I love tatting spring

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Spring – the season of new blooms, new leaves, stirrings of the avian community, flitting butterflies, love in the air and spring in the step! To top it all, is the Indian koel with it’s melodious cooing that starts out low and reaches a crescendo – one of the sweetest sounds (but don’t be fooled – it can be quite the mimic!).

Naturally, spring and/or Easter was the topic for this month’s kocham frywolitkę. The task was set by Justyna with a caveat – it must have yellow and green.

Recognise those dyed yellow feathers? 

Yes, they are from our trip to Boston and reenactment of the Boston Tea Party

My entry is this work-in-progress round robin doily. 4 of us are participating in an in-house round robin. It means the doily will not be mailed to the next person. We each tat each doily and only the design for each round is shared in the order of working.

We each got to start the center. This is Coretta’s center. I worked it in size 40 yellow. 
Mine doesn't show it, but she has a beautiful design with very interesting elements, including the free rings.

It was my turn to design the next round. After many trials and tweaks, without intending to, what emerged looked like butterflies!!! So I deliberately chose to highlight that group of elements to bring the butterflies to life.

TIP: To create the butterfly, instead of SLT, I kept making an unflipped 2^nd half stitch in the colour that I wanted to show. This worked better for me.

I added a 2^nd round in the center to secure the unattached rings of the central round. Although I worked them on the back like a calyx, these orange chains look good as a floret when worked from the front, too. And I might just cut it off and do it in the front once the other rounds are designed. This is how it looks from the back at present ....

This pic is shows the colours as they truly are. 

Scanning tends to subdue the richness.

But where is the green, you ask? 

Hey, I did place the doily on green leaves in the lead photo, didn't I?!

Okay, okay I know it is cheating.

Luckily, my eyes landed on the summer coverlet we are currently using. Huh, it is yellow with green lace!!! And although tatted ages back (and this photo was taken in 2013), I haven’t shared it on my blog yet.

This shuttle-only edging was tatted by my MIL much before my marriage (probably her first lace) and she used & reused it on her sarees, then got tired of it. When she gave it to me, I sewed it down to the new coverlet. 4 long rows, with 2 hiding the joining seams. I only had to tat a short length to cover the last mile.

Goes to show how durable tatted lace can be.

Both these are my entries to the March 2018 … 

Have I told you that each month's entries are summarised and posted by the task-setter on the 2nd or 3rd of the next month. You can check them out any time - real talent and creativity from all skill levels!

 Here’s wishing you good weather and friends

with tatting by your side always :-)

tray cover wannabe

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Firstly before I forget, I have edited a few images showing the patterns from Vrinda’s squares. The notation was opposite to the working order. I’m aghast at my clumsiness; I guess the viral effect had not worn off :-( So please check out the revised directions when you plan on making them.

As I indicated in the previous post, I’ve started making these 3x3cms squares from the patterns sent in to Tat a Brussels’ Monument in Pink. It is my way of trying out all the lovely patterns and create a few more that I have sketched.

Worked in size 40, cream. So far, they are not all the same size and I may have to add an outer chain round to a few. I’ve made a couple more, but no pics yet.

I need to start joining the new squares to these as I go. But that will not give me enough leeway to play with arrangement. So perhaps I will hold off and make a thin insertion. Sound good?

Besides Vrinda’s squares (some are repeated), I now have Frivolé’s Reverse Quatrain ...

I started with an outer ring, throwing off the central ring with a mock picot between, and then continuing around. If we start the outer ring as a SCMR, then we can work the whole medallion with a ball and shuttle.

Frivolé also experimented without the central ring.

... and Henna J Hwang’s Fortuna Square (scroll through the album for this well-laid out pattern)

I tried one of the large rings as a mock ring but I liked the shape of the true ring better. Of course, the mock ring or chain option again allows us to work off a ball with single shuttle.

Margaret is sharing the latest facebook updates of the event here.

I enjoy working little patterns – quickly worked and can be used in numerous ways!

Since these pics were taken, I've worked a couple more from other patterns, but now I will share only when I have made substantial headway. I am using this project as a final hour for that end-of-a-busy day.

Tomorrow I have something exciting to show you .... so don't go far ;-P 

Wishing you happy hours of tatting always 
and 
many thanks to the designers for sharing their beautiful patterns :-)

squares from knotty creations

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updated post with revised images

As promised, here are 5 free patterns from Vrinda. She created 6 patterns one of  which was called Checkers. However, even though she came up with it independently, since it is a common split ring square, the pattern is not shared here.

All Vrinda’s patterns have also been uploaded to Cathy’s facebook page.

At the very beginning, Vrinda had graciously given me permission to share them on my blog. Unfortunately it has taken time. In deference to individual preferences, I have notated the pattern in photos alongside the written pattern.

 

Squares from Knotty Creations !

3cms square motifs designed by Vrinda Bandishte

for Tat a Brussels Monument in Pink

I started in size 20 blue then switched to size 40 cream. I will show you why in the next post.
I like the way different techniques have been used to create interesting squares.

NOTES:

A few general notes before I begin with the actual patterns.

1. Vrinda’s pink squares, designed for Tat a Brussels’ Monument in Pink measure 3cmsx3cms when worked in Anchor size 20. As I’ve often pointed out, Anchor 20 is thicker than Lizbeth 20. Hence, stitches will need to tweaked depending on the brand you are using. 

2. “slip ds” in her notation refers to reverse stitch (rs) or lark’s head knot or unflipped stitches as used in the 2^nd side of a split ring or in encapsulation. 

3. “Zigzag chain” here refers to Sabina Carden-Madden’s S-chain. It is made of alternating flipped and unflipped stitches. i.e., 1 double stitch and 1 reverse stitch. Vrinda counts each stitch separately, not as a pair. Thus chain of 5 means (1ds,1rs,1ds,1rs,1ds). And she always starts with a normal double stitch.

4. Some medallions use a central picot in first ring, to which later rings are attached. Ensure that this central picot is long enough to hold additional rings. 

5. In 2-shuttle tatting, when in doubt, use the shuttle that is closest in position to start the next element. 

6. I have tried to make minimal changes to the written pattern, except for consistency or bringing it in line with common notations. Sequence and some details are notated on my tatted models. My models are worked in Anchor size 40 in cream. Vrinda’s original models are in pink. 

7. Some of the squares need to be blocked. 

8. Leigh Martin has prepared pdfs for these squares, along with her notes. These can be accessed from Craftree.  

Abbreviations :

CTM    continuous thread method.

ds       double stitch

rs       reverse stitch (unflipped stitch in reverse order as in a split ring)

– or p  picot

vsp     very small picot

R        ring

--       long picot

+        join

rw      reverse work

SR      split ring

sh       shuttle

SS      switch shuttle

FR      floating ring

1. URCHIN

The enclosed space in this medallion is formed by clusters of block tatting. 

Techniques used : 

block tatting , starting chain with a picot

Worked all from the front in clockwise direction.

Load the shuttle with the required thread. Keep the ball attached.

Insert a paperclip to hold picot before starting chain.

Start Block One with chain of 6ds, vsp, chain of 6rs. Join to the start of the previous chain.

Repeat twice to form a block of 6 chains, with a vsp at start of each chain.

** Chain of 6ds, p, 6ds. Pull snug.

Block Two : 

Chain of 6ds, join to base of last chain of previous block. Continue the chains to form block two. **

Repeat from ** to **, twice.

Chain of 6ds, p, 6ds.

Attach to the start of the first block.

Hide the ends and neaten.

2. WIGGLES

A zigzag chain outlines the square shape of this central picot medallion

Techniques used : 

central picot, zigzag or S-chain, picot join to the right (folded join)

Worked in counterclockwise direction.

see notes for zigzag chain

revised direction

One shuttle and ball of thread, CTM.

R1: 5 – 5 -– 5 – 5. rw

S-chain : 5 -- 15 -- 5 rw

**R2 : 5 + 5 + 5 – 5. rw

S-chain : 5 + (last p of previous chain) 15 -- 5 rw**

Repeat from ** to ** 2 more times, joining the last ring and last chain to the first ring and chain respectively.

Finish by tying the chain ends to the base of first R. Hide ends and trim excess thread ends.

TIP : Make the pioct on chains long to give a better finish and sharper corners (see the bottom right model in lead photo). 

3. BUBBLES

A central ring medallion worked in one pass from the front in counterclockwise direction

Techniques used : 

2-shuttles, mock picot, split ring

NOTE : This motif turned out smaller than 3cms. Hence I added 2 stitches in each segment of each element. Following is the altered stitch count.

Load two shuttles, CTM. Start with sh1

revised direction & stitchcount

Central R1 : 7 – 7 – 7 – 7. close. Leave mock picot space.

SR2 : 7 vsp 10 – 10 / 7.

**Chain (sh2): 7. SS

SR3 : 10 – 10 / 7 + 7. **

Repeat from ** to ** 3 times.

Chain (sh2): 7. Join to first picot of SR2.

Hide ends and neaten.

TIP : One can make the central ring and climb out with a mock picot and split ring; or one can throw the central ring off the first SR (from the 2^nd side).

I think this motif would look lovely in 2 colours, especially when tessellated to create interesting patterns.

4. CLOVERS     

A central picot medallion made with inward facing clovers. 

Techniques used : 

2-shuttles, split ring, zigzag or S-chain

  

Load two shuttles, CTM. Start with shuttle 1.

R1 : 10 vsp 10.

R2 : 8 –- 8.

SR3: 10 / 10. rw

Zigzag chain : 1ds, 1rs, 1ds, picot, 1ds, 1rs, 1ds. rw.

**SR4: 10 / 10

R5 : 8 + 8.

SR6: 10 / 10. rw

Zigzag chain : 1ds, 1rs, 1ds, picot, 1ds, 1rs, 1ds. rw. **

Repeat from ** to ** 3 times. Join to the vsp of the first R. Hide ends and neaten.

TIP : I did rw (reverse work) before and after the zigzag chain so that the picot faces outwards easily and the shuttles also remain in the right position.

5. MERRY-GO-ROUND

A central picot medallion made with inward facing thrown rings.  

        

Techniques used : 

2-shuttles, split ring, thrown ring (from 2^nd side of SR), zigzag or S-chain

UPDATE Mar 23 : revised direction

NOTE: There is a floating ring (FR) thrown off the 2^nd side of each split ring. Start the split ring and when we come to that point, switch to shuttle2, make the ring, switch back to shuttle1 and continue to finish the original split ring.

The first floating ring also has a long central picot top which later FRs will be attached.

Load 2 shuttles, CTM. Start with shuttle1.

SR1 : 6 – 6 / 6 SS, FR: 8 –- 8, SS, 6. close.

**Zigzag chain: 9

SR2 : 6 – 6 / 6 SS, FR: 8 + 8, SS, 6. close **

Repeat from ** to ** 3 times,

Zigzag chain: 9

Join to the base of first R. 

Hide ends and neaten.

There was a mistake when I first tatted this motif. 
I made 15 stitch zigzag chains instead of 9 stitches. 
And the merry-go-round spun away !!!

If we add a picot in the center of each chain, we get another square motif !

Before I leave, another glimpse of her multiple talents - a handmade and handcrafted shuttle. 

Can you guess the material?

Tatting Shuttle made from a Coconut shell !!!

Many many thanks to Vrinda for sharing her lovely patterns

hope you have tons of fun tatting up squares :-)

65 + 126 + 24 and one

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Sent and received !

Rather sent and received and sent and received and sent and received and sent and received...

When the hubster realised I was going to send 55 squares, he panicked and insisted I courier them. Cho chweet. 

In the end, though, I sent in 65 squares : 55 from Cathy’s original pattern and the rest from 3 of my patterns (Classic Square ; Heart Square ; & Quatrefoil Square in size 40). I tied them in batches of 5.

Since the rates were same for the first 500 gms, I asked Usha whether she would like me to include her group's work as well. She couriered me the package, & I received it along with a surprise  ....

A beautiful letter and her exquisite lanyards and oh so lovely beads !!! 

Yay. It came in handy almost immediately when my new glasses became a bit loose & I feared dropping them! Very light & beautifully worked - the sparkle of the crystals is not captured here. 

So the 1^st sent was by Usha & her group; received by me.

The Happy Tatters group had collectively sent in 126 squares, some from own original designs. 

9 tatters with 126 squares and wishes (scroll down for screenshot).

Even with our collective tatting and stuff, the padded envelop barely weighed 200gms!

Thus 2^nd sent was by me (through my BIL); received by Cathy a couple of days later.

Meanwhile I received another envelope from Vrinda, delayed by a day, with 24 more squares - 

4 each from 6 original patterns! Wow!

We decided to send this by ordinary mail, keeping our fingers crossed.

The 3^rd sent was by Vrinda; received by me.

4th sent was by me in a new envelope; received by Cathy about 12-13 days later.

I am so very fortunate to have seen firsthand all the lovely tatting from the Happy Tatters group !!! You can see a lot of their work on Usha’s blog. Above is a screenshot from Cathy’s facebook listing

And Usha’s gift to me is priceless!

I can take credit for motivating Vrinda to share her square patterns ;-P She has used different techniques to create her squares, and given them adorable names, too. Cathy put each pattern up on facebook.

I also have Vrinda’s gracious permission to share them on my blog. So don’t go away – my next post will have her square patterns (in my notation). And also a listing of the various 3x3 cms squares that creative participants have shared (it’s good to have the links all in one place, right?).

The deadline for receiving squares has been extended to the end of this month 

and the tatted fabric will be displayed at Les Halles Saint Gery.

Many many thanks to Cathy for her graciousness and help throughout,

including sharing her personal address for the courier.

Oh, but before I leave there was another lovely sent & received a few weeks back (this has been a hugely delayed blog post due to health reasons). 

This is the latest and sadly last issue of Frivolté(k)ring. This time they included my Block Heart bracelet pattern. If you remember, last year I had the privilege of sharing my Curly Cross pendant pattern with them. Since it is their last, I asked for a physical copy instead of pdf. They graciously obliged.

A very special thanks to Mari-jan !

Between all this sending and receiving, I have made new friends and forged old ones !

That’s what this global initiative represents – a unity of purpose and meeting of minds.

Oops I forgot to thank the men in my family - hubby & his younger brother for their role in the Tat a Monument in Pink ;-P

Snowdrops

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Lavi has come up with an artistic visualization of the snowdrop flower, ensconcing it in heart-shaped foliage!!!

I already had size 40 white on my shuttles, so got to work right away.

Snowdrops

Lavi Damian-Boja (Dandelion Lace) 

free pattern notes

It is one of those patterns where multiple pathways are available.

Just like in Coretta's Rose with so many alternate ways of working (not to mention all-chains starting with a mock ring).

Going by her comment, the pattern is still in a bit of development stage. She has 2 versions on her blog.  

I decided to work the white flower first, using a single shuttle. At the end of the 3^rd ring, I lock joined to the 1^st ring through a tiny space left before tatting over the tail.

This ensured I had an attachment point for the calyx later.

Loaded 2 shuttles CTM, with green. Changing the sequence a bit, I started with bottom ring, and up the inner chain. Then the next ring (calyx), attaching the flower, and down the outer chain.

One can simply move across the base ring using the under-over or alligator join to work the 2^nd half. However, since the ring is so tiny, I did a lock join, then moved shuttles to other side.

With my tight tatting tension I ended up with 90 to 100 half stitches in the Josephine chain!

This would look great as a pendant in metallic thread! It will give it the strength to hold shape as well.

Other ways to stiffen this piece :

- diluted PVA or fabric starch

- padded tatting (adding additional core thread)

- padding the stitch (pds).

Perhaps some beads in one of the arcs would work, too?

I tremendously enjoyed working this little motif. It has the elegance of Nicola's Kiss Curl heart, yet with more 'story' within it.

And to give an idea of the size of the 3D carnation in an earlier post -

.

Many many thanks for sharing the pattern, Lavi.

hope you give it a whirl, too J