About this design
Dendrites are the classic branching snow crystals, and this design is the most true to life in the collection. Each arm sends out three pairs of branches at a wide angle; the two longer pairs grow their own small twigs pointing outward, just as real crystals branch again and again as they grow. A small hexagon sits at the center.
The branching gives the design a beautifully irregular rhythm, and the open spaces between the branches make it feel light and airy even at larger sizes.
Project ideas
- Science-themed winter crafts. Pair it with facts about snow crystals for a classroom display.
- Large window decorations. Cut it at 10 to 12 inches from white cardstock or static-cling vinyl.
- Frosted glass blocks. Apply it in etched-glass vinyl to a glass block lamp.
- Hand-made cards. Emboss or cut it from vellum for a soft, frosted card front.
- Laser-cut wood ornaments. The twigs look striking engraved on dark walnut.
Color ideas
The default blue and pale blue works for a wintry look. Because the design is so natural, softer palettes suit it too:
- White and pale silver for a realistic, frosty snowflake
- Ice blue and white for a children’s room
- Navy and gold for an elegant holiday card
- Single-layer white glitter for window displays
Size and cutting tips
This design has small enclosed spaces where the twigs meet the branches, so it needs about 3.5 inches to cut and weed cleanly. At 5 inches and up the gaps between the twigs are wide enough to weed easily on cardstock.
Six small cut-outs sit where the branches cross near the center. In vinyl, weed them first with a fine hook before removing the rest of the waste, so the fragile center is not disturbed later.
Step by step: a classroom snow science display
- Download the solid SVG and size it to 10 inches.
- Cut it from white cardstock or white static-cling vinyl.
- Mount it on a dark blue background board.
- Add labels pointing to the arms and branches, explaining how the crystal grows six arms and branches as it falls through moist air.
- Pair it with a plate-style snowflake from this collection to show the difference between dendrite and plate crystals.
Pairs well with
Combine it with the Fern Branch Snowflake and Feathered Snowflake for a set of detailed crystals, or with the Snowflake Ring Wreath for a frosty frame.
