Make a Crocheted Snowflake Ornament

• Pearl cotton
• Size 8 steel crochet hook
• Blunt-end yarn needle
• Waxed paper
• 7-inch piece of plastic foam
• Stiffy glue
• Rustproof straight pins

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 24 sc in ring; join with sl st to beg sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, work (1 dc in next sc) 3 times, (ch 12; work 1 dc in each of next 4 sc) 5 times; ch 12; join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 3: Work 1 sl st in each of next 3 dc and into first 6 ch of ch-12 lp; ch 3, in same lp work 2 dc, ch 3, and 3 dc; (ch 7, in next ch-12 lp work 3 dc, ch 3, and 3 dc) 5 times; ch 7; join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 4: Sl st in each of next 2 dc and into ch-3 lp; ch 3, 2 dc in same lp; *ch 5, sl st in 5th ch from hook, ch 7, sl st in 7th ch from hook, ch 5, sl st in 5th ch from hook, sl st in top of last dc made -- picot lp made; ch 1, in same ch-3 lp work 3 dc; ch 3, in next ch-7 lp work sc, ch 3, sc, ch 5, sc, ch 3, and sc; ch 3**, 3 dc in next ch-3 lp; rep from * around; end last rep at **; join with sl st to top of beg ch-3; fasten off.

1. For a flat snowflake, place waxed paper over the plastic foam; secure it with a few straight pins. Saturate the snowflake with glue; squeeze out the excess.
2. Lay the snowflake on the waxed-paper-covered foam.
3. Beginning at the center, pin the snowflake in a symmetrical shape as follows: Pull out the six points of the snowflake straight from the center, spacing them evenly. Shape loops and picots in a pleasing design. Avoid pushing the pins into the stitches. Remove the pins when the snowflake is dry.
4. For a ball snowflake, remove the cap from the ball ornament.
5. Follow the instructions for the flat snowflake, except do not allow it to dry completely.
6. Remove the pins after the snowflake has set for 10 to 15 minutes.
7. Carefully lift the snowflake from the waxed paper and place it over the top of the ornament.
8. Shape the snowflake to the ball.
9. To remove unwanted glue from the glass ball, turn the ball upside down, wipe it clean with a damp paper towel, and then dry it.
10. Turn the ball right side up and reposition the snowflake.
11. Clean up any small remaining areas of glue with a damp cotton swab.
12. If necessary, add a dab of glue to the six points of the snowflake to secure them to the ball.