This month Ninetta has hosted the Bead Me Endrucks game in the Endrucks 1920 Project FB group. Simple and single rule - to choose any pattern from the original or derivatives and bling it with beads. Here's my fulgent attempt...
I extracted a motif from Endrucks' pattern #10 and worked it into a complete circle. Since I haven't decided what to use it for - so many possibilities - it's a medallion for now.
I used Wally Sosa's version (page 4) in the reworked pattern presentation by Ninetta Caruso here - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YFBYqbgssthqDKYi8YkTX-fvAPmIYbm-/view. After taking the length of bugle bead into account, I doubled the stitch count in the rings. Since the bugle bead covers the chain length, there are only 2ds on the ringside and 1ds, p, 1ds, bead, 1ds, p, 1ds on the inner side. See TIP below.
Materials - This is a pic after I gathered all the supplies needed. I chose to go with a ball and shuttle instead of 2 shuttles. Red Heart metallic thread size 40; yellow seed beads size 16/0; red beads size 5/0; twist bugle beads #4. And beading needles and crochet hook #11. I selected beads from my stash, though I do need to buy more in different sizes.As per my visualisation, I pre-strung the bugles on ball thread and the red and yellow beads on the shuttle. However, the shuttle beads didn't work out the way I had hoped. Hence all the beads were removed and re-strung differently. One yellow bead between a pair of bugles on the ball thread and alternating 1 red and 2 yellow beads on the shuttle.
This is how I ended up doing the effect I had in mind. On the ring, a long picot holding 14 yellows...
Followed by 1ds, red, 1ds, join to the beaded picot, continue. This centered all the beads beautifully.
Folly - not one but many! If you look closely, most are easy to spot.
- I should've used pure metallic thread instead of this single metallic strand twisted around perle cotton, size 40. Tons of trouble with the metallic strand breaking while closing the large ring even after I started working the stitches loose. Had to start afresh many times! Took the shortcut but tying a slip knot and tatting over both tails. The number of rings you see in the final medallion are only half the rings I tatted, LOL.
- Once I forgot to work the twin ring and had to cut off two repeats.
- Not making a lock stitch at the end of the bugle bead to avoid the core thread from being pulled too tight. Did it for the last few beads.
- Noticed the difference in bugle bead size in one arm only in the pics, LOL, though I kept wondering why it wouldn't stay even. And not to mention the space between two rings where the thread got pulled while closing the ring and I didn't notice in time. Dr Downplay at work here, though lessons learned for future.
It measures a wee bit over 7cms across.
Mr Meticulous is not happy at all, but Dr Downplay rules the day. What's your verdict?
Many thanks to Ninetta and Wally for their work on the main pattern and thanks for organising the game, Nin!
Mr Meticulous needn’t apply, it looks fabulously blinged!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jane 😁😁😁
DeleteThe tatting looks stunning!! I can well imagine your trials and tribulations though. I've only worked with bugle beads once. It didn't end well....
ReplyDeleteI must sit down with Dr. Downplay soon. I need a bit of help in that department ;)
We often downplay Dr Downplay's role in keeping our sanity, Mel 😁 I've used bugle beads before but always with Anchor size 20 thread, hence more easily manageable.
Deletegreat work!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anonymous 💕
DeleteThis is absolutely beautiful! I love reading your journey with beads, and threads... thanks Dr.Downplay, wonderful job! 🥰🤣
ReplyDeleteDon't encourage Dr Downplay too much, Nin 😁😁 I should've used the metallics you had sent me, though, for a smoother journey!
DeleteYour medallion is beautiful! I confess, the things I give away are always approved by Mr. Meticulous. The ones I make when I listen to Dr. Downplay's advice, I normally keep for myself....and I stitch them to clothing or a cloth bag, hiding the mistake(s) as I stitch. :)
ReplyDeleteStephanieW
Good for you and your fortunate recipients, Steph 😍 I would never gift a below par piece, either. While my tatting has improved over the years, it is still far from being Meticulous or impeccable all the time and I simply move on to work on all the diverse stuff still waiting to be learned or made 😁
DeleteBeautiful medallion, if you had used white you could have called it a fancy snowflake. I think Dr Downplay will be playing again.
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea, Margaret, though this would be a mutant with 7 arms 😁💗
DeleteUnique and great! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks again, Sue 🩷
DeleteFun creative ideas for adding the beads! I especially like the long beaded picot around the round bead.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marilee 💖
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