cross my heart

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tatted square, cross and heart with patterns

I was bullied into testing this enchanting square - ‘expected’ not ‘requested’. ;-P Aye, aye Cap'n !

This post is also about the mistakes revealed through photography – too late to undo and too lazy to redo L

a square ...

The Enchanting Square by Usha Shah is a pretty small square, cleverly vinstructed, and quickly tatted up. The little dots and short chains make an interesting frill as an octagon.

Taking photographs is both a revelation and a headache. I could immediately see a cross emerge from this square if one of the arms were elongated. But it also revealed that I had wrongly sewn in the last chain. Oh well !

The motif ruffles while tatting but settles down with blocking.

a cross ...

Set about tatting the cross. Again, pretty easy. But I tatted with medium tension to prevent ruffling in next round. Ooofaff,  not a perfect circle. Deal with it. 

Unsure about the length required, I tatted the 3 short arms first. This gave an idea of proportion,. 3 repeats on the long arm were sufficient,  going down one side and then back up with chains only. 

I’m ashamed, but yet another mistake reared it’s ugly head in the pics – yes, yes, the inner ring of top arm has uneven number of stitches. No wonder it skews a bit. But I’ll just jot it down to design element coz thankfully it is on the top arm, not on one of the sides :-D

And yes, the cross ruffled too, but settled easily with blocking.

I must apologize to the designer for these inadvertent mistakes. If I had more time, I would certainly tat these up again.

Many many thanks, Usha, for sharing another lovely pattern J

and a heart .

I spoke about this single shuttle challenge in my earlier post (check out some of the lovely tatting displayed by the group here) .Hadn't realised that the challenge was to tat, not strictly design. But I like the create-own-design & already have another almost complete) that I had started a fourth medallion. I had a different path and design in mind, but shuttles – even a Single one – have a mind of their own ! It just would Not follow my command, and decided to turn into a heart.

I am sharing the prototype pattern (for the record, completed on June 1st) …

 Have a Heart!

prototype pattern of a single shuttle motif

A single shuttle motif with split rings (SSSR), half rings (HR), & curled rings (CR).

Showing sequence and types of ring

Round 1 -

Start 1^st SSSR with a tiny picot.

SSSR 1-4 : [3 – 10 / 5. post shuttle front to back]x 4. Join to picot. 

Round 2 –

R1 :3 + 3 – 3 – 3 DNRW

R2 : 3 + 6 – 3 – 3 DNRW

HR3 : 3 + 9 vsp 3. LJ DNRW

HR4 : 3 vsp 9 – 3. LJ DNRW

R5 : 3 + 3 – 6 – 3 DNRW

R6 : 3 – 3  – 3 – 3 . LJ 

BTS, Rotate

CR7 : 12 medium p 12. Pull ring thru nearest SSSR from under – over. LJ to curl. RW

HR8 : 2 – 2 RW

CR9 : 12 medium p 12. Pull ring thru nearest SSSR from under – over. LJ to curl.

T&C  

Can you see the head of an elephant, too ? Or a tatted impressionism of Lord Ganesh. Elongate the bottom half ring into a trunk and we have an elephant!

Don’t you agree that this heart needs tweaks?

I welcome your suggestions on how to improve this.

happy tatting mistakes and all J

  

more options & a curly pattern

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O, the layers hidden in a curl !!!
Who would've thought that a simple experiment to showcase the various styles/effects/options of Ninetta's Curled Rings, here would lead to a pattern as well as a serious learning of some basic bead-adding methods ?!
As you scroll down, you will see for yourself how the pattern emerged from randomness.
But first, to continue with a few more effects (that have been used in the pendant) 

(click on picture for larger images & slide show)

OPTION  4

Curl Features : Onion Ring, Up , Out ,  Lock Join 

Onion Ring

Curl Up (ring tip lies over ring base)

Curl Out (the cup-shape is outward facing)

Lock Join

TIP : I find that a Lock Join works better at times, as when curled in Option 4, 

& especially since an onion ring is 'heavier'/bulkier & here it is 'free-standing'.

Ninetta has made exquisite use of this option in her edging with curled rings here. In fact, the onion rings in her clover fold upon themselves, with no chain or ring in between.
I used a triple Onion ring to act as a hook for my pendant here

OPTION  5

Curl Features : Onion Ring, Up , Around , In , Picot Join 

Onion Ring

Curl Up (tip of ring will lie upon the base),
Curl Around (ring being curled around a chain)

Regular Picot Join,
Curl In (the cup-shape faces inwards)

Bird's-eye view of 5 styles/effects of Curled Rings

Ninetta has used this along the entire outer edge in her bookmark pattern here.  

Also used in my pendant in round 2 - the 2nd ring, in the middle of 2 large rings.

OPTION  6

Curl Features : Multiple Rings around single element
Up , Around , In , Picot Join  

2 Curled Rings around a single larger ring.

I curled 3 single rings around a single larger ring in the Curly Cross Pendants

6 Options depicted so far.

And does it not look like a cross ?! 
No option but to create a pattern ;-P So here it is ....

Curly Cross Pendant

© muskaan  May 2015

I will share the written pattern in pdf soon. Till then, here's the notation in the pic below.
I will upload pictures of how I added the beads at base of curled rings (shown by red asterisk) in a later post. More for my own records coz all of you are already adept at adding beads :-)
However, the tutorials I used were these : 
Karen Cabrera’s Lesson 100 (how to add bead in center of rings)
Jane Eborall’s Placement of Beads in Work 

Pattern notations for Curly Cross Pendant

I hope you like the cross pendant. This one, worked in AMC size 40, measures 2½” x 1” . 2 beads are loaded in Shuttle 1, 1 bead in Shuttle 2, & 6 loose beads.
The gold one above, worked in size 20, measures 3” x 1½”. But there are a few errors in it ....

UPDATE : Curly Cross pattern, with beautiful stepwise pics published in De Frivolité(k)ring 2017 #2 (34)
  

happy tatting :-)

Motif # 19/II for 25 Motif Challenge

Related Posts : Concept of Curled Rings

3 Styles of Curled Rings

Pendant
Final curled ring styles

Tatting Pattern : Trailing Hearts Earrings & Bookmark

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Trailing Hearts Pattern

What else but hearts, this close to St Valentine’s Day ?
I started this as part of  Dorothea’s Land of Laces Heart Challenge. (click on link to her site & challenge). 

Sharing patterns for a pair of earrings & a bookmark. However, this is not the end of the application …. Using the single heart or the heart column, one can create motifs, insertions, crosses, pendants, & so on, all in one pass. The heart(s) can trail one behind the other or be at right angles to each other or at 180° ie. opposite-facing. For some fascinating examples, this post might come in handy.

 

The Trailing Hearts Pattern requires 2 shuttles & a knowledge of Split Rings, SLTs & Slope & Roll Join. (If you haven’t tried any of the techniques used in the patterns, simply Google for tutorials, or write to me in case of difficulty)

For the tip of single heart/end heart, an SCMR is used, but this is optional & can be substituted with a normal ring, a large bead, a double picot, …..as desired.

A single colour thread can be used. I used 2 colours in order to highlight the heart shaped outline.

Abbreviations Used (common to both patterns)

Ch : chain                                              SR : split ring

Cl : close ring                                        SS : switch shuttles

p : picot                                                 Sh : shuttle

sp : small picot                                     SLT : shoe lace trick

R : ring                                                   SCMR : self-closing mock ring

RW : reverse work                               S&R join : Slope & Roll join

+ : join                                                    vvsp : very very small picot

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Trailing Hearts Earrings

UPDATE : The pattern can now be downloaded directly. Click on the title above for pdf.

 
My first attempt at making earrings. I haven’t been able to read up on tutorials yet, so the earring hook insertion may require some learning & experience.

Threads & Measurements :

Anchor Mercer Crochet Cotton. Size 20.

Off white : 0300  (in Sh1)

Red : 4054-0046  (in Sh2)

Less than 1.5 m or yards of each thread is required for 2 earrings (only about 52 inches).

Each heart measures about 1” across & ¾” long

If you prefer FS/BS tatting, then only the 1^st R-A needs to be done in FS/BS.

 

First add a bead to the Sh2 or red thread. If not using bead, then substitute with picot in pattern.

Start with Sh1 (light colour):

R-A : 5 sp 3 p 3 sp 5  Cl. RW

Ch : 17 . SS 

SR-B : 5 / 4 + 3 + 4  Cl. SS

SCMR : 2 bead (or picot) 2  SS

SR-C : 5 / 4 + 3 + 4  Cl. SS

Ch : 17 . Join to base of ring A.

Insert the earring hook. Tie & cut. Hide ends.

Make a 2^nd pair & you are ready to dress up your ears for the big day (or gift it).

For Pendant, make a 3^rd heart & substitute hook with ring .

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Trailing Hearts Bookmark

The heart pattern Actually started as a way to overcame a logistical hurdle of how to create hearts trailing one behind the other, all in one pass, to make an all-hearts bookmark.  I should’ve used brighter colours … maybe next time.

Threads Used : Anchor Mercer Crochet Cotton size 20

Peach 4054-0347  (in Shuttle 1)

Dark Maroon 4054-022  (in Shuttle 2)

Amount of thread required :

Approx. 6½m or 7.2 yards in shuttle 1 & 5.6m or 6 yards in shuttle 2 for bookmark only.

But with 2 full bobbins, you can easily make 1 bookmark & 1 or 2 separate individual hearts/ a pair of earrings.

Measurements :

Single Heart : approx. ¾” x  ¾” 

Bookmark : 7 hearts (without tail) : 5½” long & <1” wide

Total length including tail & end heart : 10”

Sequence :

• For the very 1^st heart Only, after making closing R1, make a very very small picot before starting the 15 chain. I have indicated this with a U-pin inserted through that vvsp, as seen in adjoining pic. However, this vvsp is Optional, as one can join to the base of the ring later.
• Each heart in the bookmark is basically made up of repeats of the heart pattern .
• Each heart consists of a sequence of normal ring (R-A), long arched chain, split ring (SR-B), short chain , repeated to desired length …. Then return back with an  SCMR, split ring (SR-C), & long arched chain joined to base of R-A, short chain, SR-C & so on till we reach back to the 1^st heart & join the chain to the base of R-A or to the very very small picot.
• Thus this sequence is ‘split vertically’ in order to make a column of hearts in one pass, returning to complete the missing half (viz. short chain, SR3 & long chain).
• Then one continues to make the tail & the single heart charm.

Note : The diagram shows only 2 hearts - the 1st & last. However, repeat the pattern for as many times as desired Between these 2 end hearts . 

Bookmark :

Start with Sh 1 (light colour):

** R-A : 5 sp 3 p 3 sp 5  Cl.  RW only for this 1^st heart

Ch : 15 . SS 

SR-B : 5 / 4 + 3 + 4  Cl. SS

Ch : 3 . RW **

Repeat from ** to ** 5 more times, to make 6 half hearts in a column.

For 7^th (or last heart, depending on the number of hearts you want),

R-A : 5 sp 3 p 3 sp 5  Cl.

Ch : 15 . SS  

SR-B : 5 / 4 + 3 + 4  Cl. SS

SCMR : 2 p 2  Cl. SS

This completes one vertical half of the column & we now return back up to complete the half-tatted hearts.

With Shuttle 2 :

*** SR-C : 5 / 4 + 3 + 4  Cl.  SS

Ch : 15 . Join to base of R using a Slope & Roll Join

Ch : 3  SS ***

Continue from *** to *** till you reach the very 1^st heart. For the 1^st heart, after making Ch 15, join to the vvsp at base of starting chain or if you have omitted this vvsp, then join to base of R-A.

Seven trailing hearts are complete. Continue with the SR tail

Tail :

Tail comprises of 2-coloured Split Rings, with the colours alternating in each half, to give a spiral, intertwined effect.

Each SR is 4 / 4 . SS , SLT .  Repeat for required length.

Note : After each SR, Switch Shuttles, make a SLT (or simply an unflipped half stitch), & start next SR. Be sure to make this unflipped half stitch using the switched shuttle, to give a consistent effect.

Continue for desired length, alternating the shuttles after each ring.

Heart Charm at end of tail :

Same as the Last heart in the bookmark, all in one go.  Or, follow the steps given below :

With Shuttle 1

R-A : 5 sp 3 p 3 sp 5  Cl. RW

Ch : 15 . SS 

SR-B : 5 / 4 + 3 + 4  Cl. SS

SCMR : 2 p 2  Cl. SS

SR-C : 5 / 4 + 3 + 4  Cl.  SS

Ch : 15 . Join to base of R-A. Tie & cut ends & hide.

Again, the instructions seem lengthier & more complex than the actual tatting. I have diagrammed both patterns, & will convert to pdf, with proper diagramming in a few months time.

Game for a Necklace or Bracelet to go with the earrings ???

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Happy Tatting :-)

Motifs # 4 & 5 / II for 25 Motif Challenge

Tatting Pattern : Neemiss Snowflake

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Neemiss Snowflake

I ended my 1^st ever 25 Motif Challenge with a free pattern & am starting/continuing the next round with another free snowflake pattern. This time, though, it is my very own pattern, right from scratch ! Not derived or adapted. Nothing really new about the elements, but it’s a big start for me.

The designing has a slight history which is reflected in the name I chose for it : “Neemiss”. {No, I did not misspell “Nemesis”, although it IS an  anagram, coincidentally! It Has helped in a reverse fashion by breaking my shackles of 2D designing, hopefully.}

Back in late June, I tried my hand at needle tatting. And I realized how easy it was to design with needle tatting because one could easily unravel & redo any element … no need to cut & discard, etc., just go with the flow. That’s how I created a pendant. However, when I tried to convert that into shuttle tatting, I faced a problem & the pendant started to turn into a circle (story of my tatting life!). Easy conversion is possible Only if the needle, thread, & shuttle conform to the same size. I used a needle that was suitable for size 10 or thicker thread, but converting the pattern into a size 20 shuttle pattern required major shifts in stitchcount.

So that is the reason for the name : A Needle tatting Miss (as in mistake, omission, error), hence, “Neemiss” (in my defense, I enjoy wordplay)

This is a 2 or 3 round pattern, depending on where you want to end – 2 snowflakes in one ;-))

It is a 2-shuttle pattern that can be done in one pass, using 1 or 2 colours, or as separate rounds.

No stiffening or blocking required, since the 3^rd round creates a relatively stiff ‘border’, keeping the shape intact.

UPDATE : This pattern is now in Acrobat format with written instructions & diagram here : https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5MqI5ByadI4a3RSbVpTdEY5UmM/view?usp=sharing
Feel free to download & use :-)

Threads used :

Anchor Mercer Size 20 : White ; Navy Blue w/ White (variegated) : 4054-1210

Size of Snowflake : ~ / < 3’

Abbreviations :

Round 1	Round 2	Round 3
Sh – shuttle R – ring RW – reverse work Ch – chain JK – Josephine Knot SR – split ring	JR – Josephine Ring S&R – Slope & Roll join LJ – Lock join vvsp – very very small picot	N – node/Victorian set fhs – fisrt half stitch shs – 2nd half stitch pds – padded ds (2 wraps); also called dds, spds, BDS, etc.

Round 1:

Composed of 2 sets of alternating trefoils, chains, & Josephine knots. 

A Split Ring will be required to move out of this round, if you want to make it in one pass.

Sh1 : white ; Sh2 : blue

Using Sh1 :

R : 3 – 3 – 6. RW

** Ch : 6, JK6, 6. RW

Small Trefoil :

R : 6 + 3 – 3

R : 3 + 6 – 6 – 3

R : 3 + 3 – 6. RW

Ch : 6, JK6, 6. RW

Large Trefoil :

R : 6 + 3 – 3

R : 3 + 8 – 8 – 3

R : 3 + 3 – 6. RW

Repeat from ** till 5 trefoils made. Before starting 6^th trefoil, join the Ch to base of 1^st ring made. RW

R : 6 + 3 – 3

SR : 3 + 8 / 3 + 8. If you want to start the next round afresh, then make this a normal ring (3 + 8 – 8 + 3), tie & hide ends.

Round 1 complete.

TIP : Keep the joining picots Within the trefoil rings small (as indicated in pic), if you want the rings to broaden/stretch out. If the picots are long, the shape of the rings will be more spindle-like.

Round 2 :

Consists of chains, Josephine Rings (as thrown rings), very very small picots, & Slip & Roll joins 

(or Lock join if preferred). No Reverse Work, but Switch Shuttles to make the thrown ring (JR).

Using Sh1,

If one is continuing in one pass, make a mock picot & start :

JK 8

Ch : 1, vvsp, 12, S&R join to picot where 2 trefoils meet.

** Ch : 11, vvsp, 1, JR8, 1, vvsp, 11, S&R join

Ch : 12, vvsp, 1, JR8, 1, vvsp, 12, S&R join.

Continue around repeating from ** till 1^st JR reached. Join with Lock Join to base.

If desired, one can end here. It makes a nice flower shape with 6 petals !

Round 3

Consists of chains only, that are made up of Victorian sets/Node tatting, & padded tatting.

NOTE :

Node Tatting notation :

Each node (N) comprises of 4 half stitches (4N), repeated either 4 or 5 times (4N4 or 4N5). Thus

4N4 means : 4fhs, 4shs, 4fhs, 4shs.  (16 hs in total)

4N5 means : 4fhs, 4shs, 4fhs, 4shs, 4fhs. (20 hs in total)

For the pattern, you may need to add or reduce a couple of hs, depending on your own tension. The objective is for the node tatting chains to lie niched against/just adjacent to the previous round chains.

Joins : While I prefer Slope & Roll joins, it can be substituted with a Lock join.

Switch shuttles (if using 2 colours).

Using Sh2,

Make a lock join to the vvsp on the left of JK of previous round.

* Arch Ch: [2 ds, 2pds(2), vsp, 2pds(2), 2ds, S&R join or LJ to vvsp].*

**Ch : 4N5, S&R join to base

Ch : 4N4, S&R join to vvsp, repeat from * to * to make Arch

Ch : 4N4, S&R join to base, **

Repeat from ** to ** till you reach starting point.

Tie & cut. Hide ends. Or cut a longer length to make string/loop for hanging.

I ran out of Sh1 thread midways through the last round. So, if tatting in size 20, you can easily load/reload accordingly.

In case I have missed something in the pattern writing, 

please let me know through comment or email (on my profile). 

Your feedback is Always welcome :-)

happy tatting :-)

Happy Holidays & a Great 2015 !

Motif #1/II for 25 Motif Challenge

Click for details on Victorian Sets/ Node stitch

Click for discussion of & links for Padded Tatting

Tatting Away VII

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Sunshine Snowflake Lace & Braid !

οОο οОο οОο οОο οОο 

Sunshine Snowflake by Patty D

Patty Dowden writes “I was struck by the notion that I could design a snowflake that was all rings, not hard and be interesting to look at.”

Well, she achieved all that & more! A snowflake made with radiating beams of rings only!

First time I set eyes on her Sunshine Snowflake, I was intrigued & by how she got all those rings lined up one after the other – vertically radiating from a circular formation – just like sunbeams !! They seemed to be connected in a circle at the center but were simultaneously unconnected when radiating outwards And no threads crossing between motifs !

She graciously shared the pattern on the forum & has given me free rein to share it too, along with pictures of her own project. Click on the caption under the snowflake picture for the pdf.

οОο οОο οОο 

Neck Lace / Edging

Materials :

Anchor Mercer Crochet Cotton size 20. Variegated Purple with white – 1208.

Single Shuttle.

Techniques :

Ordinary/Normal Ring – R

Split Ring – SR

Single Shuttle Split Ring – SSSR  (can be optional, but is preferred & convenient)

Each vertical row starts with one ordinary R, followed by SRs, ending with a small SSSR. That’s it !!!

I started off intending to make the snowflake. But having made 3 vertical rows or one repeat, it dawned on me that this would look great around the neck ! 

So I restarted, this time converting it into an edging for neck. 

To that purpose, I eased off on the peripheral gradient by adding another vertical row between the ones in the original pattern.

The original Snowflake pattern has a section/repeat/motif of 3 vertical rows (as seen in image above) : 

( 4 rings, 6 rings, 4 rings ) x 6.

All I did was add another row of 5 rings on either side of each vertical row : 

( 4 rings, 5 rings, 6 rings, 5 rings, 4 rings, 5 rings ) repeat to desired curvature. (see close-up image below)

 

TIPS / Notes :

• Because each vertical row is ‘separate’ & started afresh, there will be a lot of thread ends to hide. So it is a very good idea, & convenient, to learn SSSR. I swear by SSSRs now !!! Gone are the days when I had to tie a knot & sew/ weave in the tails !!!
• One can increase the length of each vertical row by adding as many SRs as desired !
• If the joining picots in base ring of each vertical row are shifted, then one can get a longer, broader curve, rather than a short & deep one. However, for a choker or necklace, it is perfect ! Add a pearl or bead & it’s soiree time !
• If one continues further to complete the circle, it could make a nice mini-doily too (sew on a piece of circular fabric for center). And since each ‘row’ is made separately, one can grow crazy with multi-colored sunbeams !! The diameter from periphery is 7½ inches approx.
• Make 2 half circles, alter the positions of vertical rows & sew on as a stylized Peter Pan collar !!!

It was a surprisingly quick & thoroughly enjoyable tat & was then hand-sewn on to my newly stitched apron. I have not tacked down each and every ring, just at critical & strategic points, to hold it’s shape & alignment.

Next step : Make the neck or shoulder straps in the form of braids. Not as easy as smooth sailing as it seemed …..

οОο οОο οОο 

Apron Braid / String :

Materials : Anchor Mercer Size 20

Variegated Purple – 1208

Purple – 0101

Techniques :

Split Ring

Woven cords/braids

All I wanted was a simple Split Ring braid, keeping the stitch count in sync with the snowflake/border, and using the same thread.

But as the braid progressed, the thread regressed !!! The tightly twisted thread kept unraveling &/or breaking. I was already half way into the braid when the problems began, so chugged along.

Change of course was nevertheless required !

Made similar braids with solid purple and interwove them with the original variegated ones, to provide the necessary strength, stability and durability. Interweaving braids was on my to-learn list for a long time anyways. I followed Gina Brummet's tutorial on Woven Split Ring Cord-2 shuttles.

The smallest ring in the braid, however, wouldn’t allow the larger rings to pass through. Hence, the weaving was done by placing the smallest ring of one braid over the largest ring of the other braid; for all other rings, the braids were passed through them. This gives a slightly irregular weaving because after 2 proper weaves, the 3^rd rings (one small, one large) in both braids just lie juxtaposed, not passing through each other. But overall, a symmetry is maintained & barely discernible.

Repeats of -- ( SR 6/6, SR 10/10 , SR 12/12 , SR 10/10 ) to required length.

Interweave the 2 braids & sew tips to fabric of apron.

TIPS / Notes :

• To go round the neck, a single woven braid suffices.
• I made 2 woven braids & sewed them on either side as shoulder straps, joining to the belt behind. It can get really hot under the neck in these Indian summers, so this is more convenient. Since the braids did not cross at back, length of 25 inches sufficed for me.
• One can also opt for sewing the entire braid on to fabric straps, which are in turn attached to the main body of apron.
• I deliberately avoided picots in the braid. Washing would mess them up & it would take quite some effort to iron them out looking right every time. So, keep it simple ;-))
• The braid(s) can be sewn on along the edges of the entire apron. I wanted the focus to remain on the “neck-lace”, hence did not attach the braid to the sides.
• The woven braid can be used as a belt/apron string as well.
• Or how about a string of rings around the neck ?!  

I enjoyed tatting the braids to the extent that the variegated thread remained willing & gracious. The solid purple braids were extremely quick & silken smooth to tat. That is the difference a thread can make !!

The weaving, though easy, was a bit tiresome. Without a shuttle in the hand, it just didn’t feel the same ;-)  But I learned a new technique & that’s what matters.

οОο οОο οОο 

Tatting Mantras by Patty D

"The knot does not care how it is made"

"Every tatter does it different"

“Ideas are free”

 οОο οОο οОο

I am very grateful to Patty for sharing her lovely pattern, & to Gina, for her clear tutorial .

Happy  Tatting  ;-)

Motif #18 & #19 for 25 Motif Challenge