Matilda

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I tatted this back in Dec 2017. It is a motif from Hye-oon Lee's book "Lovely tatting Doilies Fall & Winter". She generously shared the Matilda motif pattern with the Online Tatting Class in November – one with spiral chains, the other without.

Worked in Anchor size 40, in 2 contrasting colours, it works out to 2¼ inches.

One colour is made first with no attachments. Then the next colour is made, joining on the go to the previous rings.

The long chains overlap. Notice how the chains are not all equal in length? Reason is a little experiment I did.... 

Just for fun, I used Victorian sets for the chains going up/out, and Josephine chain/spiral tatting for the chains coming down/in. Turns out the former are longer!

DESIGN TIP : The spiral chains tat up tighter, hence shorter, than the Victorian set chains. 
Refer Chains in Shuttle Tatting sampler.

I hope Hye-oon is not too miffed with this little visually unsuccessful experiment. Many thanks for this uncommon pattern.

charming in pink

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Encircled Charm

Usha Shah

Another beautiful medallion pattern from Usha ! Well, it would’ve been, if I hadn’t been in such a hurry. Using some leftover threads, I managed only 6 rings to her 8.

A very clever pattern and 2-colour effect ! The dot picot cluster is overlaid midways through tatting a ring. It is a variant of Alternate Thread Tatting (ATT) and Ikuta’s Picots (method 2).

I deliberately tried to increase the bare thread space (from 6mm to 7mm), intending for it to look more like a flower. But it didn’t work out properly. This was tatted in a hurry before class, using some leftover threads – wanted to be prepared before attending.

Notice the pink thread beneath the cluster on the topmost ring? That is the core thread which lies across the cluster at the back. In this first petal I tried to decrease the space, tugging the ring hard. Wrong ! Close the ring normally and let the bare thread lie behind.

Future Idea - Can you see this around a Gem or Penny or a Button – a new Ice Drop pattern?

Many many thanks, Usha, for sharing this adorable pattern !

Charming view ! 

Jack’s Beanstalk ?!

 

These are a few pics of the Rangoon Creeper just outside my window. I love the flowers and the rapid and luxuriant growth of these climbers (there is  a 4-day gap between the 2 pics). We have these on every building in our complex – climbing up a rope right up to the terrace. Every year for one reason or other a climber may fall down. But like Jack’s Beanstalk they grow back in no time !!!

DH kept prodding me to cut and put a bunch in a vase and I kept telling him this is one inflorescence that shouldn't be vased - there are always ‘ants’ inside them. Would he listen – Nooooo! 

So anyways, here’s a bunch on the table. True to modern times, this was a quick photo-op set-up. I was working quickly to avoid any critters showing up – didn’t even wait to properly arrange or for the flowers to straighten out. 

Even as I was clicking, the Hubster noticed a couple of the bugs crawling out on to the leaves. Rushed them outside! I can triumphantly say – told ya - but am saddened to see such a beautiful bunch thrown away :-(

This was taken only 4 days later. The climber had climbed up out of range !

Now another 4-5 days later, some of the flowers have started to wilt. But they've spread their joy and fragrance :-) Waiting for the next flourish, while still enjoying their fading beauty ...

Have a great weekend J

were they hieroglyphs ?

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free vintage edging pattern in modern notation  
this post is in a lighter vein, though it involved serious work

 Hieroglyphic, err, Arsenic and Old Lace

 dedicated to the wonderful Online Tatting Class

                                            A mummy wrapped in old lace,

                                            I sought to make new and replace

                                            with minimal invasion –

                                            a diagram and notation.

                                            There arose a cry in class

                                            ‘how to tat this is one pass?’

                                            To a new diagram it led,

                                            but wasn’t clearly read.

                                            The new sequence highlighted,

                                            Why was not it sighted ?

                                            Was there a real glitch

                                            or words were like hieroglyphs ?

                                            Such tricks plays our brain

                                            This is arsenic, pain not again !

                                            The new mummy they turned over

                                            To decipher the top as the lower !

                                                                           -- muskaan, May 31, 2017

I promise, je promets, lo prometto – the last and final revision of this edging. And I do apologise for putting my dear readers through this yet again - March, April, and now May, oops - the mummy rises again !

This is an image from the original Georgia sent me, for working out the sequence and diagramming. Here all 5 rows were tatted separately, with tie and cut after each. 

During my first revisit of the tatted edging from Coats and Clark (Book 121, Pattern 295), without specific guidelines, I didn’t want to change anything, except climbing out of rows for a continuous tat. Hence rows I to IV were tatted as one continuous unit. Then tie and cut. And row V was worked separately.

Some tatters wondered how to make all 5 rows in one go. Hence I included this in a revised diagram (below), to be read in conjunction with the original modern notation, and all links and information were provided in that single page (shown encircled)

Yet confusion persisted. Eyes went straight for the diagram, skipping the written matter which was highlighted through colour coding, or within boxes and the tatting sequence was the first thing on the page ! They were Not hieroglyphs, were they ?! 

I recently finished reading The Brain by David Eagleman and it is an 'eye'-opener to see how our brain takes over all our perceptions, sensations, knowledge, learning, comprehension, actions and reactions.

Anyway, they solved it by turning the page upside down ;-D (Ingenious lot here, though momentarily blinded by the diagram perhaps, ;-P !)

Why ? Because then Row I became oriented correctly – the way we would tat it. Another TWoT lesson for diagrammers.

All this could’ve have easily avoided if I hadn’t tried to avoid some extra work (yeah, yeah, a stitch in time …. and all that jazz ;-P) I should’ve re-oriented the pattern (in pic below) for the revised diagram, but thought it’d be too much work. It is easy enough to flip a diagram in Inkscape; turns out it is just as easy to flip the numbers – individually or as a group !!! I did have to reposition, but it was all fairly quick work. Another happy lesson learned too late :-)

So I give you yet again, the re-revised reoriented and this time stand-alone pattern for the edging. download reoriented diagram-only pdf here. 

Since I was going through it all again, and I didn't want to show you the same old pic, I tatted another sampler, this time in black size 50. 

And I also made another pdf this time with the pattern in written notation too. 
download Complete reoriented pattern pdf with diagram and text here

I know you must be bored, but hey, “I’m picky” ;-P And hopefully no hieroglyphic this time!
I will be striking out all previous pdfs to avoid confusion in future.

Thank you Georgia and the Online Tatting Class

for new perspectives, 
and for making me work harder to improve J

keep tatting till posterity J

rising a month late

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tatting on a paperclip - free pattern

Radiant Sun Paperclip

designed for Online Tatting Class, April 2017 

download free pdf here

   

This little project was worked in 2 days flat – from ideation to execution to presentation – so that we could have a surprise paperclip pattern before end of April.

You know that I am not proficient with beads or their terminology, etc. So there were many senior moments here. Only later after pdf was made and sent (in record time for me! And this included a quick test tat and valuable feedback from Phyllis), I emailed Nina Libin for info and she graciously explained the correct terms along with links (which helped immensely during class). Georgia also shared links I didn’t know about, in class. I have used those terms & links in this post.

It all started when I saw a jewellery ad in the newspaper and wondered if I could get beads to stay positioned as free-floating rays using a shuttle.

I had an idea and quickly searched for similar projects & tutorials but as often happens, nothing came up close.

Pattern is a simple chain with beads radiating freely around .

To execute my idea I needed the end/stopper bead to be large.

Slip bugle bead and pearl bead on to a picot loop ;

Before tensioning the picot, loop it over the pearl snuggly like a noose (like we do for the SSSR or LTROR);

Pull back the extra length of loop, ensuring that the wrapped thread stays tightly noosed around the bead.

Continue with chain.

Pretty simple, easy, and no extra tools required.

Now to put it to the test, I started to tug at the pearls – 2 stayed in place, but one fell off.

One can use this method only if the piece is going to lie flat – glued or appliqued, and not worn/used.

Back to the drawing board. This time I used a beading needle to thread back through the bugle bead only. Of course it worked. But it has been around for ages – called the beaded fringe*

download complete Radiant Sun Paperclip pattern here 

 pattern is so small, that it can quickly be finger-tatted . Or needle-tatted

A 'luggage tag loop' is used to start. It creates a complete double stitch. 

Care must be taken to keep the shuttle to the right.

I chose a blue clip for sky with the yellow sun emerging. 

For the right shade, I used 3 strands of Anchor embroidery thread.

If I leave tails on both ends, doesn’t it look like a headdress ?!

Many more ideas radiated from this, but the sun is setting for now :-)

* other terms : beaded stem (Corina Meyfeldt prestrings the beads and pulls into place when required) ; single file beaded picots (Nina Libin, Book #18)

this is not my first pattern with bugle beads on a paperclip - I made several trials of another pattern in February (remember, Ninetta? :-P), but have let the final tatting & presentation lapse. Should get back to it ....

Grateful thanks to Georgia, Nina, & Phyllis

hope you enjoy tatting this quick little pattern :-)

DROPping into space !

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I had the pleasure of test tatting a snowflake which had square rings.

Jumped at the opportunity to practice square rings. The only time I tried a couple of these was 3 years back & at the time I was still groping my way through the plethora of techniques. Nothing to write home about.

Diamond Snowflake

Phyllis Schmidt

The highlight of this flake is obviously the square ring oriented like a diamond. 

A square ring is simply a combination of padded tatting and regular tatting

I experimented a lot with the square rings, starting with Christiane Eichler’s method. It is very effective. But you have to work with 2 taped shuttles throughout the entire pattern, which slows down the speed of tatting (unless you have those double bobbin shuttles).

Hence I really liked Phyllis’ practical tweak where she uses only bits of spare thread limited to the square ring. Rest of pattern is worked normally. 

Even with spare thread, I tried a lot of variations and all seem to work just as effectively – same size, smaller size, embroidery floss, different colour, etc. – once we get a hang of the technique, and close the ring tight.

But I will still recommend 3 strands of embroidery thread for size 20 whether in same or different colour – the colour does not show up; being less tightly twisted, it grips the stitches within; it is finer than size 20; and it is easy to find the right shade.

Don't be afraid to pull the spare threads tightly and finally close the ring tightly at the very end, after you are satisfied with the angular shape.

My thoughts on square / angular rings :

I tried to make squares - rings or mock rings - using single bead on core thread, 1ds SCMR, dot picot, padded stitches, to name a few.

End result - padding is absolutely necessary to get really straight lines, whatever way we use to make angle (unless one tats loosely and blocks & stiffens profusely)

The padding can be along core thread as in the 2 methods above, or padding can be on the stitch.

See Phyllis' own working here, including a beaded version.

Pattern is shared here and will be discussed in OTC this Monday 

(along with my twisted picots in the Snowflake Sparkle, I think).

The top left is my first test tat ; the lilac is the final version. One of the spare threads in the latter is yellow coloured, but not visible even from up close.

TIP : And no, the spare thread does Not unravel. 

Yet to ease my paranoia, after closing the ring, I made 1 unflipped second half stitch, encapsulating the spare thread tails, then continued with chain normally. And further, I snipped them close, only after blocking, thus ensuring that the fibres caught on and held their place.

Techniques : 2 shuttle tatting, lock join, square ring, thrown rings, mock picot.

It is worked all from the front, in clockwise direction.

I did not do the unflipped half stitch before starting the square ring.

Blocking (for shape only) and stiffening is recommended.

Besides practicing square rings, I learned a lot from this test tat. Phyllis is so organized and precise in her response and resolution to all feedback. I have already applied this learning to some extent with good results, while testing/corresponding with Usha. Midways, I also became comfortable with Google Docs with it’s comment boxes, et al. Saves so much time !

Off to Space it goes

I magnified & mirrored my ice drops,

dropped it into the ocean, and 

am now sending it into outer space.

That colourful bead box is one of my new acquisitions & I love the turning slotted lid !!! It opens only the desired bead segment, and keeps the rest in their place.

Warning : Continue reading at own peril - this is graphic material for precision tatters. ;-P

Yes, I snipped off the picot between rings in the green flake!!! But first I put a spot of fabric glue on each picot, let it dry, then clipped.

Sewed in the blue seed beads with single strand embroidery floss, going through both flakes.

Inserted the clear marble towards the end. A slightly larger marble would be ideal, but I had only these or much larger marbles in my stash.

Stiffened on the back with very slightly diluted liquid fabric starch/stiffener. It dried invisible.

Many many thanks to Phyllis for this splendid opportunity and lovely pattern

whether a flake, a double flake, an ice drop or a spaceship, 

hope you enjoy tatting this as much as I did.

happy tatting in whatever space you find yourself :-)

pattern updates

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Good news – I have finally updated all the patterns and links on my pattern & design page. 

(phew ! But this does not guarantee that all patterns are in pdf, teehee !!!)

Bad news – I still have to work the archives to update my tutorials page 

(shudder !)

Worse news – this is an admin post - dry, brut, sec! 

(sorry Y , but if you enjoy your wine that way, Cheers åå)  

Pattern page overview

All patterns are first linked to the respective blog post in blue, even if a pdf (link in pink) is available. There is always so much more in a post than a pdf and I encourage users to check the post first.

It is over 2 years now that I have been associated with the inspiring, talented and helpful Online Tatting Class group (or “gang”, as Mel puts it) of creative tatters. I continue to learn a lot, and real time interaction is very exhilarating. Many of my patterns, projects, and tutorials have been shared with the class. If a pattern has been shared or published elsewhere, there is a link to the class index /publication in red letters. One can access logs for the class through the index.

I have shifted the Designing section from my tutorials to my patterns page. This includes design ideas, deconstructions, and some of diverse paths I have used in my design process. One never knows when a budding designer might find some path or design useful.

Pattern update

Many weeks this year were dedicated to the spring garland - mainly the presentation; actual tatting was quick and fun. And I recently wound it around my little bun which I wrap on a bit above the nape, and the tatted veni & hair looked gorgeous! 

I had hoped to add tassels at the ends, but didn't get around to it. 

I tried tatting 3D jasmine buds - the buds look fine, but the green needs working.

All pdfs for the Spring Garland pattern are now complete and uploaded to My Patterns page with the respective links. Each post is also updated. As I stated, I request tatters to visit the respective post for more tips, pictures, and explanation.

Here are the final pattern pdf links :

complete spring garland pdf 

marigold necklace pdf

mustard fields pictorial in post (and as part of complete garland pdf)

jasmine braid pdf

Each part and complete pattern was shared with Online Tatting Class throughout April and lots of fun and wonderful ideas emerged (some quite ambitious as per moi ;-P ) - enough to keep one busy for a lifetime !

Judy kindly shared tips about working some parts of the pattern in needle tatting. I hope to get around to it some day. Many many thanks, Judy :-)

I also keep forgetting to mention that at the end of each post there is now an option (actually 3 options ‘coz I haven’t bothered to find out how to delete the extras ;-P) to print or save the entire post as a pdf. Click on that Print / PDF button to save the post as desired. 

Hope you enjoy your weekend with lots of lace being created :-)

Always have a muskaan on your face :-D

thumb-nailed it !

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what you ask ?  the dot picot !!

It was my pleasure to test tat a couple more medallions with dot picots.

And I finally nailed it ;-P

Thumb nail – my key to a good dot picot .

Dot Picot flower

Usha Shah 

 

It is always a good idea to study the sample or diagram. When I see chains with a lot of thrown rings, I prefer tatting these frontside. Hence the inner rings were worked backside. 

It is a 2-round medallion worked continuously. I climbed out with reverse join instead of SLT.

If you look closely, a couple of the dot picots have some thread showing – the ring did not close completely. I struggled a bit, just like I did before, with closing this tiny ring.

Till I stumbled on, for me, the perfect solution : Start closing the ring as you normally would. Towards the very last part, hold the stitch in the little crevice between the thumb nail and the flesh. Then pull the remaining thread taut and close ring fully. Worked every time as is evident in the much better tatted next medallion ….

Measures 2 inches in size 20 Anchor

Wonder Lilac

Usha Shah

This delightful medallion was a pleasure to tat (despite the beads, yes !), now that I had the dot picot under my thumb :-D

Instead of a regular ring, I started with a SCMR.

And instead of all those paperclips hanging from the long beaded picots (LBP), I measured the length required using a picot gauge. ½ inch was sufficient for these 3 beads. Continued tatting without beads to complete circle....

I left the first 3 LBPs with beads and paperclips for purpose of comparison.

This is the same method I used in my bracelet here

The 2^nd round was easy-going, loading beads with a crochet hook immediately before joining.

I believe thread also plays a role in the making. This medallion is worked in Red Heart size 20, which is a bit smoother and less tightly wound that Anchor crochet cotton in same size.

Both these, and more, patterns will soon be posted on Usha’s blog.

Take a pleasant walk through her creative journey dotted with picots here (pun intended)

UPDATE (May 7): pdf for both patterns now shared on OTC

Many many thanks to Usha for sharing her patterns :-)

and happy tatting always J

back to tatting

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tatted heart, bookmark & kite

I hadn’t been doing much tatting for the past several days, trying to stay focused on completing all the presentations, diagrams and pdfs for the spring garland (hoo boy, it takes way too much time!!!). But the last few days were a bit better. I slowly got back into the tatting mojo and some of the UFOs are turning into WIPs ! While there are a couple of exciting things I cannot show yet, here are a few I can…

Heart for Kay

Nina Libin

The butterfly called out to me ! Just like in Irene Woo’s Heart of the Butterfly. Wish I could've taken a combo pic of the two, except that it has been gifted & happily received. 

This one, too, is tatted in 3 strands of embroidery thread, but I worked the heart in opposite direction to that given in the diagram. If I’d followed the diagrammed sequence, my butterfly would’ve had backside rings.

The 8-ring formation : 

Here I didn’t use any SLT. Instead I tatted the outer (thrown) ring first, then the inner ring, and continued with the chain. It seems to hold up fine even without any blocking.

This is a pretty pattern and quick to tat up. The pattern, to be shared with OTC tomorrow, can be downloaded here. It is scheduled to be shared with the Online Tatting Class tomorrow. 

UPDATE (Apr 18, 2017): see how I used this lovely heart here .

Chinese Coin Bookmark

Jon Yusoff

This free pattern has been with me for ages, ever since I found this teeming tatting world online. Seeing Fox’s work recently, inspired me to finally take it up. What I can do now, I couldn't have done 4 years back, so the delay was good ;-)

After the first few repeats, I felt bored with the single colour (I should’ve chosen something brighter!). More so because I felt I could've tatted alternate halves, then used a different colour to fill in the missing halves - like 2 sinusoidal waves. 

But now the body is happily completed and am working a tail from part of the pattern itself. No pics yet. The first half took a while to get used to, but the return was a breeze. And I'm pretty satisfied with the look.

Kite with Cluny Tail

Mimi Dillman

I started this cute kite, also from the Online Tatting Class, in March, intending it as a bookmark. Now I have some more ideas that need working out. Should I use this as a charm and combine 4 motifs to create a larger diamond for the main body? Decisions !!! Will take it up again after I finish the coin bookmark.  

Many many thanks to all the talented designers for sharing their work :-)

sights n scents of an Indian spring

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a free tatting pattern

I had just finished my Block Heart patterns in early Feb when Georgia threw me a hint about thinking ahead towards spring, ITD, etc. (groan !!!)

Coincidentally, earlier that week the advent of spring had been celebrated in India . Having already tatted an an impressionistic collage for the end-of-spring celebrations called Holi, I looked up some details of the former. 

The beginning of spring ‘basant’/‘vasant’ season is heralded by a burst of flowers and celebrated in large parts of India as Vasant Panchmi, with floral tributes, religious ceremonies, joyous singing, dancing, kite flying,…

You know how I love tatting flowers – what better than a garland incorporating some of that joyous spirit in an Indian leitmotif. 

This pattern (and the mustard fields) is going to be shared with the Online Tatting Class on Monday, and length of post was unavoidable due to pics ...

Spring Garland

a tatted floral veni/jadai

UPDATE (Apr 21, 2017) : Spring Garland pattern is now in pdf here.

This is my attempt to capture a few of the colours and spirit of this spring festival with attached symbolism – auspiciousness of marigold flowers, the swaying yellow fields of mustard, and the fragrant white jasmines – as a garland around neck or as a ‘veni’ worn by women in their hair. (pronounced ‘waynee’. A broad floral garland also called ‘jadai’ in Southern India and worn by brides)

Before I dive into the pattern details, I urge all tatters to please check out this video on flower veni making – the first few minutes will reveal something I'd never noticed before. I’ve seen many methods, but not this !   

The scents !!!! Pure floral essence or attars and an exquisitely hand-carved sandalwood box.

I have already shared the 3 stand-alone patterns. Here, they are joined to create a broader garland. 

Marigold braid acts as the foundation row ;

Mustard fields acts as a filler middle row ; and

Jasmine braid tops the ensemble. 

Recommended thread size : between 30 to 50. The tatted model is worked mostly in vintage 40 which is equivalent to size 50. The measurements work out to :

Marigolds : ½ inch wide; 3 flowers = 1 inch

Mustard : ¾ inch wide (~ 4½” long)

Jasmine : ½ inch wide; 8 buds = 1 inch

Row 1 : Marigold Garland

UPDATE : Marigold Necklace pattern is now in pdf here

This row is tatted exactly as per pattern shared here, for desired length.
The first flower was mistakenly left unattached (see "Oops" below). 

Part of this length is for the main body, the rest for a tail or tie.

One fully loaded bobbin is sufficient for the 23 flowers in size 50, and a bit less for the green.

Row 2 : Mustard Fields

Attach thread to any of the marigold flowers and work a fabric of these single-shuttle picot flowers as per pattern & instructions here. This row is worked from right to left overall, but in a to an fro fashion as seen in next pic ...

The work grows from side to side as seen in the marked sequence – this is only a guide. 
There could've been a couple more flowers at the beginning (see "Oops" below)

On one side, the flower is attached, using a normal picot join, to the row 1 marigolds before returning back to the other side. But leave some slack on the joining loop to resemble a picot, as described in pattern.

To keep the 'open' edge relatively straight, I initially used grid paper – place your work on the grid, and see that the work is aligned to desired width.

Continue for desired width and length.

One fully loaded shuttle (size 50 thread) sufficed for this 4½” long segment.

Since we are working with a single shuttle and flowers are randomly arranged, some bare thread is required, old-style, to span the distance between 2 flowers. This, however, stays hidden on the wrong side. (a wrongside view of garland is shared below).

For a dense effect, keep the flowers close, and bare thread minimal. The texture & feel in fine thread is quite exquisite !

Row 3 : Jasmine Braid

Attach threads to a marigold nearest to the edge of body. The first ring is joined to an adjacent picot after closing, to anchor the braid well.
Basic pattern, shared here, remains the same, except that the left column of flowers is attached to previous row of mustards as follows ...
SR (on left)  : 8 + 2 p 6 vsp 2 / 2ushs p 1 p 1 .
SR (on right): 10 p 6 vsp 2 / 2ushs p 1 p 1.

In response to some confusion about direction of 3rd ring, I have drawn a diagram : 

Download pdf of Jasmine braid pattern with diagram 

To turn the corner : after tatting the right-side ring (numbered 1 in above pic), tat another ring without turning work. This ring 2 is joined to the vsp of ring 1. After closing, lock join to the vsp of previous left-side ring, and without turning work, tat ring 3.

 Ring 3 is lock joined to the picot of previous left-side ring as shown by the + sign. 
(see "Oops" below)

Now turn work and tat a regular left-side ring, joining to previous row and continue to desired length.

A gauge from the practice piece : It was not always easy to gauge where to attach the jasmine ring. A short practice piece of 5-8 flowers was very helpful in correct attachment! When it came time to join, I placed the gauge over the braid, matching the flowers, and knew which picot on row 2 would be needed.

When it was time to join, I placed the gauge over the braid, matching the flowers, and knew which picot on row 2 would be needed (crochet hook used as an indicator here).

TIP : If one does not want a straight-ish edging, join the jasmine at any stitch along the 10 stitches instead of after 8.

Only 2 instead of 3 continuous jasmine rings would've sufficed to turn this corner. The first ring actually got hidden under the previous right-side ring ! But 3 rings would work for a full turn.

 The jasmine braid is continued unattached to form a tail or tie. 

as seen from the wrong side.

I deliberately went with a different braid at each end in order to showcase them separately and also to keep a bit of freestyling. Obviously, the tatter is at liberty to use any combination of braids, or repeats of the same braid, to create many variations !

By altering the row widths, and combination/placement/addition of beads, or changing the thread colours, the pattern can become a necklace, a bracelet, anklet, belt, etc. or individual flowers/groups can be used as appliqué, brooch, and so on. How about a floral henna for a bride's hand ?!  

I am going to use it as a bookmark, hence no beads.

Oops !

Parts of this garland were tatted on the go, and a few mistakes crept in. Here is a listing to quell any confusion, hopefully :

1. Marigolds – the first flower is not joined. It was a mistake which I incorporated as a design modification in order to get the curve.

Since I did not know how long a tail was needed, the wip pics show 2 threads of this row at right end where I left the shuttles ‘dangling’, and completely the unattached braid tail at the end.

2. Mustard – the first few flowers are not as closely situated as the rest. I could’ve added a few with scrap thread later, but have left it for now.

3. Jasmine – the given pattern & diagrammed pdf starts with the first ring on the left, which is how I started the row initially. 

 

But it left an unseemly gap on the right side. Hence, for this garland, the first ring is on the right, BUT it is tatted backside just as in pattern. 

Close-up pics in Jasmine braid show that I did not keep the green thread at back of work while starting the next ring, thus the bare thread is visible on top.

Corner : For an gentle angle, instead of 3 continuous rings, 2 would suffice. The first of these is now hidden behind a previous ring on that side – one tatted & joined as usual, the next joined to the long picot of right side flower, and then turn work and tat the right side flower as usual.

Okay, I think I need a break from all these long posts, as do you my dear readers :-) 

Dear hubby misses my company due to the long hours spent daily in front of this PC ;-P

Hope you are enjoying fair weather and happily tatting away :-) 

see you in class !