Nicola’s Hearts
3 heart patterns by Nicola Bowersox
A few weeks back, Nicola shared some lovely hearts on
Craftree (and her facebook group). I had intended to tat her Kiss Curl heart again. This
seemed like the perfect time to accomplish some heartfelt tatting. And try my
tatting needles, too :-)
click on blue text for pattern source
Blue Heart
I had recently bought beads and was excited to try some
out, despite being larger than what the pattern called for (the purple one below). See the ruffling
for yourself, despite adding a stitch on each chain. Abandoned. And back to a more sedate colour, in keeping with the name Blue Heart.
As usual, I measured and made the picots on which to load
beads later, rather than dangle beads and paperclips.
Kiss Curl Heart
Kiss Curl Heart is the perfect start to needle tatting
since it is 95% chains. Started with Lizbeth size 40 and I deliberately tatted
tighter to resemble shuttle tatting. I did get nice stitches, but see how it left my needle (pic below) !!! Good thing I have another set of needles (where did I keep them now ?!)
Also, there is a mistake – for some weird reason I got disoriented when it came to making the ring - look closely and you'll see the twist. Luckily my questions were answered in class ("think of it as a SCMR" - thank you ☺) and when I tried again with size 20, it went smoothly. Except this time my stitches were a bit too loose in order to keep needle intact ;-P
Also, there is a mistake – for some weird reason I got disoriented when it came to making the ring - look closely and you'll see the twist. Luckily my questions were answered in class ("think of it as a SCMR" - thank you ☺) and when I tried again with size 20, it went smoothly. Except this time my stitches were a bit too loose in order to keep needle intact ;-P
So much for my NT foray – I will stick to my shuttles for
the present. I do hope to use to the needles for some elements (Celtic,
interlocking, ..) and definitely as a beading needle (this is what I used for the Radiant Sun paperclip ;-P )
Oh, and the 3rd time (pink with gold one above), I did it with my trusted shuttle – I wanted to do justice to her pattern. My notes on the earlier yellow one helped – start with RODS (backside) chain to get the curl on the left. Wanted to take a combo pic of all 4, but seems I’ve already gifted it away.
Oh, and the 3rd time (pink with gold one above), I did it with my trusted shuttle – I wanted to do justice to her pattern. My notes on the earlier yellow one helped – start with RODS (backside) chain to get the curl on the left. Wanted to take a combo pic of all 4, but seems I’ve already gifted it away.
New Heart
New Heart is another pretty pattern. I used 2 strands of
pink embroidery thread, and 1 strand of gold.
NOTES for shuttle tatting : 2 shuttles, directional or fs/bs tatting :
NOTES for shuttle tatting : 2 shuttles, directional or fs/bs tatting :
Rings 1 to 9, tatted clockwise from front with shuttle 1,
without RW.
Chains 10 to 14, tatted clockwise from front with shuttle
2, without RW.
Ring 15 is tatted frontside, with shuttle 1. (thus, SS
before and after Ring 15).
Chains 16 to 24, tatted clockwise from front with shuttle
2, without RW.
Chains 25 to 26, tatted backside with shuttle 2.
Individual tatting tensions differ. I increased a couple
of stitches for these 2 chains to get a nice arch.
All chains are lock joined to previous elements.
Nicola’s patterns are not only pretty, but very well
presented and clear. Though written for needle tatting, they are easy to shuttle-tat. These little hearts are quick to tat up, whatever the tatting tool !
I thoroughly enjoyed myself !
I thoroughly enjoyed myself !
Many many thanks, Nicola, for
sharing your warm hearts J
a hearty tatting to you all :-)))
I started with needle :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful hearts
Good for you, Renata ! Eager to see your needle tatting :-)
DeleteGood for you for learning to tat with a needle, I'm sure it'll come in handy even if you mostly use a shuttle. You know I'm a big fan of the kiss curl heart!
ReplyDeleteI remember your kiss curl heart tatting spree and the lovely use you put them to, Jane !!! It was your hearts that inspired me to try new colours :-)
DeleteBeautiful hearts!!!! Would love to tat all. Not done needle tatting so far.
ReplyDeleteI found the tatting needles too 'delicate' to tat over - not the hardy grip that one can have over a shuttle, Usha. My first attempt had been with a sturdy, thick mattress needle and I liked that grip much better, though the size was off.
DeleteThat are beautiful I love the beads in them too they would look good hanging on set of keys. I am proud of you for needle tatting I don't think my brain could switch the lay out of the pattern your looks lovely 🌹❤️🌹
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea, Carollyn !!! I think my grip caused me more grief than necessarily the switch. Need to get used to that delicate grip :-P
DeleteOh, my goodness! Look at all those beautiful hearts! I especially like the blue one. The beads are the perfect accent!
ReplyDeleteI should've known, Diane :-D
DeleteKiss curl & this blue one are my favorite, too.
She has one more pattern with beads and a Celtic center !
Really nice hearts!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue :-) Have a great weekend !
DeleteLovely hearts, thank you for sharing the patterns, I have never tried needle tatting I've been a shuttle tatter over forty years, I am definately going to try these lovely patterns
ReplyDeleteThey do tempt us, don't they! Will look forward to your hearts, Margaret :-)
DeleteCute hearts. Blue is my favorite:)
ReplyDeleteBlue Heart really is emerging as the favorite, Anetta :-)))
Delete