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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

1. 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!
2. Worked in Anchor size 20 (≡Lizbeth 10), 2 shuttles, continuous thread. 
3. 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. 
   
4. I drew an enlarged version for easy reference during trials.
5. The entire motif is worked from frontside in clockwise direction.
6. 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.
7. 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.
   
8. 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.  
9. 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.
10. Do not snug the chain stitches too tightly. Try to keep the gentle curve of the heart. Keep shaping with your fingers.
    
11. 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 2^nd half stitch to accentuate the dipping point.
12. Notice the tiny picot in each ring? It is for the next round – to attach chains as seen in the sketch.
13. I tugged at a couple of the larger rings to give them a longer shape.
14. 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