Decorations up, poncho at 46 rows...

Making my own Marble yarn, mixing two strands of dk, 6mm hook to create my version of a Marble Chunky yarn for the next Poncho....loving it so far but now i don't know whether to make a blanket with it instead of a Poncho?

The cushion goes well in the Christmas kitchen, pattern from my book 2 Granny Squares and Shapes

Lots of reds, pinky/red, orangey/reds, soft reds, dark reds into two groups and mixing them up, few rows of this and few rows of that changing them mid row or at the end of a row...6mm hook. Working for me so far.

Blue version of my Poncho pattern with my Big Beastie blanket

SNOW RECORD, 
just incase i forget it arrived in a weekend just before Christmas 2017

Christmas decorations up wasn't much else we could do this weekend, stay in and stay warm

with this You Tube 'real fire' on the TV, very effective crackles as well 

my car, cleared off once this is the second falling

About 14" in total but the sun is out today and I'm not sure it will last much long.....pity

PATTERN CLUB 2017 
There are only 5 places left on the 2017 club and it will stay open until June 2018 if anyone is interested then join the Facebook group and leave a message Thanks
FACEBOOK CROCHET GROUP

NEW 2018 PATTERN CLUB WONT START UNTIL APRIL 2018 
all details to join will be added on my blog at a later date

PAST STAR PATTERNS IN ONE POST

above made in a strand of dk and a strand of mohair

all one colour but it can be made in a different colour for every round 

 granny version click link for pattern

LINK TO SNOWFLAKE PATTERN ABOVE

 sequin version

Hexagon and triangle granny star above 

Link to Sequin or purple Snowflake pattern here

Close Star and Snowflake
DK 4mm Hook

Aran or DK and Mohair 5mm 

Chunky 6mm 

BASIC STARS PATTERNS LINK HERE

US Terms in black, UK Terms in red brackets

Pattern

 Ch4 and sl st into a circle or a finger wrap of 4 wraps.

Round 1: ch2 counts as first dc [tr], 11dc [11tr] into circle (12 dc [12tr])

Round 2: cont. ch2 counts as first dc [tr], 1dc,  in first st, 2dc [2tr], in second st, ch2,  repeat to end sl st into  first st to complete (24dc [24tr])

Round 3: cont. sl st over sts to next ch2 sp, or att. yarn in any ch sp,  miss 2 sts, 2dc [2tr], 1tr [1dtr], 2dc [2tr] into sp between 2 pairs of sts, miss 2sts, 
sc [dc], into next ch sp,  repeat until 

6 points, sl st into first st, to complete. (6 points)

Round 4: Cont. sl st in the next 3 sts to reach the tr [dtr], at the point,

tr [dtr], ch1, tr [dtr], ch1, tr [dtr], ch3, tr [dtr], ch1, tr [dtr],  ch1, tr [dtr], into the sc [dc], at dip,  

miss 2sts, sc [dc], into next tr [dtr], at point, repeat for all points.

without the ch1 between tr [dtr] 

below with the ch1 between tr [dtr]

 a slightly more star like effect

add the picots and ch stitches to make a 
SNOWFLAKE OF THE CLOSE STAR

Mini Octagon turned Snowflake

One finger wrap of 4 wraps.

Round 1: 8sc [8dc], into circle, els t tot complete

Round 2: ch3 counts as first tr [dtr], 2tr [2dtr], into same st, ch2, 3tr [3dtr], into next st, ch2, repeat to end sl st to complete round. (8sides)

Round 3: sc [dc], into first sp, ch4, sc [dc], into same sp, ch4 sc [dc] into same sp, ch4, sc [dc], into same sp, ch1, repeat in every ch2 sp, sl st to complete.

 MINI SNOWFLAKES...
Basically any hex can be turned into a snowflake by adding picot stitches and ch st loops to the points or edges

 Double layered Stars and Snowflakes

STIFFENING SNOWFLAKES

Use a slightly watered down PVA glue, soak in the solution then spread out on cling film to dry thoroughly.

Add chain stitch hangers as required or join rows together as star or snowflake bunting. 

Experiment with different yarns, cotton yarns always make good snowflakes, I particularly like fine mohair mixed with any dk.

The Mohair and merino or alpaca mix would also make a great super soft snowflake wrap or throw, joining hexagon stars or snowflakes at the points.

BASIC STAR PATTERN

CHAIN STITCH STARS

LINK TO Simple ch st, loops and sc [dc] open work stars

SOME DECORATED  VARIATIONS ON THE BASIC STAR

Layered stars and bobby stitch additions

SIMPLE 2 ROUND STAR
Using a tap washer for the first round

Picture Tutorial

So many variations for a star patten and they can all be made into snowflakes by adding small chain stitch loops of picot stitches to the points

 granny shell Hexagons with Granny shell triangles for a place mat star below

  A solid sc [dc], Hexagon with added sc [dc], triangles makes a great star, i've made them in the past as christmas cards for special friends. 

Stiffen with PVA Glue and add a Merry Christmas tag and they have a Christmas decoration for years to come

 above on of my early stars

 the washer star

Basic simple star made in sock wool in the Sophie Digard Style