DYJ instead of LJ

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Enclosed space medallions, as the term suggests, have a negative space outlined with tatting elements. When this space is large, the lace lacks the structure to hold it’s shape. Early tatters added a needle woven scaffolding after tatting was completed. 

Dora Young Join variation of 

Daniela Mendola's Filigree Stitch Motif

Now Daniela has shared a filling method that is all tatting and can be done with a single shuttle or a needle. It is like mignonette but instead of rings there are lock joins to the bare threads in previous round because we are moving inwards instead of outwards! She calls it Filigree Stitch or Punto Filigrana.

For my first attempt, I chose thick thread (Bliss, size 3?) for medallion and placed it on grid paper to mark the picots and the distance between them. 
Ninetta’s blipless join (without the half stitch) is perfect for variegated threads.

This gave me an idea of the length of bare thread required. It is 7mm here.

For filling I chose finer Red Rose pearl cotton size 8 (≡20) to better see, feel, and control. Single shuttle required.

Filigree stitch is done with lock joins from the back side. I started, but managing the lj was tricky. So I switched to Dora Young Join (DYJ) which is like the Catherine Wheel join but with one shuttle/thread only. This is done from the front, and appears like a double stitch. It locks in the bare thread and holds shape well. It is the same as tatting over a cabone, but only one stitch.

At this stage it started to ruffle a bit. Simple rolling pin blocking flattened it out later.

I thoroughly enjoyed this DYJ filling - it was smooth sailing - though the BTS could've been shorter. This was so much more fun than needle-weaving. And this DYJ filling has created a bit of a different look. 

Apologies to Daniela for not following the letter, only the spirit. But now that I have an idea, I will be trying again with shorter BTS and lock joins to achieve the beautiful pinwheel effect. Might even need more rounds. I will be snipping off this filling to rework the new one. 

Would a variegated or tinted thread filling show off the swirl better?

Related Posts/Pages

introduction to enclosed space medallions

answering a question  

links to tutorials

med to cab

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This has been on my mind for a long time. I’ve shared pics of the Rosette Enchained medallion back in April 2017.

It was designed specifically for the This Way or Tat? (TWoT) series (Set II).

Then while re-tatting some of my snowflakes in Lizbeth 20, I worked this too. (it measures just over 4cms). 

Since then, an ice drop adaptation/version has been on my mind. With numerous distractions along the way, I finally completed it a couple of days back.

Chose this dark purple shade in order to reduce my stash (I bought 3 balls thinking it was a grey). But huge mistake using it during prototype stage. Moreover it masks the slight layering effect. My excuse to tat more ;-P

Worked with one shuttle and ball, ctm.

In Anchor Pearl size 8 (≡20), it measures about 5½ cms with the cab just short of 2cms.

Only chains front and back. Back is worked separately from front, and then linked while working it’s last round. Hence the cabochon can be inserted at the very last stages with just a chain or 2 to go!!!

In above collage, the close-ups are of the back. 

Once I have the ice drop worked in solid but light colours (going to use 2 colours in one of them for a 3D floral effect!), I’ll share the pattern. Hopefully both patterns.

I had experimented with entrapping the cabochon with chains only. There I used inverted tatting technique.    

This time it is simple chains and lock joins with some decorative picots thrown in and a change in chain direction for that inward curve of 'petals'.

 

My Ice Drops (original & adaptations) -

 magnifier & mirror drops

 sea shell with pearl drop

 space ship drop

 pendant drop

curled and celtic

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Overcoming the lethargy to work with beads means I take the opportunity to work a few projects in quick succession! This time it is Ninetta’s ice drop with curled rings. Well, it does have another round with treble hearts, which changes the circle to a square. I stopped at 2 rounds since this appealed to me even more.

The variegated didn’t quite turn out as pretty as I'd visualized. And as you can see, using it for the curled rings makes it look too busy. Went with silver (on right) and snipped off the earlier part.

TIP : To get the curled ring to look like a heart, insert the ring (the picot end) from below and fold/curl from above. This difference is clearly visible between the first 2 curls on the left.

As recommended, I chose a 2cms glass pebble. Yet for some reason it looked like 8 repeats would be too tight a fit, so a 9^th was added. No, didn’t need it!

I like the clever way she used 2 motifs to interlace and trap the cabochon within! Faux Celtic along with curled rings and more – nice!! You can see the underbelly in Ninetta’s post – I forgot to take a pic. 

UPDATE (Feb 25) : Please read continuing post with some more pics and a WIP variation. This pattern was taught in Online Tatting Class on Feb 18th.

I have one more ice drop pendant to show you next time ... stay tuned :-))) 

I’ve got you covered!

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And just in time, phew!!! What an exciting range of projects to start off this month’s task of covering a cabone ring. I want to make each and every one of them someday. It was Renata’s turn to choose this time – Summer in Circle.

This is my April submission for 'I Love Tatting' –

Royal Wave Bangle

 with free pattern directions

I didn’t have any hollow ring except for my loads of now neglected bangles which are unfortunately all circular. And I wasn’t confident with a glass bangle, so went with this metallic one despite the golden knobs projecting along the circumference. They made covering it more difficult and despite my diligence, the green peeps out at places.

Turns out I’d forgotten and had to consult tutorials on cabone tatting. This was a good refresher after my first bangle. 

But this time I wanted to use 2 colours alternately as a personal challenge. I chose thread colours to complement the lovely beads Usha sent me. These are vintage threads and closer to a size 50 or finer than the Anchor size 40 they claim to be ;-P

TIP : The thread not in use is encapsulated/hidden within the visible colour. The trick is simple. Keep the ‘not-in-use’ shuttle dangling and encapsulation becomes easy. The thread tends to stay alongside the bangle. Merely ensure that you pull the thread taut before switching colours.

I used scraps of the purple thread and had to join new thread at least 3 times, using a simple weaver’s knot and then encapsulating all tails within the next few stitches. This tiny knot is not visible.

Basic Pattern is simple and can be adjusted to any bangle size. I didn't have any specific pattern in mind - just let my shuttles take the lead.

Round 1 - covering the bangle (cabone tatting)

ROUND 1 : 2 shuttles each with different colour

2 vsp 4 vsp 2, switch colour and repeat, till end.

Carry the previous colour along the bangle, encapsulated within the stitches.

I ended up with 18 repeats of each colour.

Round 2A - Rollicking Waves - overlapping/interlaced chains 

ROUND 2A : Rollicking Waves

Next I strung beads to the 2 balls and joined these to the 2 shuttles to continue the next round. This round is all chains with beads on picots. Chains are interlaced/overlapping, so before making a lock join, ensure the threads are in the right position.

Chain1 : 2 B 2 B 2 B 2 B 2 B 2. switch shuttle.

Start next chain behind.

Chain2 : 2 B 2 B 2 B 2 B 2 B 2. SS

Lock join Chain1 to nearest picot, and Chain2 to next picot, ensuring the under/over overlap.

Repeat to end.

Round 2B - Frolicking Waves- undulating, overlapping chains 

ROUND 2B - Frolicking Waves

I tried something different ¾^th of the way around to change the shape of the 'waves'. Made the chains longer and twirled them around the bangle, joining to a picot above. The overlap continued as before.

There are between 6-8 beads in each chain before joining. And both shuttle & ball need to be passed through the bangle.

Finished off with 2 strings of beads and a teardrop at the end.

Hubby was rolling his eyes when I was choosing a bangle, wondering what I’m going to do with them after so many years - I stopped wearing them ages ago but still have a huge stash. Gradually, as the tatting started taking shape (including the simple covering without beads), he was all excited and ideated… how I could make earrings, and so on. Yeah, he’s finally ‘getting’ tatting – I’ve got him covered ;-P

I can’t thank Usha enough for her lovely seed beads. They are a delight to work with!

Do check out the beautiful projects (and tutorial links) lined up for

April’s I Love Tatting challenge here.

Thank you Renata, for another inspiring challenge :-)

tatting brings in joyful waves of creativity and togetherness