Renulek’s Wiosna Doily - II

Wiosna 2015 Tat-Along*

Designer : Renulek

(* click for the original ) 

The Reveal !!!

I’m not calling it the Grand Finalé : questions remain – is it grand / obscure ; is it really final / to be redone later ?!  Well, whatever it is it’s done for now. And I can certainly say it is unorthodox & experimental, perhaps even quirky.  Will I ever come back to rework the last round(s) – I’d like to, but doubt it. Rather make a different one .

The discussion is 'broken' into some categories that may be worth considering – some of the factors that went into my reasoning (!). Although categorized, the format is a kind of stream of consciousness, based on relevant comments, my feelings, & mental calisthenics that led to decisions (along with final thoughts on the same). I think the categories might act as designing tattisms for beginners, as well as when making all the choices for a new tatting project. Details of Rounds 1-9 in previous post here.

All comments can be read here, & here. I would strongly recommend a quick perusal – it is a treasure trove of experienced sharing. In order to avoid confusion, the name of the commentator has not been changed. I wish I could’ve added each person’s name for their valuable inputs.

Relevant rounds are indicated in image, for reference 

1.  Spacing 

Round 10 : To Do Or Not To Do

While I focused on the colour arrangement, I learned something important about designing from Anonymous (StephanieW). Spacing within & between rounds to balance lightness/laciness with heavier/denser pattern. That was the reason a simple round like this was required to space out 2 denser rounds !

Another angle to Spacing can be in the ‘distancing oneself’ sense, either temporally & physically (as suggested by Martha) . It generally brings perspective & restores motivation.

2.  Filling v/s Featuring 

Round 10 : Black & Beige Or All-Beige

This can be part of the Spacing aspect, but I think it deserves a Special mention, because it has functional implications for designing as well as for choosing colours. mb duke introduced this perspective (new to me) . Consider whether a round is a “filler” round or a “feature” round. In these times of colour tatting, the tatter can choose which rounds s/he wants to bring forth/highlight, & which can be kept in the background. The terms are self-explanatory. Filler round(s) serve mainly to highlight the Feature round(s), hence will be more in the background, with subdued/muted colours & patterns. Feature rounds can’t be clubbed close together, otherwise their identity & usp will get lost; hence fillers are essential. Both play a crucial role.

My Feature rounds in this doily, from the start, were the individual cream flowers in Rnd 5, the undulating Rnd 6, & Rnd 9. Unfortunately, Rnd 6 became muted when I chose maroon for Rnd 4 & therefore couldn’t repeat it so soon. It became a feature round unintentionally.

As for Round 10 : Went with the majority vote & chose to do it in 2 colours. Since the Feature Rnd 9 was a light shade of cream, a darker colour was required to highlight it. Black did that highlighter job , while the beige chains & rings on the outer edge served as a subdued filler for the last dark coloured round. Can the same round can act partly as a feature, partly as filler ?

3.  Echoing 

Round 11 as Round 4 : Match or Mix ?

Rounds 4 & 11 are identical in pattern. So if an earlier round has been done in a particular colour(s), should the latter also follow through ? Jane McLellan , Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane & my DH thought there Should be echoing .

I agree, but then I should’ve spaced it with the filler Rnd 10 (which most recommended); a mistake that could only be rectified by snipping what I had already tatted.

Also, I did want a black outline to bring it all together – I didn’t quite like to stop at that particular pattern, because after all, it was the same as an earlier round. So it didn’t seem like a Final round to me. My intention was to add a black chains-only outlining round, Echoing the Contours of the previous round .

I did neither ;-(

4.  “Muddying the Waters”

Round 11 : Maroon & Black

I delayed, I procrastinated, I over-thought, I overanalyzed, I stalled, I shelved, …. the waters had been thoroughly muddied :-(  Following GraceT’s advice, I started a maroon rings & black chains last round over the Round 10. But I still couldn’t decide ! At times it seemed okay, at others it seemed too dark & heavy. My brain went into freeze mode. Stoically, in order to complete what no longer excited me, I continued with the remaining half, differently from the previous half. Thus paying a price for my ambivalence & overthinking . Follow Fox’s advice to avoid “overthinking & muddying the waters”. It Will have a ripple effect !

5.  “Tablescaping” 

Round 11 : This Half Or That Half ?!

With my mind in a tizzy whether to continue or cut, each stitch seemed a burden (and meanwhile I had tasted the pleasures of tatting a doily in size 40 thread !) . Practicality took over . Madtatter80 used this lovely term ‘tablescape’ – what & where will the item be used on/for ? This can inform our decisions regarding choice of pattern, size, colour, shape, & so on.

I rationalized, that since this doily was going to be draped over my sewing machine, which is against a wall & window, only One side/half will be visible at any given time ! Problem solved ! I had already ‘broken the round’ in Rnds 6 & 7; I could do it again ! So that’s the story … Both halves stayed. Any changes in decision are relegated yet again to another day in the faraway future.

6.  Spanning

Round 10/11 : Closing The Gaps

Practical decisions can still leave some lacunae. One half of doily had Round 10 missing & I was in no mood to add the black chains-only final round to the maroon half as initially intended. That meant a gaping hole on both sides, where the twain shall met.

Closing the gap with rings & chains in keeping with the pattern, was the obvious choice. But I had just got into learning Cluny tatting. Tallies, especially hanging tallies/clunies could so easily span the gap !!! How very tempting, considering my huge preference for freeform, free style tatting !

An Olive Branch, it was that brought Peace to my tortured mind ! 3 leaves each on a twig.

These are still at the beginner stage, so the weave is not too tight & even. Plus I was working in a small confined space, with Lots of threads hanging about (I didn’t want to cut & hide, in case this didn’t work & something else needed to be done). My inexperience also meant a lot of undoing & redoing. But my excitement remained unabated.

I had picked out the linen cloth over which the doily will be draped (a deep blue type colour, over which I had taken a few previous pics), but couldn’t find it again for these pics. When I do find it I will take a couple more pics – that background does true justice to all the colours.

All in all a very eventful, exciting. & enlightening journey, though it stretched out a bit towards the end because of my ambivalence.

Crystal Ball Gazing 

After the Horse has Fled the Stables !

If I get into the zone to cut off & retat the last rounds of this doily, I would go with black & beige for Rnd 10 & all maroon for Rnd 11.

Hmm, or, all beige for Rnd 10 & maroon & black for Rnd 11.

Errr, black & beige for Rnd 10 & all maroon for Rnd 11 & a Rnd 12 black chained outline ….

Crrraaaaaashhhh ! Broke the rounds, now broke the globe/crystal ball !

Huge Thanks to Renulek for a Lovely Pattern & a thoroughly enlightening journey

I sincerely apologise if my experiments & version send shivers down your spine

Very Special thanks to All who contributed their valuable suggestions – 

 each one has been very helpful & insightful, & it's given me a great deal of perspective ! 

I hope you do leave a comment telling me what you truly feel about the final result - what you dislike/what you like .... 

I start my 3rd round of the 25 Motif Challenge. Check out this resourceful site full of wonderful tatting.
And now I can finally add the Wiosna to the 25 Motif count , 
and celebrate my 100th post :-D

Motif #1/III for 25 Motif Challenge

Related Posts : Wiosna Part 1 (Rnds 1-9)
Collecting Wisdom (Rnds 1-5)

Experimenting with Colours (Rnds 6-7)

and options (Rnds 8-9)

and decisions
at crossroads