shagun tatting

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 'Shagun' is a Hindi word derived from Sanskrit which denotes good omen, auspiciousness, a token, .... Though it it is associated more with Hindu rituals, we also use it in daily life to commemorate an event, an occasion, or any good news with the elders blessing the young with a symbolic token. Or if we cannot perform an entire task, some small part of the ritual/task is started on an auspicious day.  

This is what I try to do every International Tatting Day! This day is also very special for personal reasons and I tend to be busy elsewhere. Yet I make it a point to pick up my shuttle and thread and tat at least a ring or two and not let the day 'pass by' ;-D Despite a very busy first half, I managed to find time from evening onwards and actually completed not one but two motifs! One had only 2 rings and a chain left to tat (I'll share this tomorrow) while the heart motif I started from scratch and completed! 

doesn't it look like a possible angel?!

My new version using graduated and 'erect' vapour stitch which is more like a picot here. I was inspired by a recently shared Turkish Tatting video by Eftelyanin Mekikleri where there are many more than 3 wraps and the bare thread is not pulled down so that the stitch/picot stands erect. Also, the wraps are followed by a complete stitch rather than the 2nd half-stitch. 

I did it all in tatting. But it was not easy and many of my stitches are not as neat as they should/could be. I had started one in perle cotton but the thread unraveled so much that I snipped it off and started afresh with this Anchor size 20 thread. 

TIP: I suggest using 2 shuttles so that the thread can be balanced again by suspending the shuttle frequently. And use tightly twisted thread, polyester, silk, ....

I winged it and don't really have an exact count for the decorated chain. I started and ended with vapour stitch (3 wraps) but graduated up to 7 wraps.

The motif is 4cms wide and 3cms high.

For more Vapour Stitch info and links - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/variably-padded-lines.html and a few effects - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-years-flow.html

My previous E28 hearts & pattern from prototype to tweaked versions and a beaded jewel version - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/06/yet-another-heart.html   and  https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/04/happy-tatting-day.html    Pattern PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-rWqmDAd51VwxOqtt9spD-FIX5zYDAUE/view

I had more shagun tatting to share - something tiny and fun, but will continue in a couple of days. Time to juggle ;-D Meanwhile I also have much more to share on the vapour stitch as well when I can take some pics .... 

I hope you did much more than shagun tatting, like I ended up doing ;-D