Tuesday 9 October 2018

I need help

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So you may remember that I’m trying to make my Scrappy doily oval instead of round. This is round 4 completed.
Now I’m not really going for pristine and perfect here – it’s simply a fun relaxing recycling project. Nevertheless I would surely like the doily to be oval And keep it’s shape throughout. I’m hoping it ends up as a doormat - it is already pretty dense and stiff and some fabric below will make it durable.

Question #1 - How do I achieve it? 
I made the end rings on both rounds slightly larger. But the Rnd 4 ones on the left bottom (in pic) are larger still. I got it to look ovoid there. The other end, though, has a wider arc. I will make the rings large in Round 5, hoping to repeat the left side. 
Will it be sufficient? Any other suggestions before I begin?

Question #2 – Provided I am satisfied that the oval is symmetric, Should I continue with normal rings in later rounds? Will the oval shape continue? After all, I cannot keep increasing the size of rings ad infinitum.

From round 3 onwards, I added a very small picot for attachment so that I have a decorative picot overlying the next round (as seen after round 4). I kind of like it.

The 2 threads you see emerging after each round are because these are mock rings (scmr), not normal rings. I have only one shuttle filled with white thread; the coloured bits are all loose scrap threads - they come and go ;-P

I've not decided how to fill the center yet, but no hurry there.
At the end of 4 rounds it measures 3¼ x 2¾ inches, but one side is ¼" longer than the other. All Anchor size 20 thread.

16 comments:

  1. Not sure about q 1. On q2, I think that if you continue with rings of the same size the oval shape should be maintained.

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  2. Usually in crochet and I've found tatting to be similar, I increase 4 on each end of an oval and mostly where I would have a corner or the curve. That will either need to be adding rings or stitches. If you don't increase something the outer rows will become too short and cup.

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  3. I have no suggestions, but it is very colorful!! :)

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  4. Are you restricting yourself to only rings? Perhaps a chain or two could fill in and keep the outline going.

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  5. I have no suggestions either, but I do like seeing your progress!

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  6. Jane, Joan and Mel, thank you so much for the advice!!! I get a clearly understanding now & will hopefully be able to do it justice :-)))
    And Mel, your chains idea is fantastic - I'm going to use it as soon as I get a decent-looking oval. It will give me the platform to implement another idea I had - adding small scrap thread motifs!
    Love having you around always, Sue & Diane :-))

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  7. You could also reduce the rings on the sides!

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    1. Okay, now I feel quite dumb (a 'Duh!' moment) ;-P Thanks Audrey, will keep this in mind now.

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  8. I think it's a mathematical problem and there is very possibly a formula for increasing the shape along the lines of the famous Elizabeth Zimmerman Pi shawl. I think that increased every 8 rows.
    Ask a maths teacher!

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    1. I was Hoping somebody would give a simple mathematical answer, which they did, if you think about it, Maureen. Looked up the shawl - it is quite lovely!!!

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  9. That is a nice challenge, I think that if you keep on making the same number of rings in long sides and adding rings in short sides... but well, also you can add 2 flowers at the top of short sides and go around them, to increase the length of the oval...or add holes without attaching rings to the previous round, instead of bigger rings... in any case, happy tatting!

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    1. Oh, so many more ideas, Nin !!! I've now sketched on oval outline on grid paper to act as a guide for the next few rounds. Then I think I'll make a chain round and next add motifs (flowers, butterflies, or simple medallions) to the chain picots. Ideas! ;-P

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  10. A great challenge, looks very colourful and using up your odds and ends. I look forward to seeing how it all works out

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    1. Yes, I am quite enjoying this as a geometric & designing challenge, Margaret, and busting my scrap stash in the process ;-D
      I now know of many tatters who have begun Madhur's Unending doily!

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  11. Muskaan I have, in my doily added rings to the existing ones, as and when required instead of increasing the number of ds. You may try increasing the number of rings on either side.

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    1. Thanks, Madhur :-) I, too, am not following any rigid pattern or process, but have definitely implemented some of the advice given in the 5th round to get it in shape. (pics in my new post just uploaded)

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