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!!!!

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.