With only 3 pattern rounds, these crochet snowflakes work up quickly enough to make several sets and give them away as inexpensive (yet priceless!) holiday gifts. They're also extremely addictive and a fun project for beginner and expert alike. I heartily recommend making different colors -- white is classic, but it looks extra snazzy next to contrasting snowflakes in a deep blue.

You will need:

Crochet thread (white, blue, gray, or whatever floats your boat)
Crochet hook
Iron & ironing board
Pins (for blocking)
Spray starch (optional)

Gauge isn't crucial for this project; use the hook that feels right for the crochet thread you have on hand. I used a 2.55 mm hook for my white snowflakes (in size 10 thread), and a 1.5 mm hook for smaller dark blue snowflakes (in size 20 thread, I think).

Abbreviations:

single crochet = SC = insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook
double crochet = DC = yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through two remaining loops on hook
slip stitch = slip st = insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook
ch = chain
st = stitch

Step 1: Foundation Chain

Make a slip knot on your crochet hook.

Chain 6, and join with slip stitch in the first ch to make a ring.

Step 2: First Row

Ch 3 (this counts as the first DC). DC once around the foundation ring.

*Ch 6, 2 DC.*

Repeat from * to * four more times.

Ch 6. Join with a slip st (into the third ch of the initial ch-3) to complete the round.

Step 3: Second Row

Ch 3 and slip st into the top of the adjacent DC. (This makes a tiny picot.)

*3 SC, ch 2, 3 SC into the loop made by ch-6. Slip st into the top of the first DC, ch 2, and slip st into the second DC.*

Repeat from * to * four more times.

3 SC, ch 2, 3 SC. Join beginning of round with a slip stitch.

(Note: Each ch-2 section on this row makes a tiny gap that you will work into on the next row.)

Step 4: Final Row

** Ch 4 and slip st into the next gap made by a ch-2 on the previous row.

Ch 4, and rejoin into the same ch-2 gap with a slip st. Ch 9, rejoin into gap with slip st. Ch 4, rejoin into gap with slip st. (This makes one snowflake point.)

Ch 4, skip the next 3 sts and slip st into the ch-2 gap. **

Repeat from ** to ** five more times.

Join beginning of round with a slip stitch into initial ch 1.

Step 5: Iron and Finish

Cut the thread, leaving a long tail so that it can be used to hang the snowflake. Weave in the loose thread from the beginning.

Pin the snowflake on an ironing board, stretching it into the desired shape.

Spray it heavily with water. Alternatively, soak it in water before pinning it out.

Iron the snowflake flat, until dry. These snowflakes are small and sturdy enough to hold their shape without excessive starching; all you really need for finishing is an iron. At this point, it should be flat and stiff enough to keep its shape all on its own. Hang it right on the Christmas tree, or in a window!

If you'd like it to play it safe, though, you can optionally spray the flake with spray starch and re-iron it flat to give it a little extra stiffness.

Let it snow!