Motif Monday

I still haven't made much progress on my Harvest Flower Flake shawl started back in 2019, but it was fun to pull out my hand-dyed thread once again and work up a new project with the same pattern. Actually, I haven't made much progress on any of my motif projects in the last two years, so it was extremely rewarding to work up a new motif project I could finish in two sittings. And then a second similar project in one sitting.

I cut my hair on January 1. Remember my New Me Snowflake? It derived from an older mandala pattern, but the name inspiration came from my new 'do.

I'd pulled my hair back every day for more than two years. It was brittle, with lots of breakage, and just unhealthy. So I asked Lizard if I could cut it. He said it's my hair, do what I want. I went into he bathroom with a pair of scissors and whacked away! Lizard didn't notice for two days! And then, he was horrified. I reminded him he'd told me I could cut my hair. "But I like long hair!" he said. So, I'm trying to grow it out again. Healthy. Looking so much better.

My hair had been so long for so long, I'd forgotten why I don't really like bangs. When they start to grow out, I can't keep them out of my eyes until I can tuck them behind my ears. MONTHS LATER!!! My hair feathered all over so beautifully for a few weeks, but soon the bangs were uncontrollably in my eyes. Constantly. I began wearing headbands to control the mess. And those plain stretchy bands get really boring really fast. Plus, the color selection really stinks. So I decided to see if I could make a fancy, unique hairband I could really enjoy.

My first new motif project was in greens so I can wear it with my green batik leftovers dress. I got SO many complements yesterday when I wore it to church. I couldn't believe anyone really noticed I had crochet in my hair!!!

My second project was patriotic. Because today is Independence Day. And because the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup!

You may do whatever you'd like with flower flakes and/or headbands you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Motif Size: 3 inches from point to point when made with size 10 crochet thread
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in multiple flower colors, size 7 crochet hook, stretchy pony tail band

Harvest Flower Flake Join-As-You-Go Headband Instructions

First Motif

With flower center color, make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends; pull magic ring tight.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 2: With flower petal color, [1 dc in any (or next on repeats) dc, ch 10, sk next dc] 5 times, ch 8, 1 dc in in starting dc to form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), [in next ch 10 sp work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 6 dc, ch 3, 6 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc] 4 times, [in next ch 10 sp work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 6 dc, ch 1, 1 sc around pony tail band, ch 1, 6 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc] 2 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting ch; bind off. Weave in ends.

Second through Fifth Motifs

With flower center color, make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends; pull magic ring tight.

Round 2: With flower petal color, [1 dc in any (or next on repeats) dc, ch 10, sk next dc] 5 times, ch 8, 1 dc in in starting dc to form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 3: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), [in next ch 10 sp work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 6 dc, ch 3, 6 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc] 4 times, [in next ch 10 sp work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 6 dc, ch 1, 1 sc in corresponding tip of previous motif, ch 1, 6 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc] 2 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting ch; bind off. Weave in ends.

Sixth Motif

With flower center color, make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends; pull magic ring tight.

Round 2: With flower petal color, [1 dc in any (or next on repeats) dc, ch 10, sk next dc] 5 times, ch 8, 1 dc in in starting dc to form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 3: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), [in next ch 10 sp work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 6 dc, ch 3, 6 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc] 1 time, [in next ch 10 sp work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 6 dc, ch 1, 1 sc in corresponding tip of previous motif, ch 1, 6 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc] 2 times, [in next ch 10 sp work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 6 dc, ch 3, 6 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc] 1 time, [in next ch 10 sp work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 6 dc, ch 1, 1 sc around pony tail band, ch 1, 6 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc] 2 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting ch; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: I dabbed a tiny drop of multipurpose glue (NOT the kind that washes out) on the back of each motif center and rubbed in, leaving no rough edges and allowing to dry thoroughly, to protect the magic ring during hairband stretches. I also dabbed a tiny bit of the same glue onto the back of each petal in the hopes the motifs would hold their shape a bit better after multiple stretchings.