association

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 When we come across a new tatting term/technique, always try to place it within the larger set of techniques you already know. You will be surprised to find that you might already know the technique or at least parts of it. And then learning becomes easier, smoother, and associative.

One of the first messages waiting for me yesterday morning was about the Loop Tatted Ring (LTR) in the Christmas Star pattern by Krystyna Mura, an E31 adaptation. [pdf: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fz0Hd9jgGnS_qWKayw4UX2Ikr-mp-npb/view]. It starts with a LTR over a bead. 

Despite the video and pictorial links suggested in the pdf itself, Ulrike found it difficult to grasp. I, too, watched a few videos, consulted a few tutorials and found that it could indeed be difficult to grasp, despite the resources themselves being good.  For one, they were all about a LTR on a ring which meant there are too many loops to consider, keep track of, and can become confusing.

That got me thinking and here's how I went about it. Deconstruct the LTR and you will find the basic concept, or at least some steps, is something you might've done before.

Step 1. Can you finger-tat?

Step 2. Have you tatted a single shuttle split ring (SSSR) Mathew Takeda style?

If the answer to both these questions is YES, then you are well on your way to tatting a Loop Tatted Ring! 

Very soon, she came back with her SSSR braid , having consulted a few resources listed in my Resources page [https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/p/tatting-resources.html]

Step 3. Now tat an entire ring using only the finger-tatting method. After all finger tatting with a loop employed for part of the segment of a SSSR is exactly what you do in LTR, but for the entire ring! 

And by jove, she got it! All within a few hours.

Step 4. Now we can tat the LTR over a bead easily as shown in several tutorials. 

I had written the entire post yesterday but then thought a limited/specific pictorial would help other tatters facing a similar issue, to work this lovely Star pattern too. Hence today I created a stepwise how-to for Rounds 1 & 2 of the pattern. I also took the time to read Miranda's post and pictorial again after several years and discovered the similarities of association! She also gives a nice history of this technique. I apologise for the unintentional repetition. Unfortunately Sabina Madden's site is down though she is trying to find another server to reinstall paradisetreasures.com.

LOOP TATTED RING for E31 STAR - pictorial pdf - https://drive.google.com/file/d/19q6JKdOyACqh8oz-Z0vzHgh-YCIZ5xBd/view

Now a Loop Tatted Ring or LTR is not limited to a LTR on Ring (LTROR). It can be used in several different ways, including on a chain as a thrown ring [https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/08/thrown-floating-and-8-rings.html pages 7-8 in the pdf] or after a chain. 

Here it is used as a central ring. We could've used a normal ring or a mock ring. But with both methods, we would not have been able to seamlessly add the bead through both threads to resemble the bead on a picot. LTR allows us the freedom to work continuously with the bead. In a lot of circumstances LTR allows us to tat something that would normally require a 2nd shuttle.

Related Posts -
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2016/07/refresher.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-hedgehog-turns.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 💖

The rainbow within

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Colour adds the happy spark

In the midst of all our strife

A silver lining to a cloud dark

There's a rainbow in every life

                                   -  muskaan, April 2016

The Third Day of December Snowflake

24 Snowflakes in Tatting by Lene Björn

Of all her exquisitely designed snowflakes, this is perhaps Lene’s Defining Pattern. One glimpse & we can identify the designer!

All along, the central rosette appeared like a rainbow to me. The spectrum requires many colours, and that is the reason I delayed tatting this snowflake, waiting till I was feeling very relaxed. Multiple colours for a multi-layered effect.

Having successfully tatted with 3 strands of embroidery cotton in Day 6 snowflake, I felt confident of being able to tackle this one without messing up.

One should frequently rummage through one’s craft supplies. I had Metallic embroidery thread 

(1 skein each of silver & gold)! What luck & what lousy memory ! 

Using only 2 strands for the centre, it is pretty easy to tat with.

I started with the original stitch count for chains-only round; but after trying out the purple, then a bit of dark blue, it felt like the fluffiness of picots will fall short on both sides of each chain. So, cut off & restarted below

Keeping the overall chain count the same as original, I increased the number of picots 

to make it fuller & fluffier. Each chain started with a very small picot 

to which Lock Joins were made in later rounds..

Each round was started CTM using 3 strands. 

A short length was wound on one shuttle, & the rest remained on the skein. 

Image of each chain round is a montage of 2 pics - 

the left is taken from above; the right from a much lower angle to show layers.

Had to solicit the help of my DH to confirm my choice of a couple of shades. 

He readily helps with such minor tasks.

Finding it difficult to sew in the tails, I cheated. 

After making a tight square knot, I simply snipped off the threads at a short distance. 

The shortened lengths merged perfectly with all the picots. Phew!

Each round was started with a 'phase-shift'. No 2 rounds started at same place.

This helps to disperse any visible line of beginning or ending. 

I use the same policy with crochet, embroidery, etc.

This red is an extra round in order to complete the spectrum. 

Wouldn't this make a great Rakhi bracelet, with braids or twines attached ?!

This is how it looks from behind. Thus far, it is less than 2 inches in diameter !

When I started with silver in center, my idea was to use it again for the final round - 

the silver lining !

But as you can see it did not do justice to the spectrum. Tried a mix of white & silver, 

but finally settled on plain solid white in size 40.

I had deliberately started with the inner ring & chain, so that I could hide tails 

in the last floating ring which is a Single Shuttle Split Ring 

(Miranda's method of finishing with SSSR to hide ends - love it). 

It is the one at 6 o'clock position in above pic.

Factoring in the extra round, I increased the stitchcount of final round by 1 DS 

for each segment between picots on both rings & chains between 2 picots. It worked.

The final snowflake measures a tad over 3.5 inches. 

Techniques used : CTM, LJ, floating rings, SSSR to hide ends, square knots, 

multiple strands of embroidery floss/cotton & metallic thread for tatting. 

I am very satisfied & happy with the outcome. Hope you like it too. 

It is a spectacular design & fun to tat, especially with the shortcuts I took!

This completes 6 snowflakes for the Craftree Snowflake Tat-Along. I've completed the first round of Day Seven, but am busy with a lot of other activity around the home, hence it is going slowly ...

happy tatting always :-)

Related Posts : Rakhi Bracelet patterns

Identity Crisis,

Freshly Tatted,

marching along,

chicken feet

Tatting Away XIV : Earrings

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I won’t ask whether you missed me or not … coz,

If you say “yes”

then god bless ;

If you say “no”,

then I don’t wanna know ;-P

While my blog lies neglected, my shuttles & threads are at work. 

Also learning & trying new things, including beads. 

It’s tennis season, & a lot of balls are up in the air !

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Free Earring Patterns  

Let’s first get my pattern downloads out of the way (click for direct download).

1. I have included a diagram for the Jewelry Medallion (Earrings) (blue one in lead pic)
2. Trailing Hearts Earrings pattern  (red one in lead pic)

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I joined Georgia Seitz’s Online Tatting Class a couple of weeks back & am having such great fun there, while learning a lot & bouncing off ideas. Sharing my ‘homework’ here, as part of my bead-learning experience, and in keeping with the theme of this post, viz., Earrings.

Click on titles for link to pattern  

(June 2, 2015)

Nellie’s Earring

Adapted by Martha Ess

A re-purposed pattern based on Motif #20 by Nellie Youngburg (Forty Original Designs in Tatting).

This was a fun fun project. It was made so simple by Martha’s excellent diagramming & perfect instructions. Went smoothly, without a single hitch ! And it was easier to work with larger beads, of course.

AMC size 20. Aqua Blue : 4054-0185

Measures 2½” along sides & 2” high

My Workings :

• FS/BS tatting .
• Chains at base of corner clovers/trefoils are joined by a very small picot to keep them steady (recommended by Georgia).
• For the hook, though, instead of keeping the 6 beads in rectangular formation, I joined through the center, getting 2 ‘floating’ triangles, in keeping with the triangular theme of this earring. Just experimenting ;-)

Martha has also turned this pattern into an Angel for Palmetto TatDays 2015 !

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(June 5, 2015)

Verah’s Earrings 2015

Designer : Patricia Vera-Camacho

This pair of earrings caught my interest Immediately because they have rings within rings ! (I seem to be going round in circles/rings lately) . Clever !!! 

Verah proposes a pair of thin shuttles to make the interlaced rings. But, of course, I don’t have a set, I haven’t gotten around to making one from any old plastic/cardboard …. So, Could I possibly make them with Normal shuttles – like the Interlaced Rings tuts I posted here ?!

Did a quick practice ring with scrap threads. It worked !!! 

One does require a 3^rd shuttle on the go, for the 2 side rings only; and the sequence of tatting changes because the infinity trimming is not added later, but simultaneously.

My Workings :

1. “Infinity Trimming” with normal shuttle :

Tat Ring 1. But do not close it.

Wrap Shuttle 3 thread around hand as to start a ring, But bring the shuttle Up through R1 from behind/under, on left side, to make the wrap. You will notice that the main ring gets enclosed within this wrap.

Complete & close the Interlaced ring on left side of R1.

Similarly, start the 2^nd part of infinity trimming, bringing Sh3 up through R1 on right side.

Complete & close the interlaced ring. (chose favorite method to hide ends).

Now close R1 & continue with 2 shuttles.

The same steps will be repeated for Ring 3 on other side.

2.  Rayon Thread 

I had to make life difficult for myself, of course. Verah listed size 60 thread for the Infinity trimming. I used a double strand of rayon thread, which seemed too tiny when the rings were tatted. Hence increased stitch count to 20 per ring, & also added 2 extra rings, making the total 4 !

3.  Diagram & Beads

I had a bit of trouble with the written instructions, but focused on the diagram, especially for the placement of beads.

This is the sequence of beads as loaded on to shuttles (I am still learning, so this may not have been required) :

Shuttle 1 : 1bB, 1B, 2bB, 1B  ;  Shuttle 2 : 1bB     [ bB- bugle bead ; B – green bead ]

4.  LTROR instead of SCMR 

This was merely for my learning practice.  

Miranda (tattingfool) has an excellent pictorial on how to make the LTR (loop tatted ring) , & also a modified method for closing LTR, here. I used the same to make & close the LTROR (loop tatted ring on ring). It works great ! One needs to tug a bit for the final close, but once ‘hooked’ it rolls through smoothly. I’m certainly hooked to this & tried it on Iris’ TIAS doily as well . An added benefit is absence of any colour blip when working with 2 colours.

5. Threads & bead sizes forced me to

• leave out the 2 crystal beads on side of central bead
• add another ds to chain around the center bead

In White size 20 (Anchor Mercer) thread, the earrings measure approx 1¼” x 1½”.  

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I apologize to the designers for making little tweaks --- it was simply my way of learning & applying newer techniques, & experimenting , with no intention of redesigning or changing . I chose the patterns because I liked them in the first place & really had fun  :-) 

My sincere thanks to All the individuals mentioned above, 

for sharing their lovely patterns, their expertise & wisdom.

Motifs # 21-22/II for 25 Motif Challenge

Related Posts : How to Start Interlaced Rings

All about Ninetta's Curled Rings