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 :-)