a 3 in 1 leaf

Pin It now!

Ninetta has announced our new game for the month of October however I couldn't post my second submission for September in time even though I finished tatting it on the night of 30th Sep ;-D

 What can I say! When I have multiples of any motif I enjoy rearranging them to see what shapes emerge. I've already shown several such for the E15 Leaf Doodle #1. This motif is so adaptable that it boggles my mind. (All links related to E15 leaves are at the end of this post)

This time I took all three versions (tatted back in Dec2023) and thought the arrangement looked very much like the leaf of a grape plant. All that was needed was to tat an edge all around them, keeping them in place and wouldn't take too long.

I placed them again on blank paper and drew an outline in pencil. Took a pic. I referred back to the pic several times to confirm where to join. 

Used Victorian sets with a few picots thrown in for a textured outline. A darker shade of thread was an oopsie, not deliberate, LOL.

TIP: In Victorian sets, make the picot between 1st half-stitch set and 2nd half-stitch set for it to face outward. And a slightly longer picot.

I was simply winging it and have no stitch count. There is a very short split chain at the base to center the stem. I've left a few inches of tails for future addition.

Tatting didn't take long as expected, but unfortunately  I couldn't include the intended bunch of grapes in time. Task for future, hopefully within this month. 

If you look closely you will also see a bit of a mess in the center. No sweat! In nature perhaps a little birdie or a caterpillar shredded a portion and that's what it is ;-D

I think this looks better in real than in the pics - hubby identified it immediately as a grape leaf - and I could've done a better job. Nevertheless the joy counts for a great deal! Call it Leaf Relief!!!

Related Posts - 

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-power-of-15.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/lets-flourish.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/lighting-up.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/01/barely-in-time.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/05/inflating-leaf.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/e15-leafy-bonanza.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/leafy-game.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/leafy-birdie.html

what the heart wants

Pin It now!

.... 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

truant heart

Pin It now! The truancy continues, well at least on some days. On other days I am simply vegetating hoping to rouse myself. 

This time it is with two heart patterns shared by our clever and prolific designers - Ninetta Caruso and Daniela Galli.

Mother's Day Heart by Ninetta Caruso - 

This is a derivative from Endrucks' pattern #5. I worked it in Sanbest metallic.

Instead of the beaded strings, Ninetta left bare thread on both sides - a nice effect! In a conservative mood, I strung beads on the thread after all the tatting was completed.

Can't say I am too comfortable working with metallics ... for one thing, the front and back side are not clearly distinguishable.

Just one more pic, LOL.

The pattern which was first included in the main pdf for pattern #5, is now shared as a separate pdf and is one of the patterns in our #pickmeEndrucks Feb2023 event in our Endrucks 1920 Project FB group.

Albero dell'amore (Tree of Love) by Daniela Galli - 

This heart shape is so biologically correct, isn't it?! 

There were large colourful beads added to the rings, and I was going to sew them in, too. But ....

 

I love the overlapping Victorian set chains. I worked this 2-round deign in one pass by starting at the left and climbing out with a split ring so that I could continue around with a 3rd round ...

Not willing to distract from the effect, I avoided the large beads. 

Instead, I added another round of chains to the top half, with seed beads ....

And this is what came of it - the biological shape ensconced in a stylized iconic heart shape.

Worked in Anchor size 20 (equivalent to Lizbeth size 10), it turned out kinda large.

This pattern was shared by Daniela Galli in an event in their Chiacchierino: Filo, Amore e Fantasia FB group.

I thoroughly enjoyed working on both hearts, and hope the designers don't mind my tweaks. And both hearts are quick tats, beads notwithstanding!

💗Grazie mille per questi meravigliosi schemi, Daniela and Ninetta 💗

a happy day flower

Pin It now!

After the grumpiness last time, this flower seems to have settled down for now as a daffodil, which happens to be the flower of the month! She understands that there is a lot of improvement as well as diversity possible, but this is my little gift to all tatters on the eve of International Tat Day, 2022. 

Happy Hands 3D Daffodil  (prototype pattern continued)

adaptation of Endrucks' edging #1

The odd one out, but continuing the pattern for this prototype .....

After the first 3 petal fiasco, I chanced upon a superb daffodil pic posted by Coretta L where 3 petals were curved and the other 3 were pointed. This is the reason I chose to go with daffodil and after a bit of Googling, it turned out that it was the flower for March-born, besides having more meanings. Timely, huh!

Petals : pattern -  https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-confused-flower.html

Some abbreviations : ch = chain; LJ = lock join; fhs = 1st half-stitch; shs = 2nd half-stitch

Corona : Use your preferred method of block tatting. I have followed Endrucks' style, using 2 shuttles, turn work (tw) and switch shuttle (SS). I simply knotted the threads, leaving the tails to add to the stalk.

ch-1: 1 - 4 - 6, tw SS

ch-2: - 4 - 6 LJ 4 LJ, tw SS 

ch-3: [ 1 - 4 LJ 6 LJ, tw SS

ch-4: 4 - 6 LJ 4 LJ, tw SS ]x6

Make one last chain and remember to join it to BOTH the 1st and previous chain at 2 points respectively. This creates a conical structure, with both threads emerging along the top edge. Continue ... 

Corona Frill : is made with a row of Node stitch or Victorian Set chains, lock joined to the picot below. You can choose a different colour. 

Victorian Set Chain: [ 3fhs 3shs 3fhs 3shs, LJ ]x7

This is how it looks after the corona and frill is finished. I simply put in a few pearl head pins in the center. All tails have been inserted through the center space of the petals, and before snipping off, join the base of corona to the base of petals. If desired, we can use one of the tails to sew and anchor it.

TIP: We can add a 2nd row for a wider and more pronounced frill. This could be with sets of 4 or 5 half stitches each.

Anthers : Each is made separately with a bead at the tip of a lock chain. Use leftover thread, short lengths are sufficient, and single shuttle. String bead and work the lock chain below it. You can decide the length of each stamen. I varied the lengths using between 6 to 9 lock stitches, for 4 stamens.

Again, insert the tails through the center space and cut off, leaving a few inches of tail. After inserting the last stamen, make an overhead knot at the base, encapsulating all the tails.

Calyx : Block tatting. Start with a paper clip to hold picot or a lock stitch (without paperclip, which is what I did here). 2 shuttles, ctm. 

TIP: You can make a join to the base of a petal midways through the calyx 

ch-1: - 6 - 4, tw SS

ch-2: - 2 - 4 LJ 6 LJ, tw SS

ch-3: 1 half-stitch - 6 LJ 4 LJ, tw SS

ch-4: 2 - 4 LJ 6 LJ, tw SS   

ch-5: 1 half-stitch - 6 LJ 4 LJ, tw SS 

ch-6: - 2 - 4 LJ, tw SS   

ch-7: 4 LJ, tw SS

These are the 7 chains seen in the image above.

Repeat chains 2 & 3 twice. Wrap the open calyx around all the tails at the base of the petals. Make one last chain joining to BOTH 1st and last chain at both joining points so that we have a cone.

I used a drop of fabric glue to keep the tails and the calyx in place since I had not anchored the calyx. At the base, I made 2 overhand ties, keeping all tails within the knot.

Do not cut threads. Continue for stalk and leaf.

Stalk : Here we are encapsulating all the tails while covering it with unflipped stitches. You can choose to do a Josephine chain or simple direct tatting. I used an odd method to make a Lock Chain for a straight stalk. 

Lock Chain encapsulation : Always keep the tail ends encapsulated while making each half-stitch. Make unflipped shs, slightly rotate the stalk towards you, make a manoeuvred fhs, rotate stalk back to original position, and repeat this process for the desired length.

TIP: We make a manoeuvred half-stitch in Twist Work, as follows : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1To6YwZSkh2ffQH3XBcKZ-Ed3l4myW34c/view 

Stalk worked to the point where I now want to start a leaf. Continue without cutting threads.

Leaf : is made with ring (forming a node), followed by a kind of phase-shift block tatting, ending in a folded ring.

ring: 4 - 6. Before closing, pull all tails through this ring and adjust the position.

ch-1: [ 1 - 3 LJ(to ring) 1, tw SS

ch-2: 1 - 4 LJ, tw SS ]x10-12

folded ring: 8 - 2fhs 8 2shs. 

You can either cut and hide ends, or whip stitch them back to the base of the leaf if you wish to continue with the stalk. I ran out of thread despite keeping the shorter length as core thread for the final chain, otherwise I would've liked the leaf to be a wee bit longer.

Having run out of thread, I joined new thread at the base of the leaf....... and continued the stalk for a short length. Then I tied and snipped off all tails and put a drop of glue to hold them together.

The stalk is semi-stiff and when held at the base of the leaf, it can hold the flower up. I have not done any kind of finishing here. This entire flower is as it is when it came off my shuttles.

I wanted more of a slant in the block chains for the leaf, but not quite successful. Will require more trials and testing.

A side view with displaced leaf. Yes, as I said in the beginning, this is a prototype and I have made several mistakes besides not being as neat as I would've liked. But hubby really likes it and I am happy for now. 

If there is sufficient interest, some day I will draw diagrams and create a pdf presentation.

Worked entirely with Anchor Pearl Cotton size 8. The flower spans 5cms, and the complete sprig is 8cms high; leaf is 4.5cms high.

Beware, some of the elements can be a bit fiddly, being small and 3D. Satisfying result, nevertheless.

Wishing you a very happy, chatty, chocolatey Tatting Day tomorrow. 

I have received such a wonderful gift and will share it as soon as I take pics!

All patterns from the Endrucks 1920 Project can be found here as pdfs - https://docs.google.com/document/d/17LEVftXweztBIOWh4sL4BB7bX65ssoOsOn4oXIgCepY/view

peony interlaced

Pin It now!

Moving beyond linear designs, my next interlacing project is circular. It is still a work in progress since I want to go beyond a single round. I have an idea of what I want, but the exact number of rounds is still a mystery.

And this time there are 4 shades, one in each shuttle. Here’s how I started the first split rings without any knot. (scroll down to 'C')

A short while back Anita sent me a photo of her peonies, and I have tried to capture the flower as best I can in the shades I have.

Anchor cotton, size 20.

4 shuttles. Shuttles 1 & 2 have the darker reds; shuttles 3 & 4 have pinks.

Basic pattern :

SR1 : 12 / 11, do not close. Pass shuttle #3 front to back through SR1.

SR2 : 10 / 10. Pass Sh3 front to back again, close both split rings and repeat, joining back to first pair.

Peony Wreath pattern

For a floral effect, as seen in the model, the outermost edge has graduated picots and the pattern is as follows –

Refer to Pictorial for front to back interlacing  

SR1 : 1 (–1)x11 / 11, do not close. Pass shuttle #3 front to back through SR1.

SR2 : 2 (–2)x4 / 2 vsp 6 vsp 2. Close both SRs after posting Sh3 again.

Repeat these 2 SRs, joining to the vsp of previous ring, and back to first pair. There are 10 pairs in total.

This can be a standalone project. Add beads and findings for earrings or pendant, or use as a tree ornament. Perhaps a miniature frame? It measures 2" across.

If you wish to continue, here’s the next round with petals….

Peony pattern (DIP)

Folded chain technique or Victorian Sets is used to create the dimples – a set of 1^st half stitches (fhs) followed by a set of 2^nd half stitches (shs) creates a beautiful dent.

Worked with one shuttle and ball, continuous thread. Attach to space between outer split rings.

Chain : 2 vsp 8, 4fhs 4shs, 3 – 5 vsp 2. lock join to next space.

[Chain2: 2 + 8, 4fhs 4shs, 3 – 5 vsp 2. lock join to next space.] Repeat all around.

Note: I count the lock join, followed by 2^nd half stitch as 1 double stitch.

Since the next rounds are going to be in variegated pink, yellow was chosen to break the excess of pink (not a shade I am fond of). However, one can continue with pinks or any colour of your choice, and climb out using split chain.

At this stage it measures 2½” across.

So, what do you think? I’m pretty happy at how it’s shaping out, though there is ample scope for improvement in all areas. But I'll let it be for now. 

Matilda

Pin It now!

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.