Your tatting notebook

[Kersti]

I've been looking at a few knitters notebooks of late, and I do know that a lot of tatters have notebooks - what I'd like to know is what kind of stuff do you put in them? Do you organise them in any particular way? Do you decorate them? What do you use for the purpose? Any pictures to show?

[Sule]

No matter how organized I try to keep my notebook it is always a mess. Ideally I try to keep my sections separate but it never works. So my pages are full of patterns I've created or I'm in the process of creating, patterns I want to try, some eye candy (pictures of tatting that others have made) and a rough list of the threads that I have. It definitely looks used and loved :)

[carolivy]

I have a small, spiral bound, index card notebook that I keep my tatting notes in. Mostly I just put samples of new techniques I've learned in it as I learn them. I also have thread experiments in there as well along with addressess of my tatting friends. No decoration on this one, but I would like to do a more "journally" type and decorate it with tatting.

[Kersti]

I've thought about using a moleskin, but I'm worried that anything stuck to pages would stop it from closing.

[hattalahutta]

I just have my sampler, but no proper note book. In my sampler I put a small tatted motif and write down the thread type & size (if it's known), and which shuttle I've used, in case I discover that I work differently with different shuttles.. Would like to have a proper diary, where I have pictures and notes of the patterns I've used or would like to make. But, so far I've only used my albums on InTatters to keep track of my stuff :smile: Ooh, and I have a blog! Set up a new blog yesterday, dedicated only to my tatting. Come and have a look if you want :bounce: Only have a few posts so far, but more will follow shortly :smile: Here's the link: http://hattala-tatta.blogspot.com (http://hattala-tatta.blogspot.com/)

[Kersti]

I've found these intriguing images online...

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ehNtoBJ9ELg/RpptYoIDS-I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/Q6t8lAfcHMk/s400/myjournal_interior.jpg
http://knitterellablog.blogspot.com/2007/07/knitting-journal.html

http://kathrynivy.com/uploads/images/extras/knitting_journal_sample.jpg
http://kathrynivy.com/patterns/extras/knitting-journal/

http://knittingincolor.blogspot.com/chullodesign1.jpg
http://knittingincolor.blogspot.com/2004_03_01_knittingincolor_archive.html

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3334059023_20d91a119a.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kersti/galleries/72157624974158526/

[LacyPetra]

When I tattad a pattern that worked out good, I write the pattern and stitchcounts and grafic in my notebook. And the best starting point.
I write if I used a single shuttle or two or ball. Also how much Yarn was needed for one single motiv, if it is a motiv f.i. of several single flowers.
Therefore I mesure the winded meters of yarn on my shuttle. After finishing I mesure the rest on my shuttle.
Also I notice used techniques like shoe-lace-trick if needed.

When I want to tat a motive a second time, it is much easier to fit!

[stashtamer]

I may need to start a tatting notebook. I have a binder where I have some of my tatted items, have called it my "brag book". That has actual items, but no descriptions of the patterns or sources. Because of where I am heading with my tatting, I'm going to start a portfolio of photos of my work. That won't be the tatting notebook, though, because that will just have photos of my work. An actual notebook of the patterns, methods, threads, etc is also a good idea. I had a project book started once for my quilting, but because of how I work (or don't?) I didn't maintain that project book well. Didn't affect the completion rate.

[Ridgewoman]

AS with many ventures in my life ~ mostly in my mind and seldom to frutition. I did get so far as to buy a nice journal with archival papers that is leather bound and can have pages added (from Levengers.com). I was going to pattern it after the edging book by Diwass, noting the thread size, brand, and pattern source/designer with my piece/motif or part of an edging. It is a thing I would have to do one piece at a time and without delay; and, I don't know that I'm disciplined enough to actually do that with regularity. I can see it in my mind's eye and am very pleased ~ but so far it isn't an actuality. As I grow older, I realize it would be a lovely keepsake for a daughter as well as a record of my efforts. I've only designed one original piece and it isn't perfected (a bit crowded at the square edges, currently) although I like the concept. (Patterned after those very old jewelry piece settings which I've always liked).
Like Kersti, I'd love to see some that have actually been executed and hear your ideas. bj

[Ridgewoman]

: Ooh, and I have a blog! Set up a new blog yesterday, dedicated only to my tatting. Come and have a look if you want :bounce: Only have a few posts so far, but more will follow shortly :smile: Here's the link: http://hattala-tatta.blogspot.com (http://hattala-tatta.blogspot.com/)[/QUOTE]

I visited your blog and enjoyed it very much. You will be surprised, after a time, how well you have progressed on your tatting journey. I signed up as a "stalker;" although that terms is a bit intimidating ~ LOL Happy Tatting and please come visit my blog, also. bj

[carolivy]

I just have my sampler, but no proper note book. In my sampler I put a small tatted motif and write down the thread type & size (if it's known), and which shuttle I've used, in case I discover that I work differently with different shuttles.. Would like to have a proper diary, where I have pictures and notes of the patterns I've used or would like to make. But, so far I've only used my albums on InTatters to keep track of my stuff :smile: Ooh, and I have a blog! Set up a new blog yesterday, dedicated only to my tatting. Come and have a look if you want :bounce: Only have a few posts so far, but more will follow shortly :smile: Here's the link: http://hattala-tatta.blogspot.com (http://hattala-tatta.blogspot.com/)

Great Blog. I've signed on as a "stalker" as well. Looking forward to your tatting journey.

[Marty]

Yup, I'm stalking you too! Pretty soon, you're going to have a parade!

[hattalahutta]

Oh, my! This was fun :smile: Glad you all like my blog, and thanks for following me! I'm working on getting your blogs (if you have one) on my list, but Blogger is pretty slow on the uptake today...


I signed up as a "stalker;" although that terms is a bit intimidating

Hihi, that heading was not meant to be intimidating, hence the "friendly" :tongue: After all, blogs are supposed to be followed!

By the way, I did not post my blog in this thread to be all attention seeking and "look at me!" like, if you think that the thread is heading off topic :blush: I was just thinking that, since I'll use my blog as my tatting notebook... you know, I could "show" it here :smile:

[crazytatter]

I have steno spiral notebook where I tape all my mistakes there as a sort of a memorial of all bad tatting. I need to start a way to store my completed projects though, still trying to decide how to do it that big and small tatting can fit in it.

[soyloquesoy]

I have a tiny, tiny notebook that fits in my tatting tin, where I jot down stitch counts for current projects or doodles I make, if they are tiny. Bigger patterns, I print and fold until they fit either in the tin or in my handbag. They are usually unreadable by the time I finish the piece...

I am too much of a perfectionist to do a tatting journal style notebook - I would want to have the perfect book before I start, and the perfect system of what to write and so much more. And I have embraced tatting with a passion that bypasses all that.

I do have a knitting journal, where I try to keep track of all I have done in a project. It has been very useful when someone outgrew what i was making before I could even give it to them, and I could just recalculate everything knowing my gauge...

[wickedtats]

i have an a5 sized ring binder (?) so I can take out pages and put them in easily. I pen down my (crappy) designs and tape in the failures and successes for future reference.

[grrrlshapedthing]

Kersti I have several moleskines and I love them.. the great thing about them is the elastic bit which helps them close... I use them for all manner of things...

[Judy]

Many years ago I started, and maintained, a quilting journal. Dates, fabrics, who it went to, pattern source, etc. Then I stopped doing much quilting. Never thought about a regular journal/notebook here, but I have been keeping experiments and samples in a binder but without any backup text. I'll have to think about that. I've already given away so much it will have big holes.

[Judy]

And a moleskin is....?

[grrrlshapedthing]

Judy they are really great notebook/journals http://www.moleskine.com/

[Judy]

Thanks, I've found a local outlet for them.

[RandaGray]

I have a regular notebook (pictures in album) where I put doodles, attempts at techniques, motifs, ideas, designs that didn't work... all kinds of things with the thread name, dates, sources if there are any. Sometimes the thoughts I had at the time. I stick them in with liquid stitch :) Then I have a 3 in 3 ring binder where I keep my patterns, designs in progress, & things I've started but haven't finished. Everything stays in plastic sleeves in the binder, but the notebook just kinda hangs out - it looks like a real journal lol

[TeresaW]

I have a suggestion for all of us who keep notebooks of our tatting thoughts, pattern ideas, and tat bits. Be sure to write your name in it and whenever possible, date the entries. I say this because I just received a gift in the mail the other day from Tracy from The Lacemaker (http://www.lacemakerusa.com/). She sent me a small spiral notebook (~3"x5") that was someone's sample book. There are beautifully tatted examples of tatting, primarily edgings, in the notebook but alas, no name of the tatter who put the time and effort into the notebook. You may think it's not important but I believe it to be important as time goes forward. Getting the notebook has taught me a lesson. I've made a pretty good effort to document my sample notebooks with dates, thread information, pattern sources, etc. but I hadn't thought to put my name on the inside cover.

[Judith Connors]

I use a moleskine (writing) and the elastic band keeps the contents together well. I draw, write patterns I've created, paste small pics, etc. As TeresaW remarks, I always date the entries, and am surprised how long ago I wrote some of them. I'm onto my second book now. I am able to get these at my local newsagent.

[Liyarra]

I have a tatting design notebook that goes everywhere with me so I can draw stuff when I actually GET an idea. I also have a working file of designs on my laptop and a diary of everything I tat as an excel file. That file has all the details of the pattern, location of the pattern, designer, thread, changes made to the pattern, where it ended up, if it went to a show etc. Has been helpful at times when someone asks me something. Although there have been a couple of times I have had to ask where something came from cos I forgot to write it down.....:blush:

[tatknot]

My journaling tends to be notes in the margin of the pattern if we are talking about other's designs. My own designs are on various types and sizes of paper (whatever was handy when inspiration struck). I do have most of them in one place (a folder).

[jamlover]

My tatting consists of one notebook full of patterns I have done at least once, and another of things I thought looked interesting. Things are grouped as edgings, doilies, motifs, seasonal, bookmarks and crosses. I copy the photo on one side of the page and the pattern on the other. Sometimes attach a bit of the edging if I didn't go on to make anything from it. These are three ring binders so I pull out the page I want to work with, clip it to my clip board and take off. I usually have at least three things in progress on my clipboard. When I think I want to start another, I make myself finish one that is in progress before pulling out another. That way WIP pieces are limited to three.

[squeeky]

Another notebook?? I've already got 2 4" ring binders full of patterns that aren't too well organized, along with all the other mish mash of books and whatever.

But since I'm taking the design course, I guess I should start keeping one.

Time to hit the office supply store for more sheet protectors. At least I have ONE more 4" ring binder... hahaha

[Susan B T]

I have a hard enough time keeping up with a personal notebook or journal... much less a tatting note book. Maybe when I retire.!!!!!!

[aeryn]

I had my tatting designs on my HP ipaq but it died recently and I had not saved ANYTHING ( or tatted them for that matter). Like the idea of a computer file though. I could put photos of the finished items in it and keep everything together. With appropriate back up this time though.

[Monica]

I have a binder with page protectors.
When I find patterns on-line that I love I print them out and put them in the binder - seems like I can never find the links later.
Then in a moment of inspiration I make a sample or two of the pattern and put the sample inside the page protector with the pattern.
It works well but my list of things I want to make is greatly outgrowing my tatting time.
~M

[crazytatter]

That is an idea, but I usually just print the pattern out, and when i need a project, I flip through and pick the one that fits my idea of project I want to concentrate on, then I try to do the pattern. Occasionally, the pattern turn out to be harder than my ability and I had to put it off after I learn that particular trick.

[carolivy]

I have a huge 3" 3-ring binder full of page protectors with all of my patterns that I have printed out from the Internet in it....sorted by category. When I am ready to work on a project, I look through all of my books as well as the binder and I keep pictures of the finished work on a file on my computer as well as in my Photobucket and here. I just need to work on the notebook that I want to do of the techniques I have learnt....right now it is in a small (index card) spiral notebook.