ss in ten next sts, (ss in the next ch3 space, ch3, tr , ch3, ss) in the same ch3 space, 2ss, (* ss in the next ch8 space, ch3, tr in the same space, ch3, ss in the same space* rep 5 times in the same ch8 space ); ss in next two tr, (ss in next ch3 space, ch3, tr , ch3, ss) in same ch3 space* rep 5 times; 5ss. Fasten off, pull the thread through the last loop and secure the yarn. Your snowflake is completed!

Now you need to stiffen, make your snowflake hard. I use starch for this. It will not be too hard, but hard enough to keep the shape and use it as an ornament.

I used potato starch, you can use either corn or potato starch. Add 3 cups of cold water and approx. 1⁄3 (little less) cups of starch in oven proof container , mix carefully, starch has to dissolve completely.
This amount of mixture will be enough to harden approx. 7-10 snowflakes. If you plan to make just one snowflake use one cup of water to 1.5 tbsp of starch and use smaller, not too wide container.

Take a bigger pot, fill it with water 1⁄3 rd of water and bring to boil, then turn the heat to medium. Put a paper towel on the bottom of the pot and place the container with starch inside. Heat for 10-15 minutes, while stirring all the time. The mixture has to become thick and transparent. If you see the mixture getting too thick add some hot water.

When starch is ready dip snowflake(s) into stiffening solution, mix carefully to cover whole snowflake(s) with starch. Leave them to soak for 10-15 minutes, then take them out with spoon and place on a plate, if they are hot wait for a few minutes, then squeeze carefully each snowflake to remove the excess of liquid.

Use big towel, gently pulling each ‘arm’ of the snowflake out into the right position, place your snowflake on the towel and carefully press with a hot iron through dry cotton cloth ( do not

press directly on the snowflake! ). Do it only for 30sec - to 1min, to fix the starch, do not dry it completely with your iron. After fixing all your snowflakes, leave them to dry overnight. If you use pins to keep your snowflake in position, start from the center and pin each ‘arm’ gently pulling to the side, leave to dry overnight. Press them again, when they are completely dry.

I like to use starch for stiffening my snowflakes, but there are few more stiffening solutions for this: white glue (1:1 with water) and gelatin powder (1:5 with water). Do not use iron with those stiffeners! Just let them dry overnight.

Add white thread to your snowflakes or use a pin to pin them directly on the wall.

Enjoy your project!


Visit my Etsy shop:   Accessodium