Crochet puppet!

Do you remember the knitted puppet? Well if not and you haven't 'jumped ship' yet then here's the link.

Now I can knit and do like making socks (as you probably know) but I'm not that fond of using the needles. I do like to crochet, however, so decided to make a crochet puppet. There's a pattern on the knitfornowt site which I read through but then decided to 'wing it' on my own!!!

The hair is crocheted too and I sewed it on while sewing up the puppet. BUT, being the plonker I am, I managed to sew the hair to the inside!!!! I've always told you I'm not fit to be allowed out on my own and now I've proved it. Now I needn't have told you that bit about the hair but it just goes to show that I'm nowt but honest!!! 

Can you see the pocket on this one? That's for the children to put their worries in. 

I wonder what the next puppet will turn out like?!?!?

An idea for a bracelet!

Now I must admit I do love this pattern even though I shouldn't brag that I do!!!! It's such an interesting but easy one once you get started. I re-wrote it a few years ago and it's certainly a lot clearer now even to my fuddled old brain.

So this time I decided I wanted/needed a wider bracelet - more a sort of cuff, I think you'd call it. This is what I've done so far. Yes there are beads missing off the pink side but there's a reason for that. No, I didn't forget to put them there - it was a deliberated thing!!!!

Gold thread comparison

I decided to make another of the Rosemarie Peel stars but this time in size 20 Lizbeth. This was done purely to 'test' the size of the metallic thread.

As I was working the second star (top picture) I kept thinking it was going to be oodles and doodles smaller. So when it was finished I was more than a little surprised to find (see the second picture) that it wasn't 'that' much smaller. 

Yes it would make a difference if you had a specific size in mind and that the item HAD to fit into or onto something - like a bangle bracelet but apart from that it's fine. 

What I wouldn't do now is use a regular Lizbeth thread with the metallic Liz as that would probably not work unless some small adjustments were made to the stitch count on the pattern. 

Hmmmmm, now I've give BC3 an idea I just MAY have to try that out!!!

Gold thread 1

When I was at the Gloucester Tatting day last month I bought some of the new Liz metallic thread from Barbara at Tatting and Design who was the supplier for the day. I just bought the one ball as I wasn't sure how I would like it although I did buy two other balls for Sally!!!

I've made this lovely star by Rosemarie Peel with it. Sadly, as others have found out, it doesn't take a good photo or scan. It really, really does glitter and sparkle very well indeed. 

Now it's not an easy tat and has to be treated with a little more care that usual. It doesn't break and the metallic glittery element running through it doesn't break either which is a huge bonus. It's just a little 'stiff' to turn the knots. Having said that - I quickly got used to it!!! 

I personally don't like the Altin Basak glittery thread which used to be available (can't find the link right now) as the sparkly element in that does break and very easily too. BUT I think my favourite of all time is the Nakis Simi thread which you can find here under Oren Bayan Metallic. That one really rocks my boat in the nicest possible way. 

Whatever you think I still think we ALL ought to say the biggest 'thank you' to Barb at Handy Hands for taking courage and huge risks in finding the manufacturers in China who were prepared to listen to her and make the threads for us all. This was at a time when lots of manufacturers were stopping their production of tatting/crochet threads.  So, once again, Barb - thank YOU for going to all the trouble of giving us Lizbeth and Liz thread. I love them.  

Knitted worry glove puppet

Just for a change I decided to knit a worry glove puppet. 

This is an idea I got from a friend who's daughter works with children. I've done some local research and have found an outlet for them which I hope to get the Tuesday craft group interested in. 

We've been making fiddle muffs for dementia residents in local homes and it would be lovely to go to the other extreme and start to help out local young kiddies too. This puppet has a smiley face on one side and a sad one on the other. Hopefully this will help children talk about the situations they may find themselves in.

Next project now is to make a crochet one as I prefer crochet to knitting!!!! I've now got this one as a 'template' so making another with a hook should be pretty straightforward - I HOPE!!!!

Back to the new idea!!!!

This is the way I work - I do something, forget it, go back to it, play more and repeat this process until I've got it how I want it!!!

In the last 'incarnation' of this idea (link to post) I'd used lock chains all round the outside but I didn't like that!!!! So this is virtually the same but with ordinary chains instead of some of the lock ones!!!

Now I really, really ought to check it again to look for any small changes.  I've asked Pigmini (Sue) for help with naming it and she's come up with a great idea - the Celtic Ferris Wheel.  At least it's got a proper name.  As you know I'm hopeless at naming things so it's good to have a proper brain to help out - thanks, Sue.

Japanese lady

Now this little Japanese lady was made in a real hurry for Georgia last year. Just found her lurking in a corner of my computer!!!!

Georgia wanted a Japanese lady pattern so that it could be made and added to the squares that people took home to do for the quilt project.  This is a huge undertaking that she organises for the Palmetto Tatting Guild each year. How she manages to get it all together is beyond me but she does.  Big thanks to all those who commit to doing a square too.

Anyway I bet there maybe one or two people 'out there' who may like her. If so here's the link and she can also be found under the 'people' section on the web site.

4 little teapots

Now I'm NOT going to tell you why I've made these but I will say that they're part of a larger project. All will be revealed in due course but due course isn't any time soon!!! Tat's all I'm saying!!!

These little darlings are from Martha's teapot book which I love. I slightly changed two of them (the ones on the left) by adding beads - like you do!!!! They're a joy to work as are all Martha's patterns.

Bet you want to know where to get the book from? Shall I tell you or should I let you ask Mr Google? 

Ah, better tell you as Mr Google likes to have a snooze from time to time. You can get it from Tatting Corner, or Handy Hands, in America but I can't yet find it in the UK. I'm sure if you asked Martha directly (email me for her address) then she'd help you out.

Then they were done!!!

Seven!!! Now I THINK I could have enough for another round but I'll admit now to being totally fed up with the colour!!! Seemed like a good idea at the time!!! I just may start another in white as I've plenty of that in size 40. 

I was very proud of myself the other day. I saw a splendid 'lot' on Ebay with several balls of size 40 in white. It was a reasonable price too even with postage. I kept going back to look at it for several hours and then decided I ought to go and check my own stash before buying it!! I'm glad I did - I've got two or three balls of white 40!!! So, having established that I may just start another much larger version of the Dora Young doily like this one. Who knows!!!!

Possum

I'm afraid it's not a very good picture but it's a possum from the Houtz book. 

I've never seen a live possum - only a dead one on a road when I was staying with Sandra in Atlanta. We don't get them here in the UK. I think they look kind of cute but I know Americans don't seem to like them!!!

A new design - I think!!!!

Do you remember this pattern?

Well I was looking for it yesterday as I wanted to show you a new idea derived from it. I did a search on my site and it wasn't there!!! Now I must've deleted it somehow in one of my very senior moments so I've now put it back!!! Here's the link. 

As soon as I'd finished the Passion Flower motif I thought of another idea - BUT it sat at the side of me in Tat Corner for a year or more until I put it out of sight!!! Recently I thought about it again when I found it lurking in a corner of the tatting cupboard. Out it came and off went BC3 on another of his ideas!!!! 

The one shown below is OK but not quite right so I'll be experimenting more!!!

On a roll!!

Yes, already further progress with the Dora Young pattern (page 22) so I'm just showing you quickly how far I've got.

I get to this point in a project when I don't honestly want it to end.  Problem is - I worry about how much thread I've got and how long it will last!!!  

You'd think that by now I'd be able to judge this but I still worry.  Well, worry isn't strictly true - I sort of keep thinking about it but just continue.  

An exchange

This year I decided (after some subtle 'suggestions') from Ruth to join in with the Fringe Exchange. 

The theme was 'bling' so (of course) I hit the beads big time!!!

Now the trouble with joining an exchange is (for me) not feeling I've done enough or given enough so I pulled all the stops out. 

I must admit (don't tell anybody, please) I did make some of my favourite patterns which were the bracelet, the earrings to match and this pendant too.  I also had a lovely matching (sort of) tatting bag left so that simply 'had' to go in just because it matched!!! Couldn't resist a fridge magnet of our local celebrity either!!! A few beads and buttons happened to come into my view too. I know the recipient was happy and that made me happy too.

Guess what?  I've signed up for the next exchange too.  I'm waiting to see who I have to send to before I decide what to do for him/her.

A larger poodle!!!

Do you remember the 'poodle doodle' that I did for Lina? Well we decided that she needed a larger poodle to either add as a motif to a garment or to make into a pendant. 

This took some doing as you can see from the second picture!!!! In fact there were a few other 'bits' that got binned before they got to the scanner!!!

The pattern is now available here in the animals section on the pattern site.

Another motif

Well I've added another motif to the Dora Young pattern so am committed now to carrying on. 

Why am I committed? Well I really now want to see how all the twirls end up!!!! 

This book (as I mentioned yesterday) is available from Tatting and Design here in the UK. When I think how desperate I was to get a copy just two years ago it's lovely to have it 'at hand' now. Dora really was a 'mover and shaker' in her day and even if the book MAY seem expensive there's a LOT in it to keep a tatter happy. 

The pictures aren't 'that' inspiring in the book (well the original book was published a long time ago) but if you search my blog posts from around this time last year you can see how most of them work up in 'modern' colours. 

Also there are some help notes too which are on a 'page' at the top of this blog. I'm here too if anybody needs extra help.

A day out

Now I'm not an intrepid traveller although I don't find hopping on planes a huge problem but I DO get very nervous about going places in the car (and bus and train). So, when I was told about the Gloucester tatting day I decided that I'd go. This is the third time but each time I get very nervous about driving there. I don't mind if I'm on my own but the whole thing is a 'big deal' for me. BUT I'm learning to trust satnav now and I'm getting better at it.

So an hour and a quarter after setting out I arrived at the venue. It's always a very relaxed day with a vendor with lots of goodies. I sat opposite Margaret who entertained us with stories of her doing a zip wire trip for her 80th birthday. 

To my delight Rosemarie Peel was there too.  I hadn't seen her for many many years so we had a lot to catch up on!!! With her permission I've added a photo of her below. We spoke about my addiction to her pattern (Rachel) which I've made so many times and she said she'd got a few copies left of the book so if you want more information please do email me and I'll pass you on to her. Rachel is on the third picture down (the cover of the book is the second picture or this link).  Oh there are lots of other designs in there that are great too - it's just that I love Rachel best.

Talking to Barbara who was the vendor (Tatting and Design) she said she'd got stocks of the Dora Young book (All New Knotless Tatting) available but it isn't on her web site which she's still getting sorted out. I was tempted (and gave in) to buy a ball of the Liz metallic and another cotton one which is the Lizbeth Maple Butter and this was after me telling BC3 FIRMLY that we didn't need anymore threads!!!

There was also another lovely lass there called Michelle who wanted to learn to shuttle tat. She quickly got the hang of it after having struggled with needle tatting and finding it wasn't what she wanted to do as her gran had done shuttle tatting and needle didn't give her the results she wanted.  I'm just hoping she carries on with it and that I'll see her again in September at the next meeting.  I enjoyed her company too.

Freely available all day was tea, coffee and CAKE!!!!  

A big, huge, humungous thank you must go to Linda Williams who organised the whole day.  Not many people get me 'out and about' in my car but Linda does and I hope to be there in September too.  So, all you folk who live in or near Gloucester here in the UK, please think about joining us in September.

Welcome to a new member

Of the Exclusive Tatting Club!!!!

Let me introduce you to Sherry's mouse. She was lucky enough to have a lesson with Randy Houtz at the Finger Lakes Tatting Group last weekend and this is the result. 

This is what Sherry says:

"My mouse and kitty picture reminds me of the needlework Mary Queen of Scots did called "Catte". This picture here is a picture of the needlework while Mary was held captive circa 1570. "Catte" can be seen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh."

Hedgehog

Well BC3 fails again!!!  He forgot to add the poodle doodle to the doodle page on the web site.  Not only THAT but he forgot to add it to Pinterest too.  I'm seriously thinking of giving him the sack!!!!!!   So I've taken matters into my own hands and have added them myself!!!

After the mouse invasion I simply HAD to make a hedgehog. 

Again this is from Randy and Gary's book which can be found here.

I found exactly the right thread (Lizbeth variegated) to make this little critter. He's now joined the mice and caterpillars in a box but not 'quite' in the cupboard. Nick wants me to put them all in a line chasing each other on top of the television but I want to make one more of another variety before I put them out as dust catchers!!!

Three motifs joined.

Now the 'improved' (or rather, original way Dora intended) joining method is looking a whole lot better. 

I've added my interpretation of Dora's joins to the top of the blog post in her 'section'. I just hope that they are understandable and would (as usual) appreciate any feedback either good (if any!!) or bad (as expected!!).

A poodle doodle

Now for another doodle!!! This time it was a request by another tatter who wanted a little poodle - maybe for earrings.

The smaller the design the harder it is to get it to look as if it's what it's supposed to be - if you follow!!! This little guy (or gal, of course) took quite a few attempts but I had wonderful feedback from Lina. 

I've added this to the doodle page and it can be found here.

More Leftovers

So this is what happened to the leftover leftovers!!!

The top picture is what I now have left after using the leftover leftovers. It's around 2" by 4" so I doubt that even BC3 could make anything out of that!!!

I've made two poke proof pouches!! Do you remember when I made them before with the magic (but secret) part which stops the hooks poking through? No? Well here's the link.

So now I'm fully equipped to go travelling again with my tatting. Where shall I go to? I have a venue in mind!!!

Leftovers!

Do you remember this post? Well I had some fabric leftover so I decided to make a pouch for carrying projects around in.

I often have a smaller project that doesn't need a whole tote bag so decided that this would be a 'good idea'. I've used wadding/batting inside and it's fully lined too.

BUT I still have a strip left of around a metre by four inches!!! Another idea is brewing so WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

I'm also pleased to report that BC3 managed to remember to put the tankard link on my Pinterest board too!!!  Result!!!!

Then there were two!

Well the first join is done and I think this time I've really 'got it'!!!! If you look back at this post you'll see that it's a lot bulkier and sort of detracts from the flow of the design.  A non tatter probably wouldn't notice but an old age tatter like me does!!!!

I will get a pdf file put up with the 'translation' of this join in my Dora Young notes when I get roundtoit!!!!  I need to be sure I've got it right first so will try it on a few more motif joins.

Anybody want to join me?

For a pint?

I'd completely forgotten I'd done this little pattern until somebody reminded me last week!!! This was an 'emergency' design done for Georgia and Palmetto Tatters last year.

Somebody ought to sit down and go through my computer and find all the 'not quite finished' patterns on there!!! Oh, maybe I should do it!!!! I know there are several more somewhere so be prepared for a few more pages over the next week or two as I carry on hunting!!!

Anyway, here's the pattern which I've put on the doodles page. You won't get a hangover if you make it - I promise!!!! Even if you don't ever drink you can make it without fear of addiction. 

Actually, are there people 'out there' who don't drink?!?!?!?

Back to Dora now!!!

More new mermaids arrived yesterday - please say 'hello' to them!!!

As my regular readers are aware I've spent a lot of time working through most of Dora Young's book (All New Knotless Tatting) which Heidi has so wonderfully got re-printed. Copies can be bought from here.

As you know from this post I first met Dora (well, her book) when I was in South Carolina. I did complete seven of the motifs as in that link but was never 'quite' happy with the joins between them. So I've decided to see if I can master them better by having another 'go'.

This time I'm using a size 40 thread. The beauty of this motif is that it's only one ring and then you can work constantly off the ball thread. I must work out how much thread I need to add to the shuttle for each motif but as I never use knots to join there's really not a lot of point for me personally!!!! I don't use the magic thread trick either - before you ask!!!!

Jane K's mouse

Before I start my post today may I suggest you take a trip over to the Tat It And See blog here as I've two more mermaids who want to meet you.

Now you've heard me talk about Jane K and her teardrop beads - well, here's a fantastic idea she's got for using a mouse as a scissor finder!!!! 

This mouse has just the two front legs - he'd be far too long if she'd made the whole mouse. Jane says she's put a bead inside him too just to add a bit of weight. Isn't this a fantastic idea? Here's what Jane says and I'm looking forward to seeing her dragonfly too. Maybe I should put that on my 'to do' list as well?

"Hi Jane E

I saw your beautiful white mouse with the wonderful red eyes.

This is my last mouse. He has only 2 feet, but he has an extra long tail with a ring to attach to my scissors. I find doing the mice relaxing to do but now I'm working on the Houtz dragonfly. Also fun but not yet relaxing 😂

Ttys

Jane K"

Another caterpillar

Having enjoyed the other caterpillar which is here - I wanted to make another!!! 

This time I decided to make it slightly differently. Just because!!!! I think it's the eyes that get me so interested. All down to Jane K giving me some teardrop beads when I was in Canada.  I'll never be able to thank  her enough as they've got me back into the bauble making phase yet again!!!!

After the mice!!

I simply HAD to make a caterpillar!!! I kept looking at the pictures of this in the book and feeling that they didn't do it justice so eventually I had to have a 'go'!!!! 

This time the starting off was a lot easier and I think I'm developing my own way of doing this!!!! Anyway, it keeps me happy and I really like this little guy!!!

Another!

When you've got the hang of bauble tatting these critters are very straightforward to work. BUT the starting off can be a pain as it's so, so fiddly!!! 

You wouldn't believe it but I spent HOURS starting this blue eyed mouse off.  I just couldn't get it right. Sheer persistence and a wealth of patience got me there in the end. 

For those who want a copy of this book I'm pretty sure it's available in most tatting suppliers shops but it can also be found here too.  Straight from the Houtz brothers themselves.

Now, what shall I do next?!??!

Mimi's bookmark

After my success with the Mimi coaster I decided I simply HAD to do her bookmark too. 

Isn't it lovely? Instead of just the one colour as suggested in the pattern, I did manage it in two. 

Took BC3 a bit of working out but it was very simple. I started with a weaver's knot to get the slimmest start possible and then tatted over the two tails whilst making a dead end start with the chain.  Sounds complicated but it wasn't at all.  

Pinterest

Now I do NOT like Pinterest. OK, probably irrational but I've seen whole books still in copyright uploaded to that site - or pins to sites where stolen books can be found.  

I used to have a Pinterest account some years ago because back then it seemed like a 'good idea'. However once I found out the pitfalls I closed the account. Unfortunately I found that most searches I do on Google find Pinterest first and that's really annoying. 

Anyway, I've now realised (yes, it takes time!) that most of the pins on there don't lead to the pattern that you've found during a google search and that's pretty annoying. Time's too short (in my case!) to spend hours finding something that's just not there to be found easily!!

So I've decided for my own benefit and (hopefully) others to upload links to all my patterns on Pinterest. It's taken a good many hours but I'm hoping it'll prove time well spent.

Here's the link to my Pinterest site.

Now as it's a requisite to add a picture to a blog post (so you don't all fall asleep) here's one I made earlier!!!

A mouse has appeared!

When I was sorting out my tatting cupboard I found some teardrop beads that Jane K had given me when I was in Canada. I had put them away really safely which is a BIG mistake!!! 

She gave them to me on my first trip over to that wonderful country so these had been stored safely for over two years. I had admired her little 'Houtz Mouz' (sorry, couldn't resist that bad spelling) and it's eyes particularly. 

So here's my first mouse of this phase of my tatting addiction.

There's something SO relaxing about making these critters and the reaction when you show people is amazing too.  I think there will be more to come so prepare to be inundated with Houtz critters.

Red earrings

I've started going to another group on a Thursday afternoon. Yes, we do have quite a few crafty groups in town it would seem!!!

Last week there was a good turnout of people and amongst them was a lady who liked my tatted earrings. Bless her - she mentioned them on several occasions so, of course, it made sense for me to make her a pair.

Here they are.  I will hopefully see her next week at the craft group.

While I'm thinking about it - I've finally got the pattern up on the website and here is the link.  This is the same pattern that I showed you here and on this page too.  Both variations are on the pattern.

Finally finished it

Well here it is - finally sorted and ready for another whirl round the internet!!! 

Here is the link to the file if you want to have a go at the refurbished pattern!!!

You'll see that today's pictures are of the same bookmark either with or without the tail. I used to like tails but then found I kept catching them on things and yanking the bookmark out of the book so now I prefer them without. Just a 'me' thing, though!!!

Actually I rarely read a print book now as I prefer to read ebooks.  

Two more Flowery bookmarks

Two more of the Flowery bookmarks have been made - just to be sure that we're on the right track for getting this to be a much better pattern to read and execute.

The main problem with this one has been that it does need careful reading. It's just a matter of getting your SLT's and RW's and DNRW's right and then it's very straightforward. 

I'm sure this is going to prove a much easier bookmark (or bracelet) to make.

I'm hoping to get the new version up on my web site tomorrow