lotus tatting

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 Every year I try to tat something for our Independence Day celebrations.... if not a dedicated project, then using the tricolour in whatever I may be working on at the time. This year I felt it was much more vital given the international and more importantly our domestic situation where the parties who are in the opposition at the center keep peddling falsehoods and agenda-driven false narratives in order to show the world that Indian democracy is on shaky ground, the election process is flawed and manipulated, etc. They do not hesitate to bad-mouth the country and its institutions in their hatred towards the democratically elected Prime Minister. They cannot even digest our superiority in our  retaliation (Operation Sindoor) to the terror attack on Indian tourists by nationals from the neighbouring country! 

Lotus is our national flower and this is my prototype. 

Now you may ask where is the third colour?! Good question.

I had started by using this motif as a charm for a bracelet with a white tatted band/braid, sprinkled with some blue. Every colour has its symbolic value which I have explained in previous years.

Now I wonder whether I will have sufficient time.

Another idea is to tat a few more motifs and glue to a greeting card, with tatted blue/white chains representing water. 

Which do you prefer?

I chose ANKARS style stacked rings or ring on ring technique. Though incidental, I like the fact that this technique came from Russia. I've read more Russian literature than American!

LOTUS  MOTIF 

(prototype) Pattern by Muskaan © Aug2025  

Single shuttle. Starting from the left orange ring ....

NOTE - since this is a prototype, there are a few count changes made along the way for the petals. I am happy with the flower count but the green rings can be stacked a bit more. Hence some tweaking of count will be needed. 

Start ring by leaving a small loop and tail over tails. This loop is later used to make a shepherd's crook join at the end. https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/search?q=shepherd+crook

ringA: 19 - 4 - 15. dnrw

ringB: {lies above A} 15 +(to A) 5 - 5 - 15. dnrw

ringC: {lies above B} 15 +(to B) 6 - 6 - 15. dnrw

ringD: {lies under C} 15 +(to C) 5 - 5 - 15. dnrw

ringE: {lies under D} 15 +(to D) 4 - 19. dnrw

Attach green thread and cut and hide orange tail. [UPDATE: See updated pattern here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/08/independence-day-tatting.html]

ringF: 10 - 4 - 6. dnrw

ringG: {lies above F} 6 +(to F) 6 - 6 - 6. dnrw

ringH: {lies under G} 6 +(to G) 4 - 10. 

Join to starting loop at base of ringA and cut and hide tail.

TIP: I will join rings F & H or make the segments longer than 6ds in order to make the overlap more visible.

I don't know how original this motif is - it seems pretty basic to me. If you have seen anything similar, do please let me know so that we can acknowledge the designer.

In Anchor pearl cotton size 8 (equivalent to Lizbeth size 20) the motif is 3.5cms wide and 3cms high.

I had trouble with closing the large rings with this thread and am thankful it did not break. It did flip the last half-stitch and I had to rectify it each time despite care and precaution while closing. After the first two rings I remembered Patty Dowden's Working with Large Rings tips and closed the ring in two phases (like in the dimpled yorkie) - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2015/03/experimenting-with-colours.html

Let's see what tomorrow brings - hopefully plenty of time to decide, tat, and complete for 15th August to celebrate #HarGharTiranga!

gaming bookmark

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 An insertion as a bookmark is my entry for the two 2024 games I am playing.

Main body is from 'Tatting Techniques' by Elgiva Nicholls (p27, 1976) and the charm is from Rebecca Jones (fig123, 1985).

I have too many variegated Lizbeth, mostly with shades of pink/magenta. Difficult to always use for fear of eclipsing the pattern. But I took the leap and it came out okay I think. Lizbeth size 20. 

Learning from my past experience, where my chains are usually tighter/shorter than vintage patterns, I increased the chain stitches beforehand and it worked out well.

Pearl Tatting tail for the bookmark using Anchor perle cotton size 8. I didn't use any picot gauge since my main aim was to enjoy uninhibited tatting on International Tatting Day, 2024.

In order to avoid sewing in ends, I ended with two heavily picoted folded rings, hiding the other colour within each.

Pearl tatting is one of the blocks in Natalie Rogers' PICOT Bingo game which you can join here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/picot-bingo-95729145?  This is my fifth submission so far. Need to speed it up a notch!

The tail was attached to the #123 medallion from Rebecca Jones , shared here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/03/happy-itd-2024.html

Turning an insertion into a bookmark is nothing new or unique. Bookmarks, being short, are a good way to enjoy a pattern with a different use. 

The large rings are linked through a common picot. I think the colours are doing fine together.

And the bookmark is also my entry to splocik's Small Decorations game that was first announced here - https://splocik2.blogspot.com/2024/01/mae-dekoracje-galeria-grudniowa.html

She shared the March entries here - https://splocik2.blogspot.com/2024/04/mae-dekoracje-2024-galeria-marcowa.html

Many thanks to all mentioned here for lovely patterns and fun games!

tailed

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Today's haul of fully blossomed mogras!

After more than 10 days I decided I'd had enough of computerwork and deliberately took the night off to do some quick tatting. 

In 2020, I had joined these motifs on the go (I do like this staggered arrangement!) and suggested it could be used as a bracelet or bookmark. At the time I simply inserted some satin ribbons to showcase the beauty (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2020/11/arranging-motifs.html - check out the post for many more arrangements). 

Now I brought out the box of perle cottons, looked for the right shades to match the motifs, wound only one shuttle for each pair of threads, and set about tatting the three tails. All except the lead pic, were taken last night, fresh off the shuttle.

The chains are simple zig-zag of 1ds/1rs repeats, ending each thread in a ring of 8ds. In no mood to sew in ends, I tied a square knot and snipped to resemble bows.

TIP: This is also called a S Chain though it is a subset of the Zig Zag Chain or Zig Zag Tatting. These are straight chains but bendable. Some other terms used for this particular chain is Wavy or Lark's head chain. 

For a stepwise pictorial (with picots) - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2020/04/picoted-s-chain-cords.html

My second bookmark for the Mark Me Endrucks July 2023 game in our FB group. The first was posted here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/07/soupy-vine.html

 

The pattern for Square Diamond Motifs derived from Endrucks' pattern #37 can be found here - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wqAPnOUZwLJ9tEUk55wDZhAMw2qCNFSj/view

I like multiple tails (have made them before plenty of times) since each can be used to bookmark a separate page in the same book. So instead of one bookmark I get four, LOL.  

This is my short tale of tails.

heart square pattern

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My 2^nd square pattern is ready, phew. This time I did the presentations for both squares a bit differently. Each is single page, with no listing of techniques, and no real diagrams. I had begun diagramming for the Classic square, but it wasn’t coming together easily. Rather than waste time, I notated counts on the tatted models.

Your feedback will help further improvement.

In time for Valentine’s Day ….

Heart Square

(click to download pdf)

Another 3x3cms square for Tat a Brussels’ monument in pink. Clovers around a central heart. Can be done in single or 2 colours. I prefer the latter. I was quite fed up with pink, so a change of colours was called for!

Worked continuously. 

In CTM, it can be tatted all from the front in clockwise direction.

I deliberately chose a dimpled ring for heart, though my preference is for the folded style 

to be certain that the shape would hold well throughout.

The picot thread can be seen across where the dimple is made. 

If you don’t like it, a bead/pearl on the picot can hide it.

Heart can also be worked as a mock ring/SCMR.

In the right model, I brought the top chain closer to the dip. 

But I don't like the look. An oval/spndle around the heart looks better.

There are clovers around the heart bridged by chains that are linked to the heart below using a Catherine wheel join (cwj) to keep the curve smooth.

NOTE: When using cwj, the core thread in the chains remains free to slide from start to end. Hence take care while snugging stitches.

UPDATE (FEB 13) :  
PLEASE NOTE : the chain before Clover4 ends with a cwj. 

4 cwj 5 cwj (for Lizbeth),  

and

3 cwj 4 cwj (for Anchor).

The 4th clover is again made with 2nd shuttle.

Depending on one’s tatting tension, adjust stitch count such that the outer chain 

is flush but flat around the heart. I have a tight tatting tension.

The last clover is linked back to the first clover using a picot join to the right.

TIP: Before making the join, ensure that Both shuttles are on the same side – preferably to the front – because there is a short chain still to be worked at the end.

Since we needed a specific dimension, the pdf contains instructions for 

size 20 threads in Lizbeth & Anchor both.

Click to download Heart Square pattern

YYYYYYY

A Valentine’s Variation of Classic Square :

As promised in last post, here’s what Anita did – ‘tis the season after all! Hearts instead of plain ol’ rings, and layered to boot! Rest of the square pattern remains same.

(heart variation) : Ring: 6 – 6, 4fhs – 4shs, 6 – 6

TIP: The picot between seta & setb “emphasizes the point of changing directions”.

Now how about interlocking the 4 hearts – I’ll have to needle-tat it some day!

Tutorial links to all techniques mentioned

All posts relating to Tat a Brussels’ monument

happy tatting J

SOUPin' the books

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NOTE (Dec 11, 2016) : This is Not a new post. 

It was uploaded & shared on October 31st, 2016. I don't know how it has pushed itself to December, and don't know how to push it back! 

Fortunately, the url remains unchanged)

My Pinterest Challenge (click on tag) this month is simple, but practical, and helps to clear away our tatting orts (scraps, morsels). To refresh memory, SOUP is an acronym I created for "Sewing On / Using Pieces" of tatting. The pieces are ones I’ve left aside (discarded, but not binned), prototypes, practice pieces, or just some odds and ends. I've sewed them as appliqué on my apron and tea towels, and also glued them to cards and envelopes (all in first link).

This idea was carried on to a bookmark charm on pre-bound satin ribbon bookmark, and now added to more books. I've picked up the smaller Classic Library books from one of my shelves to do this challenge. These books are about 7.5”x 5” and the red ribbon is just the same length! Grasp is a problem, as is finding the marked page quickly. These charms add thickness and/or length, making it easy to grip and to find the page.

I’ve tried to create some sort of theme related to each book, and chosen a name conforming to it. Each book is opened at a page/chapter that has something relevant.

You may recognise some pieces from my posts. Pattern details and links to the pattern/post are listed alongside. 

In case of multiple motifs, pattern details start from the motif at the tip & move upwards.

Ladling out some hot SOUP - good for a cool wintry night, snuggled under an afghan with a good book for company - hope you are Charmed :-)

SOUP Charms for Ribbon Bookmarks

1. Butterfly Liberated

The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne

In some sense, this book is all about liberation – liberating ourselves from the past, the overbearing traditions, the ghosts in our closet, the cobwebs in our life...and life is short, live it to the fullest. What better symbol than a butterfly ?!

You might remember this very first one I shared here, made with my very first butterfly pattern.

2. Blue 

Far and Near by Pearl S Buck

Book opened to “Home Girl” because I found the word ‘Blue’ there, which is the thematic colour of this charm. But really, the story is about a charming Japanese girl Etsu. I liked most of the stories in this book (different cultural perspectives), although the last one did drag on for quite a bit with constant repetition of ‘Eleonore’ - errrrgh !

The blue motif is my experimental piece using different techniques for tatting large mock rings .

Pattern (with 3 rings) is : Motif with Mock Rings by Looping Chain on Itself by Eliz Davis

To hide the large central space, I glued Mlle Reigo’s Raised Star practice piece while trying out layered picots on a ring.   

Edging nearer to the 'flower' is Butterfly with Overlapping Picots by Ninetta Caruso

3. Idle Love

The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow by Jerome K. Jerome

If there is talk of Love, then hearts can’t be far from our mind’s eye. 

If there are hearts, love cannot be far away – whether idle or passionate :-)

My first attempts at turning/folding the chain and I didn’t do justice to her cute hearts. I have wanted to get back and tat these again. Hopefully for next Valentine ...

Three Little Hearts by Grace Tan 

Double Daisy flowers

4 Mossy

Selected Short Stories by Joseph Conrad.

I know I’ve read at least a few of the stories, but can’t remember any. Time for another read. I opened the page to a story titled ‘The Lagoon’, in keeping with the mossy essence of this charm.

All 3 are my own patterns – a Layered Flower, my attempt at a freeform Holly Leaf, and the Double Daisy flower.

5. Billy the Hedgehog

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame 

Need I say more ?!

Ruth Perry’s RainBeau Hedgehog pattern - yes, the one that turned !

6. Zany !

Literary Lapses and Nonsense Novels by Stephen Leacock

‘How to be a Doctor’ is one of my favourite stories from this book; one that I have shared with my pulmonologist ;-P

Fandango Motif by Jane Eborall with Double Daisy Flowers for a zany (nonsensical) mischievous spirit.

My first motif (partial here), trying to practice split rings during the 2014 TIAS. Left out joining an arm within. This is hidden by the bling-on flowers glued above.

A totally nonsensical charm – the colours don’t match, the shape is blah, the elements are all wrong. I really love the Fandango pattern, but this charm needs to be binned. May be I'll cut it off and change the charm later.

7. Crown

Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli

From this angle, it kind of looks like a pretentious crown, so perfect for this book, opened to the chapter on Hereditary Principalities ! I thought this book made a lot of sense. It may not be politically correct in many respects, but in the real world, a lot of what Machiavelli lists down actually happens. It is human nature and history has innumerable examples. Read this many years back; would be interesting to read again.

An InTatters (now Craftree) member had trouble with this pattern. It is from a Russian site and I tatted it in response to that question. If I remember right, this is part of a lovely tatted necklace. Collar schema are shared on the page. I added the black central ring later, to give stability.

8. Nature’s Charm

Essays and English Traits by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Book opened to a short poem in Nature chapter. I have yet to read this book fully.

Martha Ess’ Shamrock is easily recognizable – my practice piece for folded rings.

The red rings-only motif is among my first needle-tatting pieces - by Totus Mel I think. My June 2014 notes say it's a "Roselle". Double Daisy flowers to spice it up.

SOUP gift tag for Diwali

Besides the bookmark charms, I rustled up a super-quick last-moment gift tag for Diwali using scrap medallions again. This is probably a 3 or 4 inch card made from scrap handmade paper with embedded rose petals. The tail ends of yellow motif are glued in the shape of a flame ;-) 

Phew, it's taken me much longer to photograph, arrange, link, and present, than it did to glue them !!! If you've stuck by me this far, then you deserve a treat - a candy perhaps, or a toffee ?

Please take a moment to be amazed at what the other Pin Chicks have rustled up …

Suzanne , Margaret , Carollyn , Alma & Margaret (II)

But before I go blog-hopping to check out what these super-talented ladies have made, here’s wishing you lots n lots of candy treats for Halloween ! And I just found out that there's a Candy Corn Day (Oct 30) !!!

Halloween Candy ?!

Georgia is going to use the Holi collage for today’s Halloween class. A confluence of cultures and ‘Holi’days, but how exactly she brings about this convergence should make for an interesting discussion. We can always rely on her to bring in a new perspective :-) I'm very curious, to say the least.

And here’s some more tatted candy ….

It is Usha Kota’s Toffee pattern from her “Tatting, Tea, Toffee” 2014 Palmetto’s Logo Competition. Martha Ess won 1^st place, and Usha got an honorable mention at 2^nd place.

Tatted in size 20 threads, the toffee measures 1½”x ¾” max.

happy tatting & happy pinning everyone :-)))