Monday 30 March 2020

magical patterns

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A few eager tatters had requested the diagram-only pdf which I sent privately and Usha Shah’s lovely rendition in metallic thread has already reached my inbox.

Finally, after a lot of self-editing over several evenings, the pattern is ready to be published.
Magic Square Cross pattern. Click to download the pdf.

I had started it in Anchor size 20, in single colour above. But it was turning out so large, hence stopped and switched to Anchor Pearl cotton size 8 in 2 colours and reduced the count as well.

Instead of the pattern in my deconstruction series, I used the concept shared by Halibut04. It eliminates the central picot and rings are linked on either side.
And using only 2 decorative picots for the inner chains – this idea is taken from this exquisite Japanese Tatting Square Doily.

Huguenot Cross Pendant

The square in the center kept looking like a emblem or insignia, except I didn’t know where to start my search without a term. Fortunately when I accepted someone’s fb request, there it was in bobbin lace – Huguenot CrossWhat a huge coincidence.

My intention was to have 2-coloured split rings all around. At the last moment I switched to a black chain edge so that the blue ring clusters look complete. This, unfortunately, decreased the indent. I do want to try the SR one later to highlight the Maltese Cross.

There are a lot of symbols within this cross (heart, fleur-de-lis, Maltese cross, 8 Beatitudes, dove), some of which are recreated in a stylised form. Since I don’t have any dove charm or sequin, a butterfly sequin is used at the base, and converted into a pendant. Hope there is no religious sentiment being hurt. 

The Josephines are 8 half-stitches and extra chains are 5 or 6ds.


A Tiger Face? Perhaps a butterfly!

Wondering how only chains would look, for a deeper notch, I started another in green/black. Midways, it started looking like a butterfly, and then like the face of a tiger (focus on the negative space enclosed by the black chains above - they look like eyes and the rest of the facial features magically emerge)! 

There were 2 green rings where the top picots are. I had to untat one, and snip off the other and reattach black thread to make it symmetrical. Want to see how it looks after I complete a long black chain outlining the top of the head.

So many possibilities! If you wish to play, check out the ideas in this series - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3! Derivative patterns that have already been shared include heart, bracelet, and bookmark.

Magic Square Cross pattern. Click to download the pdf.

Best wishes ....

14 comments:

  1. Wow, love the Huguenot cross pendant. Well done for writing the pattern in spite of the process being difficult to explain. I’m sure we’ll see a lot of them in tatland.

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    1. Thanks, Jane :-D There did seem to be a lot of interest in the pattern and timing seems right as well.

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  2. Fabulous!!! :)
    You sure have been gifted to see patterns and designs in other designs!!! :)

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  3. It’s a beautiful and clever pattern, thank you for sharing :)

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    1. I still break into a grin when I see your comments on the magic square, Robin ;-D Who knew you'd create so many of your own!

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  4. Thanks for sharing this awesome pattern. Just in time for Easter and Confirmation Sundays. This is a wonderful pattern in these bleak days.

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    1. Hoping to see your version, Marie :-)) Thank you

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  5. I love reading your blog posts! You always inspire me to look at things in new ways. I do see the tiger face!

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    1. Ah, come to my arms, Diane! Finally someone who spotted the tiger ;-D

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  6. I love both the full cross and the Huguenot cross! I was told by my Granny that we have a Huguenot in our ancestry so I will be very excited to be able to tat their cross.
    I can see the tiger face too! I wonder how it would look in black and orange?

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    1. That is so cool, Emily! The Huguenot cross has so many symbols - it was an interesting read.
      Will get back to the tiger to experiment a bit ;-D

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  7. i love the red for the Cross it is just stunning.

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