design tatting

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 Its been a while since I updated the entries that came in for my DAL 2025 challenge. I shared the first 7 versions (with patterns!) here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/03/colour-me-happy.html. Now, the next one to start the challenge was Donna McDade who made 8 versions (3 up from last year's DAL)! I will dedicate an entire post to her next time, since there is a lot of good news to share and celebrate. Meanwhile, these are what my other wonderful participants sent in .....

All versions of Muskaan's DAL 2025 Challenge can be found here -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mQmdXWXQmcbXQ48nRz9FBeTJf_DoJqKz/view

Anita Barry 

See the dense 3rd round? Those are Louise Uteg's stacked rings from her 1970s original doily!  

I think this 4-round version looks like a nice Christmas wreath.

Padma Mandayam

Round 3 was inspired and adapted from Lella Loops' version, with the addition of a 4th original round.

Written pattern is shared in the google doc.

Janet Crow

A colourful spring version with inclusion of butterflies and more rounds. She graciously presented the pattern in a PDF. https://drive.google.com/file/d/16wfGTDxjNovnfWMYmZfqIgn1tmwDzIgY/view

The motif glued to her hand-sewn bag in which she carries her tatting supplies to meetings, etc.!

Lillyan

Janet's 14 year-old talented granddaughter is trying her hand at many crafts, including tatting! Her version is like clubbing where she adapted and applied Karey Solomon's Cat & Mice pattern. Pattern will be shared if they get due permission.

 Margaret Davies

Despite all the curve balls life throws her way, Margaret has valiantly participated again. She shared her WIP here - https://margaretsdesignercards.blogspot.com/2025/03/happy-international-tatting-day-and.html

Her 5th round ruffled and she decided to cut it off. While this modification lays flat, she might tweak the stitch count at a future date. Hence no pattern shared yet.  

Elisabeth Dobbler   worked the initial 2-round motif but was discouraged with the way her picots came out. Shelved for the present. The WIP pic is in the doc.

Join in whenever you can! This is open-ended. Perhaps I will also climb out of my limbo to add another round or two to my own version.

Words fail to express my gratitude and happiness to all participants! 

Related Posts
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/02/dal-2025-challenge.html  Start the challenge any time you wish, and send me your version!
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/03/colour-me-happy.html  First batch of DAL 2025 versions

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/search/label/DAL  Previous DAL challenges

colour me happy

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As we approach Holi, the festival of colours, happiness came my way through friends who participated in my design-along challenge!

On a lark I had converted my motif into a DAL challenge here and am so happy to see the motifs flowing in, along with respective patterns!!! Instead of waiting, let me share the progress so far. Interestingly, 5 of the 7 current participants are my Italian friends. They never fail to impress.

Compiled in this document, Muskaan's 2025 DAL Challenge  - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mQmdXWXQmcbXQ48nRz9FBeTJf_DoJqKz/view  Save this link and read for more details and updates (and larger images).

In the order the first image appeared .... 

Daniela Galli

Paola Bevilacqua

Silvana Buonvino

Michelle Forclaz

Adriana Tomanin

Lella Loops

Muskaan

I've tried to keep this post short and direct since all details are already in this document -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mQmdXWXQmcbXQ48nRz9FBeTJf_DoJqKz/view

There are no words to profusely thank Daniela, Paola, Silvana, Michelle, Adriana, & Lella!

Most of them had participated in last year's DAL Celtic Snowflake challenge, too! You can join any time you wish and contact/tag me when you do! I'm sure most of these models will inspire you to take up the challenge. It doesn't matter if you tat with a needle or shuttle, if you haven't designed before, ... you can do it!

DAL 2025 challenge

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 Well, I wanted to show some techniques/effects for glossary entries and decided to create a motif to incorporate them. It resulted in a very simple motif, nothing fancy. It may not even be original though I did not refer to or look for any patterns. and it's still a work in progress. 

I kind of like how it looks so far and it could very well be the starting center for a larger motif, if you wish to participate in yet another Design Along (DAL). Tat this two-round motif and then design as many rounds as you wish around it. Sharing your stitch count/pattern is highly appreciated. All will be shared in my blog.

NOTE: I started with a single-shuttle rosette with the intention to cut away later rounds and reuse it for other samples, hence I cut off the thread and hid tails. However, you are free to climb out by making the 6th ring a split ring. Remember to use two shuttles for continuous tatting.

Muskaan's DAL 2025 Challenge

Round 1 - Rosette - one shuttle or two shuttles, continuous thread
ringA: 5-6-6-5. do not reverse work

ringB: 5+6-6-5. do not reverse work

Repeat ringB till you have a total of 6 rings, joining the 6th ring to the first ring.

Cut and hide ends OR climb out with the last ring as a split ring.

Round 2 - Curled Rings  (CR)- one shuttle and ball or continue with two shuttles.
CR: 10-10. Curl around any rosette ring. 
Chain: 2 (-2)×9. Repeat all around. 

NOTE: Picots are 3.5mm high or open picot is 7mm long. [My motif is worked in Anchor size 20, which is similar to Lizbeth size 10).

Hope you like the motif and would be interested in designing and tatting more rounds. Leave a comment or contact/tag me on Facebook or Instagram.

Take it away, friends!

My next round is already decided which is why I have all those picots in the 2nd round. Will share when it is finished. 

Some of my previous DALs can be found here -  https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/search/label/DAL

And tutorials/videos for all techniques can be found here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/p/tatting-resources.html

UPDATE (12th March 2025) - the first batch of lovelies! -- https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/03/colour-me-happy.html

my DAL tadaaaa

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 And the reveal!!!! My version of the 3rd Round design-along for the DAL Celtic Snowflake. This is where I first posted the game - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/05/lets-design-round-3.html. My next two posts showed my own dilemma, course correction and solution trial (thanks to Anna Bonelli!). 

Several techniques, effects, stitches, and their modification have been used to achieve this result. 

I am very happy with the end result. I challenged myself and am quite satisfied.

Tatted in Red Rose size 20 threads (equivalent to Lizbeth size 10), the final size is 14cms.

Motif 1 = 4cms ; Motif 2 = 7cms.

I did away with the Josephine rings. For the tip I used a decorative picot; for the treble arches I used graduated treble tat stitches.

This is how it looks in toto. I would've loved to try Sam's visualization of the flake in blues and greens. Hopefully I will do another one in finer threads using the water effect.

To anchor the are thread in the center, after doing a lock join, I made a tied stitch (as in encapsulation) at the very base and then again at the tip. The bare thread is deliberately left uneven to give an open, free-style look.

This is the same, but from the back. After all Celtic interlacing creates a different overlap on the two sides.

Again from the back.

We now have a total of, I think, 15 models submitted or WIP, with 6 patterns (I have to write out mine to make it 7) and 2 more patterns promised. I have started compiling them in a Google Doc but it takes time to get it all done properly since time needs to be squeezed in, LOL.

solution

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 Remember my problem and the mood to give up on my own 3rd round design? Well turns out there were two possible solutions! Anna Bonelli suggested something in Italian which, though lost (on me) in translation actually threw up the first solution to my mind! After making the join I could leave some bare core thread, work and interlace the large ring, then go back and cover the bare thread with 'tied' stitches using the 2nd shuttle!

Anna then tatted a sampler to show what she meant, and that is the solution I adopted. Notice the ring is now horizontal instead of vertical, and I made it smaller too.

Meanwhile I had this idea to use block tatting at the tip. It caught my imagination and between these two elements I allowed my shuttles to do the work, starting with treble tatting arches.

 

I like how the block appears like a flame. 

In several places I hadn't made any picots. Used a finer crochet hook to clear enough space for a join.

To offset any denseness, I did the bare thread thing in the center. I could use dot picot strings, but wouldn't it be overkill?

Just like the Josephine Ring at the tip of the 'flame' is an overkill, right? Although I cannot decide on the JR above the treble tatting arch.

I was going to include decorative picots, but I like the clean lines here.

So what is your verdict? 

I am open to suggestions since I haven't yet started tatting. Oh and this time I'll be using a muted shade of yellow.

So far the design-along has roped in 12 tatters: 1 diagram only; 5 models only (1 WIP); 5 models with patterns; and 1 late starter. I will collect them all in a Google Doc with shareable link so feel free to join the game whenever you can .... 

My journey so far -

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/05/lets-design-round-3.html 
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/05/problem.html

Many many thanks to Anna Bonelli for her wonderful solution that got me going!

problem

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My previous post 'promised' a 3rd round and also invited you to join in. Good news and bad - my round hasn't quite worked out as I had imagined but the great news is that tatters have already sent in their Gorgeous 3rd (and in some cases even 4th) round. Most have shared their pattern as well. But let the suspense linger till the next post.

I wanted to include another interlacing in this round, this time with a ring. First part is fine but then came the logistics problem! Notice the arrow? If I lock join the chain at this picot, how do I get the large yellow ring to interlace?! See, one should always 'think through' - yeah, I'm no good at that!

I tried a couple of options to no avail especially since this is a very large ring. While at this stage, I can insert the shuttle through the space, it will become harder once more arms are joined. There is one more option I can try - floating or bridging chain, joined back into a mock ring. But with this 40 stitch ring, it will be too much work. Oh, or I could shift to needle instead of shuttle!

Moreover, I am not at all happy with the overall look including the last-minute decision to use black. I was going to use 2 small ring between the arms but then I might get accused of copying another pattern. And seeing the lovelies that have come in, I feel totally inadequate at designing as good a round. So, I might shelve mine for the present till inspiration strikes.

Speaking of inspiration -

It turns out the first 2 rounds/motifs are very similar to Jon Yusoff's beautiful 'Quantiesque' Snowflake'. (free pattern here - https://tatsaway.blogspot.com/2008/12/snowflake.html). During my quick online search for Celtic models/patterns, this one did not show up. The most common were motifs by Rosemarie Peel and Sue Hanson, besides a few others. In the mood to try my own, I thought to improvise with twin rings in the 2nd motif (all models used only a single small ring at the end of the long arms). 

Now both motifs are very basic, beginner level. 

Motif 1 is probably something every antique tatting book begins with after the edgings. Ditto for Motif 2. Nothing proprietary after over a century and half.  

All we do is change the look slightly when we change the count or picot placement, or what we do with it/them subsequently.

Further there are only a very limited ways in which you can interlace, right? Again interlacing dates back to Mlle Riego  if my memory is reliable.Yet, the first impression is very similar to Jon's first 2 motifs [her 2nd motif has twin rings but with a short chain between them; the length of the long arm chain is also shorter than mine]. 

Jon explained all this rationally so much better in response to a self-aggrieved third party complaint.

Another similar start was brought to my notice yesterday. Renulek's 'Plait tatting' motif (free pattern here - https://renulek.blogspot.com/2010/09/frywolitka-pleciuga.html). Was Jon's snowflake the inspiration for Renulek's start? 

I know one thing. In my attempt to Not be influenced by the models that came up in my search, I ended up doing something similar to Jon and Renulek - both exceptional designers! I am nowhere in their league, LOL, as evident in my botched attempt above.

Be ready to be inspired and wowed by the models and patterns coming in .... stay tuned and my 'lazy' friends, keep your shuttles at hand!

lets design round 3

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 Been quite a while since we played Design Along (DAL). I needed a model to show Celtic tatting with regular shuttles and after searching online I decided to create my own pattern. The first two rounds are tatted and I am trying out the 3rd round joining the 2 interlaced motifs. However, it will be fun to see what design you come up with for the 3rd round! You can design a 4th round, too, if you wish! Come join the fun.

DAL Celtic Snowflake -

Working with Red Rose size 20 threads (equivalent to Lizbeth size 10).

Pattern for Motifs 1 and 2 ---- [schematic of one repeat in the image itself.]

motif 1 pattern and notes - 

• Ball and shuttle motif, start with ring. 
• Each ring is joined to previous ring and the last ring is joined back to the first. 
• All joining picots are very small.
• Cut and tie and hide ends.

motif 2 pattern and notes - 

• Ball and shuttle motif, start with left ring. 
• All picots are very small.
• This motif tends to twist because of the long chains. Hence, be very careful when you make the final tie to the base of the 1st ring. Make sure all chains are laid our correctly. 
• Cut and tie and hide ends
• Block the motif for ease of interlacing.

interlacing motifs 1 & 2 - 

• Interlace motifs 1 and 2 as seen in the image.
• Now go ahead and design a Round 3 (and 4?) to link both motifs.
• TIP: It is a good idea to pin the flake on a polar grid to hold the motifs in place while you sketch out your idea. Or scan your tatted piece and use it as the base for future ideas.
• Please leave a comment in this post or contact me through Facebook, Instagram, or email with your finished design and model! [all links in right panel top].

Let's have some quick fun!

dual-faced

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The very night I blogged about this first poker attempt, I completed tatting it. I decided to make it an earring or a pendant. My earlier idea was to create a kind of garden of blooms for a greeting card. Making a whole bunch in size 80 was no joke – I was working blind! One can only bluff to an extent ;-P

Added a pearl bead with spiral ring to hold the appropriate findings.

Mulberry Earrings / Pendant pattern

Here’s the pattern, if interested.

2 shuttles with different colours. Tie threads.

CATKIN :

All are picot flowers, meaning each ring is made of picots separated by 1ds. There are 3 sizes :

1. large, with 7 picots : 2±1-1-1-1-1-1-2
2. medium, with 5 picots : 1±1-1-1-1-2 or 2±1-1-1-1-1
3. small, with 3 picots : 1±1-1-1.

Tat 3 large rings, 2 medium, 3 small, 2 medium, and 3 large rings.

Leave bare thread between rings, and join to previous ring.

TIP: If you wish to have some green thread show up like I did, here’s how –

After the first 6 rings, tat the 7^th (small ring) But before closing the ring, pass green thread through it, then close.

From 8^th ring onwards, make a lock join to corresponding bare thread, trapping the doubled green thread within.

STEM & LEAF :

Josephine chain : 15 long picot 15.

Chain : Insert paper clip on core thread to hold inward picot. 3-3-3-2 fold 2-3-3-3, join to inward picot.

Josephine chain : 15 long picot 15.

This is one sprig. One can tat a ring for findings and continue for the 2^nd sprig.

TIP: In order to change the direction of Josephine chain, switch to the other half stitch. So, if 1^st stem is tatted with 1^st half-stitches, tat the 2^nd stem with 2^nd half-stitches. It creates a sharp turn.

For 2^nd sprig, repeat the first or alter the number of picot flowers.

So how’d the cards stack up?

Card #1 for stem

Card #2 for large picot flowers

Card #3 for leaves

Card #4 for small flowers

Card #5 for medium flowers

Natalie thought the first part looked like a hyacinth, while hubby thought it looked like yummy mulberries! Your deal ;-D

I can’t even remember all the little ideas and off-shoots that came to my head while playing this game! A few I sketched out for later, but most have since evaporated.

Here’s my trial of one of them. It has fancy onion rings, thrown rings, and picot flowers. Could be an edging or return back for a bookmark or insertion. But I’m done playing for the present ….

I fold.

Many many thanks to Natalie Rogers 

for sharing & organising this creatively fun  game!

It is a semi-structured designing process. It is a great way to start a design and tweak for perfection. Add more types of cards such as techniques or effects or perhaps colour combos, etc. and we can spread our imagination further.

To see what was on other players’ cards, check out this facebook page and do visit Natalie’s blog for her previous games and details.

first leg of tatting adventure

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Sometimes one stumbles upon an old, neglected blog and their blog list takes you to contemporary blogs. Always fun scrolling through them!

Over a year back I came across Natalie Rogers’ Tat Your Own Adventure and thought it was a brilliant and fun designing idea! I saved it to try out privately but guess what, she has started a new round on facebook! Of course, I am participating, and this is my first motif - 

I’ve never played poker, but I do believe I’ve been dealt a Superb hand! (Should I take it up professionally? ;-p).

The 2nd card with a ‘?’ is like a joker – I can choose any stitch count. 

And the ‘7’ is the last card can be turned around to make it a ‘2’ if desired. So my options have multiplied.

Anyway, I only had energy to tat this little freeform piece last night. Will continue tonight and post the final. I have a few ideas for a flat symmetrical motif, too.

Worked in Lizbeth size 80, it measures 4½ cms high and 1 cm across.

I started with three 7ds rings (picot after every stitch), followed by two 5ds rings, and two 1ds rings, all separated with bare thread space. Turn back with the same number of rings, but I made a lock join to the bts between rings, encapsulating green thread within, since I wanted a touch of green in the inflorescence.

The stem is a Josephine chain (15-15), followed by 2 chains of 11 folded over, followed by another JCh. I left a paperclip on core thread after the first JCh. After completing the leaf, I made a join on this inward picot before continuing the remaining stem.

This is a great way to overcome designer’s block or for budding designers to take a semi-structured fun journey.

Onemadtatter came up with another creative option translating chemical notations into tatting stitches! Read how she saw tatting notations in valence electron configurations and actually tatted a Krypton motif!

Aren’t we richer for the options shared by creative tatters and designers?!

My adventure will continue – this is only the first leg and I am already having fun! 
Come travel with us !!!  

Thanks, Natalie J

Click to see a few of my own design processes.

dress my heart

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design along (DAL)

What bug have I caught?! And why am I trying to spread it around? But then we are already 'suffering' from ATS - Addictive Tatting Syndrome, so what’s one more play-along?!

Recently I revisited this NeoVintage Heart. I gave the prototype pattern in 2015 – a 2-round continuous pattern. This time I ran out of thread after the 1^st round and it struck me that there are So Many possible designs that can go around those chains! Since I cannot do them all, here’s a design-along (DAL) for you. You can choose to create your own outer round, although I have given my 2^nd round pattern in the pdf

SCROLL DOWN FOR PDF LINK.

In Anchor Pearl cotton size 8,  it measures around 4cms×4 cms

I’d just like to state one rule : Keep Round 1 essentially the same (although you can add beads, etc.). Design Round 2 or more as you wish. It will be interesting to see the variations.

Kind of reminds me of this make me pretty please butterfly and the wonderful diversity that flew in!

Please do share your work either here (comment) or tag me on facebook , on Instagram, or email a pic that I will then upload here.

click to download the one-page pdf - NeoVintage Heart DAL 2020

TIP : Dora Young Join (Knot) is exactly the same as what we now know as Catherine Wheel Join,  except that it is made with the same shuttle and no thread is encapsulated. .

And before I leave you to play, here is Elisabetta De Napoli’s beautiful version of Sway My Heart. All set to be a pendant on a necklace !!!

Sue (His Kid) also added a 2nd round using treble tatting – check it out!