Monday 26 September 2016

TWoT-1

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So, here we go ! The TWoT series begins !

This Way or Tat?

Read the Preface here.

The Introduction consists of : bullet points to give an overview ; snowflake patterns (2 versions) as a practice or baseline piece ; and a worksheet or table to jot down your observations.


These Dotted Snowflakes have been designed specifically for this series to establish a sort of personal baseline. You can choose to tat any version or continue to tat whatever you have on your shuttles. Just be mindful of the way in which tatting is progressing at each step.

The table will give you an idea of what to look out for. This is a prototype table. You can use, alter, adapt it as you wish. 
I think the table itself , or a modification thereof, can be used by tatters & designers to keep track of any new project. I know I’ll be using it for my future designing !!!

These and future patterns for this series will be fairly small, simple, quick to tat.
Any resemblance to known patterns is purely coincidental and unintentional. I have not referred to any pattern, any stitch count, but one can never be sure of the subliminal influences and inspirations that seep in. 

Both are tatted in Anchor size 40 thread and measure 2½”

This 2-round pattern can be tatted in one pass.

In Round 1, the starting ring has a ¼” picot to which the 5 rings will be joined.

How to Estimate the Length of a Central Picot ?

Thread size, tatting tension, etc. make it difficult to standardize the length, despite a designer's best efforts. 
A thumb rule has emerged (but needs more confirmation). 
TIP :    length of central picot = 1DS span/width for each future ring.
Make the picot loop and fold back along the first part of ring. Going along, if 5 more rings need to be attached, the folded loop should span at least 6 DS ie. it should be 6DS wide. 
Similarly, if there are to be 8 rings around a central picot, the picot loop (doubled) should span at least 8-9 DS.
If you are tatting these snowflakes or any similar medallion, what has been your experience ? I would love for you to experiment and confirm or reject. Please do share.



In Round 2, I have deliberately used both dots & Josephine rings in this pattern. Interestingly, they have the same total half-stitch count, yet the JR is larger than the dot, as I had discovered here ! Dots are very small rings with normal double stitches. Now you know why the snowflakes got their name! Perhaps 'Dotty' would've been more appropriate ;-)

Both versions stacked together :
Love the way the 2 snowflakes stack up! Idea for a new version, using both ?!!

Download the complete pdf of Introduction to ‘This Way or Tat?’ here.

Set 1 (Rings Only) will be uploaded in a week's time. 

Feel free to ask any questions. Your feedback, criticism & inputs can benefit us all. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and observations. 

happy tatting :-)

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12 comments:

  1. I have just printed out my assignment and I'm eager to get started! I like your description of selecting picot length, something I'll definitely try. Time to turn off the t.v. so that I can concentrate!

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    1. Yay, looking forward to all your feedback & pics, Diane :-) Thanks for joining in

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  2. 'Observation table' is very good idea! The snowflakes are beautiful :)

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    1. Thanks, Anetta :-) I really think that table can be useful whenever we start a new project, especially something complex or when we design something

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  3. Thank you, muskaan. I've printed everything out so that I'm ready to start.

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    1. Yay! Another working to look out for :-)))

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  4. They are wonderful snowflakes!!! :)
    And I think the design they make together is gorgeous!!! :)

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    1. Yes, that is a design idea I'd like to work on, Sue :-)

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  5. Wonderful exercise - thank you! Forced me to look at which shuttle ends where when climbing 'out' with split rings - analysis I had never done before and that I think contributed to some of those 'how did this happen?' moments.
    Mama Martin

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    1. You've really cheered me up, Mama Martin :-) Thanks for working through the exercise and glad it aroused your curiosity !
      The next part (Set I) will be posted in a couple of days. Hope you join in again.

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  6. Muskan I like this snow flake most. It looks simple but cute.

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