frill thrill ?

Writing a pattern is no easy task. One also has to think ahead to the problems that a tatter might face when following the instructions. And I find the task gets further complicated when one is trying to help out with someone else’s presentation. This is one such.

Usha created an interesting pattern and asked for my help with the draft she had prepared. We each have our strengths and her strength lies in creating new and varied effects, letting her shuttles do all the talking. It’s been barely a year since she first started blogging and sharing her numerous patterns! She is a quick learner and I’m sure there will soon be a time when she will be presenting her patterns without any outside assistance.

Anyways, so I finally ended up tatting a sample myself to garner confidence in the process and presentation. When one is given a task, one has to do it as conscientiously and accurately as possible – that’s my motto.

Charming Frills

free pendant pattern by Usha Shah

The final height of this pendant is 4cms with size 20 Anchor 

which is a much thicker thread than Lizbeth 20. 

Shuttle1 has red & shuttle2 has beige

Works as a pendant or earring or perhaps a brooch with the appropriate findings. 

A bit of tweaking and it will look like a mini doll or angel! 

I inserted pearl studs through the top ring as in my Star Anise studs. 

These look like flat jhumka earrings!

Minor differences you might notice between Usha's and this are because I tested the prototype pattern and/or my own meanderings (and a few extra stitches to factor in tension). I’ll point them out as we go along. This is not a beginner level pattern which, for me, was an added charm.

my test tatting notes

Firstly, this is a great piece to practice the Catherine wheel join! Once this pendant is finished, I doubt anyone could forget the cwj in a hurry.

Of course, the cwj can be substituted with a lock join, JSS (join to smooth side), etc. But cwj gives the neatest double stitch and smoothest chain.

Second, the long measured picots create such a lovely effect – from airy to dense as we move from one tier to the next. Not to mention the frill/fringe where a seed bead in each would look nice. I might try it someday.

TIP : I found that holding the long picots on the picot gauge helped in the overall tatting.

The thrown ring for attaching finding – I shifted this to round 3 instead of round 2, lock joining to a picot below. No mock picot, cwj, or alligator join required. But I forgot to switch colours.

There are 2 split chains. After the SCh at the end of rnd3, I didn’t have to do any SLT (I didn’t use any SLT in the entire working). Merely ensure that the SH2 thread remains behind and SH1(red) in front. I used Dora Young’s knotless method for the SCh here and the shuttles automatically came into position for next round.

About halfway through round 4 I thought there would be cupping. Hence, I untatted it and added 2 more stitches to the side chain. Turns out it wasn’t necessary after all.

The joins here are simple picot joins since the chain is turned inwards.

Originally, the side chain stitches faced inwards too, which is how I made them. But SCh posed a problem! I finally figured it out – not the neatest, but a learning experience!

Inward-facing Split Chain –

1. pull up a loop from below, holding it between the SCh and long picot ; pass shuttle through the loop below ;
2. tug at the held loop to ‘pop’ and snug the 1^st half stitch ;
3. pull up another loop and pass shuttle through it to make 2^nd half stitch ;
4. snug tight – 1 double stitch made. 

Now this last row/frill or fringe is very interesting, though quite fiddly. 

Holding the long picots on the gauge helped again.

The joins here are made from the back loop/bar of the long picots. 

Reminded me of crocheting/knitting through the back loop.

This creates a raised texture in front and a woven effect from the back. 

Now that is cool! 

UPDATE : check out my Beaded adaptation here.

Many many thanks to Usha for sharing her lovely pattern.

I came away learning something new again.

Hope you enjoy it too