I
have been engaged in tatting-related activities though my shuttles have been
gathering dust for the most part. Didn’t stop me from generating ideas or
doodling.
When
I opened my tatting diary couple of days back, I found this heart doodle from
Jan 20-2020 and felt compelled to tat it! Here is the first or foundational
round. I shared a collage on facebook to a heartening response and have decided to
share the count along with my notes/ideas. This is still a prototype.
I
invite you to make any tweak or alteration you wish to; play with it ! But do
share your work either here (comment) or tag me on facebook , on Instagram, or email a pic. I’m sure you
will do a much better job at it, going by past experience.
I
will include your variations, with due credit, when I write out the pattern. You
can all be my test-tatters and experimenters And Playmates !
Y
SWAY MY HEART
prototype round 1
Pattern , Notes &
Ideas
- The asymmetry is
deliberate. But it is easy to make a symmetrical heart using either of the
sides and tatting a mirror image - 3 hearts in 1!
- Worked in Anchor
size 20 (≡Lizbeth 10), 2
shuttles, continuous thread.
- For stability,
thick thread is advisable, or stiffening it on completion. Alternate
Ideas: padded tatting (multiple or thicker core threads); padding
the stitch (BDS), treble tatting stitch (especially on the left side to
create a shadowy 3D effect!); metallic thread. Stitch count may need to be adjusted accordingly.
- I drew an enlarged
version for easy reference during trials.
- The entire motif is worked from frontside in clockwise direction.
- Initially there
was only going to be that one small ring in the dip. But later it felt too
tiny, and hence I continued the chain by making an under-over/alligator
join across the base of the ring. If you want this, you can make it an
onion ring at the very beginning.
- Perhaps we can
eliminate one of the left side rings OR increase the linking chain from 4
to 5ds, since there is a bit of overlapping.
- I would like to increase the left chain a bit more – about 5-6ds maybe. At present the motif is 2¼” high and 2” wide.
- Also, add a small picot in the right chain to which the left can be linked towards the
end. This is another way to keep it flat and stable.
- Do not snug the chain
stitches too tightly. Try to keep the gentle curve of the heart. Keep shaping with your fingers.
- All outer rings
are thrown rings, except for the largest one at the tip. That one is a
mock ring (I worked it as a SCMR), and after closing, I made an unflipped
2nd half stitch
to accentuate the dipping point.
- Notice the tiny
picot in each ring? It is for the next round – to attach chains as seen in
the sketch.
- I tugged at a couple of the larger rings to give them a longer shape.
- Adding beads to those rings, and earring or pendant findings would make it look so cute and wearable, don’t you think?
Go ahead
and Wow me, dear tatters. Sway my heart.
Feel free
to change what you will, and design the next round(s) differently as well. I’d
love to be inspired by you.
Y
