Snow will arrive soon and our secret or not-so-secret hiding places are slowly filling with Christmas gifts. Have you thought of your yearly cards yet?

The art of crocheting has been around since approximately the 15-16th century although the specific origins of the art are unknown. Some will say it started in the Arab countries and through the trading route was improved upon by various other European nations. It is a skill using a crochet hook and looping thread or wool, with only one loop open.

A card to friends and family sends our thoughts and well wishes to each other for a joyous occasion and safe holidays. How about sending a gift such as a simple, sculptured, snowflake attached to your card?

A sculptured snowflake can be used for the following ;

– tree ornament
– a mobile
– ceiling decorations

As we know, in reality, no two snowflakes is identical and one of winter’s most beautiful sights to watch outside our windows. Sculptured snowflakes refers to the crocheting of the actual snowflake then applying a stiffener to harden the snowflake for hanging decoratively around the home.

Upon completion of a snowflake, or a few! they will look delicate and swing freely adding a sense of magic to the home for you, your family and friends. Required items are as follows;

– 3-4 - ply crochet thread, white
– 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 size crochet hook

Storage of stiffened snowflakes must be flat. Working with #20 thread and size 9 crochet hook will provide a more delicate snowflake. It’s recommended that one start out with the most comfortable size and threads and gradually work to a smaller crochet hook and finer cotton threads, to gradually adjust to using a smaller thread.

The stiffening solution used is simply glue and water mixture of 75-25. It’s the most inexpensive, permanent and recommended or alternatively with a fabric stiffener. The snowflake must be completely saturated, then gently squeeze off the excess and blot with a paper towel. Draw a 6, 8 or 12 point figure on your intended drying surface (a corrugated box will do) to center the snowflake. Use rust proof pins to gently stretch and shape your snowflake along the point figure and along each picot. Sloppy pinning and stretching will ruin crochet stitches. Also, a snowflake may take up to 100 pins.

Add embellishments to the snowflake can be done with glitter or metallic threads. These snowflakes will prove to be true forget-me-not gifts and could also be sold at craft and thrift fairs, stores or your own internet store for a secondary income. They can be strung onto craft rings, sewn onto pillows, clothing or put together for a 3-D effect. If you or someone you know gets bored, introduce this craft and set their minds afire. Read related –> here and there.

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Article(C)2009 Dame Scribe, all rights reserved. Dame Scribe creates articles and posts online. She creates articles on business skills & development, health, science, technology and society and has a strong passion for writing.