Straining the brain!!!!

This is the first part (and part of the second part) of the doily called ‘Tatted Garland’ from Erika’s book ‘Tatting Lace, Marmelo’.

I’m so glad I’ve got a few years experience with front/back side tatting as I feel this really needs to be made that way.  I’m not a ‘fan’ particularly of this way of tatting but it does make a big difference.  To do this round you really have to be ‘on your toes’!!!

Thoroughly enjoyable, though.

Bracelet talk

It always gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when people actually understand and work my designs.  Never fails.  Here are a couple more of these bracelets that Kay Lynn has made.  This is what she said when she sent in the first photo.

“Just a quick note with a photo of a bracelet I just finished (using your pattern).  Fun to make so I want to make a couple more (as gifts) with different colors.  Thanks for sharing your designs.”

I then asked Kay Lynn if I could turn her message into a blog post and she thankfully said ‘yes’.  So here’s her second message and another bracelet!!!

“Of course you may make this into a blog post.  I'm glad you like the colours!  Here's a slightly different version that I made for myself (and I'm wearing it on the back side since I like that just as well as the front side).”

The last of the flowers

These tiny ones don’t have another colour in them but that’s what the pattern says!!! 

There’s something so relaxing about following a pattern.  No real ‘thinking’ needed - just sit and do as you’re told.  Wish that applied to the rest of life although that might be boring!!!

Monday’s ‘not a moan’!!!

That caught you out!!!  No, not a moan but something very interesting - well, to me!!!  

My BC3 started wondering when I saw Gail Weaver’s interpretation of a Piecework pattern which you can find here.

I was intrigued with it because to me it ‘grated’ on my poor brain cells.  I contacted Gail and she gave me the piecework link that she’d worked from and it was the same.  

Now why did it make my BC3 get agitated?  Simply because I’ve never seen chains which don’t all face the outside of the finished piece.  Gail did a SPLENDID job of drawing this pattern up but it doesn’t show that the chains vary in the directions the heads of the stitches face.  Her worked up piece follows the original precisely and I know that if I ever worked this pattern I’d ‘need’ to have all the chains facing the same way with the odd SS thrown in where needed.

It’s very difficult to explain with the attached pictures but I’ve tried to put red arrows to show you the chains which annoy my BC3.  Both pieces show that the chains are trying to turn on themselves too.  Now I wonder if the original designer just didn’t know how to get all the chains facing outwards or whether it was deliberate.  I also wonder if it was simply that designer or a ‘fashion’ of the time - or probably he/she just didn’t know about switching shuttles.  I’ve never seen this before but would love to know if anybody else has.  

It’s astonishing what my stupid little brain comes up with from time to time!!!  I hope this will generate a discussion and would like to thank Gail for tolerating my messages and letting me bring this to your attention.  

More little flowers

Another set of flowers from the Tatting Lace, Marmelo book.  I managed to get these done and am now working on another set.  More to come soon!!!

The knitted top

I have made some progress on the knitted top.  Last 'report' was here.

I've only been picking it up when I go to the knitting group on a Friday or when I'm at my 'crafty' group on a Tuesday.  Progress, because of that, is slow!!!  I'm really enjoying it and I think that shortly I'll be having a 'blitz' on it just to 'get it done'.  I know how my BC3 works!!!!

I needed something to stop the stitches falling off my needles and was looking to order something to use but couldn’t find anything really that appealed.  

In the end I was sorting through my sewing ‘stuff’ (the ‘recycling’ part of odds and ends) and came across one of those thingumygigs that you use on clothing to adjust the cords.  They’re ‘called cord string cord lock toggles’.  Took me ages to find out that bit of information!! Here’s what I mean.  

As you can see in the second picture - I found one (actually, two) in my recycling sewing box of bits.  This works a treat!!!

Monday moan - to do or not to do

That is the question.

Well I thought I was a tough old cookie - particularly having got through all life's trauma's, plus a few more, in the space of five years.  That was about thirty years ago.  But the stuff I have put up with from two tatters over the past few months has really knocked the BC3 out of me.

I'm beginning to bounce back slightly but I have stuff i really need to get on with but no energy to do.

First thing I need to do is decide whether to apply for a teaching position at Palmetto Tat Days next year.  The indecision is mainly about the probability of Covid rearing it's ugly head again.  Also finding the energy to organise myself.

Next problem is to do or not to do a TIAS in 2023.  I've got a possibility on the shuttles but have fallen out with it again.  To proceed or not to proceed - that is the  next question.   I have four 'incarnations' of it sitting glaring at me as I sit in Tat Corner and I've no desire to pick them up at the moment and work out whether to carry on or not.  

Finally - does anybody read blogs nowadays?  Should I give up blogging?  I think most people have emigrated to Facebook but I'm not comfortable there so rarely visit it for a 'look around'.  I pop in, put links to the blog or post walk pictures and then get out PDQ.  I apologise to those who expect me to see what they're doing but really I'm not a Facebook person.  I have enough of a problem keeping my own life on the level and certainly don't want to share the finer details of what it's like with 'all and sundry'.  

Sets of little flowers

This part of the Tatted Garland is going to take some time!!!  That should keep me busy!

These little flowers look straightforward but they aren’t!!  I doubt if you can see but the stitch count varies in some places and some rings have vsp’s (very small picots) and some don’t!!!  

This is the first of three ‘sets’ of flowers so I’ll be keeping each set together with a safety pin AND labelling them as I go.  If I don’t then I’ll get into a dreadful muddle!!!!

Fandango on Jayne’s table

Here’s the table the mat was made for on Jayne’s table.  It looks pretty good to me - the table, I mean!!!

Fandango finished

Well here it is - finished.  You’ll see I put another row on to balance the centre and I think it works.  

Now to give it to Jayne and hope she likes it.  

Now to get on with other projects and try and stop myself starting anything else!!!!

Kay Lynn’s bookmark

This is a bookmark made from this pattern that Kay Lynn sent me.  She’s a regular in the TIAS and shows us her gorgeous dog - Aonghas.  

This is her message which came last week.

Finished my first bookmark.  Some little glitches with tension, but I'll improve on subsequent bookmarks.  I like the pattern, and think I like the back side better than the front.  ;-)  Thanks again for being generous with your designs and patterns as I so enjoy giving them as gifts (and credit your designs as yours when I do!).  Celtic designs are always ones I enjoy too as I love the intertwining threads. I've attached a couple photos of them for you to see.  It was also a good pattern for me to practice my lock chain ability.  Thankfully this past year's TIAS taught me that technique!

Monday moan

I have been told the following over the space of two days when I was banned from a Facebook group to which I never belonged.  See the previous two Monday moans.

The moderator of the group contacted me on Thursday to ask if I was referring to her group in my last Monday moan and I told her I was.  

She says she believes I've been offended for not being allowed in (to the group), sour and hurt.  She’s told me I’m not the sort of person she wants to fraternise with, and that she’s not particularly fond of people who carry a superiority complex.  Also that I have an archaic attitude, but she’s seeing that amongst ‘you older tatters’ a lot.  

She said we (us oldies) want respect but don't give it.  Finally she said “I am done, you’re a rude piece of work who is used to getting her own way. You couldn't get in so chucked a tantrum.”

Isn’t it nice to know who your friends aren’t?  

Thankfully the conversation appears to be over after 24 hours of abuse and other nonsense.  All because I know a lot of tatters in that part of the world and wanted to join the same group as them.  No worries - I've joined another group in that country who welcomed me with open arms.  I'm a happy bunny!!!

Marmelo - finishing the centre

The next part of this project was finishing the centre and this proved to be good practice for daisy making which will happen in the next row!!!  

Although this part was fiddly it was also no problem.  I love the little daisies.  For those in the UK who want the book - Roseground Supplies has stocks now.  The book is called Tatting Lace, Marmelo and the link should take you to the page where it’s listed.  

Another day - another round!

Now this round was straightforward too.  Round 2.  BUT the next round looks VERY challenging so I’ll be slowing down then. 

Before I even start on round 3 I have to make loads and loads of flowers!!!  I’ll be seeing daisy’s in my sleep!!!!

My new book

I mentioned this book back a few weeks ago and it’s only now that I’m able to start on the pattern that I bought it for.  

I’m not a fan of diagram patterns so this is going to be a ‘double challenge’.  When I started tatting back in 1956 all patterns were the fully written style and diagrams were non existent.  All you ‘got’ were a black and white picture!!!

The pattern is probably not the most sensible of all to make a start with but I’ve always been a bit ‘hot headed’ when it comes to challenges!!!!  I intend to work it front side/back side.  So here’s round 1.  Done and dusted!!

Another bracelet

No, not mine, though. I had this lovely note from Brenda on Sunday which I’m going to post here - with her permission. She said

‘Dear Jane,

Thank you for another great pattern. The method of attaching the clasps to the end of the bracelet was new to me and worked very well. 

Hoping for rain here.

Brenda

Ajax, Ont.’

Here are her photos 

Monday moan

Well further to my moan last week I’ve had a lot of support from people all round the world and they’re all keeping an eye on what’s going on on ‘that’ Facebook group for me.  Again you’re welcome to email me if you want to know which group it is.

It’s all very petty as one person (who has since left the group) said out that a link to one of my technique pages that she put on the group was deleted.  I hope I’m not going to be blamed for encouraging people to leave the group which I certainly don’t want.  

Apart from Tat Land ‘problems’ the weather here has been VERY hot so not a lot of things have happened but I think I’ve got enough to show you for a few days blogging!!!  

A picture of a local park area.

Knitted top progress

Well here's the knitting I'm still plodding along with!!!  

As you can see I'm down past the armholes now and just thoroughly enjoying it.  The yarn is working out beautifully as you can see although I think I'm going to have a lot leftover when it's finished.  

The pattern is a free one from Ravelry and can be found here.

Today's Friday so I'm off shortly to my knitting group and you can guess what I'm taking with me!!!!

Fandango near the end.

The end is nigh - as 'they' say!!!  Not sure who 'they' are but for me the 'end' is the end of the Fandango mat I'm doing for my neighbour and friend.

I do need another final round as I planned on a dark green for the last round to 'match' the centre and that will make it the measurement she gave me.  

When I started on this I was looking for something to do while out at craft groups.  Things I could do while chatting to others.  This proved a good idea although I did often make mistakes when the chatting took over the hands and BC3!!!

Another bookmark

This is another bookmark made by Mary Jane. I wish she hadn't sent it as I'm now VERY tempted to make another in the same colours as hers. It's always reassuring to see that the mad ideas I come up with are used by others. It's a bit like working in the dark when you give away your work for free. If I sold my patterns I'd get to know what works for others and what doesn't. 

Having said that - there's no way I'm going to start charging. I like tatting - not making money!!!!

In and Out Bracelet finished

You've all seen the In and Out Bookmark and the link to the pattern is in that post.  I did mention that I'd be working on a bracelet and that's now ready too.

As this has to be made in pairs to work properly it means it needs to be 18, 20, 22 etc split rings in length. My wrist is 6½" and 18 split rings down the first side works well for that.  

BUT I've used another way to enable the tatter to adjust the length by using separate self closing mock rings to add the clasps.  Just hope it works for you if you make the bracelet. 

Oh, there's also another slight variation at the ends of each row too so don't fall into the trap of thinking it's EXACTLY the same as the bookmark!!!

Here's the link.

Monday moan

I've been absent without permission for the last week and a bit. I'm sorry if you've missed me but I really didn't think I'd got a lot to say!!! Turns out that I did but then couldn't fit in blogging into my busy life. If I don't sit down on a Sunday morning and do the posts and schedule them then the blog would be 'dead in the water'!!!

So it's Sunday today and the moan is again about Facebook - I do enjoy a 'good moan' at least once a week!!! 

I belong to lots of tatting groups and all the posts go directly into my email inbox from where the majority are deleted. I do occasionally reply to a question straightaway but usually leave it a day or so by which time it's lost in the timeline. By doing this I avoid any arguments or heated discussions!!!!! Keeps me out of trouble!!!! 

One group I recently asked to join (a tatting group) not only didn't let me in but has also banned me from even seeing the group itself when I do a search.  This has really upset me as I've never done anything wrong to upset them. Well, how could I when I didn't even belong? 

This group has members from all round the world but as soon as I asked to join they 'changed the rules' to only allow people in from their own country. One of the moderators told me this after I found out who they are and asked why I wasn't being allowed to join. 

I know that one of the moderators holds a grudge against me as I tried to help her with test tatting a pattern - if you don't want honest help from an expert then don't ASK.  

I'm not saying which country but if you want to know please email me and I'll tell you which group too. This happened a month or two ago and to say I'm upset is to put it mildly. I wonder what they're trying to hide from me? Surely nothing but now I will never find out unless others in the group who know me drop me a line.

Celtic Ferris Wheel again

Just found this which I haven't shown you before.  I'm totally fed up with trying to make this design larger at the moment but I may well return to it sometime in the future!!

The pattern is here.

Fandango progress

I'm still plodding along with my neighbour's doily.  It's going to be about 17" by 12 or 13 - when it's done!!!  

I think it will need two more rows after the current one but we'll see.  On the final row I'll repeat the very dark green but haven't decided whether that will be on one shuttle or both!!!

Mary's bookmark

Mary sent me a picture of her bookmark.  Love the colours she's used.

I'm working (along with my test tatter) on the bracelet version and should have it up and running soon.  I'll let you know!!!

Monday moan - sort of

I rarely buy books - well, not tatting books as I now have so many and the earliest I have dates back to 1870.  I resist buying as long as I can BUT occasionally there's a pattern book that calls to me and the cover picture on one really did that BIG TIME.  So I bought it and am happily looking forward to making one or two of the doilies because they are just so pretty.

BUT the one thing that really put me off when I opened it is the the way it appears to allocate front side/back side tatting to the invention of Jan Stawasz who is given the accolade of coming up with the idea.  This is sadly not true (it's been around since before Mrs Beeton published her book.  Actually since 1865 - see this link and the instructions on making a reversed double stitch.  

The thing that Jan did actually (to an old timer like me) is complicate the whole issue of using this 'technique'.  Some years ago I did his monster doily but ignored his notation completely!  What I did was count the total of doubles on a ring or chain and divide it up where there were picots and popped them in where they belonged.  I tatted it doing rings as per usual and chains by making the second half of the stitch first followed by the first half - RODS (reverse order of double stitch).  Oh, I also added beads to give the finished piece some weight and it's kept it's shape better by doing that too.  Sorry, I digress.  

So when I tackle the book (which I will do when I've finished another big project) I will be totally doing it using RODS.  Again (I've said this before) I do NOT think it's necessary to do tatting that way but tend to do it with things that will be scanned or only seen from the 'right' side.  

Oh, I bet you want to know which book I bought!!!  Here it is.  I'm DELIGHTED with it.

Celtic In Out Bookmark

Well here it is at last - the In and Out Bookmark!!!  Well, what else would you call it?!

I’m now working on a bracelet version as that’s been a suggestion from one or two people.  That will need some altering (length being one of the ‘problems’ but others have occurred to BC3 too!!!

So, here’s the pattern - free as usual!

Waistcoat

Well when I set out on this project I was determined to take photos of progress each day.  Well that just didn’t happen as I only had an hour or so here and there to work on it.  I like being busy but this got ridiculous!!!

So what you’re getting today is the finished garment!!!

This post is what the project started as and here’s one where I showed you the start.  

But here’s the finish!!!

Back and Front of Bookmark

Getting there slowly.  Wherever ‘there’ is, of course!!!!

I just need to check links and hoping a test tatter will get back to me without picking up on too many mistakes and then I can put it ‘live’ on the pattern site. 

The knitting project

This is also progressing well now.  It took a few hours and hiccups to get the aged brain used to how this works.

Although I'm not that happy about the neckline (at the bottom of the photos) my lovely knitting group friends assure me that when I sew the picot edging down it will fit beautifully.  The size the top is working out at on the needles appears to be fine as I did manage to try it over my head a few days ago.  Just hoping it all stays 'on course'!!!

Next part of the bookmark is done

This is the next part of the bookmark so not a lot more to do.  I've managed to keep up with the drawings too which is amazing!!!

Also the second picture shows the two parts interlinked!

The waistcoat progress

As you can see the patchwork part of the waistcoat is underway.

I decided on 2½" squares as the bits of fabric I'd got in my 'bitty box' would be most likely useful for the project.

The new zip arrived and I've shown that at the bottom so you can see how it will fit into the finished garment.  It's an open ended one.  I'll probably put that in a strip of fabric down the front but I'm nowhere near making decisions like that!!!  One day at a time!!!  

Where to start was the first decision and the answer that BC3 came up with was the bottom!!!  So that's what I'm doing.  I've worked out that I'll need about 20 to 22 squares to go round the whole waistcoat so rather than make 'just a back' and then have to do the sides I thought I'd make it in one and then deal with the armholes when I get there.  It really is a case of trial and error!!!

When I'm supposed to be cooking I sneak out into the conservatory to pin squares together or cut more out!!  Don't tell anybody, please!