Off on another Dutch adventure

Having experienced the spiral chains in the small bow pattern I had another look through the books to see if the nun had used them anywhere else. Low and behold I found them in one of the larger doilies.  

Obviously I HAD to do this next. 

The centre ring was obviously made, cut and tied then the first round added but this intrepid tatter (tat’s meeee) did away with that immediately although it can be worked the way it was stated in the pattern. 

I used two shuttles for this and travelled out to a split ring with a 'mock' picot or BTS (bare thread space) whatever you like to call it!!! Worked really well and this was my first attempt at this part!!!  Upwards and outwards, eh?

Moaning Monday

Yes it's another of those Moaning Monday posts again.

The subject this time is Pinterest. I HATE Pinterest and will not pin anything there AT ALL. The only thing I have done is add my own pattern links on my 'bit' in the hopes that people can find what they want if they want to.

When I go searching Google (which I often do) for things I have seen before but can't remember where (usually a tatting design and because I'm too lazy to go through my books) the first few places to come up all lead to Pinterest. I ignore those and go further down the page.

I left Pinterest some years ago as I could see so much copyright theft going on but realised that it could probably and possibly help me if I set up my own board there just to put links to my individual patterns. This is what I've tried to do over the past year or two although I do tend to forget!! 

Yesterday I spent valuable tatting time updating my Pinterest board which you can find here - if you should want/need it.

A twisted picot

From a twisted brain!!!

I've used this before (see this snail) and I'm sure it's not new but decided that having done the butterflies I ought to add a technique page too!! I always get things backwards way on!!!

Anyway, here's the link to how to do a twisted picot AND how to add in a bead if required too. It passes the time of day!!!

Second blanket finished

Do you remember the blanket I knitted with the mitred squares? No? Well here’s the link. 

I wasn’t particularly happy with that one so decided I’d make another. Well first of all I weighed the first blanket and then my remaining stash to find that I’ve got more than enough for another blanket!!! I think I showed you the start of this second one but haven’t bored you with too many posts!!! Here it is finished and ready to go to whoever wants it. I’m hoping one of our local care homes would like it but will wait until I’ve done the second one.

The original pattern is all garter stitch but this time I’m going to do it in stocking stitch. I need to practice that as since I’ve taught myself continental knitting I’ve not done a lot of purl. I do like a little stress in my life!!!

Both Butterflies with links to patterns

All done and ready to fly. I’ve put them on different URL’s so you don’t have to print out too many pages. 

Here’s the link to the 3D one.

Here’s the link to the flat one.

As we’re still on semi lockdown meaning none of my other activities like silver surfers and craft groups are still not meeting I’m going to continue with the Dutch books. I’ve found a doily which looks really interesting so am going to make a start on that. Look out Mr Google translate - here I come again!!!!

Meet the new love of my life

Well it’s the Dreamlit shuttle (see this link) which I’ve found to be my favourite workhorse. I have 3 of them (with another on order!) but have been misplacing the bobbins and having to hunt them down!! I haven’t found a container that would be of any use for them so decided to make some. 

These are going to be so useful if I’ve got bobbins wound for other projects I can keep them wound in these little cases and they won’t ‘undo’ themselves!!! 

I’m wondering whether anybody else would be interested in the bobbin holders? I know that the Dreamlit shuttles fit nicely into the poke proof pouches but the oval shaped bobbins don’t fit into this type of bobbin holder which I've made in the past.

They’re lined (as you can see) and have a light stiffening fabric inside too. I’ve made this one and will be making others today!!!

Butterflies can be flat, you know!!!

Having done the little 3D butterfly (nearly finished the web page) I thought of those who may not want a 3D body and decided to make another version which is flat!!

Here it is and I’m hoping to have both critters up and flying in a day or two. 

This version can be made all in one but it did mean some jiggling with the order of working the little critter. Many thanks to Martha who happened to drop by my inbox and was looking for something to do for a day or two!!! My goodness - she’s got an eye for detail, bless her cotton socks including the sock she’s currently knitting. Thanks, Martha.

Trying to decide

I'm trying to decide which is my favourite but it's impossible!!! I don't often like using variegated threads but for these it seems to work well. After all butterflies aren't just one colour, are they?

Work is almost done on the drawings so now I just have to assemble the page and fit it onto the blank pages in a way that will save paper and ink for those who want to print it out.

This is always a major, MAJOR concern of mine - saving the planet by trying to fit everything onto as few sheets as possible but making the pattern easily readable. 

Personally I never print off a pattern whether mine or anybody else's. I work entirely in a digital form. I check that the patterns fit a page by doing a 'print preview' and then, when I'm happy, it's a 'done deal'!!! That's the beauty of using Pages (I use a mac) as it's so easy to move stuff around.

Right - time for a cuppa!!!!

It just HAD to happen

Addiction set in. 

These little cuties are such fun to make. Although you do have to do one cut and tie but that's all there is. I've made it so you can progress from the body to one set of side wings which helps a lot. 

Drawings have started for the finished pattern so lockdown is still working in my favour!!! 

Lockdown gives me time to start and finish within a short timescale - just cause I can't go far to find/make mischief!!!

Next project and an apology

First of all an apology from a silly old moooooo.  That's me!!!  I'd done a 4th drawing for the small bow and somehow deleted it before 'pdf'ing it and uploading it!!!  I've corrected myself and given my left hand a slap with my right  hand!  The 4th diagram is now on the pattern.

Now the next project that I'm doing is the butterfly in one of the Dutch books.

The first puzzle to me was the fact that there appeared to be two of them with slightly different bodies. You can see them in the picture below.

Once I'd translated the pattern and read and re-read it a few times I realised that the one on the left with the ends dangling was the same but 'not quite finished'. So I've abandoned the nun's destructions for the body as it involved sewing the it into a tube and went in search of another idea.

Well, there it was right under my stupid little nose. It's part of the fairy that I did here. As the legs/arms of the design have been stolen by two other people for their 'original’ patterns - and without asking me first, I thought it would be OK to use the idea for the new body.

So, I've modified it a little and it's now the new body of the butterfly.

I need to draw this up and do all the usual 'stuff' to it and then I'll share it. I may have to bore you with a few more pictures in the meantime as I'm going to enjoy making these!!! 

Bow pattern finished.

Finally finished the links yesterday so here's the completed pattern.

I hope somebody will make it and use the spiral tatting from the link I shared yesterday.

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

A finished bow!!

Well the fiddling around with it and sorting it out is finished but now I have to finish the text and drawings to go with the actual tatting!!! 

This is the Dutch bow that I found in the little books and fell in love with. It's got the spiral tatting in it and this was where I learned the trick of making the spiral chain!!!  Here's a 'how to' page.

Hope to have the pattern finished by tomorrow - there are certain advantages to lockdown!!! Keeping me in captivity forces me to actually complete things!!!

First attempt small bow

I found another bow in the Dutch books which I fell in love with. Again this needed a lot of thinking about and that really hurts my brain!!!

You can see from this first and failed attempt (well, actually it's probably the third attempt as the others got thrown away) that there are spiral chains in this pattern.

This is a technique that I've happily avoided for years and years!!! I'm NOT a 'dropper of shuttles' as it slows me down. In all the destructions (sorry, instructions) I've seen it says to work 5 or so first half doubles then drop your shuttle over the work. WHAT? NO tatter wants to let go of their shuttles!!

But here's the thing. This was one clever nun/sister as she didn't do that. She said to - well, here's a technique page to show you. I’ve NEVER seen a spiral chain done this way but now it’s the only way I’ll ever do them in future!!!

I hope to get this done over the weekend and hopefully on my pattern site by the middle of the week.

Another earring design

Well that's what it started out as but it ended up being far too big so it's now become a pendant!!!

The necklace part is one of a whole LOT that my dear friend Joanie gave me when I was staying with her in America last September. I've used quite a few as I do tend to wear pendants.

Can you see that with this doodad I've actually joined to the centre by taking the thread up and down underneath the outer holes. Took a bit of fiddling but after the first one it was easy!!! That's my story and I'm sticking to it too!!!!

I've only got notes for this design as I'm not sure if anybody would want it. I'm definitely going to make more for myself though!!!!

I DID it!!!

I sat my sorry butt down on my chair in the 'office' (another of our clutter rooms) and made myself do the links for the Medina angel yesterday.

I'll admit that I was going to do it on Sunday but I suddenly saw a glaring mistake (or, rather three) in the drawings!!! I gave myself a thorough ticking off and sorted them out.

Meantime I'm now starting on another Dutch adventure - by the time I've finished with these little books I'll have earned myself a pair of Dutch clogs and probably even a windmill!!!!

Oh, nearly forgot - here's the link.

This is the original picture that I worked from for the bow.

I've finished Medina

Well, almost!!! With thanks to the test tatters.

The 'only' thing I've got to do now is to put the page on my pattern site. I think I stand a chance of getting it done today!

This was a relatively easy project as I'd beaten the original bow into submission already!! The only problem I've had with this is I got a bit 'lost' with which shuttle should have which beads on but I've left it as it is as I figured (least BC3 did) that most tatters who would tackle this project would know to do a switching of shuttles etc to get them in the right place!!!

There's NO WAY I was going to go back and work out the yardage on this project either as I must admit I'm now glad to see the back of it.

BUT (and you must treat this as a public warning) I am working on another of the 'lost' patterns from these wonderful little Dutch books.

Starting on the angel

As promised I've now started on the angel but with plentiful beads!! Well, a girls gotta have her beads, hasn't she? When I use the word 'girl' I really mean Old Git - meeeee!!!

Hopefully this version of the Medina bow won't take quite so long to do but who knows!!! It's already completed and awaiting my dear test tatters to find the hiccups. Jane has already found a few!!! 

More emotitats

Yvonne has some students (tatting ones) and two of them have made these emotitats. The pattern can be found here should you want to make any.

New pattern - finished bow

I did it!! Got it all sorted yesterday so here’s the link to the new Medina bow pattern. 

Next? Instead of picots I think it needs beads and a head to make it into an angel!!! Well, watch this space!!!

This is the link to the new Medina bow pattern. 

Nearly 'there'.

This pattern has been a long haul pattern!!!

Thankfully I've got mates around this planet who are willing to take on challenges. Bev in Australia and Diane in America are two of them.

Diane did the green version and Bev used Lizbeth size 40. The colour way she used is one of my favourites - Latte Foam. 

Thanks a million both of you. I hope to finish off the links today and get the pattern on my site tomorrow.

New bag finished

I finished the new bag in record time - well, for me!!! That's one thing about the meltdown - time is different and without all my other diversions things get finished faster. Hmmmm, bring back the diversions - I MISS MY FRIENDS.

I showed you the pictures of the upholstery samples a few days ago here and this is what they turned into. I will be spraying it with Scotchguard (fabric protection) before using it. My purple bag has seen 'better days' and will be consigned to the 'old bag place in the sky'!!! In other words - the tip!!!

Here's the new bag in all it's glory!!!

A bit of a rush!

We've had glorious weather lately - until Tuesday when it rained ALL day and went VERY cold. 

This was such a shame as some lovely neighbours were celebrating their silver wedding anniversary and invited us all to join them in celebrating the event. Naturally as we're all in meltdown (lockdown) we couldn't go into their house so (as is normal in our road lately) we met in the freezing cold in the road to raise our glasses to them.

I wanted to give them something special but couldn't get out to the shops (IF any were open) so decided to do a bit of tatting - but what? Well in the afternoon I was searching through the tatting cupboard for ideas for earrings when I spotted a brass heart that I've had for years. I bought three of them and had used one for another present so remembered that this pattern would fit it.

My poor old fingers absolutely flew to get it done in time but then I hit the problem of using invisible thread to anchor it to the brass frame!!! I just hope they like it!!!

 

 

Emotitats!

Now it's been some time since I did this pattern and it's lovely when somebody contacts me to say they've made them. 

Crikey - it's 13 years ago!!! Where does time go?

Anyway, a week or two ago Yvonne contacted me and she came back with these. This was her comment when I asked permission to blog them.

"Sure you can blog them. I used the bits of card in between teabags in the twinings tea boxes for my bookmarks.

I am now trying to master Maltese tatting. Thanks for your help. Regards, Yvonne"  

Good luck with Maltese, Yvonne - it's many years since I did that form of tatting although I think there maybe a butterfly on my site somewhere!!!!!

Here are Yvonne's emotitats.

Hanky - round one?

During the GREAT TIDY UP of the tatting cupboard I came across this hanky.

I've a feeling it came from Handy Hands as a wee gift in their newsletter. I know it's been waiting for my attention for a good long while!!!

The reason I've not done anything with it before (I do like doing hanky edgings) is because it has holes in the edges. I've never wanted to tat straight onto a hanky before but decided now was the time to 'give it a whirl'!!! 

This is simply a lock chain with a picot in the middle. It needs another round but it'll have to wait a while until an idea pops into my aged brain!!!

A new blanket

Well I said I would and so I did!!! 

I started another blanket.

Having made the first one I will tell you know that I learned a LOT. The one thing I did pick up from mistakes was that I kept losing my place - my starting point. This is why the yellow marked square (bottom right) has a thread running through it. It's to tell BC3 that that's where square 1 is. 

On the last blanket I had no idea where my starting point was after a while so I thought this idea or marking it with a strand of thread which I can later pull out may help. 

Again this is the site I used to help me and I still regularly check it out to see whether it's a square one, square 2, square 3 etc that I need to do next and WHERE!!!

Sewing a bag

Back in the winter a friend that I see at Zumba handed me some upholstery samples that her husband had finished with.

They're rather gorgeous and are from a really expensive supplier so these were quite a challenge. 

I put them on the table in the conservatory (my summer sewing place!) and would walk past them and look and look at them deciding what to do.

Well last week I decided they 'had to go' so I got the sewing machine out and started looking at them closely again. 

Here are a few of them - some were lurking under a pile of other fabric when I wanted to find them and couldn't!!!

Medina - progress

Sorted - I think!!!

Took me two more attempts to get it right but I think this is a much easier tat with the lock chains. 

The BIG problem with lock chains is how to put a picot on them. In the end I resorted to doing it a new way - sort of. It's pretty easy and you'll see when I get the pattern on my site that I've got a new way of notating this too.

If anybody wants to test tat it please do drop me a line but it'll need doing pretty quickly or I'll forget all about putting this on the pattern site!!   You know me and BC3 - I'm always finding half finished ideas on my system!!! 

It’s a challenging piece to tat but a lot easier with the lock chains so a little experience would be needed - if you want to test tat it.

Next project?  Turning Medina into an angel with lots of beads!!!

Progress on the knitted blanket

I've finished the blanket.

No idea what I'm going to do with it but it'll have to go out of the house sometime. One of my neighbours has a son who works in a care home so I'm hoping he can take it there to be used. It's a large lap blanket size. 

Guess what? I've started another!!! I must admit to enjoying doing this pattern very much. This is the link to the knitting squirrel where I got it from. 

I've had to start another as I've still got loads of yarn left!!! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!!

I really need to press/block this sometime but I did put on a crochet border and since then I've not been in the right frame of mind to get the ironing board out!!! Also I need to ask Mr Google the best way to make this look a lot neater!!

Medina 2nd post

Again I used size 20 thread but this time, to keep the chains more easily managed, I used a half double double stitch for them. Progress was made on sorting it out but I'm not happy at all as it's lost it's delicacy with these chains.

I also reckon it's not a size 20 project either and looked again at Louise's Juliana for which she used size 40. That's going to be my next attempt but without the half double double stitch. 

I think a lot more thought is needed on those!!!

Tidy for now

I completely forgot to show you my tatting corner and cupboard after I'd tidied it so here it is.

OK so it's not 'that' tidy but I've actually reorganised a lot of things and since then not been able to find certain things as you can imagine!!! 

The loom 'thing' on the second picture was given to me and I'm not sure what it's really for. Probably bead work but it's been hanging around for ages waiting for me to look at it properly!!! Maybe during lockdown I'll get roundtoit!!!!

Do you see the boxes on the bottom picture at the top and on the left? That's where tatting goes when it's finished. There's probably 20/30 years worth of bits and pieces in there but I've no idea where the previous thirty plus years of work went!!  Oh, there's another box somewhere too and a very small suitcase which has some in as well - ah, that's where a lot of the old stuff is, I think!!!

Let's talk about Medina

Now I KNOW you're going to ask 'who the heck is ‘Medina'!! Well Medina is the name of the pattern I've chosen to translate and write up next.  Let me tell you the story!!!

Many years ago Riet in The Netherlands gave me three little tatting pattern booklets. Obviously they were in Dutch which sort of put me off. Nevertheless I found a pattern I really, really liked and decided that I'd make it - and failed on the first few rounds!! 

Well, a few years later I went back to that pattern (Juliana) and settled down to translate it and also make it. When I'm designing I always type as I go so that I can easily go back and change stitch counts etc. Eventually I finished the pattern and it's on my site here.

During the process I tried and tried to find out who the designer was. I even wrote to the publishing company but never had a reply. The rest of this fascinating story can be found here.

So during the first week of meltdown (whoops, lockdown) I decided after Louise showed me her version of Juliana that it was time for another delve into the booklets. Why does my heart rule my head? I decided on this pattern.

Am I bonkers? YES!! 

This is my first attempt with dreadful size 20 thread and a lot of trepidation!!! All the chains are regular chains which twist and turn all over the place!!! 

3 Eggs

There's a delightful family who live across the road from us. We have a very localised Facebook page which is limited to our two roads and she put a notice on there asking if there were any kiddies that she could give little Easter eggs to. 

Well me being me made a jokey reply saying there were two old kids at our address and on Sunday morning I found two little eggs on the doorstep.

Now, as I said before, this family are delightful and so I wanted to do something back for them. Consequently (after another gardening stint) I sat down and made them these eggs. I didn't think the hubby would appreciate one so I made one for mum and the others for the two daughters. Well, that's not strictly true as one is now grownup and at university but you get my meaning, I'm sure!!!!

If you want the pattern in time for next Easter then the link is here. 

By the way, I went shopping last Thursday and there were queues which I'd not seen the week before. I puzzled about it for quite a while and then the penny dropped!!! It must be Easter weekend coming up!!! Since retirement and not now being 'governed' by school holidays I've lost track of some things. Bring back BC3, I say although I think he's only useful for tatting!!!!