a heart in spring

Pin It now!

I do love a challenge! And this time it was kind of a double challenge with Jane McLellan suggesting the use of more colours. It is Sharon Briggs’ 1-31-2019b Heart and read the comments there. I certainly wish the heart had a better name ;-D

In order to get a feel, I worked the first one in single colour (except for the dimpled heart motif). 

TIP : Leave some space between the dimpled heart and ring at it's base in order to accomodate 2 lock joins later. 

 Also took a few in-process pics in case someone would like to reference later. 

Wondered whether a smooth outline would look good; so I decreased the count in the outermost chain and used Catherine Wheel join (cwj). Nope, I don't think it works!

Having tatted many of Sharon’s patterns, I’ve come to realise that my chains (and tatting in general) are more taut than Sharon’s and I need to factor that in to avoid cupping.

Now for the coloured spring impression.

I started the yellow flower on the right, climbed out to the left, then added a short 10ds chain between the yellow flowers in order to get back to the right side and follow as per diagram. (indicated as 1 in pic below)

BUT I realised after completion that this short chain is not required IF one starts with the flower on the left!!! Work left flower, climb out to right flower, and then add green to continue working as per diagram.

Work counterclockwise to complete the left foliage (2). Notice where the split chains and rings are. The lower SR that links to the heart is worked last, so as to continue along to the next round (3).

Interestingly, I got to work split chains in both directions - left to right & right to left! Check out the tutorials here.

Another change – omitted the little ring in the dimpled heart motif. I think this stands out much more as a tiny heart framed by the large one.

In order to frame & highlight this spring-y impression, I added the beige for final outline.

Can’t say how much is evident, but a couple of my split chains are incongruent making the overall heart a bit lopsided.

So, Sharon & Jane – your thoughts ?

Both are worked with size 40 threads and measure around 5cms X 6cms.

Anchor 4054-40.

blue – 00130 ; teal – 00528.

red – 00046 ; yellow – 00293 ; green – 00229 ; beige – 00368.  

With these hearts, I have now officially used every size 40 colour bought recently ;-D

Jennifer's heart

Pin It now!

Life is too much in the way to get some uninterrupted quiet time to tat. I face this slow-time during winters. I am barely spending an hour every other day at the desktop L No wonder the pattern presentations I’m working on is sloooooow!

But this beautifully designed filigree heart warmed me and was quickly shuttling away! Jennifer Williams has so many beautiful patterns to try out. And her instructions are easy to follow and presentation is superb! 

Pattern can be found here - https://www.cariad-tatting.com/copy-of-specific-techniques.

Worked in Anchor size 40 (shade 00047), it is 6cms high and just under 7cms wide.

Made with the most basic techniques, in one pass, using a shuttle and ball. One only needs to be mindful of the chain segments, which she points out clearly.

TIP : Inner round starts with a picot on chain to avoid cutting thread and a good skill to possess. But if a beginner is uncomfortable, they can start with any inward-facing ring and end with chain, cut and tie. Then start the outer round afresh.

A TWoT analysis revealed that my shuttle will remain on right side when climbing out to the next row where there are chains with lots of picots. Hence I decided to do the chains frontside and rings backside (rods). It helped to think and plan ahead. 

I am tempted to keep this heart - it feels so good to look at, and to touch ;-D