freeform fun

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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

what the heart wants

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.... the heart follows! I hadn't planned on playing the game of this month - Pattern Me Endrucks (July2024) because I wanted to focus on other tasks and had told Ninetta. Yet the heart yearns and one gives in to that knotty call. 

E43 Pattern pdf - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JRu7OggaSna0eXDRA2P18dRu6uE4-1J7/view

Some entries have already come in and wow, each of the participants has seen a different aspect in this motif and followed that direction! Can you blame my heart for wanting to join them? I could see an orange segment, but you know my penchant for complicating my life. So, while not a very unique idea or shape, I decided to go for a 3D flower.

Mind you, this is a prototype with a few mistakes, lots of retro-tatting, and Dr. Downplay ruling. Hopefully the next petals will turn out better.

My goal was to deviate as less as possible from the original pattern. 

My Notes, TIPS, and Future Ideas - 

Since I wanted to work with two colours, here's how I started without tying the threads together -

A] Started with false CTM, pulling out a short length (A). from the shuttle.

B] Attached a marker/luggage tag loop to the starter picot (B).

C] Using A as core thread, finger-tat the chain using thread (C) from shuttle for the stitches.

D] 2nd shuttle with thread in another colour was added at the end of the chain. The A thread is cut short and hidden in the next element (tat over tails).

For more False CTM scenarios: Part 1 ; Part 2 .

• The tatting proceeds from right to left, unlike the diagram. I think the reason could be that if one direct tats the chain (reverse stitches), it will proceed from right to left. This dawned on me when I noticed the inset diagram showing the start! The written instructions are for normal tatting.
• As it turns out, on reaching the other end, I decided to keep the chain maroon, hence you can see the colour difference between left and right.
• In order to position colours lots of Reverse Join (RJ) is used.
• Midways I decided to use the Catherine Wheel Join (CWJ). However I was tatting the return chain backside. I have done the CWJ from the back before, several times, including my cheat trick of a half-stitch shift! However this time I watched Marilee Rockeley recent video CWJ from the back side - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqxTqb8UMww

• The outer row of chains is done with Victorian sets or zigzag tatting. Continued down.
• The left chain was made first and is a bit longer than needed.
• I decided to use the small motifs on the sides (in original pattern) to cover some of the negative space. Added a 3rd colour to make the twin rings and cut off the thread. I've deliberately left short tails instead of hiding them.
• Then picking up the original shuttles I continued with the chains to complete the first petal.

The shuttles are still attached and I can easily continue with the next petal. I'm thinking a total of 3 petals should complete the flower. While I'm not too thrilled with my colour choices, Dr Downplay rules! 

I have deliberately created a 3D version for the petal. Otherwise the motif lies flat.

You can find tutorial links to the terms mentioned, here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/p/tatting-resources.html

FUTURE IDEAS: 

• This same petal, with a bit of tweaking can become a peacock plume! 
• Or joining 3, 4, or more motifs in the round to create a broad round for a doily. And then design inner and outer rounds to complete the doily. This, however, will be a big project for another year!
• And of course, orange fruit carpels/segments!

Do you have any suggestions for improvement or any more ideas? Please share ....

More to come; hoping to finish tatting this today so that I can get back to the other stuff.

Many thanks to Maria Grazia and Ninetta Caruso for the reworked pattern, and to Marilee Rockeley for her demo.

Related Posts -

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/07/so-many.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/07/tadaaaaa.html

luggage tag loop

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 Since Georgia Seitz's site is still in transition to the new site (https://www.theonlinetattingclass.com/) and not everything has been transferred, I needed a link to the luggage tag loop or lark's head knot. So I took a few pics from my Jan 3, 2023 post (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/01/measured-picot-on-core-thread.html), making it easy to share.

This loop or knot looks like a double stitch and in the same colour it can be an 'invisible' join/addition. Following are some of the ways and situations in which it can be used - 

1. To add new thread. I have used it add green thread in the Blossoms Project. https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/search/label/blossoms%20project
2. To add new thread in a ring. When running out of thread, new thread can be added before closing the last ring using a LHK. Credited to Judi Banashek (thanks, Gillian Buchanan). See Marilee Rockeley's video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9pmL1kyirc
3. Marilee uses the method to add the third (core) thread in pearl tatting in the above demo.
4. To start on a paper clip - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2017/05/rising-month-late.html
5. To hold space on the core thread for an inward picot or a starter picot on chain instead of using a pin or clip. https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/06/bigger-flower.html
6. To make measured mock picots and inward picots - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/01/measured-picot-on-core-thread.html
7. To attach a tassel - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2015/01/tatting-away-x.html
8. (UPDATE) To add a fringe - a spot adaptation of Corina Meyfeldt's method - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2015/12/fringe-benefits.html)
9. (UPDATE) To tat short floating chains or to add a 3rd colour for a specific element - eg., the E3 Inside Out flower by Michelle F - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/01/what-heart.html and PDF link 

These are a few that I can recollect at the moment, but I am sure I'm missing something ;-P Perhaps the knot in my head will clear at a later date and I will update this post.

fooled by the tool

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It is always such a thrill to see my pattern crop up and even more so when it comes in such wonderful versions with impeccable tatting. So which tool did these talented artists use to tat?

I have chosen a very small selection of the many that are gladdening my heart and eyes; these are presented here in chronological order. They are all needle-tatted from my patterns that were presented for the shuttle.

needle-tatted by Gloria Nelson, June 2019

Gloria Nelson's modification of the Paisley Snowflake with graduated picots has brought more character to the flake, and the design and variegate fell in sync! But can you tell it is needle-tatted?

New tatters often ask which tool is better or easier - needle or shuttle. Valid question but no easy or straightforward answers. There are tatters who spent their life using one tool and muscular ailment forced them to change to the other because their love for the craft overpowered their discomfort. On the other hand a tatter may stick with the first tool s/he learned on, for their entire life without any curiousity to try another. Then there are those who deliberately learn tatting with the other tool (&/or hand as Eliz Davis did) in order to become more proficient at teaching and diversify their knowledge.

Ninetta Caruso said it best - hand is the tool. 

We could take this quite literally, too! Teri Dusenbury used finger tatting a lot. Hey, where's that tool now? And for the truly determined one hand will get the task done as Marilee Rockeley has demonstrated.

needle-tatted by Amarilys Cwb, Sept 2021 

Amarilys Cwb made some mistakes in this first attempt (not that I had noticed any) and worked it a 2nd time below with minor adjustment to picot size on chains.  

needle-tatted by Amarilys Cwb, Sept 2021

Second attempt of the Silver Linings Snowflake by this tatter from Brazil who can work with both needle and shuttle.

For some reason, probably starting with it being a late entrant, the needle has been looked down on as the stepsister in tatting. To date some purists consider only shuttle as the legitimate tool for tatting. 

Why? Look at the numerous patterns Nicola Gooday Bowersox has shared with us for free. I could never identify from only seeing her model that it was needle tatted! Could you tell? 

needle-tatted by Amarilys Cwb, Oct 2021

What about this gorgeous rendition of the Floating Beads earrings?! I had to ask Amarilys whether it was done with a needle or shuttle! Those cute beads really transform my simple pattern with 'boring' pearl beads, into something fun and enticing.

Elena Kozinenko is proficient with all tools be it shuttle, needle, or a cro-tatting hook. Even a netting needle! And unless she points out, one would never guess whether she used a needle or shuttle. I asked her which tool is her favourite and this is what she says - 

'I have absolutely no choice. It all depends on the idea that needs to be implemented and even on the mood!'

Oh, to have that kind of flexibility! She has such a range of patterns and frequently uploads videos that demonstrate a technique using each of the 3 tools - https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/three-types-of-tatting/

needle-tatted by Lella Loops, Nov 2021

Lella Loops is yet another needle-tatter who has such finesse with her needle! Besides this recent Frost Flower Snowflake, she has tatted a few more of my patterns earlier and wowed me every time!

Returning to Gloria Nelson, she needs no introduction! She frequently shares her expertise with her Facebook group for needle tatters. If we follow and apply her tips, the usual 'visual identifiers' of needle tatting will disappear! 

But here are a few of her must-read articles, shared in her Sparkling Light Creation Studio page - https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1774052256037040&id=724059564369653

• Needle and Shuttle – What’s the Difference?
• Can a needle tatter follow shuttle videos and tutorials
• Patterns - Can a Needle make shuttle patterns

So any tool in the right (or left!) hands, combined with the passion to lace, is ultimately what matters. And the journey's enjoyment for accompaniment...

As an aside .... I have wondered for years how needle tatters feel when shuttle tatters collectors display their collection of shuttles? There is such a Vast range to choose from, with new designs, materials, and decorations coming out frequently. Now a tatting needle can be so boring in that sense, except perhaps for the material used? 

 

At the very least, why can't the needles be colour-coded for size at the eye end? eg these tapestry and chenille needles from Pony - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2018/08/needle-tips.html 

Or can some kind of fortified coloured plastic needles for tatting? 

Can needle-tatters come up with ideas to share with suppliers and manufacturers to make the needles prettier and more of a collectors' item?

I'd like to thank each of the tatters mentioned in this post for all their dedicated and inspiring work. 

I want to stress that they constitute a very thin slice of the talented multitude,

all of who I cannot name or might not even know of. 

All patterns mentioned in the post are free and can be found here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/p/patterns-designs.html

fumble fingers

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 I swear if you watch me do beaded tatting you will forget how to tat with beads! My fervent wish is that a beading friend sit beside me and help me use the tools and materials I have effectively and efficiently. I simply fumble my way through, taking a ginormous amount of time even for simple patterns. And nothing comes simpler than this earring pattern!

Remember I told you about receiving many gift patterns around ITD this year? This simple one-shuttle earring pattern is a special gift from Jill McLean! Here is my journey ....

1. My first trials with new metallic thread (Natvarlal brand) failed. The single thread broke soon after starting my 1st attempt. 

So I used 2 threads above, but while closing the ring, one thread broke. Had to be abandoned.

2. Played safe on my next trial, using size 20 metallic thread.  

My only variation was using 2 different coloured beads. The yellow ones (up beads) went around the hand on the ring loop, while the blue ones (down beads) were pulled from the shuttle. 

Stringing beads didn't require too many brain cells - load all of one colour, then all of the other!

TIP : One can work the small ring as a SSSR hiding the tail without any sewing! (Miranda pictorial ; Marilee video)

3. Friends urged me to use my silk threads. So here's one Opella silk skein (all 6 strands) along with faceted bicone crystals in 2 colours - the inner green are a tad smaller than the outer silver crystals. 

I used metallic silver thread to make jump rings for the 2 teardrops. Huh, they don't look too bad in the pic, but I had a tough time getting them into shape, especially doubled up. 

Here the large ring took patience while closing - had to slide the stitches to the left in batches till the ring finally closed. 

This time the small ring on top is a split ring, sewing in tails on either side after making an overhand tie. 

TIP : But there's a way to end on a SR without sewing, too.

4. How would it look if the size of beads was inverted? So, large black wooden beads on the inside and small seed beads (17/0) on the outside! 4 seed beads per wooden bead. 

This time I decided to make a mock ring and was going to make onion rings, but switched to a red Swarovski crystal surrounded by seed beads instead. Both used Floating Beads methods.

The black beads are strung through 5 strands of Anchor silk thread on shuttle1; and silver metallic thread with seed beads on shuttle2. 

My idea was to have the red colour show up in the stitches between the black beads. How wrong was I! Unless I used reverse (unflipped) stitches, the red is hidden. Felt like a fool, but didn't feel like undoing the first few stitches, so continued.

QUICK TIP : Tatting with Metallic thread 

This metallic thread is pretty much a wire with silver thread wrapped around it and it was difficult to get a flipped stitch, especially the first half stitch.... till I hit upon a little movement!

1. Floating beads at the start, and an open chain in progress which will be joined back into a mock ring using a lock join.

2. Making the 1st half stitch. The silk thread does not have enough strength to make the metallic thread flip. With any free finger/thumb, gently push the loop indicated by arrow ... push it upwards and it's a Flip!!!

[The inset shows how direct tatting would've worked.]

3. And there it is - the 1st hs. The 2nd half stitch poses no problem. 

And that's it for now. Other ideas percolating in my head will have to wait for another day.

Isn't it amazing how simple variations and combinations can create a range of effects?!

Design TIP : The size of the down/inner bead, besides the size of thread used, affects the size of the earring as is evident above. The up beads do not affect size of ring. 

The double layer of beads adds stability of shape and structure, besides the visual effect.

And this is such an easy but versatile pattern that one can make a pair for every dress!

Many many thanks, Jill, for your gracious, exciting, and enjoyable gift ...

made me push my beading boundaries 💖

old in new

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I started tatting this year! Chose an old motif in the new year - something that's been in my to-tat list for ages. The WIP above is my 2nd trial - OCD much?! The Rose Motif from Priscilla Book 3 - http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/tatting.htm

Actually, my first one in pink (Anchor size 40 thread) has several mistakes. Since none of the instructions mentioned RW (reverse work), and I was working with one shuttle and ball, it was only while taking pics that I realised the outer round is backside.

I found my rhythm with knot stitch - it wasn't difficult. But the thread itself caused immense frustration! It kept twisting. Probably the S and Z twist issue. I was determined, so completed the motif, but knew I could do a much better job with the bridging.

It measures 4.5 cms. I switched the rings with Josephine Rings and made graduated picots along the fringe. Both motifs worked with one shuttle and ball, ctm.

So, I started again in Anchor Pearl Cotton size 8, and it went so smoothly! Much happier with the result, too. 

Before starting, I had been collecting links from other bloggers and their experience helped a great deal. 

UPDATE : Completed motif along with a stepwise pictorial for Knot Stitch posted here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/01/knot-stitch-stepwise.html

Here are the projects that I found, although I'm sure there must be many more. 

Snapdragon - 

http://www.snapdragonlace.com/?p=183 and http://www.snapdragonlace.com/?p=604

She shared the pattern in modern notation. However, one needs to reverse work before and after the floating ring. Also, I started my 2nd motif with a backside central ring so that the shuttle thread was in position to climb out to the next round.

Ninetta Caruso - 

https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2016/09/time-means-nothing.html

https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2020/02/something-in-common.html - in 2 colours

https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2016/09/more-from-1924.html - an extension in 2 colours

Marilee Rockley -

https://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/2020/08/old-tatting-new-tatting.html - she substituted the knot stitch bridging with Split Chains. She also joined leaves on the go.

https://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/2020/08/jacket-project-and-easy-weavers-knot.html 

and  https://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/2020/10/wearing-my-jacket-embellished-with.html show the motif sewn to a jacket!

Do you know of others who have done the Rose Motif (from Hell, as Sanpdragon called it)? Please do share.

In my next post, I'll share the stepwise pictorial for Knot Stitch, with my own take on it.

tell the world it's not easy!

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daisy picot star and tatting notes

From now on we tell the world it's not easy. This delightful article was recently shared on Craftree.

It Is true – we generally spend longer than we care on our projects. I usually do share my mistakes and all, but don’t like to make it a sob-story.

This time, though, I stand by the title (no kidding, no fibbing, no embellishing) – this star did not come easy and I spent way too much time.

Daisy Picot Star

Jon Yusoff

Link to pattern diagram

I was inspired by Jane's star project to pick this up, and the fear that I'd forgotten how to make a daisy picot. And like her, I joined leaves which should've remained floating ! Too far into it to un-tat. Cut off and started afresh.

I’ve done the daisy picot before. It’s pretty easy once we know how to hold and how to wrap stitches. But rarely used, hence easy to forget. This time I referred to Jon’s own pictorial – excellent directions !

A stroke of luck from Utah made me realise that I the daisy picot stitches are wrapped in what we termed Twist Work in Reverse Stitch (TwW rs) !!!

Clearly I like to make my tatting life difficult! I've gotten addicted to directional (fs/bs) tatting. This star tested me to the limits. Not only did I have to refresh my daisy picot skill, but now I needed to tat them backside as well!

AND join to adjoining trefoil daisy picot backside ! Managed somehow, with lots of retro-tatting. But what's a project without some challenge, right?! And I was adamant. Fortunately I was working with size 20 threads.

My Notes :

• In the discarded attempt, I started with the inner daisy picot trefoils frontside. The work progressed in counterclockwise direction, and joining to adjacent daisy picot was easy.
• In 2^nd attempt, with inner trefoils being worked backside, and work progressing in clockwise direction, joining became difficult – it seemed like I was using “picot join to the right” methods. But it could just be some messing around with up and down picots.  
• To eliminate the space between chains at base of daisy picot, I had to pull real tight, not always successfully. Should’ve had an anchoring vsp !
• I slipped the yellow thread through the last half stitch of ring before closing in the hopes of keeping the 2 threads as close as possible. I think size of base ring (& thread size?) also has a role to play.
• For the leaves, I did not use SLT. Easy to make the ‘8’ leaves without any SLT if the side chains face in opposite directions.
• The arms need careful attention for some unfathomable reason. Perhaps some design-induced mind games coz I faced similar problems with Marilee’s snowflake!

Back to the aforementioned article – delightful read and I agree as a crafter. But she misses one point – not every crafter can fib and market oneself. That in itself is a skill that needs to be acquired :-D

Many thanks to Jon for sharing her pattern and tutorial

easy or difficult, it’s happy tatting time always !

hits and misses

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Early last year I had bought variegated thread online, and though the colours were gorgeous & thread good to tat with, it turned out to be thicker than even size 10 – probably a size 7 or 3? Nevertheless, I was impatient to tat with it, having used only one of the 5 variegation thus far. Both coasters were tatted in 2015 & some parts of the post may appear dated due to my subsequent learning. I have given away all my circular coasters (tatted up until July 2016), so I don’t have exact measurements or photos after blocking.

Melt into Spring Snowflake * ‘coaster’

Marilee Rockley 

Started : 15 Feb 2015

Challenges come in many forms, when/where least expected !

I was so happy when Marilee posted & shared her latest Melt Into Spring Snowflake pattern here. Daisy Picot was on my to-learn list. So the snowflake came at just the right time. Also, since it is a 6-point pattern, it could work well with the Chicken Wing Coaster I had recently made. So off I went & printed it out.

Materials : Bliss (India) variegated thread (no colourway, dye details or size mentioned). Probably a size 7 or 3.

South Maid Mercer Cotton (USA). Art. D-54, White. Size 10.

2 shuttles

Techniques : directional tatting, daisy picot, thrown rings (Josephine knots/rings)

Now, one would expect all the challenge & difficulty to lie in the daisy picot round. But that went off quite nicely ! What with her instructions & pics, as well Riet Surtel’s technique posted by Jane Eborall here, it was a very smooth & enjoyable round. No mistakes, no unpicking & retatting. Perhaps working with a large thread helps when doing a new technique.

The 2^nd round is simply rings & chains ….beginner level. Yet, I kept making mistakes in stitchcount, joins, horrible thread sensation, you name it ! Finally, very frustrated with all the unknotting & retatting, I snipped it off. Glad Jane had gifted us these scissors ;-)

Started the 2^nd round afresh the next morning & it was a breeze. But I learned something else about my own tatting….

The pattern indicates that the 2^nd round is worked counterclockwise. Hence the chains are tatted on the front/right side, but the rings after RW, on the reverse/back side.

I found that my shuttle movement is such that the already tatted trefoils interfered with the shuttle, coming in it’s way. That’s when I realized that perhaps I tatted more easily, more smoothly if it is clockwise ?

So, when I started again, I went round clockwise, with FS/BS tatting & it Did work ! Must keep this in mind for future.

I anchored the JRs, by adding picots on either side & decreasing the stitchcount to compensate.  

Marilee kindly permitted me to make any changes I wanted, but I am deeply unsatisfied & ashamed with what I did in Round 3. That was the reason I hesitated to post it for so long….

I loved the curves of the outer chains, but wanted the trefoils at the tips to be smaller or different. All I came up with was to make daisy picots like a corona/outline around the central ring.

Someday I will tat this again, in smaller thread. 

Triangle Motif Doily * 

Anne Bruvold

tatted on 20^th July 2015

Spot the Odd One out !!!

My notes reveal that I had taken a hiatus from tatting last year as well, for a week. I think I was sewing during that time. Anyways, this simple but lovely doily was my ticket to get back into tatting mode. It was quite a rage on Craftree at the time, where I first came across the pattern.

Materials : Bliss, India.  Variegated thread (no colourway, dye details or size mentioned). Probably a size 7 or 3.

South Maid Mercer Cotton, USA . Art. D-54, Color 430, Cream. Size 10.

2 shuttles.

Techniques : directional tatting, thrown rings (trefoils)

 

Started with this colour placement, but switched to the other because of thread size mismatch & also it seemed like the central flower effect was being lost.

This is one of those easy, almost generic, triangle motifs that can be used to create large fabric when joined in different ways. 

Very quick tat, joining individual motifs as one goes.

One realization about working with variegated threads in directional (fs/bs) tatting dawned. I had started the 1^st motif with normally tatted inner rings, & RODS for the chains & trefoils. Since this latter was a larger chunk of working, in next motif I switched to RODS for the inner rings & normal sequence for outer ecru part. This reversed the colourway (from clockwise to counterclockwise)!!!

Can you spot the odd one out ?

Again, many thanks to both designers, and my apologies to Marilee. 

Hope I can do a better job next time.

happy tatting :-)