the bugle calls again

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updated on May 13, 2017

Sally’s Bugle Snowflake

Jane Eborall

Jane has been truly prolific with this lovely pattern, displaying such a range of colour combinations on her blog. When she uploaded the pattern, I had to give it a go.

The highlights of this pattern, to me, are the beads radiating in the centre and the lock chains forming a lovely petal shape. Jane’s tutorial on how to add beads that face outwards helped a great deal.

My Notes & thoughts

• 12 seed beads (size 11) are needed for the long beaded picot (LBPbug) in center. Since my bugle beads are shorter (4mm instead of ¼ inch), I used size 8 or 9 beads in gold, thinking that these would make up for the length.
• When loading LBPbug, make sure the loop for ring still slides.
• Also, managing the 5 LBPbug with dangling paperclips can be a bit tough. I had to make certain each time before joining to them in next round, that they were in the correct sequence and not twisted around. I did use different colored clips for each, to keep track of sequence.
• This technique for loading beads on a long central picot such that they radiate out, was first described by Frivole and also demonstrated here.
• These kind of reminded me of LTRORs (loop tatted ring on rings)!
• The central picot should’ve been more tightly snugged.

• As in my previous forays, I again used picot gauges for the LBPbug on chains (as seen in pic above). 2 sizes were required for the beads I chose – ⅜ inch and ⅝ inch. And this time I used thread to load the beads later (one of the many ways of adding beads in Jane's tutorial).

How does one gauge the length of picot ?

Well, load beads as instructed and hold with paperclip. Tat the next couple of stitches. Then remove the clip and beads and measure. Voila . No hanging clips getting in the way and slowing one down. Once the length is known, use the gauge for future beaded picots, adding beads only at time of joining. 
And the added benefit is that one can usually use beads from one's stash rather than order new ones if the pattern calls for a size one may not have.

• The lock chains could’ve been a tad longer for a more graceful curve as in Jane's snowflakes. One additional stitch would accomplish that for my tatting tension.
• The split rings are another spot of genius ! They look like thrown rings, but being split rings, they become well-anchored with an ever so slight broad base.

In order to hide the space in center where some bare thread is visible, I placed a large crystal bead in center. Doesn’t it perk up the flake even more ?!

Measures 4” from tip to tip. Inner round is 2”.

Techniques used : 2 shuttles, lock chain, beads on central picot, lock join, picot gauge, beads on picots, split ring.

Many many thanks to Jane for all her lovely patterns and tutorials

happy tatting always J