block your tree

Pin It now!

Guess what! Ninetta played Santa and shared a cute edging pattern as gift. One more inspired fallout from the 100 year patterns of Frau Endrucks.

Christmassy Edging or Bordino Natalizio by Ninetta Caruso – click to download the pattern pdf – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kvgQKW6lXclzK8wIspwm6busbrI0e7Mu/view

When Ninetta first shared her prototype motif – yes, she couldn’t contain her excitement – I thought she was going to turn it into a star or snowflake! I guess it can still be done.

Pattern/notes for both single and 2-colour versions is included in the pdf. Anna Tedesco helped in it's translation to Italian, too.

There are several ways in which we can choose where to place which colour, in the 2-colour model. 5 such methods are listed in the Lock Join Plus series, and links are given for individual pictorials here - https://drive.google.com/file/d/17zsM3JaLO7r0ajg8VOnv5IcJ-kLNqEiU/view

Recently when she sent the longer version, my imagination went haywire! My first impression was that of a bird. (I roughly sketched some elements to highlight the shape over the tatted models...)

Is it a peacock? Is it a pigeon? Perhaps it is a Christmas rooster to take to mass (Misa del Gallo)? Or should it have been a turkey for Thanksgiving?

The tree itself can easily be adapted into a bell, too! Or perhaps a turban or an elf's hat?
Hubby got into the visual game and agreed with the bird analogies. But he loved the sense of movement in this white version. He felt there was some creepy crawly moving surreptitiously but couldn’t make up his mind whether it was a a snail, caterpillar or snake.

So, what do You see?

Mind you, though inspired by Endrucks’ Ninetta did not actually refer to any single pattern or motif when designing this! It was only when she sent the draft and asked me, that I told her about the similarity in pattern #17 block. The ‘blocks’ in this book have such a wide range of shapes, visual effects, as well as some difference in actual tatting, leading to infinite possibilities. Never-ending ideas! I have collated many examples – both original and also some variations by our volunteers, and will showcase them in future. Quite an eye-opener.

Hope you enjoy tatting this clever and cute edging (or any of the ideas thereof) and when you share on social media, remember to use the hashtag #Endrucks1920Project, so that your version comes up in a search.

You can find all of Endrucks' patterns (& derivations) in modern style here -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17LEVftXweztBIOWh4sL4BB7bX65ssoOsOn4oXIgCepY/view

Many many thanks to Ninetta for this wonderful gift!

no cash only credit Freebies

Pin It now!

 Credit to the designer that is ;-P Otherwise all is absolutely free if you kindly refrain from including the cost of your threads, beads, tools, time, and effort :-D

'Tis is the season, and though a bit late notifying, here is the up to date G-docs file of my Snowflake as well as Holiday patterns. Some are adaptations from other designs but most are my original.

All my Snowflake, Stars, etc. patterns. I included hexagonal motifs and medallions as well, though technically not snowflakes https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r4OmXX_c5LjFebMN2UbSNiYqXYETLmoridK0X1YIQco/view

And these contain some more Holiday motifs in the shape of wreaths, trees, crosses, bells, and so on -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q-of3aKPFKlqMnXuEyhupbGHIW18OjH2yZYzlaTJHnQ/view

Of course there are motifs for other holidays and festivals as well, and they are all jumbled up. But at least it is all in there for now. 

All in one place, easy for me to update, easy for you to access. I always put the date of my last update on top right of 1st page. Hope you find something you like and enjoy tatting it, tweaking it, and most of all Sharing it! Show me pics :-)))

Oh, and do please visit the respective blog post before starting any pattern. There are usually many more pics in there and possibly some tips and updates, and often splendid ideas in the comments!

tree in time

Pin It now!

Digging through my tatting stuff for another project, this tree pattern sprung up! I had sketched the pattern in January, but didn't get around to uploading.  

Wonky  Spunk  Tree   

free pattern pdf

This was the final motif of the 25 Snowflake Project from last year. All patterns are listed in my patterns page, as well as in the Snowflakes' Google-Docs file (which needs a bit of updating).

This is tatted in 3 parts, though one can climb out with split chains to avoid cutting and joining. It is based on a sketch I showed here.

Worked with one shuttle and a Red Heart size 20 ball, ctm. 

Final measurements : 6 cms wide and approx 8.5 cms tall.

This is a prototype, but worked quite well the first time round! It is very wobbly since most rings are unattached. It was deliberate, so that I could insert a string of beads later, as desired.

Under fairy lights, shadow play gives it a 3-D appearance. Despite being floppy, it is good to glue down on a card or to sew as an applique.

Here it is with a string of assorted size 10 to 12 beads. Notice that there are 2 strings. I used a sewing needle with firm thread, joining to each free ring, as well as at other points.

Finally, these larger size 4 beads in assorted colours were sewn in. I thought they would work as baubles :-) With a bit of pre-planning, some of these 'baubles' could be left to dangle. However, in this case I needed them to join the free elements between layers.

It can be used as a tree ornament, but will require stiffening.

This time I simply inserted a couple of the model pictures to my pattern image and converted it into a pdf. Each of the 3 parts (A, B, C) is in a different colour. Here's the pdf link again.

This is kind of freeform - easy to change size and shape. making each model exclusive and unique, as in Nature! Hope you enjoy tatting and gifting.

finito

Pin It now!

#24 & #25 in Land of Laces' 25 Snowflake Project.

Phew, it's done! The last 2, in the nick of time. And yet, I feel, actually I find, there are still so many ideas on my drawing board yet to see the light of day. And a couple midway on my shuttles.
Anyways, plenty of time for all that.

First, season's greetings to all my readers. Almost everywhere I see/read, the weather is playing havoc or is pretty 'un'seasonal. Hope good cheer prevails over and above the weatherman's predictions.

#24 is a throwback idea from 2016. This stacked adaptation is called Double Dotted Snowflake. I had liked how the twin dots appear close together, forming a virtual circle,  under the arches. I need to tat one more to confirm that it works as neatly as when 2 separate motifs are stacked. But more details, along with pattern, later.

And the final, #25, is a deliberately wonky tree which has spunk to be seen as crooked ;-p 

I came across this graphic card with this sketch in one of the blogs a couple of months back (can't find that blog now), and Loved the freeform sketch with character!

It was easy to convert to tatting, but beading took me a lot of time.

UPDATE : Pattern for this tree motif is posted in pdf here.

Now I need to take a group photo of all 25(+) models for this project. Wonder how I'll fit them all in one frame ... i have an idea, but like so many, execution belies imagination ;-D

season greetings

Pin It now!

Compliments of the season

The coloured snowflake is for my friends down under who cannot celebrate a white Christmas ;-D

And since this post is already a tad late, why not include b-Elated wishes for Hanukkah !

I’m hoping Santa’s gift bag contains lots of joy, happiness, health, long life, 

and 

a whole host of tatting/craft supplies to spread around …

These card toppers were made in another lifetime, in another millennium. My sister & I made twin cards, often using different background and thread colour combos. Most of them got sent out over the years. But the joyous memory of making these still lingers.

These are patterns from a book lent to me by a friend while we were studying for our BEd – really wish I had the name of the book. Sis and I spent an entire holiday stitching these. These are so much easier and handier than the actual string art that uses nails and wires. And so much more practical to gift, share, send. 

seasons greetings

Pin It now!

When Denise sent me a picture of her crocheted Santas/elves I was hooked immediately! They were a hit with the kids who received them as well. 

It would make a lovely gift wrap adornment for my niece, along with a Christmas/party themed wrapping paper for one of the books.

She kindly sent me the pinterest link. After some searching, this is where I found the original pattern 'Noelzinho' by Norminha.

There are many versions of this face, but I like this the best.

Crocheted in wool in keeping with the season - it is getting chilly here with the minimum in single digit! It measures 4 inches vertically, including the pompom.

And I also fell in love with this snowflake which Bernice worked and tatted it immediately. I’m going through a slowdown phase but this snowflake truly perked me up. I'm glad to be reminded of this blog which has so many patterns and tutorials.

Worked in size 40, it measures 2¼” across. I worked it in one pass, climbing out with a split ring.
The pattern is Snowflake for the Christmas tree by Agnieszka Michalowska 
    

I used to love Josephine Rings, but have gradually veered towards dots. Dots turn out smaller than the JRs as I had discovered earlier.

  

This is one of the rare snowflake patterns that has 7 arms! 

An error on my part had led to 7 arms on this Ice Snowflake and I didn’t discover it till months after it was shared!

In the wake of such lovely patterns, I don’t really see the obsession with 6 dendrites. Do you?

This is one snowflake I’m going to find difficult to give away, despite the watchful eyes of Santa ;-P And for 'the flower within' look, I would love to use 2 colours next time, working the rows separately.

I wish my readers a very happy, creative and satisfying future 

filled with daydreams that come true !

Z

pattern and idea

Pin It now!

Pattern for the Poinsettia is ready!

Clover Wreath Poinsettia pattern pdf

My life has been quite scattered this entire month. Hence my disappearing acts ;-P

I do try to follow along, but leaving comments has been stymied due to erratic server on my desktop. Even this pattern and it’s conversion to pdf has been through a circuitous route through multiple devices. But I’d promised Carollyn! And the silver lining is that I learned something new!

This enclosed space medallion is constituted of inward facing clovers connected with chains and thrown/floating rings.

All beads are pre-strung and moved along the picot thread (not the core thread) – Nina Libin calls them “up’ beads.

In case of any doubts or questions, feel free to leave a comment or email me.

I hope you enjoy tatting this as much as I did.

UPDATE (Nov 3, 2017): Check how Carollyn adapted the pattern into lovely earrings using size 80 thread !!! I was thrilled to see them and the model too :-)

Meanwhile, I’ve been spending time joining the clover wreath medallions into mats. One coaster is complete & I have sketched a tentative edging for it. Need to put it to shuttles.

But here’s a peek into a bunting formation – just right for the holiday season if the colours are changed. Add a ribbon or straight header for hanging.  And if one wants triangles, simply join another medallion at the tip.

Here’s wishing I get more good days out of the server connection than bad ones :-D

My apologies for delays in responding to emails … 

happy tatting and  hope to stay in touch J

medley

Pin It now!

The medley is limited to my newest clover wreath pattern. 

UPDATE : Clover Wreath Poinsettia pattern pdf and related blog post 

UPDATE : Clover Wreath Doily using the motifs, and an edging.

This medallion has turned out to be quite versatile. 

When I started out with the intention of using clovers to enclose a central space, I winged the stitchcount and pattern and it didn’t need any changes or retro-tatting ... 

... except adding joining picots to stabilize the center.

Yes, you guessed right. I deliberately chose Christmasy colours for the pattern 

to go with the name ;-P

Placed a lone rosette in center to see the effect. 

Red and gree also remind me of poinsettias ! 

All it needed was a touch of yellow in the center. Beads to the rescue.

With 3 medallions made, it was time for some more play. 

I noticed how snuggly the hexagons fit together for a larger mat.

A tiny picot on the ‘leaves’ to attach adjacent medallions.

Immediately started to work on the larger coaster, using 3 strands of embroidery thread. 

Attaching linearly this could well become a broad insertion, bookmark, belt, hairband, etc. 

Multiple rows could create a table runner, a cornered mat. 

It would leave some empty spaces to fill in, though.

So far I've attached 3, then stopped to do a teensy bit of experimentation before I write and share the pattern. 

Sharon makes a valid observation – “Don’t all medallions have enclosed spaces?”

Oh, yes ! And I should’ve included this in my study instead of simply listing Nicholls’ categorization.

All medallions have enclosed space. The difference in the 3 groups is this :

1. Central Ring group – space is enclosed within one ring
2. Enclosed Space group – space is enclosed by multiple elements (on the ‘outside’)
3. Central Picot group – space is enclosed within one large picot

Does this make sense ?

whatever the tune played, a tatting medley is always melodious !

Related Posts

enclosed space medallions

different types of medallions

rosette

chirPINg yarn

Pin It now!

bird and nest made with yarn

It's the last day of the month, and we know what that means - yes, the pinterest challenge ! 

While browsing through some crochet patterns, I stumbled upon a cute domherre made with yarn and it immediately called to me. There was an added incentive when she mentioned a Christmas connection – perfect timing! Google landed me with this Christmas story written by Richard W. O’Donnell  about the most famous of Christmas carols (guess which ?). 

It is very easy and with different yarn colours, we can whip up many different birds in a jiffy !!!

I inserted blue pearl pins for the eyes.

The feathers appear a bit ruffled – what would you expect, when confronted to such curious scrutiny by the sparrows?! Although it did appear to be having a swinging time when rid of the company ;-)

TIP : Use fresh yarn, or straighten it out! This grey was the last of a ball of yarn and hence some strands are not as straight.

Be warned  -- These next pictures are Not for the faint-hearted bird lover ! ☺

When I pierced the eyes, it struck me what a great pincushion this would make! For that, the bird needed to sit comfortably. Tried a glass bowl which seemed to work okay. Then, I also came across a pin showing how to weave a small basket , which seemed very easy & fun to make. Well, I adapted it as a nest for this bird, leaving off the handle & fabric base.

I cut the circular card stock into 9 equal slits (at 40º angle). Also, I could weave the entire basket and crochet the edge all in one continuous process, without cutting off the yarn !  

Even DH had fun watching me weave the basket - he & BIL are constantly telling me that I still haven't grown out of my childhood ;-P I agree :-D

Find the excellent bullfinch pictorial by Camilla here

And the woven basket (nest) pictorial by Natalia here

Bird measures : 3” head to tail, 1½” top - down
Nest measures : 1” high, 2¼” across top, 1¾” across base

Do you recognize the coincidental symbolism? Bird that symbolizes happiness, Christmas but is also migratory, and the pins that could well be pins from pinterest.com !!! And wonder what project eggs it's sitting on ;-P

This has been a happy pinterest challenge journey through the year - I accomplished my personal objectives to a satisfactory degree and hope to continue -  but I must fly away for at least a year.
Who can tell about 2018 – I might like to be back with the lovely pin chicks again ! They are such an inspiring lot – coming up with exquisite pieces despite many personal pitfalls. It is a pleasure getting to know Suzanne, Margaret, and Margaret-2. Carollyn was already a friendly correspondent.

January 2017 starts a new pinterest challenge, and this time they will be posting every two months. You are cordially invited to join in - merely post a project inspired by pinterest, every 2 months ! Simply leave a comment on any of the pin chicks' blog/post to tell them you'll be one of them :-) It is fun !

Currently, the nesting bird pincushion is perched on my bedside cabinet – on hand ! That's the lamp base in the background, and my tablet in foreground. Took away my pencil stand & moisturiser to avoid cluttering the pic.

Related Posts :

click on ‘pinterest challenge’ tag for all twelve challenges of year 2016

The October post has jumped to December.

abcd

And before I leave my readers this year, to meet again next year .....

good health, peace and prosperity to all
a very happy new year 

abcd