inflating the leaf

 As part of the ongoing #InflateMeEndrucks game in May, I couldn't resist inflating this leaf! The E15 leaf doodle post was among the top 5 for several days, enticing me constantly. The motif is such a quick tat, that I succumbed.  All links at the end of post ....

This time I made it into a pendant. Although I wouldn't mind tatting a pair as earrings.

The original motif on the left. However since there were absolutely no picots along the edge, I ended up tatting 2 motifs, adding tiny picots on the outer chains.

TIP: If the Chain H is reduced from 6 to 4 stitches (left motif), the leaf comes out flatter.

TIP: Notice that the two motifs are tatted as mirror images. I followed the same diagram, but started with a backside ring.

I had also sewn in the bugle bead vein in both. 

This time I followed Pitsibaa's instructions to the T. And as I had stated, it is certainly easier to sew individual motifs than to join as one tats. More freedom, hassle-free tatting, ....

And I also remembered to blot out any extra glue solution, LOL.

After it had dried, I added the beaded chain for the pendant.

I didn't stuff the center, since I wanted the beaded veins to show through.

Future Idea - Increase the length of the joining picots between the motifs instead of keeping them tiny. So that when it is stiffened for inflation a filigree effect is visible along the seams! 

Relevant Links -

E15 Leaf Doodle #1 pattern - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/lets-flourish.html

Pitsibaa's video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0MInK7b65Q

All about the Inflate Me Endrucks game -https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/05/is-it-plane.html  (including my first model and pictorial)

🍃🍃🍃🙐🙑🙐🙑🙐🙑🙐🙑🍃🍃🍃

And on a side note, here's another way to inflate leaves, LOL. 

This savory snack or side dish is called 'patra' or 'patode'. Arbi/colocasia leaves are layered, rolled, steamed, and sliced. They can be eaten as is (ones on the right), tempered, 'roasted' in little oil for crispiness (like the ones on the left), or deep fried. In Delhi, we don't normally get arbi leaves in the market, so I used to grow my own in pots every monsoon, using the vegetable bulb itself. Then the bought veggies were probably treated and they stopped germinating. Seeds didn't work either. 

Yesterday, my lovely hubby surprised me by finding the leaves in an online store (they have a couple of outlets as well) based in Delhi and bought them without my knowledge! He paid more than the cost of the 6 leaves as delivery charges but it was so worth it. Very good quality, large leaves. The rolled log was at least 12 inches long. After 15 to 20 years, I finally got to make and eat these. Thankfully I hadn't forgotten how, LOL. Plenty of slices still in the fridge. 

TIP: I used the soft silicon spatula to apply the paste between layers. It was so easy, quick, and mess-free!