indulging my vanity

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 I've taken a mini break from Endrucks' tatting to work on another hair net bun for myself. This time I've chosen warm colours and Erika Tashiro's Gooseberry tree doily. The pattern is from her book "Tatting Lace, Marmelo".

These are the first 3 rounds, in Anchor Pearl Cotton size 8. I am following Erika's colour placement, however instead of green I chose black to match my dress. 

The diameter so far is 9.5cms. I have already started round 4.

I truly wish my stitches and overall look were as perfect as the designer's. Nevertheless, my enjoyment and the usefulness of this piece far outweigh any small regrets, LOL.

tatting is therapeutic

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The ‘Talking Tatting’ issue 50, February 2022 (a quarterly newsletter of Queensland Tatters, Australia), brought us a new tatter/member who has enthused the FB group with her work in this short period.

Meet Antonia Lai. She started out with doily #28 which was published in the newsletter. It is worked in Lizbeth size 20. (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/01/bridging-gaps.html)

Within a week she was “addicted to the Endrucks 1920 Project”!

Her enthusiasm and tatting beauty took flight with this Happy Hands Heart and Butterfly – both patterns are adaptations of pattern #1 and had been shared in our FB group.

She incorporated a body for the butterfly using a chain folded and joined back on itself, as visible in the close-up!

She recently revealed her love of elephants and this painting/print acts as the perfect backdrop for her impeccably tatted doily #40! In Milford size 40, it measures 11 cms.

Meanwhile, she also volunteered to test tat pattern #22 and sent me her notes and feedback.

She sportingly incorporated a suggestion to see whether bilateral symmetry would make a difference to the slight tilt that was inherent in this lace. The difference is clearly visible between the 2 repeats if you compare the block tatting at the top. The right pair are mirror images, unlike the left pair. She used what we call Block Below Tatting or BBT (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/07/a-pernickety-question.html).
More pics and details will be shared when I update the old Eleonore’s Angels pattern #22 pdf.

The May 2022 issue n.51 of ‘Talking Tatting’ carried a bookmark/bracelet adaption of pattern #32 by Judith Connors. This, too was quickly tatted up by Antonia.

 

She made a slight mistake and decided to carry it through as a Butterfly Trim.
And there’s a heart in there, too! If we remove the 2 bottom rings on either side, we get a heart shape, which can be tweaked further.

The butterfly trim looks good on the neckline!

And her direct contribution to date has been in designing a beautiful corner for the #1 Happy Hands edging!

  

The edging can be sewn along the outside or inside of the fabric edge without losing its shape or beauty as seen in the 2 pics above. She also modified the edging slightly, making it easier to repeat motifs yet keeping fidelity of pattern.
She not only sent me her hand-drawn diagram, but also meticulously wrote down the pattern.

Happy Hands edging with Corner (adaptation Endrucks' #1) pattern pdf - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fsiET9ZJvXSD0kcAMKsuUNZt-rznFkO9/view

Lea Di Palma followed Endrucks’ original style, using the picoted side to sew on the edging as seen in this in-progress pic below. Incidentally, she is working it with a ball and shuttle instead of 2 shuttles! Check out more of her tatting in her FB timeline.

Here is what Antonia Lai says about her tatting hobby and our Project -

“I started tatting about 16 years ago. Tatting is therapeutic. Always find time for tatting; it makes me feel content. Endrucks projects is addictive. Since February 2022, I have done patterns # 1, 22, 28, 32, 40. People involved in Endrucks are into sharing and community spirits. I am looking forward to doing more.”

Antonia has proved Frau Endrucks right when the designer-author wrote - 

"It is a great fortune to create something beautiful with simple means, I hope that my book will give you the key to this happiness." 

Ninetta and I take great pleasure in thanking Antonia and Lea for their work and contribution to the Endrucks 1920 Project. Their experience, especially Antonia’s, shows that there is still a lot to explore and extract, derive and apply… if one has the desire.

NOTE: All patterns mentioned above are free and can be found in the EP doc (scroll down to the respective pattern number and click on pdf link) - https://docs.google.com/document/d/17LEVftXweztBIOWh4sL4BB7bX65ssoOsOn4oXIgCepY/view

With love and gratitude,

muskaan & Ninetta

*********************

Endrucks 1920 Project is a community project, where patterns from Endrucks’ German book of 1920 were converted to modern-style presentations and pdfs. We welcome you to join our Facebook group “Endrucks 1920 Project” (please read the group’s description and rules before joining : https://www.facebook.com/groups/1235560633606162) where the fun continues with derivative tatting, new variations, activities, etc. all within the gamut of Endrucks’ patterns.

Using the hashtag #Endrucks1920Project when posting in FB or Instagram, ensures that your pic will show up in a search.

If you enjoy sharing and experimenting, or even test-tatting, the group is waiting for you! All info and links to patterns (original and modern), including model images, are in the Endrucks 1920 Project Document, here

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17LEVftXweztBIOWh4sL4BB7bX65ssoOsOn4oXIgCepY/view There is still a lot to explore and extract, derive and apply and scrolling through this document will give you an idea of the possibilities and beyond.

********************* 

graceful enthusiasm

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Reworked pattern from Frau Eleonore Endrucks-Leichtenstern’s ‘Die Schiffchen-Spitszen’, 1920, for Endrucks 1920 Project.

When enthusiasm wanes in one person, its flame may shift to another – that is what being in a group is all about! Somebody else carries the torch. It is what happened with pattern #41 after enthusisam was interrupted.
Since the diagram and text was already done, Ninetta and I decided to ask for a volunteer to tat the sampler. Gracie Chung stepped up and worked this beautiful lace.

Gracie sewed in beads and has pinned this sampler up on her office board. She wanted to tat a much longer length and had something more in mind. However tax season rolled in and she’s had to pause for a few months to focus on her job.

With these gems, the edging could easily be adapted into a crown or tiara!

 

Imagine my pleasant surprise when Anita Barry sent in her secretly tatted sampler in 2 colours as a back-up, just in case this pattern was jinxed, LOL and got left in the lurch again! 

And this sampler is on display, too, sewed to the ribbon on her straw hat!

Isn't it wonderful when tatted lace can be seen in public as in both these cases.

In the end, the pattern pdf for #41 combines the work, tips, and ideas of 5 tatters. Hope you like the confluence.
Endrucks’ Pattern #41 pdf in modern style (click link to download)  - 

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zl7ep8dK4-SO_rWlqltcN6Hc2g4L1-80/view

Gracie Chung sportingly shared something about herself.  In her own words –

“I didn't grow up with the possibility to ever learning about tatting. No one in my family knows about it (I think). It's not until 2007 I chance finding shuttles in Joann's Fabric that I got curious about what shuttles were for that I googled it when I got home. The more YouTube videos I watched, the more interested I became and I decided to go back to Joann's to buy my first pair of the Clover Shuttles. And the rest is history.

 

I basically learned everything online, from Karen Cabrera videos, Jane Eborall's patterns and techniques, and then from your blog too.

 

My other hobby is reading. Mystery, cozy mystery most of the time. They don't clash, tatting while listening to audio-books is my ultimate relaxing method.

 

I think that's it. That's how I discovered the joy of tatting and trying to be more involved in the tatting world.”

She also gave us permission to share her tatted lace pictures from her FB timeline. Here’s a glimpse into her range of colourful projects, starting with necklaces, bracelets, earrings, adorable butterfly hair clips, snowflakes and doilies, and flowers - both 2D and 3D!

I’m sure we can all recognise several of these designs and designers. It also showcases the diversity in Gracie’s tatting choice, though her preference appears to be jewellery.

And to gaze at some of Anita’s tatting- https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/09/700-and-promises-still-to-keep.html

Ninetta says:

“I join Muskaan in thanking Gracie and Anita, and take this opportunity to thank all generous tatters who share their knowledge online. A lot of tatters have self-learned online like Gracie did! I am thinking of Marina Madzar, Pina Pinto, just to name 2 of our other contributors. A great reason for loving this project is that we are getting to know each other and have discovered that we are not lonely tatters, there’s always another enthusiastic tatter just round the (Internet’s) corner willing to help!”

With love and gratitude,
muskaan & Ninetta

Related posts –
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/05/enthusiasm-interrupted.html - #41 candle edging sampler using BDS
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/09/700-and-promises-still-to-keep.html - thanking Anita Barry

*********************
Endrucks 1920 Project is a community project, where patterns from Endrucks’ German book of 1920 were converted to modern-style presentations and pdfs. We welcome you to join our Facebook group “Endrucks 1920 Project” (please read the group’s description and rules before joining : https://www.facebook.com/groups/1235560633606162) where the fun continues with derivative tatting, new variations, activities, etc. all within the gamut of Endrucks’ patterns.

Using the hashtag #Endrucks1920Project when posting in FB or Instagram, ensures that your pic will show up in a search.

If you enjoy sharing and experimenting, or even test-tatting, the group is waiting for you! All info and links to patterns (original and modern), including model images, are in the Endrucks 1920 Project Document, here https://docs.google.com/document/d/17LEVftXweztBIOWh4sL4BB7bX65ssoOsOn4oXIgCepY/view There is still a lot to explore and extract, derive and apply and scrolling through this document will give you an idea of the possibilities and beyond.

*********************

snatched

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This is a project that I've been on for weeks, doing a few elements whenever time permits. It is something I was making for myself - a hair bun net to go with a cool new summer suit.

  

This time I chose Jon Yusoff's beautiful Harmony doily - 

 https://tatsaway.blogspot.com/2020/08/harmony-with-full-chart.html

My colour scheme was already decided blue with white highlights similar to Jon's black. No other thought or planning - a simple relaxing project. Even the white in round 2 was a spur-of-the-moment pick.

On reaching Round 6, Jon's note about beads caught my eye. Well, why not?! Threaded these Japanese silver seed beads and used a diamond formation - 1 bead at the base of the ring and 3 on the ball thread.

If I'd read this sooner I might've been tempted to add beads in some previous round(s) too.

To make up for that, I sewed on a bead string through picots in the center space. Very fiddly work and the circle disappeared when I knotted too tight at the end.

It has 2 mistakes which I didn't fix and I lost the thread chicken race twice! For several rounds I went with ball and shuttle.

Worked in Anchor size 40. It measures about 6.5 inches across which is a bit on the smaller side.

So, about the title - when I left it on the table to dry after blocking, hubby snatched it up to use as a doily. Sigh, I'll just string and use it as a hair bun net when I wear the churidaar suit. At other times, it will be his. Best of both situations.

enthusiasm interrupted

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Reworked patterns from Frau Eleonore Endrucks-Leichtenstern’s ‘Die Schiffchen-Spitszen’, 1920, for Endrucks 1920 Project

Did Frau Endrucks enjoy a plate of lobsters or perhaps watching them frolic in the water? Is it what inspired her edging #38? Are they holding claws for a dance or to avoid the traps?! Douglas Hill spotted lobsters, too, and named it the Lobster Edging. 

Lobster Edging (#38) pattern pdf:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EiWX78pK8oY8shFVGBFjdJIO0a4Y7fLh/view

I think it will be a good idea to include a diagram eventually.

This colourway does full justice to the arthropod. One could easily add a few beads and tweaks to strengthen the lobster motif. Great for applique and cards or perhaps a charm. Or how about a brooch, earrings, or pendant?

Incidentally, he preferred to tat it with a ball and shuttle rather than 2 shuttles, as seen in this WIP model. And to get the shuttle in position, a lot of shoe lace tricks (SLTs) were used.
Will this should make it easier for a needle tatter to follow the pattern?

He presented this pattern at the Finger Lakes Tatting Group mini-conference in September 2021, thus spreading the word about our Project.

When the lobsters are flipped, as in the above image, they give a very different look!

In 2020, Douglas had also chosen pattern #41 where he visualized the paired chains as a long row of short and long candles with the end rings acting as flames.

In order to get the long chains to stand straight, he wrote the pattern using balanced double stitch (BDS) in late 2021, but by the 3rd repeat in above sampler, he decided that the BDS did not work.

He was ‘frustrated… at not getting the pattern to work or look right…’ Ninetta and I tried to help with our joint review notes and possible options. However, he could ‘no longer boost his long exhausted enthusiasm’ and left this pattern as well as our Facebook group in Dec 2021.

The above is his working of pattern #7 which he chose in mid-2021. Again, not happy with his tatting, he forfeited the pattern.

Douglas is quite accomplished with the crochet hook, tatting shuttle, knitting needles and lace bobbins, including designing some spectacular crochet coats. Although he is not a regular blogger, do check out some of his works here - https://queerqrafter.com/ or on Facebook.

 

🦞🦞🦞🦞🦞🦞

AlenAlea Rako joined our Facebook group by adapting the pattern #3 edging into 2 square motifs that can be tessellated into a larger fabric if desired. She also graciously shared the pattern.

Two Squares (from #3) pattern pdf: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eBwjp7wtMie1k2GeqrSUOerMH87uuu4A/view

In Square #1, she turned the corner inwards along the original sewing edge. This retains the beautiful lotus-shaped motif, with minimal changes to the original pattern.

Unhappy with the open space in the center of the square, she added an insert option for those who prefer denser lace. The insert is especially useful for larger lace fabric, providing additional sturdiness and durability.

It is always fun to ask ‘what if ….?’, and explore options! Hence this time, she turned the corner along the opposite edge resulting in an in-built denser flowery center. She shows us where we need to join motifs for tiling in her diagrams.

Unfortunately, Lea abandoned the pattern presentation maintaining absolute silence despite our private and public calls over the past several months. I have cleaned up the presentation (most of which she had approved earlier) and it is now available for all of us to enjoy.

Lea, too, is an accomplished tatting designer and hand dyes her threads creating beautiful colourways.

▦▩▦▩▦▩▦▩▦▩▦

Despite our best intentions life can get in the way of our commitments. Delays happen. Sometimes enthusiasm sags. Yet communication is key. As volunteering adults we should all be able to speak freely about any changes in commitment.

We thank both Douglas and AlenAlea for their contribution and hard work.

With best wishes and gratitude
muskaan and Ninetta 

💦💧💦💧💦💧💦💧💦

Related Posts
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-foster-child.html - pattern #7
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/11/willing-non-volunteer.html - pattern #7 adaptation
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/09/700-and-promises-still-to-keep.html - pattern #3
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/01/more-multiples.html - Square #3 using 2 colours
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/01/who-knew.html - Fruit Bowl from #3
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/03/bowled-over.html - Fruit Bowl pattern from #3

*********************
Endrucks 1920 Project is a community project, where patterns from Endrucks’ German book of 1920 were converted to modern-style presentations and pdfs. We welcome you to join our Facebook group “Endrucks 1920 Project” (please read the group’s description and rules before joining : https://www.facebook.com/groups/1235560633606162) where the fun continues with derivative tatting, new variations, activities, etc. all within the gamut of Endrucks’ patterns.

Using the hashtag #Endrucks1920Project when posting in FB or Instagram, ensures that your pic will show up in a search.

If you enjoy sharing and experimenting, or even test-tatting, the group is waiting for you! All info and links to patterns (original and modern), including model images, are in the Endrucks 1920 Project Document, here https://docs.google.com/document/d/17LEVftXweztBIOWh4sL4BB7bX65ssoOsOn4oXIgCepY/view There is still a lot to explore and extract, derive and apply and scrolling through this document will give you an idea of the possibilities and beyond.

*********************

single motif bonanza

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Square diamond motifs and mat with pattern 

from endrucks (1920) doily #37

pattern pdf (click to download) : 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wqAPnOUZwLJ9tEUk55wDZhAMw2qCNFSj/view

My love affair with this motif started a long time back and the tatting started in November 2020. It is the central motif of a doily - pattern #37 from Endrucks' 1920 book. What caught my interest as I tatted, was the versatility in terms of sequence/paths resulting in diverse colour and directional effects.

For the most part I kept the inner Rosette unchanged, focusing on the arms.

1. Original: This is the original unaltered pathway from Endrucks. The 2 small middle rings (lateral) face the same direction - to the right. The asymmetry is not too visible since the rings are tiny. However it intrigued me, and as a study in design, I decided to go ahead with my variations....

alternate pathways and variations ---

2. Modified: My modified pathway where the 2 small lateral rings face each other for symmetry. This is used to present the stepwise pattern, loading 2 shuttles with contrasting colours.

In Anchor size 20 (~ Lizbeth 10), it measures 5cms sides and 6.5cms diagonally.

3. Trefoil Version: This entire motif can be worked with one shuttle and ball, except for the single thrown ring at the tips, provided we decide before working the penultimate round. 

4. Flipped Ring version: While following Endrucks' original pathway, I merely swapped the direction of the thrown ring at the tips, working it on the way up rather than on the way down. Look closely to see that I alternated the flip.

5. Colour medley 1: Using Lock Join Plus aka Repositioning methods, I alternated the colours/shuttles within the rosette. (https://drive.google.com/file/d/17zsM3JaLO7r0ajg8VOnv5IcJ-kLNqEiU/view). You can choose any method you like, including changing colours between segments rather than rounds.

6. colour medley 2: I started with ball and shuttle for the rosette and added the green thread later, using False CTM, and snipping off the ball thread. (false ctm tutorials Part1 ; Part 2).

In Lizbeth 20 (with one less rosette round), it works to 3.5cms sides and 5 cms diagonally.

7. Reduced Round: If you remember my travails with cupping, this motif was my solution by removing the final rosette round and increasing the size of the 4 joining picots.

In Anchor Pearl cotton size 8 (~ Lizbeth 20), this works out to 4cms sides & 5,5cms diagonally.

8. New Motif for Doily: While the doily worked fine with the above modifications (in #7), I needed to make sure it will hold up in crochet cotton thread. Hence started this new motif (but forgot to reduce the round!). I'm still a bit apprehensive about continuing .... let's see.

In Anchor size 40, this works out to 3.75cms sides and 4,5cms diagonally.

arrangements and tessellations ---

The motif can be used as a square or a diamond and joined for various arrangements. Several arrangements and ideas have already been showcased here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2020/11/arranging-motifs.html

bracelet, bookmark, jewellery, charm, ....: Above is the bracelet idea. I really like this offset arrangement! Bookmark with a single motif as charm at the end of a tail is another practical idea. 

Single motifs with beads and findings can become jewellery pieces,...in fact an entire parure can be tatted.

9. Modified for Mat: The single lateral ring at the tips are larger here (7+4-4), and used for the Mat (below). 

Hubby had chosen this yellow and blue combination for the mat/coaster I wanted to make him. But the solid colours didn't work out (the 2 joined motifs can be seen in the topmost group pic). However, after seeing the cute 3D Flower Cube by Lillian Yeung, I hope to convert it into one, too!

mat/coaster/table runner/table cloth ..:  I was tired of working with yellow, hence chose this peach colour and the green went nicely with it. One can increase the tatted fabric to deserved size by joining as many motifs as required.

In Anchor size 20 it measures 10cmsx10cms.

Wondering whether we needed to cover up the blank space a bit, the sequins were hubby's idea and he got the blue he'd had in mind! One can use buttons in place of sequins.

For the purpose of sharing the pattern, I decided to see how large a ring would be required and worked these 4 rings in later. However, they can be worked as thrown rings. I was prepared to snip off the rings, but hubby liked it just fine and is using it!

alternate tessellation or cross: If a size 40 motif is joined like a diamond to the 4-motif open arrangement (worked in perle size 8 or Lizbeth size 20), we get another variation for a mat or fabric with alternating squares and diamonds!

In the above, if we join a couple of motifs to the orange one for a longer arm, we get a cross!

So there it is - a bonanza of choices and effects from one single motif!!!

All pattern notes and/or diagrams are included in the pdf (click to download): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wqAPnOUZwLJ9tEUk55wDZhAMw2qCNFSj/view

All pattern pdfs and more, in modern style as well as links to the original book can be found in the Endrucks 1920 Project doc here -

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/17LEVftXweztBIOWh4sL4BB7bX65ssoOsOn4oXIgCepY/view