better than nothing?

free bookmark pattern

I wanted to insert some bookmarks in a book to give away as a gift. Rummaged through my stash and chose a few. But an incomplete bookmark caught my eye. Remember I had promised a pattern back in 2014 at the end of the magic square deconstruction?

At the time all I did was the basic/central row derived from the magic square, 

but I couldn’t quite get the next row to work. 

You can see my woeful attempts along the left side before I had set it aside.

Slow forward to 2018 - This time when I laid it on paper, I could easily create a satisfactory design (sketched on the right side).

The recipient loves yellow. I Had to use it.

Combo of Lizbeth Falling Leaves & Anchor yellow both in size 40.

This combination looks even better in real.

The 2 rows were worked separately since I wasn’t sure what size ring was needed.

But if the same colour placement is followed, we can throw rings off row 1 chains using 2^nd shuttle. Then the outer row will be mostly chains all around.

It can be worked continuously if we climb out with a split chain.

With requisite beads, it can make a lovely bracelet or choker or perhaps adorn a headband.

Struggled with naming it. Thought of ‘magic square bookmark’ to mark the end, & remind me, of that exercise years ago. But the overall design barely qualifies as a magic square, right?! And the outer row is nothing special either. So what better name than: “Better than nothing” from the heading above ;-P

The book is "Einstein. In his own words" by Anne Rooney. It is a fairly good collection of his thoughts and ideas on varied subjects, with some rare images thrown in. A hardbound copy, good print, and one can pick up reading & leave off anywhere.  

Better than Nothing bookmark pattern

stitchcount

ROW 1 : shuttle and ball

R1: 5 vsp 2 vsp 5. rw

Ch: 6 – 6 – 6. rw

R2: 5 + 2 vsp 5. rw

Ch: 5

This forms 1 motif. Repeat for length required.

To turn corner, omit the 5ds chain. Instead make chain: 6 – 6 – 6.

Then turn back, joining the rings as you go. First ring will be joined to R2, and next ring will be joined to both the previous ring and R1. 

sequence

ROW 2 : 2 shuttles

Attach threads to one of the side picots.

R: 8 + 8. rw

Ch: 10 lock join to same place as ring, 8 lj , rw.

Repeat till corner is reached. To turn corner :

Ch: 10 lj 8 rw

R: 6 + 6 rw Switch shuttle

R: 10 switch shuttle

Ch: 8 lj 10 lj 8 lj 

Continue with ring as before. 

Turn other corner in same manner.

Add decorative picots if desired. 

a question :

Do you think it should have a tail? If yes, any suggestions?

Enjoy  J