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The road to friend’s house is never long – Danish proverb

And our digital age has proved this despite social distancing norms and lock downs in countries. A friend can reach out any time and connect 1000s of kms away – a mere hop, skip, and virtual jump :-)

Ninetta Caruso’s Girotondo - Ring of Rosies edging will be taught in the Online Tatting Class on Monday (April 6^th) and she sent me an advance copy for feedback, etc. In order to confirm an idea, I tatted it as well. So here are my notes, at her request. It is a simplified option, eliminating a few steps.

NOTES on my working of the Girotondo Edging :
1.  Work moves from left to right tatting first the body then the head. However, overall, the edging progresses from right to left as seen in the flow of colours - green to orange. For fs/bs tatters, only the head ring is worked backside. This piece starts with the green motif.

2. Since I intended to use this as jewellery, I started, CTM (green), with a ring using Sh2. Switch Shuttle.

3. Work the chain (arm), SCMR (body) with floating rings (feet). RW and tat head. RW and continue with 2^nd arm. One motif in green complete.

Notice no Turn Work or Under-Over/Alligator join is required. And the shuttles/threads are in the right position to start next element.

TIP: Initially it is easier to follow the path on the single upturned diagram (page 2 of pdf) rather than the main diagram with 3 kids because the single motif shows how the lace looks in our hand while it is being made. We are basically tatting the kids upside down!

4. The left and right arm of each motif has a different core thread colour. The new colour is added before tatting the head ring.

5. Here’s how I worked in the new thread colour differently. I took pics only when reaching the white head, but the green and white tails ends were done similarly.

(fig-1) Snip green tail. Add orange thread. I crossed the tails as usual. This crossover creates a barrier to any accidental pulling out of tails and one can give a good tug to hide any colour blip.

(fig-2) Green tail gets hidden in the white head ring, and

(fig-3) the orange tail in the white arm chain.

Securing tails in different elements means barely any bulk.

(fig-4) As seen from the front.

(fig-5) 3 motifs completed – as seen from back, and 
{The multiple orange tails is coz I ran out of thread and added new}.
I always snip off the final bit of tails at the very end.

(fig-6) from the front.
NO COLOUR BLIPS, back or front, even without the alligator join.

6. I did a long picot join in the orange foot for symmetry and equidistance. This was an after-thought. The difference is visible when compared with the other white leg and I prefer the symmetry. 

7. I made only 3 motifs, ending with a SSSR to hide the final tail, as suggested in the pdf. Jump rings linked to a chain were inserted through these end rings for a pendant necklace. In finer thread, these could be earrings!

8. Worked in Anchor Pearl cotton size 8, 3 repeats measure 5½ cms without end rings and 6½ cms including end rings. Each motif is 2½ cms tall.

9. Saffron, white and green are the colours of the Indian flag. Timely symbolism …

Tonight at 9 pm, for 9 minutes, we will be switching off all lights and lighting diyas or candles in solidarity with Nature & Mother Earth against our global enemy. Will you join us?

I enjoyed test tatting this fun edging, long on my to-tat list. Glad for this opportunity! I always learn something new from Ninetta’s patterns – she is such an ingenious and innovative designer. She made a new version in rainbow colours – gorgeous and lively!!!

The original pattern (8 years old!) can be found here and here. I will update with the new pdf link later, in which she has stepwise pictures and other details, including written instructions.
UPDATE : Ninetta has written a detailed post about her working, along with the pdf link. Check it out and start tatting :-) 

Don't forget to attend class. I can no longer attend, sadly.

Thank you for a Wonder-full pattern, Ninetta !