clover mat

Pin It now!

Question - Is there a specialised tatting term for a fabric made by repeatedly joining multiple tatted motifs? Or were they simply called doilies and mats, and the like? Tessellation and/or tiling are terms that could be applied but I'd like to know what this arrangement was called historically ....

This is a portion of Jon Yusoff's Clover Mat/Doily/Runner. This free pattern can be found here - https://tatsaway.blogspot.com/2008/11/clover-matdoilyrunner.html It is made up of 3 different motifs, attached in a regular pattern. It is a diagram-only presentation, which I prefer!

Worked in Anchor Pearl Cotton size 8 (equi to Lizbeth size 20).

Motif A worked in blue shade - 00131 

Made a few wrong joins between the trefoils in the beginning and even untatted back to rectify the error.

Future - I had decided to use two colours - one for rings and other for chains, but totally forgot when I wound my shuttle CTM with the ball. Hopefully somebody will give it a go since they would outline some nice shapes when joined.

You might notice that the picots are not perfect. Dr Downplay was dancing on my shoulder and urging me to just let go and have fun and that's what I did - no picot gauge - sheer unadulterated pleasure of the shuttle moving back and forth!

Didn't realise the amount of thread this was consuming, LOL. For fear of running out of this shade I switched to a lighter blue - 00130.

12 Motif A joined.

Next I chose to add Motif C because the outer unattached motifs made the piece floppy. Also, being a single shuttle motif, I took it to my doc's appointment where I could finish 5 motifs. 

The florets that are joined to 3 motifs should actually have been filled with Motif B. However this small motif not only fit the space perfectly; it also left me the option of enlarging the fabric at a later date by snipping them off.

Motif C is a much darker shade of blue - 00133

When working with multiple colours or shades in frontside/backside tatting, one has to be mindful of colour blips at the joins. This time I used Lark's Head Join (the 2nd method) throughout and it is truly quite easy and quick! It has become my go-to. Watch Karen Cabrera's Lesson #101.

Motif B fills in the negative spaces. After some deliberation I chose two shades of purple - dark 00106 and light in the center 00104.

The final mat measures 20.5 cms or 8 inches length and breadth. It is already in use!

Background Options -

Being of different values, it was very difficult for all shades to show up. The best was against this wooden board. I usually brighten the image and increase the contrast. Which is when I noticed the options in the top bar of Photos .... Is it a new AI option put in by Windows 11 or was I just blind all this time?! Anyways, here is what I did ....

Open pic in Photos and click on Edit.

Next click on the last icon. (The last two icons are AI features, I think)

This is the window that opens on the side with 3 options. I chose to remove the background, hence clicked on the center option. Then Save your image.

TIP - The image might save as .png which is heavier. Choose 'Save as' and select .jpg or the format of your choice from the drop down menu.

Before and After versions of the same pic. All colours and values are better visible against the white background.

 

NOTE - I used the other two options (blur and remove background) in a pic each of 2 other projects. While I haven't played with it much, I believe some distortion can occur especially in close-up pics. Hence use judiciously.

Many many thanks to Jon for sharing this lovely pattern and to Karen for her clear demo of the LHJ!

freeform fun

Pin It now!

I've been enjoying some tatting time almost daily for the past several weeks/months. One of the outcomes is this freeform sprig with 4 colours which was tatted on the go using 'branching encapsulation' to pull out the desired colour where required (scroll to end for details).

I'm not fully satisfied with the shape or rather the length of some of the stems. Also I didn't spend time in choosing colours - just picked the first 'flowery' shades that had been used in recent samples. Wound four shuttles with the different colours, some of them using leftover threads. I've always multiple shuttles very freeing despite the risk and discomfort of tangling threads. 

I didn't start with all 4 threads together. Started normally with two colours and then added the 3rd and 4th colours where needed. If you look closely you might notice the difference in the thickness of the stems.

So this is the 2nd piece I am submitting for Natalie Rogers' PICOT Bingo 2026 (Level 2) which you can find here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/happy-new-year-147124370 and the boxes crossed out with this model include ....

• free-form tatting
• tat a flower
• tat nature

Huh, if only I had included a butterfly, I could've had a row bingo!!! Oh well, next time ...

A bit about Branching Encapsulation -

 The term was coined by Sherry Pence (2012) and she published a book dedicated specifically to this technique and you can scroll through her posts and samples here - https://ladyshuttlemaker.blogspot.com/search?q=branching+encapsulation. You can find Karen Cabrera's Lesson #155 - Branching Encapsulation video here - youtube.com/watch?v=2oB08uUYfzo&feature=youtu.be.

Elgiva Nicholls called it multiple dead ends in her 1962 book Tatting: Technique and History. Recently Marilee Rockeley (2024) worked the menorah from Elgiva's book using this technique and she also uploaded a video and free pattern here - https://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/search?q=branching+encapsulation

I had used branching Josephine chains in a card here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2018/05/i-love-floating.html but since they were dead end chains without any flower or bead, I used scrap threads to hold the bare thread at the desired length. You can find pictorial with options here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2015/03/dead-end-start-to-split-chains.html

Vee bit late

Pin It now!

This little flower was tatted several days back and I was going to  post the pattern along with a pictorial for overlapping split rings. But that's going to take a couple more days to write the post and ink the pics. So this prototype pattern is for you to play with on Valentine's Day. A little late, but flowers are the flavour year round! 

Tatted in Anchor size 20 (similar to Lizbeth 10), the flower itself is only about 1.5cms high and 2cms wide. The rest is stem with leaves.

The idea came to me while preparing a pictorial for Barbara's overlapping split rings. These form the petals, joining each petal to the previous one and the last to the first. It is a simple picot join just like when you do stacked rings in ANKARS keeping one ring above the other.

If you don't want to knot the two threads at the start, these resources might be handy - 

How to start a SR knotless in two colours (PDF), and

How to start a SR knotless in two colours with picot (PDF)  

Little 3D Flower

a prototype pattern by Muskaan © Feb2025

Abbreviations: SR=split ring ; vsp=very small picot; fhs=1st half-stitch; -=picot; shs=2nd half-stitch.

Start with two colours wound in two shuttles. Shuttle 1 - petal colour; Shuttle 2 - green colour.

With shuttle 1 in hand or as the active shuttle, start the first split ring ... (refer image above)

SR1: 9 vsp 3, 4fhs - 4shs, 3 vsp 9 / vsp 3.
SR2: 9 +(to SR1) 3, 4fhs - 4shs, 3 - 9 / 3.
Repeat SR2 two more times.

SR5: 9 +(to SR4) 3, 4fhs - 4shs, 3 +(to SR1) 10 / 3.

NOTE: I made 5 petals (5th not seen in above WIP image) but in the 5th one, I increased the stitch from 9 to 10 in latter half so that it overlapped better. Adjust to ensure the overlap remains consistent. Join 5th petal to the 1st one, arranging the overlap consistently.

FYI: (4fhs, p, 4shs) is the node stitch which creates a dimple in the ring.

Do not cut threads, continue for stem. You can string or join a bead to the center of the flower using any one the threads. 

Stem is a Josephine or spiral chain. Use whichever half-stitch you wish.

NOTE: For leaves I used the Petal Ring by Maimai Kaito (2016) Instagram, YouTube, following Lesson #178 by Karen Cabrera Unfortunately it was difficult to photograph the curvature and sharp tip of the leaf though it is visible in some pics.

Choose your own stitch count for the leaves. The upper leaf is slightly smaller than the lower one.

Continue the stem for desired length.

Here is one way to hide ends in the chain -https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2019/12/open-treasures.html

I see a lot of scope for improvement but that, too, will have to wait for another day. Feel free to tweak and improve and show me what you come up with! I went with tinted pink for a rose or cherry blossom. Which colour and flower would you choose to tat with?

Related Posts -

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/11/starting-with-sr-pictorials.html

http://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2016/11/beginning-or-ending.html

dizzying no more

Pin It now!

.... thanks to Ninetta who always delivers with her engineering brain! I was trying out Mark Myer's (Tatman) Dizzy Double Stitch and simply could not get the 1st half-stitch right. Sought Ninetta's help and she surprised me with a video showing the process! I based my pictorial on this video. 

'Tatman' Mark Myer's DIZZY  DOUBLE  STITCH

Tatman Mark Myer's diagrams (July 2009) - https://web.archive.org/web/20090703064724/http://tatmantats.wordpress.com:80/dizzy-double-stitch-instructions/ 

Ninetta Caruso's video (Feb 2025) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U2SwGQGFf-zbn24ANMIxNmotW8l7-uIe/view

Muskaan's pictorial PDF (Feb 2025) -https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WymeZxilPxO159R2kz0mX19O-3LUBTjz/view

This stitch can be considered a form of padding the stitch where only the knotting thread has extra bulk or padding while the core thread remains unaffected. See Padded Double Stitch - http://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2014/05/tatting-experimenting-with-stitch.html
The extra twist in the thread creates a nice texture and height and tries to recreate a crochet stitch. We now know of another tatting stitch that mimics crochet - the Treble Tatting Stitch!

💟💟💟💟💟

Above is my first trial while following Ninetta's video. Notice the extremely thick cord I used, LOL!

💟💟💟💟💟

While I am sharing all pics for the pictorial here, for more details, please refer to the links given above.

 

1. Working in two colours, blue in shuttle and yellow ball. I started by making a small ring followed by a chain with a few double stitches (DS) and 3 dizzy DS. Here’s how the latter is done …
2. 1st half-stitch: Make a loop with the ball thread keeping it behind the shuttle thread. Hold the base of the loop in a pinch along with the shuttle thread (black arrow).The loop is held taut around your other finger- middle or index finger, whichever you use (red arrow).

TIP: It is very important to know where to insert the shuttle and which thread to pull while snugging.

 

3. Bring the shuttle above the loop and
4. pass it through the loop from back to front, from the lower/right part that lies behind your finger ...

 

5. and pass the shuttle from behind the core thread (between loop and shuttle thread).
6. Transfer/flip and remove all slack by pulling on the upper/left part of the loop. Notice there is a twist in the half-stitch.

 

7. 1st half-stitch of the dizzy DS is made and neatly snugged.
TIP: For the twist to show, keep the stitch a bit loose. Pulling on the ball thread too much will hide the ‘weaving’ effect. 
8. 2nd half-stitch: Start a loop just like for the 1st half-stitch and hold in pinch. Refer #2.

 

9. Bring the shuttle up keeping the thread in front and
10. pass it through the loop from front to back at the lower/right part of loop and above the core thread between the space between loop and shuttle thread.

 

11. Transfer or flip the stitch and remove all slack. Again, keep the stitch a bit loose for the twist to show. 
12. 2nd half-stitch made and neatly snugged.
One Dizzy Double Stitch made. Repeat the steps for as many stitches as needed.

A chain with dizzy DS. Notice how the stitch gets better when I kept the knotting/ball thread 'loose'.

A dizzy DS chain joined back for a mock ring.

TIPS / NOTES:

Tatted by Anita Barry (comparing tightly snugged and loose stitches)

• The samples above clearly show the reason why we need to keep the dizzy DS a bit loose.
• Ninetta 'cracked' it because Mark pointed out the similarity with working the 2nd side of a split ring. Perhaps this can be kept in mind.
• It is a good idea to leave a small picot before the first stitch and after the last stitch to compensate for the extra height (Ninetta).
• Picots can be made in the normal way by leaving space in the ball thread.
• For a straight chain, use a thicker core thread. 

💟💟💟💟💟

  

Initially I thought we couldn't use the stitch in a ring. However, when Ninetta said we can, I gave it a try and it worked! However, it turns out that I approached it a bit differently, reminiscent of a Loop Tatted Ring! Meanwhile Ninetta made another video for a ring, following Mark’s instructions. 

Ninetta's video for Dizzy Double Stitch in a Ring - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WhDgd9w1U7PZ9buVq_c8r8FA0-VIU5gn/view

So here's my slight variation .... 

I started a ring with 1DS. And above is how I worked the dizzy DS, just like in the chain. I divided the ring loop into two and held the base of loop and shuttle thread in a pinch. On the lower/right part of the top loop, I followed the steps for each half-stitch as shown in the chain pictorial. 

💟💟💟💟💟

Jane Eborall (2009) used the 2nd half-stitch to make textured Josephine Rings that are denser. Josephine Ring (alternative way) – http://janeeborall.freeservers.com/TipsAssorted.html

I had used this in the buds for my Poppy pattern back in 2014 -https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2014/09/tatting-pattern-tiny-heart-poppy-part-2.html

Karen Cabrera (2010/11) shows a slightly different method of working the stitches which can be considered a variation of the original. Lesson 37 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUtHpsIIknE
Ninetta Caruso (2025) compares Mark’s and Karen’s stitch in this video - 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UGlvqk4mPiWz9BEQ4AoKVnkxhQw72Blt/view

💟💟💟💟💟

Download PDF - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WymeZxilPxO159R2kz0mX19O-3LUBTjz/view

I hope you like this revisit to a 'forgotten' stitch and will use it to decorate some of your future tatted lace. It's a fun and quick tat once you get a hang of it! You can find tutorial links for all terms mentioned here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/p/tatting-resources.html

Many many many thanks to all mentioned above!

direct method tatting

Pin It now!

I had a very interesting experience earlier this week. In her book 'The Complete Book of Tatting' (1985), Rebecca Jones highlights six methods of tatting, one of which is what she calls the Direct Method Tatting. This should not be confused with Direct Tatting which entails using reverse stitches to tat chains, etc.

The stitch really doesn't care how it is made, as Patty Dowden famously said!

Since I hadn't intended to do a pictorial, I merely took a few pics for my own reference. Hopefully these will be enough to give you an idea and a way for me to recall easily. 

DIRECT  METHOD  TATTING

Rebecca Jones (1985)

1. We start by looping the ring thread around the shuttle as seen in the pic - a luggage tag loop, such that when the shuttle is passed through the loops, and tensioned, it forms a lark's head knot (LHK). 

Notice the starting tail of the shuttle thread. 

This step can be a tad tricky, so try to focus on the entry and exit points of the thread. Fortunately it is only needed once for the very first stitch.

2. After the shuttle is pulled through and the stitch snugged, this is how it looks. It appears upside down when compared to a normal shuttle-tatted ring. However, as we move along they right themselves.

3. After the starting or foundation LHK, tatting continues by making each half-stitch. 

For 1st half-stitch, loop the thread counterclockwise and pass shuttle through. Snug.

TIP: Make kind of a one and a half turn before passing shuttle through otherwise the stitch is not formed.

4. Making the 2nd half-stitch ... turn the ring loop clockwise, pass shuttle through and snug.

5. Notice the second direct method stitch is made. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for required number of stitches. 

Picots can be made by leaving some space as we do normally.

6. When the ring is closed, the stitches face outwards and the ring looks exactly like a shuttle-tatted ring.

The same steps can be applied to chains as well using loops made with the ball or left-hand thread.

*****

UPDATE (4th March 2025): A lady bought the book after reading this post and also tried to work the method. However, she had trouble with how to continue with the half-stitches. Here is my quick video to help her out. Hope it is clear enough to be of use in case you wish to try it too. 

And here is the direct link to the video: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bsXzAGaSacKqw06CC3Uq24ImB2t6-sUA/view

I have tatted 3 double stitches in a ring in this demo. Hope it helps. Please excuse my clumsiness and background ... videography is not my go-to format ;-D

What I later realised is that this in one of two ways to make a lark's head picot join (LHPJ) or lark

s head join (LHJ)! Watch Karen Cabrera's Lesson #101 - Lark's Head Join.

*****

WHY?

You may justifiably ask why this method. I think it is a nice way to transition from needle tatting to shuttle tatting. Even if a tatter cannot manage the flip/transfer, s/he can use a shuttle just as easily! As a knitter, I have used my thumb to make the loops to cast on stitches and I used the same movements for needle tatting. Hence I found this pretty easy-going.

Besides, Rebecca also points out that this method might be easier on arthritic hands and a tatter can continue to enjoy making lace. 

I haven't had time to explore this further. Hopefully some of you will be interested and share your observations and experiments ...