Sunday 16 June 2019

25 snowflake challenge

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Yesterday Dorota of Land of Laces announced her intention of designing and posting a new snowflake every Sunday till the end of the year. A minimum of 25 snowflakes.
I shouldn’t, but I did jump right in. And in less than 24 hours I have my own pattern all ready to post!
The challenge doesn’t call for originals, but just like the 40 Blossoms sprigs I challenged myself to, let’s see if I can be as successful with this. It will stretch me for sure, but hopefully I’ll out the better for it.
I will work all snowflakes in white Anchor size 40. Since I don’t want to be spending all my time perfecting each presentation, I will share the basic pattern with the prototype itself. I welcome you to test any you like and share your experience or any errors. And if you send me a pic of your work, I might be tempted to create a proper pdf by including your model.

The challenge is open to all but pics must be posted on a Sunday to facebook and/or Instagram and tagged to @landoflaces. And at the end of 25 snowflakes, send in a ‘group’ photo!

So here’s my first pattern as is.….

Paisley Snowflake
pattern with prototype
This 2-round snowflake can be worked in one pass by climbing out with a split ring, mock picot, and smaller split ring.
TWoT Note : Depending on how one climbs out and works the initial rings, the direction of the paisleys may change.
In Anchor size 40, it measures 6cms tip to tip.

Techniques used in prototype: rosette, picot join to right, 2 shuttles, ctm, fs/bs tatting, thrown/floating rings, lock join, Josephine Ring.
Abbreviations:
-  = picot ; + = join ; dnrw = do not reverse work ; rw = reverse work ; TR = thrown ring [switch shuttle before and after each thrown ring] ; JR = Josephine ring (with half stitch count)

Round 1 - Rosette :
ring : (4 - 3 – 3 – 4 ) x6. Join each ring to previous and the last ring to first. Tie & cut.

Round 2 – Paisley :
ring1: 6 + 6. dnrw
ring2: 6 +(to next petal) 6. rw
chain: 4, (TJR1: 8), 3, (TR2: 5 – 3 – 2), 3,
(TR3: 2 + 5 – 5 – 2), 3, (TR4: 2 + 7 – 9) rw
          chain: 15, lock join (to TR4). turn work, switch shuttle
          chain: 2 (- 2) x12. rw
REPEAT from ring1 for a total of 6 arms. Tie, cut and hide ends.

I can think of so many little tweaks to improve the design. For instance –
  • the Josephine Ring is barely visible due to the overlap. Perhaps if it were a small ring, instead of JR?
  • I like the overlapping arms, though.
  • There could be a JR at the tip of each arm to make it a bit more pointed. Now the snowflake looks more like a flower, right?
  • There could be picots along one side of the thrown rings to mirror the long picoted chains?

What do you think? Requesting brutal criticism!

30 comments:

  1. It could be called dancing snowflake.

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  2. Nagyon szép minta... sajnos csak rajzos mintáról tudom elkészíteni...Az írott szöveget nem értem...

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    1. Thanks, Vera ☺ I have just uploaded a quick diagram. Hope it helps? Feel free to ask in case it is not clear.

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    2. nagyon köszönöm... megprobálom és szólok ha valami nem világos!

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    3. happy tatting, Vera :-))

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  3. Lovely Snowflake! I think this could also be a snow crystal in an icy window

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    1. Can't argue with you there, Ninetta ;-D

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  5. I looked at all your possible 'improvements' and cannot see how any of them would 'improve' the design. This is perfect just as it is! It's beautiful! Lovely shape, nice proportions, good visual 'line,' and a balance of textures - denser tatting and lighter, lacy parts, too.
    StephanieW

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    1. Wow, Stephanie, thank you so very much for your detailed analysis. I guess some of the online class lessons (Design included) have been imbibed ;-D But it may be a difficult act to follow now ... stay tuned

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  6. So beautiful swirl snowflake! Next one message from universe to create something own with swirl shape.
    And THANK YOU for join!

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    1. I'm glad you posted the challenge, Dorota :-)) Just like in you heart challenge a few years back - it inspires me to try my luck! Thanks

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  7. Really fabulous design with directional chains and looks like a one of a kind. I am going to enjoy watching this challenge of course keeping up with my keys and spring doily with be all I can handle for now but always love to see what your up too!

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    1. I'm so glad I didn't take up the doily tat-along, Carollyn, despite the tremendous temptation. Leaves me time for these small ventures ;-D

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  8. Oh, my gosh! I love it! I don't dare take on another challenge, but I would love to tat some snowflakes!

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    1. Snowflake season will be upon us soon enough, Diane ;-D

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  9. I think it's gorgeous!!!! :)
    Not pointed like a snowflake, but if you look at all the tatted snowflakes around you will see many which look like circles, flowers, motif....so, yours will fit in!! ;)

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    1. You do have a point, Sue (pun unintended 😀😄). Thank you 💖🌹🌹

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  10. I think its fabulous and hope to het a moment to try the pattern soon.

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    1. Can't wait to see your version, Vicki 💗

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  11. The Scientist lurking in my brain twitched when I saw the design at first. But then, we don't have to create something based on nature that looks like a photograph. Then, I began to see light catching nature and then saw your creation in that new light! Well done!!!!

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    1. Mel, I love that the creative brain overruled the scientific brain for once ;-D Thank you

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  12. As a thanks for the overwhelming response to this snowflake, I have now converted the pattern into a one-page pdf for easy download. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xkHOeXU6djYE7MkYF1yVcTXm5AnqNkgF/view?usp=sharing
    Happy tatting :-)

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  13. Thank you, Mary Anne 🌹🌹🌹

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  14. Beautiful snowflake, I am in thinking mode to design something but I have something else to try first, thank you for sharing the pattern

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    1. Looking forward to your new designs, Margaret :-)))

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  15. Buenas tardes. Cuando vi el copo de nieve quedé encantada por las líneas curvas,énse que sería muyyyyyy complicado ....pero puse manos a la obra y voy viendo buen resultado. Muchas gracias!.

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    1. I am so very happy that you are enjoying this design, Silvia. 💝💗

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