Some yarn I found

Most of my yarn stash is just odds and ends of polyester or some such mix of fibres but the other day I did find a lonely bit of pink cotton yarn.  

I decided that I’d make a ‘just because’ present out of this yarn.  I made three little baskets which fit inside each other.  The one should probably be a bit taller but that’s where I ran out of yarn!!

All three have little handles and I’ve added some tatting to them too.  Most of the tatting can be removed and worn as brooches.  I wonder who’ll get this little set?  No prizes for guessing!!!!

Here’s the link I found to these sweet little baskets.

Wonky but fine!!!!!!

Here are all three versions at the end of round 3.  

I really enjoy the spiral chains done 'the nun's way'.

The bottom one does look completely bonkers but it's right as I've counted and checked several times.  I'm sure it'll all work out right 'in the end'!!!!

A set of blue

I like to play as you know and this is the set I made with a different doodad for the centre.

I wanted to prove to myself that it doesn't matter where you join as long as you have eight places in a doodad and that it measures 1.5 centimetres (or thereabouts).  By thereabouts a millimetre more or less shouldn't make a big difference and the doodads I've got all seem to be roughly 1.5 in places anyway.

Can you see the necklace 'thingie' (can never think of the right word for them) below?  Joanie sent me home from her house with lots of them and I really, really love them as they're adjustable and easy to put on and take off.  I use a metal split ring at the top of the pendants so that I can slip the tatting on and off just the one necklace as and when I change to another colour.  Well, that's in theory!!!!  

Pot holders again!

So the diversion continues!!!  Two more pot holders or dishcloths.

The top one is just one layer as I knew I wouldn't have enough yarn for a double one like the other day.  This is the yarn that I bought on impulse and then found was too thin.  It's a double knitting weight but it'll still be useful.

The blue is the proper 'stuff'.  Aran weight so I could knit this one!!!  There are HUNDREDS of patterns out on the internet but I found this one here.

What's in a name?

Another update on the oval doilies.

I'd really, really appreciate somebody coming up with names for these.  There are three and I feel it should be something to do with the original designer/designers - the nuns in The Netherlands.  

When they've got names I always feel that they then can be put on the web site.  I'm really hopeless at naming my own work as you've probably noticed!!  

A name is important and that's why I changed mine some thirty years ago - back to my proper name instead of a name that it was 'taken for granted' I'd use when I got married.

OWCH - something personal nearly slipped out there and you know I rarely let anything personal escape online.  I must be getting old and senile - AGAIN!!!!

Before and after

Last week I decided that I was going to 'get rid of' the clothes I no longer wear.  It sounded like a good plan!!!

When I looked in the wardrobe I realised that I hadn't got that many clothes.   I have one wardrobe - not very big and I keep all my summer and winter stuff in there.  

I spotted this skirt (top picture) and decided it 'had to go'.  I must've bought it some ten to fifteen years ago when Cotton Traders had an outlet in a local garden centre.  It was much longer than it is here.  I've worn it and worn it as you can see and shortened it too.  The reason I gave up wearing it is because it doesn't have pockets.  I LIKE POCKETS!!!!

I got it out of the wardrobe and decided on the spur of the moment that I'd make some pockets for it!!!  Over the years I've also got to hate the buttons on the skirt too so they went and I covered the ugly buttonholes with matching fabric.

I have a NEW SKIRT!!!!  The difference in the colours is because I took the first picture in the sunny conservatory and the second one in the living room!!!!  The 'real' colour is somewhere in between!!!!

A bit of a diversion!

Again!!!  

I'm still working on the Dutch patterns and still slowly blogging progress.  Tim is doing well trying to finish Beatrix and has reported that he's doing really well with the spiral chains.  

I daren't start another pattern (yes, I've found two more that I think are worth spending time with) until Beatrix and the oval doilies are up on my site.  I have got a rough translation of another round doily done, though but that's only a very small start!!!

Meantime my good friend Sandra who puts up with me when I go to Tat Days has tempted me off the 'straight and narrow' and into making pot holders/dishcloths.  It was a combination of seeing her knitting lots and a conversation with my daughter and granddaughter that caused me to buy a ball of cotton double knitting yarn.  I tried knitting it but the result was too 'floppy' so I undid the two knitted ones and started on crocheting instead!!!  The pictures below are one knitted square and one half done knitted round one.  Right at the bottom is the CROCHETED square which you can see easily from the picture is a lot, lot better.  I haven't enough of this yarn to make another like the bottom one so will make another single layer one.  The 'recipe' for the bottom pot holder can be found here and I thought it was good fun to make.

The third round

I'm still plodding on with the oval doilies and I think it was a good decision to work all three at once even though I do sometimes get into a bit of a panic with which set of destructions I should be working on!!!

Now this round worked in the tan colour is the slightly more complicated one.  The chains are spiral chains.  They're easy to do once you get 'in the zone' but there is a catch in that the middle doily the stitch count is slightly different.  That's when I did get BC3 freaking out.  

Once I'd done a couple of chains it all fell into place.

Black earrings

I've used the same finding (doodad) as in this post and created a pair of earrings to match.  Will I ever wear these or the set?  I doubt it!!!

I'm wondering what to do with this set and others.  My friend Joanie gave me lots of these necklaces to play with and they're the sole reason I have started to make pendants again!  The only problem I have is what to do with them.  Does anybody want one?  

I think I'm going to give them away for just a small donation towards thread/beads and the price of the postage.  Would anybody be interested?  I've got this black 'set' and another two sets to come.

A present from Abbi

Simple!!

This is just one of the doilies with the second round finished.  I'm not going to bore you with them all!!! This is the top doily, though in case you're interested!!!

Can you see how easy this is?  Don't be fooled - there are some complications to come but they are pretty straightforward.  

PROMISE

Judith's leaf

Just for a change!!! 

I need to have a change from time to time and Judith Connors - the famous tatter in Australia kindly sent me a copy of their Newsletter.

In it she'd put this variation of Ruth Scharf's leaf pattern.  Obviously Judith had discussed this with Ruth as it was her idea in the first place.

The difference isn't obvious at first - wonder who can spot it?  No, I'm not going to tell you unless you come and twist my arm but you're not allowed to do that because of the virus so I feel safe!!!!  I will tell you if nobody's guessed in a later post.

I went through a serious addiction to Ruth's leaf back a while ago.  

The third middle!

Here's the middle of the third oval doily that I'm working on.  

When I first looked at the pictures back here all three looked the same to me.  It wasn't until I settled down to look closely (thank goodness  for magnification on a computer) that I realised there were differences.  

Now to sort out the next round to see what happens next!!!!

Number two!

I wasn't quite sure which was the best way to tackle the three doilies as I didn't want to be starting all over again once I'd done just one in it's entirety!!!

So being the sort of person I am I decided to do all three centres first.  

Here's the centre of the second one.  This was a lot easier as this pattern has been replicated a thousand times by many, many people.

Time to tackle middle number three!!!

Now for some oval adventures!

This is my next task to tackle!!  Again from the Dutch books which I’m still enthralled by.  

I just love these three doilies and they're going to be my next project!!!  If anybody would like to take on the task of test tatting one I'd be very grateful for the help.  They're going to be very straightforward for a test tatter but a bit of a nightmare sorting out the translation as it appears that the outer rounds of all three are the same - BUT with one small exception.  

They're all rings and chains with a few spirals thrown in too - which makes it more interesting.  So, for that reason, I think I'll only need one test tatter!!!

The bottom picture is the centre of the top picture and although it looks 'wonky' I can assure you that it's fine!!!  Just probably needs an iron plonked on it at some point!!!!

Now WHAT would you call this?

Back to the 'was an earring - now a pendant'!

Do you remember that I started this earring back in May?  Well it was going to be an earring but I rather got carried away!!!  It's now a pendant but I am going to make an earring to go with it.  

This is another of the same pattern but unfortunately it's rather sparkly so doesn't show up that well on a photo.  

I need to settle down now and sort the earring out AND get this slightly stiffened too.  Now where did I leave my white glue?

Beatrix is finished

Round six is finished.  

Can you see what I mean about row 6 and how it finishes off the whole doily?  This was a lovely doily to make.

Once Tim has given me the 'go ahead' I'll put it on my site.  It's now called Beatrix after Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands.  The original designer hadn't given this beauty a name, sadly.

Moaning Monday

I wonder if it’s a language translation problem but why do some people call thread - ‘string’?  

To me string is something you use to tie things together.  I always think of string as being tough and quite a lot thicker than we use in mainstream tatting.

Is it something to do with translating from another language?

In the end I had to look it up with Mr Google and he says this.  I asked  him again in case he was telling me fibs and this is another definition.  

So today's Moaning Monday isn't really a moan at all - more a query!!!  

Onwards and outwards!!!

Round five now completed and I'm off to start on round six!!! 

This is a replica of round five BUT there are subtle differences on the stitch count in places.  Kept me on my toes - or rather on my butt.  Tat, tat, tat I went as I carried on doing the round!!!

Six is going to prove a challenge as it needs two shuttles and the nun tells you that in the pattern which is a great help.  Lots of twisting and messing about but the final round absolutely makes this doily stand out.  I'm going to devote the weekend to getting round six finished.  Well unless I get distracted which, as you know, often happens!!!

Another task done

I'm not going to wear a mask until I absolutely HAVE to. I've made some just in case, though.

I've made seven so far (four for my daughter's family, one for another family member and two for me) and have a request for two more. 

This is probably the best photo you'll ever get of me as it hides most of my face!!! 

Couldn't resist using this fabric!!! This is the link where I got the pattern from. Really easy to make.

The main problem I have is that when I tried it on I found that I have to stop breathing or it steams up my glasses.  That in turn makes it quite dangerous to walk around - like in a heavy fog.  I probably need to get a snorkel or something to help take the steam away from my specs!!!  Life ain’t half hard for an oldie like me at times!!

It's actually not recommended by our NHS to stop breathing so I'm going to only wear one of these masks IF I have to.  

Again and again!!

Well here's the correct round four!!! Pleased to have got over that hurdle!!!

Snip, snip, snip!!!

This is/was/will be round 4 eventually!!!! I got to the end of round four (middle picture) and realised there was a mistake in round 3!!! 

Well that's a whole round cut out!!!

Guess what? It was totally and utterly my own STUPID fault too. Can you see that in round 3 there is a join to the middle of the two joined picots - where the cut threads are? Well, I missed one join there. I'd checked before starting round four too and it all looked fine. The bottom picture is the sad remains!!! 

When I had cut it off and started wondering quite how to repair round 3 I found that it was actually the last part of that round where I'd gone wrong so I was soon on my way again. More another day!!

Third round Dutch doily

As you can see I’m still in love with this Dutch doily. I’d love suggestions for a name as I feel it deserves one. 

The large oval doily I did was called Juliana by the designer and Tim has suggested (bless him - he’s test tatting this one too) that this could be called Queen. What do you think? 

It’s going to have spiral chains in it so something to do with those may be appropriate?

New earrings

Back here I was trying to make a new pair of earrings but instead it became a pendant - which I’ve mislaid so haven’t been able to settle down to do the pattern!!! 

As I was wanting earrings I started another pair!!! This is a really easy idea so they didn’t take long. In fact the part that takes longest is finding and putting the shepherd crook findings on!!!

After a good start

I had to carry on!!! 

This is round two and as it's only rings and chains it was really straightforward. Wonder how long I'll stay motivated?!?! 

That's the 'thing' about doilies. They remind me of my childhood as they were (along with collars) about the only patterns I could get my mucky mitts on. I have a love hate relationship with them nowadays. I HATE them because they're so darn useless in my home situation but sort of love them because they can be so pretty.

The other 'good thing' about a doily for me is that once a round is learned then it's a good carry around project to take with you. During lockdown, of course, that hasn't been required so I think this is why I'm doing the Dutch project. Also I've got more time to sit at the computer too!!!

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!!!!