Dedicating my 1000th

Pin It now!

For this 1000th post I kept musing on the choice of subject. And I finally decided to dedicate it to some of my favourite people who have shaped and inspired my tatting journey. This is a symbolic gesture to ALL the tatting teachers, designers, innovators, experimenters, explorers who have shared their own learnings and experiences. 

Three Geniuses and a brand new stitch in tatting!

Two years back I stumbled upon two drawings that gave Ninetta Caurso's treble tatting stitch a basis in tatting history! 

A drawing on page 31 in Anne Dyer's 1994 book, To Boldly Go Where No Shuttle Has Gone Before, showing the decorative chain picots. 

A drawing on page 85 in Rhoda Auld's 1974 book, Tatting: the contemporary art of knotting with a shuttle showing her twisting the thread (this twisted picot is something I had pointed out in my pictorial) and passing the shuttle through it. Her tatted model is what we now call the vapour stitch.

Well, our very talented Ninetta engineered the two movements to create her treble tatting stitch (tds) all on her own! At the time she did not posses either of the books and till I pointed it out to her, she had not noticed! Basically, the chain picot became the 1st half of the tds while the vapour stitch became the 2nd half of the tds! 

💧One of the reasons for the delay in posting this was ambiguity about whether I could share the diagram pic from the book with due credit. Anita suggested I ask Tamie Montgomery, who now runs The Online Tatting Class and is very mindful of such issues. She was very receptive and we discussed it. Although she said it was okay to use the accredited pics (like Georgia had done) since it was a 'technique', I still wasn't comfortable, till I hit upon the idea of showing it in thread as above. 

💧💧💧

Auld is gold bead effects!

Last year I found some new beading effects by Rhoda Auld in the same book and took the liberty to give them each a name based on words used by her.

Framed Bead - The diagram on page 107 has been in circulation through Georgia Seitz's classes for several years now. Georgia pitched it as a way to add a bead in the center of a ring and I used it in this butterfly. 

However, Rhoda showed it as a way to add a free bead on a long picot with bare thread framing the bead on both sides when slack is removed. Makes for some good possibilities.

Piggyback Beads - Now this was fun to discover! On pages 99-100 Rhoda shows how to place two free beads one over the other using simple movements. I tweaked it a bit to make it easier to tat.

Instead of loading the bead on the core thread where she has to move the chain stitches, I loaded it on the knotting thread (teal in above sample) and the rest of the process remains the same. On an earlier page, Rhoda makes the teal picot longer and ties up both picots till required for joining. Hence there are many options depending on the pattern.

My sample is a bit wonky, but you get the picture, right?

💧💧💧

Generosity knows no bounds!

💧I can't thank Anita Barry enough for gifting me so many vital books on my list. Without these I wouldn't have been able to review and edit Net Best's, Six T's of Shuttle Tatting, not with any satisfaction or confidence. These have helped me to confirm, correct, or refine terms for her glossary, and even understand and discover so many gems, some of which I took the liberty of adding to the glossary.

💧Judith Connors has been taking an active interest in the glossary, too, either as an answer to my question, as a reaction to my blog post, or reaching out on her own privately. You can imagine what a treasure trove of knowledge she is and how lucky we are to benefit from her skills. 

Judith sent me a copy of her 2000 book, Creative Tatting with beads, shuttle, and needle. It has some of my all-time favourite patterns besides numerous interesting effects and applications. While I read the book, tatting models will be later in the year. 

💧Late last year I received a wonderful digital book by Carin Jansen, Riego ReTatted (2023).  She needed some advice on selling the book through the USA, not being sure of its reception. With permission, I sought Anita's advice and we both gave our respective take urging Carin to put it on the market. Eventually she decided against it for personal reasons, though she has shared her Dutch version within her group. It is such a labour of love and we hope she will change her mind in future. Carin has chosen patterns from each of Mlle Eleonore Riego's books (1850-1886) and shared detailed steps and modernised versions/tips in a pleasant format alongside diagrams and written patterns. 

💧💧💧

I'd like to think that my blog has stayed true to its name to the extent that almost 95% of my posts have a tip of some kind. Unfortunately I couldn't stay true to the url since this blog soon turned into a tatting blog ... not that I'm complaining, LOL. 

Hope you continue to follow my blog and read my posts. 💞

You will find tutorial links to terms in this post here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/p/tatting-resources.html and you can use the search box on the right panel to look for past posts on the tags used here and much more.

💧💧💧

Many many thanks to all the wonderful tatters mentioned here and also to those not mentioned who have influenced, inspired, and improved my tatting journey and maintained my eagerness to blog.

interwoven beaded bracelet

Pin It now!

As promised, here is another pattern and technique reveal from my bead tatting post back in May. All relevant links are listed at the end of this post.

A simple name - Muskaan's Interwoven Beaded Bracelet, made using four shuttles with pre-strung beads on each and Barbara Arango's variation of the Interlocking split rings technique.

Above is a practice pattern I am sharing. As you can see in the inset, traditionally 4 shuttles are used and the split rings are tatted simultaneously, lying close to each other. The idle pair of shuttles is passed through the open SR and then the ring is closed so that the next SR will is encapsulated and overlap with the previous. video link at end

Barbara used the flexibility of 4 shuttles to distance the SRs with a chain between two SRs. She used it to create the desired effect in a round doily! 

Practice Pattern: 

To keep track, I used 4 different thread colours in each shuttle....

Sh1: yellow; Sh2: cream; Sh3: pink; Sh4: blue.

I started with two normal rings.

Sh1) R1: 18. dnrw, SS

Sh2) Ch1: 6.

Sh3) R2: 18. dnrw, SS [insert R1 through R2]

Sh4) Ch2: 6.

Sh1) SR3: 9 / 9. dnrw, SS  [pass shuttles 3 & 4 back to front through SR3 before closing it]

Sh2) Ch3: 6.

Sh3) SR4: 9 / 9. dnrw, SS  [pass shuttles 1 & 2 back to front through SR4 before closing it]

Sh4) Ch4: 6.

Continue the SR steps for desired length.

Posting the shuttles front to back will give the opposite overlap.

Having 4 shuttles meant I could have beaded strings instead of Barbara's chains between the SRs! Which led to the bracelet above. 

Muskaan's Interwoven Beaded Bracelet   ©May2025

String all 4 shuttles with seed beads. In my model worked with Anchor Pearl Cotton size 8 ---

Sh1 & Sh2 with teal thread, CTM, and purple seed beads

Sh3 & Sh4 with dark purple thread, CTM, and yellow seed beads

Follow the process and instructions as explained in the practice pattern. However, instead of chain, slide beads from both shuttles before starting the next ring or SR. 

Sharing only the repeated portion of the pattern ---

Sh1) R1: 3 [- 3]x7. Slide 5 beads from Sh1 & 2. dnrw, SS

Sh3) R2: 3 [- 3]x7. Slide 5 beads from Sh3 & 4. dnrw, SS [insert R1 through R2]

Sh1) SR3: 3 [- 3]x3 / 3 [- 3]x3. Slide 5 beads from Sh1 & 2. dnrw, SS [pass shuttles 3 & 4 back to front through SR3 before closing it] 

Sh3) SR4: 3 [- 3]x3 / 3 [- 3]x3. Slide 5 beads from Sh3 & 4. dnrw, SS [pass shuttles 1 & 2 back to front through SR4 before closing it] 

Repeat SR3 and SR4 for desired length. 

Posting the shuttles front to back will give the opposite overlap.

I ended with a curled ring (see inset) that works as a toggle for a quick & lazy finish.

Note: The beads are a slightly different size. Unfortunately I can't find my notes but I remember there was a little TIP I wanted to share. Oh well, perhaps I will find it some day and make a proper PDF presentation. 

Future Ideas - Add more beads in place of the picots. Throw off rings or decorative picots on one or either side. Attach more braids with same or additional colour for a broader version. The alternate SRs can differ in size or different sized threads can be used.

UPDATE (18th Aug, 2025) - Splocik has used the tweaked braid as a foundation, adding rounds around it, for two bookmark versions here - https://oczka2.blogspot.com/2025/08/zakladka-na-podstawie-motywu.html

💛💛💛

INTERWOVEN  versus  INTERLOCKING

Often the two are used interchangeably in tatting terminology. Confining myself to the split ring braids,  there are several techniques and effects that tatters have created over the years. These may range from a single row of split rings (called a SR braid or cord), or a double row where the SRs are interlaced and lie adjacent to each other. 

Or the braids may lie 'stacked' with overlapping SRs. These are the SR braids that are interwoven where the SRs from two braids lie intertwined through each other. These are also called interlocking SR braids and can be made with either 2 or 4 shuttles - two independent braids woven through each other; a foundational braid encapsulated within the second on-going braid; simultaneously tatting the SRs using 4 shuttles. 

Then there is the 3D chain maille effect where each subsequent SR lies at right angles to the previous one just like in interlocking chains and links in jewellery. I prefer to call these 3D SR braids Interlocked and the 'flat' ones Interwoven. This gives a more exacting visual especially since there are several ways to interweave and interlock the braids, whether 2D or 3D. 

Related Posts and Links -  
Simple interweaving - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/03/exciting-firsts.html 
Interlocking split rings 2 Karen Cabrera Lesson 79 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR04RLHdmA0   (2 shuttles)
Interlocking split rings 2 Karen Cabrera Lesson 80 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBrDRLFibO8   (4 shuttles)
How to start and end SR without a knot - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2016/11/beginning-or-ending.html 
SR braids, including beaded, some with pictorials - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/search?q=SR+braid 

Interlaced SR braids with pictorials and patterns - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/search?q=interlaced+SR
Tatting with Beads - a few effects - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/05/bead-tatting.html

picot me roundup 2

Pin It now!

 Continuing from my previous post showcasing the first batch of zhuzhed butterflies, there are plenty more effects to see here. Antonia Lai's Life is Bliss butterfly derived from Endrucks' pattern #32 with decorative picots for #PicotMeEndrucks April 2024.

11. Katie Verna - tatted her first two on International Tatting Day and found them "cute and fun to tat". Such an honour.

She also tried the CWJ. These two-toned motifs show a reversal of colour.

For her next attempt, Katie says, "This time I added beads to picots and attempted twisted picots with a bead. Those twisted picots were devilish--the twists liked to escape as I tried to make the following double knot! Still, a very fun project! Thank you!"

They came out looking pretty despite being troublesome :-)

12. Lauretta Tondelli - in an attempt to recreate a sketch shared by Stephanie Mc, learned to make the Celtic Knotted Picot and though she did not use it in her model below, she did tat a beautiful little butterfly with it.

Here, bullion knots decorate the chains. Notice her onion ring? That's the way she usually makes them - a continuous chain curling on itself.

13. Lella Loops - two models in needle tatting

In the first (lower) one double picots adorn the wings.

In the second (upper) model she used a cluster of 3 picots and Daniela Ambrosini's "cerchi rigati" or Ribbed Rings - something that was completely new to us! I enjoyed learning this effect with shuttle (links in the Tatting Tutorials page).

14. Maria Renee Contretras de Andretta - sent in 3 models saying "I present you my Monarch butterflies, From Guatemala."

The top one has double picots, while the lower two have adjoining picots in this lovely colourway.

15. Martha Ess - It was such a thrill to see her participating! If you are new to my blog, Martha is the one who uploaded Frau Endrucks' book to the APL and opened up a whole new world to us.

She asked, "Has anyone yet submitted Mrs. Mee's Pearl Stitch, shown here with regular and extra long twisty versions." 

Martha first brought these antique (1862) picots to light here - https://marthas-tatting-blog.blogspot.com/2011/06/amazing-mrs-mee.html

16. Martina Reinhold - also sent in two, the first being from the original itself.

In the 2nd one she used double, triple, and twisted picots. Notice how she has lengthened the pair of picots between rings and also twisted them before joining. 

17. Michelle Forclaz - sent in her lovely 2-colour version

using Josephine Rings/Picots.

18. Muskaan - made just one using

9 types (or variations) of decorative picots. The main objective was to use gathered picots to enhance the shape of the top wings and I was pleased with the effect. In addition, there are twisted picots with JR, twisted double picot, double picots (with variaitons), chain picot, graduated picots, JR, etc.

Details - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/04/taking-wing.html

 

19. Pam Bray - sent in four and kindly shared details. In her own words .....

"First attempt making a “Life is Bliss Butterfly” two colors and beads. Thread size 10 (I think)"

I like the 2 beads on the core thread of the ring topped with long picots that widen at the base because of the beads. Now this is one easy way to make a wide picot without any hassle!

2nd version - "There are four types of picots on this butterfly. It was fun to learn different kinds of picots."

Absolutely love the way her CKP antennae turned out! The other 3 picots include normal free picots, triple picots, and wide picots.

3rd version - "There are four -five types of picots on this butterfly. It was fun to learn different kinds of picots. Designing it is challenging and it is not perfect…"

I can identify loop-over picots, long picots, broomstick picots, crossed picots, and Josephine rings/picots. The antennae are quite cleverly, organically constructed.

4th version with "1. overlapping double picots, 2. Josephine ring downward picot (inside a ring), 3. twisted picot antennas , 4. daisy picots on bottom wings 5. as usual joined picots"

Now that is quite a learning curve, and so gratifying that Pam has added so many new effects to her skill set.

20. Paola Bevilacqua - has a  penchant for creating something new! And she has kindly shared her notes.

Her bookmark version tatted in plain cotton Babylo Sky in continuous tatting, butterflies facing opposite directions alternately. She explains .... "Anyway, after making the first butterfly, I turned the work around and made the second, let’s say upside down, to get the arches in the opposite position, and I went ahead rotating the work at each end of the butterfly."

It would make a nice trim, too.

In the same thread, she decorated the butterfly with small Celtic Knotted Picots alternating with treble stitch picots, and triple picots for the lower wings.

Star Circle - Here's another arrangement of the butterfly motifs in a circle with a perfect pentagon inside! It was a deliberate design decision. Graduated picots and cut picots adorn the inner space without altering the stitch count of the rings, while the periphery is enhanced with treble tatting. In these arches, she did [ch:3ds, 10tds, 3ds]. It makes a beautifully defined outline!

Her 4th version is "A butterfly perched on a poppy" and has inward facing/drop double picot (or more likely a triple picot, though not clearly visible) inside the rings; long picots; adjoining picots; and a Josephine ring on the onion ring body. She tatted the antennae at the end, inserting thread through the joining picot. It is a lock chain with a very long picot, tied back at the base. The picot is cut in the middle.

The inward-facing double/triple picots were made using what Elgiva Nicholls called 'drop' picot. This is what Paola says - "I made the reverse picot ( AA long picot BB, AA small picot BB, ) to close I took the LP with BB."
Basically, --- 2fhs, long picot, 2shs, 2fhs, small picot, 2shs joining the long picot with the 2shs. 

And again our game has thrown up new effects techniques, derivations, ..... These are opportunities to learn something new, dip your toe into designing, practice rarely used techniques, ....

For more such creativity, join me in Part 3 of this roundup, coming soon.

And if you are wondering about numbers, so far 47 models/versions have been shared by 20 members!

..... to be continued

Many many thanks to all our wonderful participants for such inspiring beauties! 

picot me roundup 1

Pin It now!

 Zhuzhing the butterfly - that's what it was all about and boy did our participants rise to the occasion! 

This is where it all started #PicotMeEndrucks - 

pattern: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F_2y-JQn-noKF2AvegujNQIP4IYXRqWZ/view . Our April game was about adding ornamental/decorative picots to Antonia Lai's Life is Bliss butterfly, a pattern derived from Frau Endrucks' pattern #32 (E32). We even compiled a pdf showcasing several decorative picots. https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/04/no-excuse-to.html 

Many of our participants first tatted the butterfly so as to get a feel of the motif, and then went on to embellish it in their 2nd or more versions. Let's see all the entries that were shared and as usual a few new offshoots emerged as well  (entries listed alphabetically).

1. Anita Barry - sent in 3 versions. She wasn't happy with her first two attempts but graciously shared them - we all learn from experience.

The top model contains twisted picots, knot ring picot, and several bead effects.

The 2nd model has tuft picots.

This 3rd version sports several double picot effects such as overlapping double picots, triple picots, and broomstick picots.

2. Antonia Lai - also participated despite her life engagements.

Her version has adjoining and graduated picots.

3. Brookie Heightsmen - tatted two models. 

She went for a steam punk look, using tiny gears inside the rings and seed beads in her first model.

Her 2nd version is quite a rainbowish colourway.

4. Carol Parry - shared her notes here - https://lelia-stitchesoflife.blogspot.com/2024/05/endrucks-1920-project-picot-me-endrucks.html

A beautiful colourway, she embellished with beads and beaded dots.

5. Claudia Mahnke - returned to tatting after 40 years and is in a relearning phase. 

She did get it right, in her 2nd attempt, and identified areas that needed improvement and practice. 

We love that our group has such an eclectic mix of skills, talents and enthusiasm.

6. Cynthia Dooley - sent in two models in needle tatting.

Her first 'flight attempt' was the original.

This is what she says about her 2nd model - "A combo of picots. Looks like a hot mess. Loop over picots on ring and chain. Then ribbed ring in lower quad. Kind of reminds me of Fraggle Rock Butterfly"

7. Cynthia Mullinax - used her butterfly at the end of a bookmark. 

Her adjoining picots outline the wings on top.

She says - "I made the butterfly with thread I was playing with. I didn't have a pattern or plan at the start so I picked it up again and put a butterfly on the end."

8. Jacqueline Roth - made three!

Her top two versions are weighted down with large crystal beads and Celtic knot picot for antennae. 

9. Julie S Villegas - was at a non-tatting phase when she spotted this game and was immediately energized and inspired to pick up her shuttles again!

The first butterfly tatted as per pattern.

2nd version with double picots and additional free picots on the rings.

3rd version with broomstick picots, Josephine rings, and graduated picots.

And what a flutter of butterflies! 

10. Katherine Calvey-Steward - sent in two. 

In her first regular version, she learned the Catherine wheel join.

Our games are often the source for new learning!

Her 2nd version with lots of long double picots is a lovely shade.

This is the first batch with two more batches to fly in! So stay tuned....

..... to be continued

Many many thanks to all our participants for their enthusiastic beauties!