Retro Crochet Snowflake Ornament Pattern

As a kid, my Nana always had these hand crocheted lace snowflakes on her tree. Her mother-in-law (my great-grandmother) had made them. They were delicately made and starched until they were firm. There was definitely something about them that said ‘old lady’ but in a traditional, comforting sort of way. Both my little yarn tree and my formal living room tree are very full now with homemade ornaments (check out all the Christmas ornament patterns here), but I still wanted to make something new this year. I decided to make a few of these retro inspired crocheted snowflake ornaments and am sharing my Crochet Snowflake Ornament Pattern.

Knitting is generally my preferred method of working with yarn and I feel much more confident in writing knitting patterns. With knitting I always bring math into my patterns and work off a gauge. On the other hand, when I crochet I always seems to be winging it, which is freeing and fun, but I have a harder time writing up my notes down in a coherent way to share with others. For all of you expert crocheters… please let me know if you have any suggestions for our readers on this pattern.

Crochet Snowflake Ornament Pattern Materials:

• I used sock weight yarn for these snowflakes and a size E/4 3.5MM crochet hook. You can make smaller versions using lace weight yarn and a smaller hook.
• Laundry Starch
• Iron and Ironing Board

Crochet Snowflake Ornament Pattern Directions:

Use colored yarn.

Chain 4, [DC into first chain stitch, CH1 ] repeat 10 more times. Slip stitch to complete circle. You should have 12 sections in the first ring.

Chain 5, [DC on the loop created by the previous CH1, CH2] repeat 10 more times. Slip stitch to complete circle. You should have 12 sections in the second ring. End yarn.

Switch to white yarn.

Chain 8 onto an open space, DC onto same space, [3 DC in next space, 1Dc ch5 1DC in next space] repeat 4 more times. Slip stitch to complete circle. You should have 6 loop sections in the third ring.

Chain 3, 3DC, CH2, 4 DC onto loop, then 2 sc evenly spaced to move along edge to next big loop,  [4DC, CH2, 4 DC, 2 sc even spaced to move along edge to next big loop] repeat 4 more times. Slip stitch to complete circle and end yarn.

Weave in ends of yarn.

Finishing Crochet Snowflake Ornaments:

Iron snowflakes flat. Use a laundry spray starch to firm up your snowflakes and help them hold their shape.

If you do not have laundry spray starch in your house (does anyone actually iron and starch shirt collars anymore?) you can make your own.

Add 1 TBSP cornstarch to 2 cups watch. Blend well and put it in a spray bottle.

Spray both sides of the snowflake lightly and iron flat. Be careful not to burn or melt your yarn. Let the snowflake dry completely and starch and iron it again. Repeat as many times as you need to insure your snowflake does not droop when it is hung on the tree.

Add a hook, fishing line, or thread for a hanger on one of the tips.