99 Snowflakes Volume 2 – Book Review
I have received a sample copy of this book for review from Leisure Arts. I am not financially compensated for my blog post and am under no obligation to give a favorable review. Any conclusions and statements about the book are my own. If you do choose to purchase the book, I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you), and you are helping support Goddess Crochet, allowing me to create more free crochet patterns for you. It’s a win-win!
99 Snowflakes Volume 2
“99 Snowflakes, Volume 2” has been giving me some fun projects to work on and decorate the house with these past few weeks. At first I was intent on starting from the beginning and doing every single one, but now I’m just jumping around a bit. There are some really beautiful and unique patterns in here. All the snowflakes are designed by Terese Poehnelt and the book is published by Leisure Arts. There’s (obviously) 99 different snowflakes to make, each one unique and different. Skill level ranges from easy to intermediate, but Leisure Arts provides video tutorials for some of the tougher stuff, so even if you think it’s out of your “range”, give it a whirl. You never know untill you try. One of the most fun part of making the snowflakes in this book was learning some new techniques. Terese is so clever with placement of slip stitches in chains! I have enjoyed making each one so far.
For anyone who has apprehensions about crocheting with thread, I understand. It is quite delicate and small. Certainly you can crochet any of these patterns in a worsted weight yarn and G hook to get yourself familiar with the crochet pattern, first. If you are already crocheting with any hooks lower than a G(4mm), you’re not far off from the hook size you’ll be using for this book. Perhaps you want to grab your prescription or reading glasses, no shame in that! The hardest part would be the first few stitches, because you don’t have anything to hold onto yet. Once you get your chains joined into a ring and a couple stitches in there, you’ll be golden.
Hook choice is important when crocheting with thread. The book calls for a size 1.8 mm hook (I had a 1.75 mm and that seemed to work fine). You really need something that will fit comfortably in your hand. I prefer something with a rubberized handle.
You’ll need some size 10 crochet thread, plain white cotton works perfectly. If/when you see the thread with the pretty pearl or metallic thread running through it and think “ooh, this will make the perfect snowflake” (as I did), just know that these are two threads twisted together and, in return for the pretty-ness, your work tends to get twisted. There is a remedy, but it takes time and a little room. First, put on some good music or a tv show. Second, pull out an arms length of thread. Rub your thumb and fingers down the thread and see how it twirls like a yoyo gone bad. Do that a few times until it is not as twisted. Pull out another arms length of thread, untwist from top to bottom again. Keep going until you have a good length of untwisted thread to work with. Don’t cut it, just start crocheting.
Starching is a must for these delicate pretties! In the back of the book there are two blocking templates, a 12 point and a 6 point (each pattern will tell you which one to use). You can use wax paper and trace, but I photocopied these templates so I wouldn’t have to do any tracing. To block, you’ll need a blocking mat (those foam floor mats that fit together like a puzzle work like a charm), some pins (I used 1-3/4″ T-pins), wax paper, spray starch, and your blocking template. Place your template down over the mat, and then the wax paper over that. Then pin your snowflake in the center, matching it up to the center of your template. Next just look at the picture of the snowflake in the book and do your best to shape your snowflake as shown. Some of the snowflakes are detailed and need a lot of pins, so if you are purchasing pins for your project make sure you get at least a 48 pack. After your snowflake is pinned properly you can spray starch it. After getting it good and soaked, let the excess drip off and dab around the snowflake with some paper towel. Let it dry (a good hour at least, and then carefully remove the pins. Your snowflake should be stiff but not completely rigid, just “shaped”. If you want them extremely stiff, you can put some floor polish into a small spray bottle and spray block them with that (it’s a little smelly though). When you are ready, add the snowflake to your Christmas tree, one by one or in a garland, sprinkle them on the walls around the house, turn them into jewelry, and give them as gifts!
Whether you are looking to make holiday decorations for the house, or a quick gift for family and friends, “99 Snowflakes Vol. 2” has many cleverly designed snowflakes, sure to delight!
99 Snowflakes Volume 2
