Simple Snowflake

These very simple snowflakes look absolutely stunning decorating projects or simply as a hanging decoration in their own right. They are quick and extremely simple to make, not to mention extremely addictive!!

These snowflakes work with all types of yarn and hook size. Why not play around with thicker yarn and a chunkier hook, or a finer thread and a smaller hook? It's up to you. Depending on how big or small you would like your snowflakes to be.
I used a size 4 hook along with some "Rico Creative Cotton." I also had a play around with many different shades and didn't stick exclusively to traditional Christmassy colours. See...the choices and possibilities are endless!!!
Just so nobody gets confuzzled, I've written this tutorial in U.S crochet terms. 
Sooooo...........let's get creating!!!

 To begin make a slip knot onto your hook.

 Chain 4.

Join into 1st chain with a slip stitch to form a circle.

Ch 4 (this counts as as hdc, ch 2). Now working out of the centre circle. Hdc, Ch2 (5 times)

Join to the 2nd Chain of your initial Ch 4 to form a wheel with 6 spokes (as shown below).

You are now going to be working out of the 6 spaces of your "wheel".
To begin sl st into the first space to the left of your hook.

Ch 3, sl st into same space.
Ch 5, sl st into the same space.
Ch 3, sl st into the same space.
You should have finished the first of your snowflake clusters and hopefully it looks something like the picture below.

Pretty simple eh? 

You now want to fill the remaining 5 spaces with snowflake clusters. So go ahead and follow the instructions below:

*ch 1 (this carries you to the next space), sl st into the next space. 

Ch 3, sl st, ch 5, sl st, ch 3, sl st*

Repeat between * and * 4 more times. 

ch 1 and sl st into the very first sl st of this round.

You can now go ahead and fasten off. How easy was that!?!

Alternatively you can add a little ball ball or bell to the centre of one of your snowflake clusters. To add a beel or ball ball to a snowflake cluster:
ch 3, sl st,
ch 3 and pull to make a lose stitch.

Remove your hook from your work and add the bell or ball ball of your choice.

Place your hook back into your work.
ch 2

sl st.
ch 3, sl st.
Continue your snowflake as normal.
Go ahead and sew in ends.

Hopefully your snowflake looks something like this?:

Now to finish these gorgeous little snowflakes! I recommend blocking them to get the best possible shape and appearance. 

To do this I made my snowflakes wet and squeezed out any excess water.

I then blocked the snowflakes to a piece of polystyrene (a piece of cardboard box will also do the trick!), Stretching them out into the desired shape.

I then gave them a light coat of crafting glue.
I like to do this so that the snowflakes dry hard and keep shape. The crafting glue works great as it not only hardens the yarn, but also dries invisible.

 Leave your snowflakes to dry! I left mine overnight to insure that they were totally hard.

Finally add some thread or fishing line through the middle of the top snowflake cluster and hang them everywhere!!!!
I havent yet bought my Christmas tree so I decided to hang them from a branch that I placed in a vase!

There we have it! Simple Snowflakes and just in time for Christmas!!! I hope you have fun making them! :-)

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