clover mat

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Question - Is there a specialised tatting term for a fabric made by repeatedly joining multiple tatted motifs? Or were they simply called doilies and mats, and the like? Tessellation and/or tiling are terms that could be applied but I'd like to know what this arrangement was called historically ....

This is a portion of Jon Yusoff's Clover Mat/Doily/Runner. This free pattern can be found here - https://tatsaway.blogspot.com/2008/11/clover-matdoilyrunner.html It is made up of 3 different motifs, attached in a regular pattern. It is a diagram-only presentation, which I prefer!

Worked in Anchor Pearl Cotton size 8 (equi to Lizbeth size 20).

Motif A worked in blue shade - 00131 

Made a few wrong joins between the trefoils in the beginning and even untatted back to rectify the error.

Future - I had decided to use two colours - one for rings and other for chains, but totally forgot when I wound my shuttle CTM with the ball. Hopefully somebody will give it a go since they would outline some nice shapes when joined.

You might notice that the picots are not perfect. Dr Downplay was dancing on my shoulder and urging me to just let go and have fun and that's what I did - no picot gauge - sheer unadulterated pleasure of the shuttle moving back and forth!

Didn't realise the amount of thread this was consuming, LOL. For fear of running out of this shade I switched to a lighter blue - 00130.

12 Motif A joined.

Next I chose to add Motif C because the outer unattached motifs made the piece floppy. Also, being a single shuttle motif, I took it to my doc's appointment where I could finish 5 motifs. 

The florets that are joined to 3 motifs should actually have been filled with Motif B. However this small motif not only fit the space perfectly; it also left me the option of enlarging the fabric at a later date by snipping them off.

Motif C is a much darker shade of blue - 00133

When working with multiple colours or shades in frontside/backside tatting, one has to be mindful of colour blips at the joins. This time I used Lark's Head Join (the 2nd method) throughout and it is truly quite easy and quick! It has become my go-to. Watch Karen Cabrera's Lesson #101.

Motif B fills in the negative spaces. After some deliberation I chose two shades of purple - dark 00106 and light in the center 00104.

The final mat measures 20.5 cms or 8 inches length and breadth. It is already in use!

Background Options -

Being of different values, it was very difficult for all shades to show up. The best was against this wooden board. I usually brighten the image and increase the contrast. Which is when I noticed the options in the top bar of Photos .... Is it a new AI option put in by Windows 11 or was I just blind all this time?! Anyways, here is what I did ....

Open pic in Photos and click on Edit.

Next click on the last icon. (The last two icons are AI features, I think)

This is the window that opens on the side with 3 options. I chose to remove the background, hence clicked on the center option. Then Save your image.

TIP - The image might save as .png which is heavier. Choose 'Save as' and select .jpg or the format of your choice from the drop down menu.

Before and After versions of the same pic. All colours and values are better visible against the white background.

 

NOTE - I used the other two options (blur and remove background) in a pic each of 2 other projects. While I haven't played with it much, I believe some distortion can occur especially in close-up pics. Hence use judiciously.

Many many thanks to Jon for sharing this lovely pattern and to Karen for her clear demo of the LHJ!

Happy Tatting

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A very happy International  Tatting Day to all tatters! 

While I will be tatting and also gobble up some chocolate today, what I am sharing here is a coaster or mat I worked on recently. It is a tessellation pattern by Karen Bovard from her 2013 book, 'MORE Fun With Split Ring Tatting'. 

It is made by joining individual houndstooth motifs on the go and there are slight differences in the motif depending on where it is positioned - whether in the main body or on a side, etc. The tails in the above piece are hidden but not trimmed. These acted as markers for my own comfort.

While the tatting itself is easy if you are comfortable with split rings, the arrangement of where each motif is attached needs careful attention. At least I needed that and had to cut off or retro-tat a few times.

The diagram was for a rectangle but I cut it short to a square. Which meant eliminating a row in the main body. To mark my place I marked the finished motifs in the diagram.

While I like the shape as is, it is not practical to use with all the arms sticking out. Hence I will be filling in the gaps, following Karen's pattern, but also outline it. Trouble is I can't decide the colour! Hubby suggested black or brown (the dark shade here is purple, not black) but I haven't made up my mind. Do you have any suggestions?
 

I had bought this book almost a decade back and so glad to have finally tatted something from it. The instructions at the beginning are very clear and detailed and make it easy to read the diagram-only patterns. There are myriad possible arrangements using some basic motifs as blocks or tiles and their niched arrangement in several patterns reminds one of MC Escher's tessellations. Of course, Karen has a lot of other designs, too as evident in the book covers. There are several I would love to try.

Karen even has a tip about making the split rings more circular. Huh, it just confirms why my own ring was circular too! (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2026/02/who-knew.html)

However, the spine of the book did not allow the book to remain open at the desired page. Hence I scanned and printed out the necessary pages and consulted them. 

UPDATE: (April 2, 2026) Karen has a new site which unfortunately does not show up in my feed. All the material from her old blog are also included in this new site. And she has some great tatting memes going ... looking forward to more. Here's the link - http://www.theshuttlesmith.com/

And I submit this as the 3rd piece for Natalie Rogers' PICOT Bingo 2026 Level 2 (https://www.patreon.com/posts/happy-new-year-147124370). Only one box to cross this time, though this too is a rings-only pattern, viz.,

• Tat from a diagram

enthusiasm interrupted

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Reworked patterns from Frau Eleonore Endrucks-Leichtenstern’s ‘Die Schiffchen-Spitzen’, 1920, for Endrucks 1920 Project

Did Frau Endrucks enjoy a plate of lobsters or perhaps watching them frolic in the water? Is it what inspired her edging #38? Are they holding claws for a dance or to avoid the traps?! Douglas Hill spotted lobsters, too, and named it the Lobster Edging. 

Lobster Edging (#38) pattern pdf:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EiWX78pK8oY8shFVGBFjdJIO0a4Y7fLh/view

I think it will be a good idea to include a diagram eventually.

This colourway does full justice to the arthropod. One could easily add a few beads and tweaks to strengthen the lobster motif. Great for applique and cards or perhaps a charm. Or how about a brooch, earrings, or pendant?

Incidentally, he preferred to tat it with a ball and shuttle rather than 2 shuttles, as seen in this WIP model. And to get the shuttle in position, a lot of shoe lace tricks (SLTs) were used.
Will this should make it easier for a needle tatter to follow the pattern?

He presented this pattern at the Finger Lakes Tatting Group mini-conference in September 2021, thus spreading the word about our Project.

When the lobsters are flipped, as in the above image, they give a very different look!

In 2020, Douglas had also chosen pattern #41 where he visualized the paired chains as a long row of short and long candles with the end rings acting as flames.

In order to get the long chains to stand straight, he wrote the pattern using balanced double stitch (BDS) in late 2021, but by the 3rd repeat in above sampler, he decided that the BDS did not work.

He was ‘frustrated… at not getting the pattern to work or look right…’ Ninetta and I tried to help with our joint review notes and possible options. However, he could ‘no longer boost his long exhausted enthusiasm’ and left this pattern as well as our Facebook group in Dec 2021.

The above is his working of pattern #7 which he chose in mid-2021. Again, not happy with his tatting, he forfeited the pattern.

Douglas is quite accomplished with the crochet hook, tatting shuttle, knitting needles and lace bobbins, including designing some spectacular crochet coats. Although he is not a regular blogger, do check out some of his works here - https://queerqrafter.com/ or on Facebook.

 

🦞🦞🦞🦞🦞🦞

AlenAlea Rako joined our Facebook group by adapting the pattern #3 edging into 2 square motifs that can be tessellated into a larger fabric if desired. She also graciously shared the pattern.

Two Squares (from #3) pattern pdf: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eBwjp7wtMie1k2GeqrSUOerMH87uuu4A/view

In Square #1, she turned the corner inwards along the original sewing edge. This retains the beautiful lotus-shaped motif, with minimal changes to the original pattern.

Unhappy with the open space in the center of the square, she added an insert option for those who prefer denser lace. The insert is especially useful for larger lace fabric, providing additional sturdiness and durability.

It is always fun to ask ‘what if ….?’, and explore options! Hence this time, she turned the corner along the opposite edge resulting in an in-built denser flowery center. She shows us where we need to join motifs for tiling in her diagrams.

Unfortunately, Lea abandoned the pattern presentation maintaining absolute silence despite our private and public calls over the past several months. I have cleaned up the presentation (most of which she had approved earlier) and it is now available for all of us to enjoy.

Lea, too, is an accomplished tatting designer and hand dyes her threads creating beautiful colourways.

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Despite our best intentions life can get in the way of our commitments. Delays happen. Sometimes enthusiasm sags. Yet communication is key. As volunteering adults we should all be able to speak freely about any changes in commitment.

We thank both Douglas and AlenAlea for their contribution and hard work.

With best wishes and gratitude
muskaan and Ninetta 

💦💧💦💧💦💧💦💧💦

Related Posts
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-foster-child.html - pattern #7
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/11/willing-non-volunteer.html - pattern #7 adaptation
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/09/700-and-promises-still-to-keep.html - pattern #3
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/01/more-multiples.html - Square #3 using 2 colours
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/01/who-knew.html - Fruit Bowl from #3
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/03/bowled-over.html - Fruit Bowl pattern from #3

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Endrucks 1920 Project is a community project, where patterns from Endrucks’ German book of 1920 were converted to modern-style presentations and pdfs. We welcome you to join our Facebook group “Endrucks 1920 Project” (please read the group’s description and rules before joining : https://www.facebook.com/groups/1235560633606162) where the fun continues with derivative tatting, new variations, activities, etc. all within the gamut of Endrucks’ patterns.

Using the hashtag #Endrucks1920Project when posting in FB or Instagram, ensures that your pic will show up in a search.

If you enjoy sharing and experimenting, or even test-tatting, the group is waiting for you! All info and links to patterns (original and modern), including model images, are in the Endrucks 1920 Project Document, here https://docs.google.com/document/d/17LEVftXweztBIOWh4sL4BB7bX65ssoOsOn4oXIgCepY/view There is still a lot to explore and extract, derive and apply and scrolling through this document will give you an idea of the possibilities and beyond.

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single motif bonanza

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Square diamond motifs and mat with pattern 

from endrucks (1920) doily #37

pattern pdf (click to download) : 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wqAPnOUZwLJ9tEUk55wDZhAMw2qCNFSj/view

My love affair with this motif started a long time back and the tatting started in November 2020. It is the central motif of a doily - pattern #37 from Endrucks' 1920 book. What caught my interest as I tatted, was the versatility in terms of sequence/paths resulting in diverse colour and directional effects.

For the most part I kept the inner Rosette unchanged, focusing on the arms.

1. Original: This is the original unaltered pathway from Endrucks. The 2 small middle rings (lateral) face the same direction - to the right. The asymmetry is not too visible since the rings are tiny. However it intrigued me, and as a study in design, I decided to go ahead with my variations....

alternate pathways and variations ---

2. Modified: My modified pathway where the 2 small lateral rings face each other for symmetry. This is used to present the stepwise pattern, loading 2 shuttles with contrasting colours.

In Anchor size 20 (~ Lizbeth 10), it measures 5cms sides and 6.5cms diagonally.

3. Trefoil Version: This entire motif can be worked with one shuttle and ball, except for the single thrown ring at the tips, provided we decide before working the penultimate round. 

4. Flipped Ring version: While following Endrucks' original pathway, I merely swapped the direction of the thrown ring at the tips, working it on the way up rather than on the way down. Look closely to see that I alternated the flip.

5. Colour medley 1: Using Lock Join Plus aka Repositioning methods, I alternated the colours/shuttles within the rosette. (https://drive.google.com/file/d/17zsM3JaLO7r0ajg8VOnv5IcJ-kLNqEiU/view). You can choose any method you like, including changing colours between segments rather than rounds.

6. colour medley 2: I started with ball and shuttle for the rosette and added the green thread later, using False CTM, and snipping off the ball thread. (false ctm tutorials Part1 ; Part 2).

In Lizbeth 20 (with one less rosette round), it works to 3.5cms sides and 5 cms diagonally.

7. Reduced Round: If you remember my travails with cupping, this motif was my solution by removing the final rosette round and increasing the size of the 4 joining picots.

In Anchor Pearl cotton size 8 (~ Lizbeth 20), this works out to 4cms sides & 5,5cms diagonally.

8. New Motif for Doily: While the doily worked fine with the above modifications (in #7), I needed to make sure it will hold up in crochet cotton thread. Hence started this new motif (but forgot to reduce the round!). I'm still a bit apprehensive about continuing .... let's see.

In Anchor size 40, this works out to 3.75cms sides and 4,5cms diagonally.

arrangements and tessellations ---

The motif can be used as a square or a diamond and joined for various arrangements. Several arrangements and ideas have already been showcased here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2020/11/arranging-motifs.html

bracelet, bookmark, jewellery, charm, ....: Above is the bracelet idea. I really like this offset arrangement! Bookmark with a single motif as charm at the end of a tail is another practical idea. 

Single motifs with beads and findings can become jewellery pieces,...in fact an entire parure can be tatted.

9. Modified for Mat: The single lateral ring at the tips are larger here (7+4-4), and used for the Mat (below). 

Hubby had chosen this yellow and blue combination for the mat/coaster I wanted to make him. But the solid colours didn't work out (the 2 joined motifs can be seen in the topmost group pic). However, after seeing the cute 3D Flower Cube by Lillian Yeung, I hope to convert it into one, too!

mat/coaster/table runner/table cloth ..:  I was tired of working with yellow, hence chose this peach colour and the green went nicely with it. One can increase the tatted fabric to deserved size by joining as many motifs as required.

In Anchor size 20 it measures 10cmsx10cms.

Wondering whether we needed to cover up the blank space a bit, the sequins were hubby's idea and he got the blue he'd had in mind! One can use buttons in place of sequins.

For the purpose of sharing the pattern, I decided to see how large a ring would be required and worked these 4 rings in later. However, they can be worked as thrown rings. I was prepared to snip off the rings, but hubby liked it just fine and is using it!

alternate tessellation or cross: If a size 40 motif is joined like a diamond to the 4-motif open arrangement (worked in perle size 8 or Lizbeth size 20), we get another variation for a mat or fabric with alternating squares and diamonds!

In the above, if we join a couple of motifs to the orange one for a longer arm, we get a cross!

So there it is - a bonanza of choices and effects from one single motif!!!

All pattern notes and/or diagrams are included in the pdf (click to download): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wqAPnOUZwLJ9tEUk55wDZhAMw2qCNFSj/view

All pattern pdfs and more, in modern style as well as links to the original book can be found in the Endrucks 1920 Project doc here -

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/17LEVftXweztBIOWh4sL4BB7bX65ssoOsOn4oXIgCepY/view

edged doily

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I took a digital break for a couple of days and found my inbox swamped with emails. Will get to them tomorrow. Thank you for your concern and wish you good health and lots of creativity.

Clover Wreath Doily

Ever since I was reminded of this, I was keen on designing and finishing off the edging. 

  

This is where I’d left off in 2017. A round of 6 medallions around the central one.

I love this shape and would’ve stopped there if it weren’t for the asymmetry of swirl joins.

Quilters are well aware of the versatility of hexagons - create any outline you want by tessellation!

In Anchor size 40, it measures 17 cms x 15 cms 

While I like the swirl join (there is a mistake in mine), I thought it made the focus shift to the filler rings. Hence added another complete round without the swirl join.

If you see light and darks shades in this round, it is not your eyes playing tricks! I had bought 2 balls of this shade years back and stored the 2nd ball nicely. But when I started working off it, it was darker :-( 

In Anchor size 40 -

4 motifs, straight - 14.5 cms

1 motif - less than 4cms

Edging Trials

Refreshed my memory with the opinions and suggestions here.

Clockwise: The top 2 pics in the collage are from 2017. I’ve come some way in designing confidence since then ;-P

3 ideas tried in the bottom right pic (tatting moves counterclockwise). Happened to show this to Ninetta and she offered valuable suggestions. No, the tuft picot didn’t work (left center pic), but the clover and chain curve change did as seen in 3 more repeats (bottom left pic)!

What I forgot, though, was that the trials were worked in the 7 motif piece which had only 6 motifs in the round. When I tried to duplicate this in the larger piece, I realized my error! There was a motif Between the ones at each corner! Back to the sketch board, but it was very easy this time.

What do you think of this?

I got my wish of all filler motifs having 6 rings wherever they may be.

This is only the first of 3 edgings.... After completing all 3, I will upload the pattern.

All Clover Wreath posts, pics, & notes 

the very first one

playing with the medallions

the poinsettia with pattern

Clover Wreath mats