D to C cup

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 Apologies, but couldn't resist ;-P Trying to lighten my dark mood. 

Round 4 of #37 from Endrucks pattern is giving me quite a heartburn to the extent that I might even consider bra-burning ;-D 

This was my first attempt and I didn't bother completing the round.

I have a reminder for cupping v/s ruffling here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/p/jottings.html ... in case of cupping, decrease inner round or increase outer round.

Since my center motif is as tight and small as can be, with small picots to boot, I worked on increasing this new round. Instead of 7ds chain segments, I made each 8ds. The result was not much different!

But before snipping, I stretched the round. It was really gratifying to pull it and pull and pull ;-D Yeah, cruel! And look, here's what happened -

Doesn't look too bad, huh?

But here's a closer view. All that stretching still couldn't hide the irregularity.

The rings along the periphery are in 2 sizes - 8ds and 6ds alternately. 

So, dear tatters, how should I solve this? I'd like to keep the overall shape intact. Subsequent rounds are mostly chains and the few rings do not really impinge. Here's the original model -

Love to hear from you. Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

Meanwhile, only 3 patterns are left to claim and more patterns have been completed and uploaded to the project doc here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/17LEVftXweztBIOWh4sL4BB7bX65ssoOsOn4oXIgCepY/view Ninetta has suggested we could have these patterns test-tatted. We welcome you to join in when you can and play with the patterns to generate more ideas. 

the jinx of 13

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#13 in Land of Laces’ 25 Snowflake Project

I don’t much care for the supposed jinx of this being the 13^th flake ;-P But this back from the old snowflake/star has me stumped for a weird reason. It uses my Overlapping Split Rings effect. More effects here, including a square arrangement.

MUTANT  SNOWFLAKE - 

design evolution

Here’s some history –

1. This was a trial prototype from 2016 in Anchor 20. At 5 points/arms, it lays flat.

2. Elaborating on the idea, I converted it into a 6-point flake using Anchor Pearl cotton size 8. There was some cupping. I left it in my tatting box overnight and in the morning, it was pretty flat, and more so after some quick blocking.

I went back to my Jottings about cupping/ruffling and worked in the corrections in next trial... 
Basically cupping occurs when outer round is tight. To avoid it, decrease inner round or increase outer round.

3. Wondering how it would look in a single colour, I chose Anchor 20, but the center rings are 1 stitch short (to reduce the center and tackle cupping). Major cupping which did settle after tugging and blocking!

The split rings have 1 extra stitch and this translated into a slightly different more roundish overlap.

4. Fell back on the maroon pattern using Lizbeth 20 threads. And guess what, I had to make 8 repeats for the flake to lie flat by itself!

Pearl cotton differs in it’s looser twist when compared to Lizbeth, but they tat up to the same final measurements. So what just happened?!!

I was ready to share the 8-armed snowflake which is part of the reason it is called Mutant. Seems like the thread and picot characteristics can lead to anywhere from 5 to 8 arms ;-D

It is a mutant in terms of it’s faux Celtic effect. Not true Irish, a bit of a freak ;-P

The online tatting world has blessed me with some excellent friends. Jane McLellan came to my rescue recently; this time is was Ninetta Caruso & Anita Barry.

They sent me possible reasons, solutions, options and enthusiastically volunteered to tat the flake, too. They were ready to count from the image, but I managed to quickly type them some shorthand notations. They will be doing it today.

Would you like to read what these experienced designers/teachers have to say? It is a design bonanza - insightful designing tips, and if you are interested, I’ll share in my next post.

So, what do you think – would you like to tat this 8-armed snowflake or are you a stickler for 6 dendrites?!

UPDATE (Oct 2025) - Unfortunately I haven't yet been able to put together a post about our joint experience, observations, and the final pattern. However, Ninetta had shared a pic of her lovely, vibrant version here - https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2019/10/distractions.html 

medallion stars

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“Tatting Patterns and Designs”

Blomqvist and Persson (Dover)

2 stars/medallions in Anchor size 40 thread

Been a while since I tatted from the book. These 2 stars were done some months back.

It is always good practice to study the round a bit before jumping in to tat. Look for the most convenient elements to start & end with, or in case of multiple rounds, the best element to climb out with. And in case of old/vintage patterns, place(s) where one can substitute techniques for ease of working or for colour placement.

This preparation helped in working Star #4 (p46)

I started with a right-side outer ring so that the round would end in a ring (easier to hide threads).

And as is so common now, the central ring was worked as a thrown ring from the first chain (with mock picot space).

Terms & Techniques : central ring medallion, thrown ring, mock picot, directional tatting. 

However, I made the joining picots too small causing this huge cupping. Will use it to cover a bauble, egg, or cabochon. The back of an Ice Drop perhaps, or without the central ring, it could well be the front.

My first thought was of a basket – tat a handle, add some flowers ! In size 40, it is fairly small.

TIP: Cupping v/s Ruffling : cupping occurs when outer round is tight ; ruffling occurs when outer round is loose.

To avoid cupping – decrease inner round or increase outer round ;

To avoid ruffling – increase inner round or decrease outer round.

Star #2 (p50)

is a very pretty medallion – simple, straightforward pattern.

Easy, quick to tat up but need to keep an eye out for which picot to join to.

Terms & Techniques : Inward-facing rings, clover, closed space medallion, picot join to the right (last to first join), long chains, directional tatting, avoid gapsosis in clovers.

I ran out of blue/green thread on the shuttle. This gives me an opportunity to pick up other shapes and colours, although I plan on keeping the ecru.

For all past and future medallions from this book, click on 'BnP' on the Label list. 
I have also updated (partially) and cleaned up my Jottings page. 

enjoy your tatting with a cuppa :-)