a mixed bowl

First things first…

I was going to post some of these along with the answers to my Set I questions. But This Way or Tat? (see all related posts at end for all links) has been lapped up by Georgia Seitz for her Online Tatting Class on Oct 10^th (wait for the official announcement, though, just in case!) :-P  Thanks Georgia! Makes no sense in giving out answers at this stage. Plus, it struck me, why should I give answers ? It is the interested reader who should be sending in the answers if they wish, right ?! However, I will share some of the links later next week.

Also check out Eliz’s latest post comparing direction when tatting with left v/s right hand. Great pics and explanation.

And now, ladling out …..

a mixed bowl of  tattiness :-P

Eliz Davis’ Ring Only Wreath – beads in the soup !

Decided to make the wreath  more Christmasy with beads for bling and ‘red cherries’ for a crunchy topping. Strung all these beads (and more) while thread was still on the ball, and then realized it was a short leftover thread :-( Restarted. 

Wound the beaded part on to shuttle but left thread attached to ball (the dark green on left side). It was a good decision coz I ran out of thread midways and could continue from the ball end, by stringing in more beads.

With beads adding some nice weight, it looked like a potential paazeb (broad anklets here) . (this video is of a Hindi movie song. It is a very decent song - don't get all excited by the first glimpse! I added this link because the song is all about the paazeb as a metaphor and as a bond between the 2 lovers. They are the Romeo-Juliet couple of Indian folklore). Of course, it would need a few ghungroos too!

Instead, wary of bead-stringing, I took the easier route – sewed in the two laurel leaves from previous post (mirror images).

Can be used as a necklace/choker with some stiffening & the right materials, and a chain added. Or as a frame around an oval daguerreotype.

My Butterfly Liberated - can't escape now, booked for a serving !

Wherefore did this daguerreotype emerge ?  The House of the Seven Gables – that’s where.

I’d read this long back, but picked it up again by mistake, and decided to read again. I love these leatherbound editions (although there are always some typos) with their attached satin ribbon bookmarks. However, the ribbon is short & tends to fray. It s also difficult to actually find the page coz there's no long ribbon end to hold on to. Here’s my instant solution (and expect many more such for all my other books in this publication)

My butterfly prototype with ribbon inserted & glued. Added just the right weight & stability, too.

TIP : My idea is also to try to string a few more butterflies & flowers along the entire length…..must rummage through my stash of old motifs !

Rachael Mohler’s Hen n Chick Square Motif – a mini coaster to set the bowl !

Intending it for a mini coaster, I used thick thread – a size 7 perhaps.

My first time trying out the Dora Young Knotless Method (DYK) on a Ring ! Loved it! Opens up more possibilities. UPDATE: video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SoGklhCqL0

Unsure how the DYK rings would turn out, I had started with leftover threads. Hence the numerous tails.
TIP : Adding new thread to a bare thread pattern : Leave about 4-5" tail of previous ring. Start new ring with new thread by grabbing the old tail within the new thread loop, and tatting over the new tail for few stitches. This takes care of one tail. Later, sew in the old tail in this new ring. No Knots !!!

And I misspelled Rachael's name in the Set I pdf . So I took the plunge into Doc Hubs and figured out how to edit it, YAY! New downloads will have the correction, but those who have already printed it out, please make the correction.

It was also my very first Hens n Chicks working.

But my MIL had made several handkerchief edgings using this pattern back in the 90s for gifting, etc.. Sorry about the blur - the original pics were small.

Together we fly butterfly – it’s all in the mix !

A small butterfly project on Craftree. Unknown designer, stitch count & prototype by Claudia & diagram by me. Many others have shown interest in test-tatting. That’s why I called mine ‘Together We Fly”. The diagram is not finalized – waiting for more feedback. This is my working. All in one pass. Can easily be made in 2 colours, using single shuttle and ball. Will share more details eventually. It’s such a pretty butterfly.

tattingweed’s Crinoline Doily – keep stirring in all directions !

This gorgeous doily pattern by the talented Korean, Hamigyeong, was added to the Craftree database yesterday. And the moment I saw the pattern, I just Had to give it a go. See all the directional changes it incorporates ? Wow ! Started in size 40, aiming for a glass window effect . This has given me so much more thought for the TWoT series. Will share working details later; this is just a quick peek ….

I enjoyed this multi-project bowl tremendously ! Hope you enjoyed my serving :-)

happy tatting always :-)

Related Links :

This Way or Tat? (TWoT) Series - Preface (Quo vadis) ; Introduction ; Set I - Rings Only

Eliz's left v/s right hand tatting effect on direction

Patterns for Laurel Leaves & Butterfly Liberated