the jinx of 13

#13 in Land of Laces’ 25 Snowflake Project

I don’t much care for the supposed jinx of this being the 13^th flake ;-P But this back from the old snowflake/star has me stumped for a weird reason. It uses my Overlapping Split Rings effect. More effects here, including a square arrangement.

MUTANT  SNOWFLAKE - 

design evolution

Here’s some history –

1. This was a trial prototype from 2016 in Anchor 20. At 5 points/arms, it lays flat.

2. Elaborating on the idea, I converted it into a 6-point flake using Anchor Pearl cotton size 8. There was some cupping. I left it in my tatting box overnight and in the morning, it was pretty flat, and more so after some quick blocking.

I went back to my Jottings about cupping/ruffling and worked in the corrections in next trial... 
Basically cupping occurs when outer round is tight. To avoid it, decrease inner round or increase outer round.

3. Wondering how it would look in a single colour, I chose Anchor 20, but the center rings are 1 stitch short (to reduce the center and tackle cupping). Major cupping which did settle after tugging and blocking!

The split rings have 1 extra stitch and this translated into a slightly different more roundish overlap.

4. Fell back on the maroon pattern using Lizbeth 20 threads. And guess what, I had to make 8 repeats for the flake to lie flat by itself!

Pearl cotton differs in it’s looser twist when compared to Lizbeth, but they tat up to the same final measurements. So what just happened?!!

I was ready to share the 8-armed snowflake which is part of the reason it is called Mutant. Seems like the thread and picot characteristics can lead to anywhere from 5 to 8 arms ;-D

It is a mutant in terms of it’s faux Celtic effect. Not true Irish, a bit of a freak ;-P

The online tatting world has blessed me with some excellent friends. Jane McLellan came to my rescue recently; this time is was Ninetta Caruso & Anita Barry.

They sent me possible reasons, solutions, options and enthusiastically volunteered to tat the flake, too. They were ready to count from the image, but I managed to quickly type them some shorthand notations. They will be doing it today.

Would you like to read what these experienced designers/teachers have to say? It is a design bonanza - insightful designing tips, and if you are interested, I’ll share in my next post.

So, what do you think – would you like to tat this 8-armed snowflake or are you a stickler for 6 dendrites?!

the bell didnt toll

#12B in Land of Laces’ 25 Snowflake Project

Remember I spoke about a 3D version? Why didn’t the bell in my head toll?! I totally forgot to blog about this. I did start to draw and write up the pattern earlier in the week, but then the bell went silent ;-D

I don't want my blog to go silent .... Sharing only pics here. Pattern pending. I’ll update this post and Google Docs with the link when it is done.

This silver version was made first. 

Tatted in one pass using 2 shuttles, ctm. 

Stitch count is almost exactly that of the tree. 

However, the form looked too narrow.

Started the gold one with a slightly broader base. I like this much better.

Single clapper on a doubled-up thread.

The top has been pulled while photographing, otherwise it has a nice bell-jar curve.

Final measurement in Red Rose metallic size 20 thread, is about 3½cms tall and 3cms wide.

Photos don't do full justice. I tried taking a video, but that wasn't any great shakes either.

Meanwhile I did tat the Sparkle snowflake but cannot find the updated pattern I had typed in 2017/18!!! I have a printout, so it is definitely in my files here somewhere.

I also have a new snowflake for this weekend. And it might become a kind of group project... more about that on Sunday :-)))

duh moments

Seems like ages since I tried/learned something new besides my designing project.

I scrolled back through my posts and the last interlacing project remains in limbo and it was May when I did this! 

Meanwhile Ninetta has been posting so many enticing new effects and patterns, sigh.

Now when I need my beadbox, I try to do multiple projects with beads in one go. It’s like sewing – I pile up my sewing projects and then sit at the machine at a stretch.

Perfect time to try Ninetta’s Interlacing Methods. Loaded one shuttle with the magenta pearl cotton (size 8) and used this for all 3, changing only the chain and bead colours.

I started with her ring and chains method first. Clear instructions and pictures – enjoyed it tremendously. This is the Second Method.

Trying to capture the double-chain from different angles to show how lovely the effect is.
The curled ring finish looks like a rose!

Time to try the beaded method (First Method). see Duh Moment #2 below !
I alternated the bead colour for fun...

TIP: It is easier to pull the ring(s) through using a crochet hook.

Duh Moment #1.
After both trials, I kept thinking that the very last chain should be half the length of the earlier chains. Notice how it sticks out in both versions?

She already factored it in… if only I had carefully read through her bracelet patterns!!!

Duh Moment #2.
While working both, I didn’t really notice any difference in the interlacing methods.

No difference because it was the 2^nd method again, stupid!!! 
Guess when I realised it – just now when I went back to her post for correct reference and terms, etc.

Her giggly earrings had caught my imagination right away. It tats up real quick and looks so pretty. Oh, but the number of beads to be loaded!!! I need to adjust the rings a bit more to make them settle properly.

I hope it doesn’t turn into a Duh Moment #3 – I’m sticking my neck out here… 

It appears that her First Method of interlacing is kind of a transition between Second method and the earrings. Interlacing by pulling 1 ring in 2^nd method; 2 rings in 1^st method; and multiple rings (graduated size adds a braided effect) in earrings.

Keep them coming, Nin, I’ll surely catch up in one life or another ;-P

sparkling and tinkling

#11 & #12A in Land of Laces’ 25 Snowflake Project

A week has passed since I last worked on the computer. I have posted 2 snowflake projects on facebook just so I don’t miss out since I only have 1 ‘free’ Sunday left ;-D Lots of patterns to write out…

I am taking this opportunity to post at least one pattern here – a 2D bell. When the 3D version is reworked and written out, I’ll combine both into a pdf.

The MatheMagical pattern has turned out to be quite versatile indeed – stars, tree, bells (and a possible angel, and later a coaster/doily, in future!!!). 

I first made a bell in silver metallic, without changing the original tree count (from which it is directly derived). Turned out to be a bit tubular. Then I took courage and tweaked the chain count and am so much happier with this version in gold! My tatting excitement has returned as well, lol.

MatheMagical Bell (2D) pattern

ctm - continuous thread ; - - picot ; dnrw - do not reverse work ; + - join ; rw - reverse work ; SS - switch shuttle.

Please let me know if you encounter any mistakes.

In the image below, the inset model shows sequence of working from A to P.

Black letters/numbers indicate rings while red shows chains.

2 shuttles, ctm.  1 teardrop bead on shuttle1.

Starting with shuttle1,

A Ring   : 8 – 7 – 1. dnrw

B Ring   : 1 +(A) 6 – 7. rw

C Chain : 9 – 7. rw

D Ring  : 6 +(B) 6. dnrw

E Ring  : 5 – 5. rw

F Chain : 6 – 4. rw

G Ring  : 4 +(E) 4. dnrw, SS

H Chain: 8. dnrw, SS

I Ring   : 4 – 4. rw

J Chain : 4 +(F) 6. rw

K Ring  : 5 +(I) 5. dnrw

L Ring  : 6 – 6. rw

M Chain: 7 +(C) 9. rw

N Ring  : 7 +(L) 6 – 1. dnrw

O Ring  : 1 +(N) 7 – 8. dnrw, SS

P Chain : 11 teardrop 11.

Join to starting space, tie, cut and hide ends. 

  

Snowflake Sparkle

And this is my 11^th snowflake where I’ve cheated a bit (I didn’t actually tat a new model this time, but will do so this week)…. 

If you remember, it is a 2015 pattern which I improved in 2017 but the updated pattern still hasn’t been shared. This image is from 2017 and I want to tat a new model in metallic thread before I feel confident of sharing the revised pattern.

Keep the tinkling sparkle in your smile :-)))

changing chain curves

The outermost round of Rosette Enchained (shown in previous post) pattern is a chain where the middle segment faces inwards. Since the side segments face outwards, we can consider them as convex, and this middle one as concave.

Please note that convex/concave is relative to a specific design and reference point in case of tatting. For instance this example by Sabina Carden-Madden.

Changing Chain Curves : Convex and Concave

click here to download in pdf format

There are various ways of accomplishing this change in curve, and I wanted to experiment with each to compare the effect. It’s always good to have a menu of options, allowing the tatter to choose based on project or skill specifications.

• The first 4 methods can be done while working with a ball and single shuttle, but the 5^th one needs 2 shuttles.
• Some create a sharper point at the changeover.
• Some methods create a mono-colour chain, or the main shuttle colour can show up in the concave segment.
• For directional (fs/bs) tatting, the concave segment is usually tatted backside.

Do you have any other method to share? I would love to hear it.

IDEAS : Any of these methods can be used to create a long undulating chain. One can use it as a bookmark tail. Or each long chain can be linked to previous one to create a broader lace or latticed/reticulate fabric. Add beads and picots for a wonderful effect.

UPDATE: Bonnie Swank has demonstrated these options in Needle Tatting - video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ9BRdZ2Zl8 .

Related Posts

Chains in shuttle tatting  

Chains in shuttle tatting pdf 

catching up

well, I’m trying to in my own small way.

Firstly, a very special thanks to Jane McLellan!!! I had asked for volunteers for the tree pattern and within hours she had sent me her feedback and observations – she even test tatted it. Very valuable in smoothening out the presentation. A friend InDeed.

So, here’s the link to the MatheMagical Tree pdf

And good news… It will be published in a newsletter for Christmas. Will give you details after it is published, since I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise ;-)

Here’s the collage of my 10^th snowflake for Land of Laces' 25 Snowflake Project - 

Rosette Enchained Snowflake and Ice Drop

You might remember the prototype from earlier this year. Since I couldn’t concentrate on a completely new design despite starting quite a few (bobbins all engaged!), it was a good time to finalise the ice drop. I’ll let you know when the pattern is ready. However, watch out for my next post where I will be showcasing options on how to change the direction of the chain in outermost round.

This time I deliberately went with 2 colours (both Lizbeth 20) for the ice drop. The bottom left shows the cab from the back. It would good as a pendant, wouldn't it?!

Hope to be back soon with some more progress on this front...