http://www.intatters.com/blog.php?2582-wodentoad Free discussion forum dedicated to the art of tatting and tatted lace and other crafts. en Sun, 19 May 2013 06:44:02 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.intatters.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.intatters.com/blog.php?2582-wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1349-Mental-break Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:02:22 GMT Not that I'm having a break down, I just decided to give myself a bit of time to stretch my fingers and do something different for a bit. I've been working on the Tatted Tablecloth for nearly a year now, I'm still working on the ring petals of the outer row, but I felt as though I've been speaking Romanian for so long (tatting) that if I didn't speak a little French (Knitting) or Spanish (Crochet) that I'd forget how. I'm thinking I might also at some point take up a little side carving, but that can't be done sitting in my car in the afternoons.

So I've picked up some needles and I'm swatching for a trick I've not done in ages: Knitting two socks at once on the same DPNs, one inside the other. The last time I did this, it was with mittens, which are a LOT more forgiving than socks. I'm not using a very fine yarn or tiny needles, not just for my sanity, but I also want to do this quickly and get back to the tablecloth which I desperately want to get past the inner flower.

In the mean time, I've grabbed some spare yarn that I had enough of to make a pair of quick and dirty house socks. Here's the swatch on a single DPN, I have separated the two pieces except for a string that connects them.


I'll get back to the tatting soon, but sometimes a gal just has to stretch her fingers a bit! ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1349-Mental-break http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1329-Well-that-s-new! Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:26:08 GMT Found out yesterday that I made a joining mistake on my tea cloth, unfortunately, it was on the wrong side of the joins. I had a few options, the... Found out yesterday that I made a joining mistake on my tea cloth, unfortunately, it was on the wrong side of the joins. I had a few options, the worst of which was to cut out and de-tat through all five rings of the row. Instead I worked what feels like a minor miracle. I carefully cut around the joins, put a thread loop through the broken join, and joined in new tatting to the correct picots, re-joining through the broken join, creating a sort of new join.

Work should proceed faster today. I remembered that when I made the first run of rings on this section, it was before I learned the faster "slip and slide," so I'm getting 2-3 of these done per day. Whoopee!! ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1329-Well-that-s-new! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1317-Detat-retrotat-backtat Sat, 26 Jan 2013 21:44:54 GMT Whatever you call it, it's the name of the game today. I have to go back through five and a half rings and three chains. Time was when I would just cut back and re-attach the thread, but no, I'm just too stubborn on this one.

Is there a threshold at which you cut? I haven't really chosen one for myself, I just sorta, play it by ear as it goes.

In the mean time, I'm watching movies online (mostly Leverage) and browsing the internet while I work, and the IOLI and bobbin lace keep flitting into mind. I know I have this huge project, I know I have promised myself that I would hold off on Bobbin lace until our move, but it's so hard! It's a brand new challenge, like an itch, and I've been wanting to scratch it for four and a half years.

In the meantime, once I finish this backtracking, I'll be back to zipping along on this tea cloth. This is insertion petal #4/8. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1317-Detat-retrotat-backtat http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1285-Just-bought-my-Aerlits! Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:08:15 GMT They should arrive on the 23rd, so I'm really excited! A weekend with my fancy new shuttles!

In other news, my shuttle thread ran out, so, being the genius that I am, I cut *both* ball and shuttle threads. Ah well, I needed to practice adding chain threads anyway. :) ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1285-Just-bought-my-Aerlits! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1237-Chugging-along-and-a-question-about-Aerlits Thu, 20 Sep 2012 14:10:37 GMT So, I'm on the fourth set of mini-rings that attach to the caterpillars. They tat up pretty quick so I think I can make up some of the time I missed.

I'm losing a little of my love for the Susan Bates, which started with that lovely click, but having struggled to remove the bobbin a couple of times to load on more thread I have to wonder if I'm doing something wrong or if it's the shuttle which has lost almost all of its click.

For those of you waiting on the Aerlits, I have found no description of their functioning other than to say it's "like the old Aero Englands" which doesn't help a whole lot when I've never held one. Right? I will probably buy a couple of them either way, as I am looking for new shuttles to try, and these are higly recommended. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1237-Chugging-along-and-a-question-about-Aerlits http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1230-Keep-Calm-and-Carry-on! Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:46:56 GMT My father always says: There's only one way to eat an elephant.

I feel the painful truth of that in this tablecloth.

So after my wrists recovered from vacation, I realized I had mislaid my work. After a frantic search yesterday, I managed to track down both the tea cloth and the smaller balls of the thread I had made and put, genius that I am, in a different project bag. And since all the project bags are the same but for the stickers from getglue.com, I had also promptly forgotten which stickers were on the one I was looking for.

Well that's done. There was only one minor hitch. Just a little one. Nothing to worry about, right? Oh... at some point, I misplaced my one and only bobbin shuttle. Well, that was a lovely little setback eh? Okay. Don't panic! I found a spare clover that wasn't doing anything, and I might possibly have snuck behind my husband's back to purchase four new susan bates plastic shuttles (one of which will stay in reserve should this happen again). I'm not, honestly, familiar enough with shuttles to know what I need or am looking for, but I liked the look of the SBs and as I have small hands, they seemed that they would fit pretty well, length wise. So they'll be here, and that will solve my shuttle problem, as the clovers don't hold nearly enough of the #10 thread that I'm currently using.

Okay, crises solved.

Oops! One should never tat a complicated pattern, which had to be re-written from scratch, while walking. Nor should one count only once or twice before determining whether or not to cut the thread. I realize this only AFTER cutting the nearly finished motif out of the work. Turns out, it was probably correct. Oh well, I've decided to actually tat them to the work FIRST rather than to the outside section of the motif and save the joins to the work for last as usual. This should help me keep better watch on these pieces.

I will finish this. If I have to fight my way through zombie hordes to get to the thread to finish it, I will finish it. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1230-Keep-Calm-and-Carry-on! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1200-Wrist-rest-over! Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:18:24 GMT My tea-cloth, for those of you following, was put on hold due to an accident at an amusement park. I have been resting my wrists without reducing... My tea-cloth, for those of you following, was put on hold due to an accident at an amusement park. I have been resting my wrists without reducing their movement, and though there is still some extension pain, the rotational pain is gone. I can now tat again.

Of course, this week, my baby went to his first day of kindergarten. He did great, of course, but I'm thinking I need to introduce him to a craft of some sort. My sister suggested knitting. I'm not sure yet. I also have a couple of non-tatting related craft projects to finish, one stone piece to finish carving (for money), a Hogwarts letter for my niece (in the same calligraphic style as the movie, because I can), and I'm putting together another project that is going to be a long time working. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1200-Wrist-rest-over! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1177-Benched-tatter Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:41:31 GMT So I went with my family to an amusement park (the name of which I will not mention because I really do love the place) but due to an accident on one... So I went with my family to an amusement park (the name of which I will not mention because I really do love the place) but due to an accident on one of the rides, I've ended up with whiplash and both wrists injured. Carpel Tunnel I can deal with. I'm a writer, and it doesn't really affect my tatting. But this is a soft tissue (I hope) injury that prevents quick and/or rotational movements of my wrists.

I am displeased, but I blame only the end-of-ride operator.

I also feel a little stupid. Not sure why. I suppose it's the fact that it was the last and tamest ride of the day. It wold be like winning an iron man run and then breaking your ankle in a pothole on your way to the mailbox.

So until my wrists heal, my tea cloth, and everything else crafty I do with my hands is on hiatus.

On the plus side, I can do some reading! ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1177-Benched-tatter http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1162-This-Goes-Beyond-Errata! Wed, 11 Jul 2012 12:42:17 GMT So I just finished the little cloverleafs in the Tea Cloth, but the oblong motif that I did by the directions did NOT look like the one in the... So I just finished the little cloverleafs in the Tea Cloth, but the oblong motif that I did by the directions did NOT look like the one in the picture. And of course I picked the one that the original tatter had made a mistake on anyway. So I had to re-design the oblong motifs from the picture and a basic knowledge of tatting.

I'm still working on the test piece, but it's already looking better than the one I did by the directions. Writing it down is going to be a headache, I get that, but I should have LOTS of good digital pictures. At this point, I feel little guilt about creating a pdf from MY pattern. I have modernized the language, and I will have bright digital pictures of my black and white version, so that the chains will be easy to be distinguish. Also, I can take lots of close ups and explain things better than the ones in the book.

I'll finish my new version today and then get a picture or two up. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1162-This-Goes-Beyond-Errata! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1153-Lowering-my-Expectations Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:31:48 GMT Not sure what possessed me to say "Two rings a day." Honestly, I think I had a brain gremlin! So as it stands I have completed the fourth row and done two of the half circles. I'm going to have to take lots of good close-up pictures and put it together as a PDF or something for those who want the awesome tablecloth without the brain-melting of translating that from old to modern tatting language. The original pattern was printed in 1917, and I am copying from the Sanders book reprint. And now, for your viewing pleasure, I have pictures:

Here is the fourth row of circles completed. I don't like calling it the fourth row, but the book calls it that.


Here is the half circle. I'm cursing myself for not having done these while I was working on the previous row. Ah well! The pencil is pointing to a corrected join from a previous picture.


Over all, I'm proud of it. I think things will move a little faster when I am into the quadrangle section coming up. New plan: if I can do a little tatting every day, it will get done, eventually. After that, I might make another one, possibly just in white, to sell. So far, I've already finished one ball of black. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1153-Lowering-my-Expectations http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1141-Hanging-in-there! Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:25:43 GMT Okay, I realize I only got 1 2/3rds circles done yesterday. But today is laundry day. I'm hoping to have a few free minutes to finish up the fourth ring pattern and get myself back on track. My goal is to do at least two rings a day. This is because with 460 motifs, it would take me almost a year and a half to finish otherwise. So Here I go, soldiering on.

I WILL complete this.

Oh, and I have two projects promised as is. :) ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1141-Hanging-in-there! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1123-Thinking-covetous-thoughts-about-tiny-tiny-thread Fri, 08 Jun 2012 17:17:53 GMT So yesterday, as I was buying supplies for my crafting class, I had a little extra time before my hubby returned to pick me up so I wandered over... So yesterday, as I was buying supplies for my crafting class, I had a little extra time before my hubby returned to pick me up so I wandered over into the sewing section. I found the fancy threads, some that are equivalent to size 30+ tatting thread all in very pretty colors. I've been tatting for a while now, and I've been hesitant about large or technically difficult projects, the reason behind this is because I normally dive right into the more advanced forms of a craft and I wanted to spend more time practicing the basics of this one.

I've done a few doilies, each closer to perfection. I'm now working on showcase pieces in each of the crafts that I know. The theme of the showcase is black and white, since the name of my crafting group is Crafts of the Wise or CoW. I've gotten the other members in on the showcase, and I really think that it's going to be nice. Right now I'm thinking about making one of the tablecloths for showcase eventually, but for now I'm just going to make a decent doily on the theme. I'd use my already finished ones, but someone keeps sending them off to her friends across the state... Whoever that is, I have to stop her! ;)

At any rate, I've finished the knitted cow and am almost done with my amigurumi crochetted cow. And I'm resisting the urge to rush back to the craft store and buy the fancy thread... But it's SO fancy!!! ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1123-Thinking-covetous-thoughts-about-tiny-tiny-thread http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1088-I-m-knitting Mon, 07 May 2012 19:05:42 GMT So I was looking through the projects I have in the various mediums that are pending. I have two medallion carving projects, I would like to finish... So I was looking through the projects I have in the various mediums that are pending. I have two medallion carving projects, I would like to finish Springtime^3, a tatted doily, and I remembered today that I needed to make a couple of new shirts for my son's little stuffed monkey. (Monkey helps us learn things like "Getting Dressed" and "Holding Hands" so he has to have clothes.) That's besides some sewing projects. One had to be put on hold because the recipient is currently making me a new niece or nephew, the other because I'm a little intimidated by it, in spite of the fact that in theory it looks really comfy.

So I found myself looking at Monkey's little tank top, which is knitted. Unfortunately, the orange one he wears doesn't match the blue (and multi) fabric that I bought, so I guess I'm gonna have to coordinate with some old stashed yarns. I've got the Baleen II's back out and am swatching as I type this.

Am I really insane? I mean, I'm coordinating shirts and tank tops for an 8 1/2" non-living little buddy? I should add at this point that monkey also has a plastic canvas house... and car and my son is five years old. At what point have I gone too far? ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1088-I-m-knitting http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1054-I-m-a-traitor! Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:56:55 GMT So as I have noted before, my great grandmother tatted lace before me. A long time ago when my son was newborn I went to a fiber festival and saw... So as I have noted before, my great grandmother tatted lace before me. A long time ago when my son was newborn I went to a fiber festival and saw many many things. I learned the start of continental and left handed American knitting. I poked about with felting and thought it was kinda fun and cute but all I could imagine was making fedoras and bowlers. And then I saw bobbin lace. The pins, the bejeweled bobbins, the complex patterns!

Now this is not to say that I don't love my tatting. Portable, simple, complicated, tough as nails, and of course don't forget BEAUTIFUL! Most importantly, I have half-a-dozen little daisy studded bags that keep it safe and if I have to rush off, there's nothing my five year old can do to mess it up since I took away his scissors.

But there remains that part of me. When I don't have a little one around and don't have to rush off at a moment, leaving behind something so interesting as a pillow pricked with pins and shiny bobbins. I realize that I'm going to have another little one (eventually) and that my dreams of bobbin lace will be suspended. This is not to say I shall ever abandon my true love of tatting, but I'm always looking for a new craft to try and I've so far done a LOT of trying:

Scrapbooking,
Quilling,
Papercutting,
Sewing,
Plastic Canvas,
Sculpting,
Carving,
Cartooning,
Painting,
Knitting,
Crochet,
Tananko weaving,
Backstrap weaving,
Card weaving,
Finger weaving
Loom weaving,
Tapestry weaving,
Embroidery,
and of course, TATTING!

When you come from a family of artists, there's a lot expected of you. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1054-I-m-a-traitor! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1046-Dreamed-of-tatting Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:11:01 GMT So last night, I had a strange dream where I was going off to the music store down the road to buy a saxophone on sale. (there really is a musical... So last night, I had a strange dream where I was going off to the music store down the road to buy a saxophone on sale. (there really is a musical instrument store down the road from where I live.

While I was there, I saw a piece of vintage tatting that was unfinished and broken. I talked to the owner and apparently it was started in 1941. It was made with rings and threads, so apparently my brain dated it correctly. After some discussion with the owner, I ended up ready to repair the piece, but the problem was that I needed thread from 1941 to repair it. I honestly doubt if thread that old would actually stand up to it, but I was willing to try!

So that brings up this thought of attempting design. There are a few pieces that I don't know how to do, and I don't know where to find. One is these little rectangular bits, which I thing MIGHT be tiny picots. The second part of it was something that looked as though it had been tatted around a thick cord. I'm still pondering how to give it the lobed look of my dream.

Right now I'm looking at medallions.

Okay, stream of consciousness over. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1046-Dreamed-of-tatting http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1034-Determination Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:45:33 GMT I'm on the last row of the Lucky Clover doily, or, at least, I would be had I not misplaced my work bag. I'm sure it's somewhere in the house which I suppose gives me a passable reason to actually mop up a bit of the clutter.

In other news, I've decided to not be defeated by the Jabon from Julia Sanders' Tatting Patterns which requires "Battenburg rings." I have lost the info on doing overcast rings in regular tatting, so for now, using a bright (and easy to de-tat) red and making simple rings for the center. I'm having to re-write the pattern almost entirely as Ms. Sanders is unfortunately not clear in her instructions. I'm making a primitive visual pattern as well... but it's VERY primitive. As in, written on post-its. I'm excited because I want to put a clip on it to make a hair ornament, which I think will look really quite fetching and dainty.

I'm not sure of the legality of posting the re-created pattern, though I would love to share it. If anyone has a yea or nay before I get in trouble, that would be awesome. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1034-Determination http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?662-Red-and-Yellow Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:30:23 GMT Getting ready for Imbolc dinner, I have nearly finished the bulk of my red and yellow piece. I used one of the stars from the mobile in Blomqvist's Tatting Patterns and Designs but I'd like to put an edging on it to give it a better finished look. I'm thinking of using Jon Yusoff's Row of Crowns. I would prefer a frilly edge to it, but I couldn't find any among my books and I'm still fairly new at this. So, here's the pic of the finished but for one red square.



I realize that it was upside down in the pic, as the red-yellow joins are not visible when you flip it over. Once I finish the last square, it will be steamed and blocked. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?662-Red-and-Yellow http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?635-Took-a-little-break-and-POOF! Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:51:43 GMT Mama's back on the horse! I've gotten two motifs now connected. If there are any mistakes, they are not major ones. I don't know what I'll do with it, but it's certainly a beginning. So here's the first one:


And here it is multiplied!


They are done with what I assume is 10. Not sure how far I'm going to take this, but it'll be cool. Yay me! ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?635-Took-a-little-break-and-POOF! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?628-*insert-crazy-ranting* Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:59:36 GMT Okay, so I don't drink but somehow I've ended up with drunk tatting. No less than seven times I've started a project only to have a mistake before the third repeat. This is making me a little crazy. I'm going to switch to a simple one-pass repeat just to get myself back into the throw of it.

I might also take a little break and work on some carving until I can get my tatting head back on straight. Seriously, I think five Christmas Celebrations broke my brain. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?628-*insert-crazy-ranting* http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?618-Black-Lace Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:37:35 GMT So I've finished my medallion doily (Picture: http://yfrog.com/z/kjfxklnj) it just needs a little blocking and then it's into the wrapping paper.

I suppose my taste for tatting wool has not yet been sated, as I'm now working on plans for that which lace makers speak of only in whispers: Black lace. I'm still looking through my books to find just the RIGHT doily pattern, or else, there's a tatted favor in one of my books that I know my sister has already claimed before I even think about making it. I'll have to do some pondering.

Not like I don't have anything _else_ on the shuttle right? Because we crafters always work on ONE project at a time, right? No? ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?618-Black-Lace http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?544-Oh-BOYE! Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:18:11 GMT My Boye shuttle arrived yesterday, and I've already loaded it up with wool, ready to start as soon as my current shuttle runs out. I'm on the last quick row of the Occasional doily. I'm going to pass it under the iron as soon as it's done before I begin the last row of pseudo medallions. It's going to look very pretty. Still have to finish the seascape cloverleaf doily, which I'm planning on donating to the Community Fundraiser. I don't know if I'll get it done in time, perhaps I should make a couple of the candle decorations instead and keep the seascape doily for the one in spring.

Hubby looked at my metal shuttle and grunted over it, confused as always how my witchcraft produces beautiful lace! Maybe next Christmas I can add some snowflakes to our Christmas coffee. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?544-Oh-BOYE! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?541-Summon-DRAGON! Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:10:33 GMT My husband refers to tatting as witchcraft. He has no idea how two motions can produce lace. I decided to run with it and I told him I was summoning... My husband refers to tatting as witchcraft. He has no idea how two motions can produce lace. I decided to run with it and I told him I was summoning a dragon! Most gracious thanks to AnneB the creator of the Mini Norwegian Dragon pattern, and thanks to new tatter Catz who kicked me in the pants to get back to my tatting. (And also to the Twitter feed!) I've now completed Autumn Rose Dragon, which seems proper as I started it on the equinox! so here it is, tatted in Lizbeth Mountain Breeze. It's not been ironed yet, and the nose didn't turn out right.



I'm thinking about either picking up a motif pattern to make a chair doily possibly with wool, possibly doing some black lace, or working on my seascape doily. (And thanks for all the wonderful advice on blocking! I love this place!) ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?541-Summon-DRAGON! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?535-Finished-the-Wool-Doily! Wed, 21 Sep 2011 01:35:42 GMT And now I can work on either the Sea-colored cloverleaf or on learning a new technique. Oooh! Shiny new technique! Ive almost fully conquered SSSRs... And now I can work on either the Sea-colored cloverleaf or on learning a new technique. Oooh! Shiny new technique! Ive almost fully conquered SSSRs but still have regular splits to learn, but with that first one down that means I can finally make my dragon! It seems just like that row of simple joined rings, every tatter makes the dragon. And why not? They are superbly awesome! I was a HUGE Anne McCaffrey fan in High School, and the thought of a dragon just makes me happy! Mine will be in Lizbeth's Mountain Breeze which has an autumn rose feel to me.

I did a post in the FO's section of Tatting, but for those who missed it, my finished doily will be pictured below after finally figuring out the upload process! Yay! Win for me! It has some mistakes, but it's been steamed, blocked, ironed, and claimed. I'll be giving it to my Mom, who's Maternal Grandmother I apparently take after, not the least in the world of tatting.

Sorry about the pic quality, they were taken by my phone camera which has no auto focus. The second pic is of the twisted chains that give the final row that unique bumpy look that made me fall in love with the pattern even though I kinda hated actually making it for a few repeats. LOL!
]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?535-Finished-the-Wool-Doily! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?523-Tatting-with-Wool Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:01:55 GMT My first lace-weight thread was made of wool. This is what I tatted with after moving on from some cotton string I had, as soon as I had my first... My first lace-weight thread was made of wool. This is what I tatted with after moving on from some cotton string I had, as soon as I had my first clover shuttles. So I learned to tat, at first, very very delicately, as with too much tension, the wool will break. In the picture (linked below) it has already been ironed twice, and will be blocked a third time once I finish the final row, so it's actually laying flatter than it looks. http://yfrog.com/z/h28r2gwj

Of course, I can't be expected to do anything easy on the first try! I'd actually given this one a break to work on other pieces, but I find myself returning to it possibly because it is my first, or possibly because of the challenge of wool after working with Lizbeth or crochet thread.

There are other projects I'd like to try, both out of my books and online, but I'm not sure I've worked on my patience enough. I'm a long time knitter, and a designer, but sometimes I get bored and wander off when making other people's designs. I just don't know if I've got the guts to try to design in such a true art like Tatting. Those that do design, my hat is off to you! I suppose this is what I get for joining the Secret Society of the Craft world, but hey, even knitters put down their needles for a moment and stare in awe of my junior tatter creations. This makes me happy.

Coming around to my previous point, I highly recommend working with lace weight wool, especially if you've been having trouble with tension! ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?523-Tatting-with-Wool http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?520-Butterflies-flew-away! Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:51:24 GMT I was out tatting as I sat with my husband after a lovely dinner at a local Chinese restaurant. The ladies who worked there spoke little English, but... I was out tatting as I sat with my husband after a lovely dinner at a local Chinese restaurant. The ladies who worked there spoke little English, but LOVED my work. I'm always surprised at how delicate people think it is. Well as it was there were four of them and I only had two butterfly bookmarks on hand to give away. I normally keep five--all that will fit in my accessories keeper--but I'd already given a couple away. I guess now I've got some more tatting to do.

Right now I'm making new ones with the girliest Lizbeth I have, "Spring Flowers." I'm going to still keep five on hand, I'm just going to have to remember to replenish my stock. I'm currently using a standard 4-loop patter, and leaving the strings long. I like to think I'm promoting literacy AND tatting. I'm only having one small problem, and that's closing the last loop. There's one join, and then three ds before I close the final ring, but it always ends up looking a little twisted and funky. I'll have to figure this one out... ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?520-Butterflies-flew-away! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?511-Row-Four-done Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:40:16 GMT Out of 30 or so rows, it's actually turning out pretty well. A couple of flubs, a missed connection, a beaded picot out of place, but I think I've got it back on track now. Here's a pic: http://yfrog.com/z/gyf05amj It's actually a lot easier than beaded knitting, so I think my next project might be a new necklace for a pendant I've got, or maybe for a new pendant. This will take some thought, and perhaps some more thread. Yes, definitely will take some more thread. (Shhhh, don't tell my husband!) LYS seems to be the only place I can get tatting thread without having to order online. Oh alas, (*dramatic pose*) I guess I'll have to support a great local specialty shop with great people and selection. Whatever shall I do?!

So here we go, four rows of the tatted bag, taken to hide the flubs, because, well, I'm not gonna focus on them. I'm going to accept them as part of the unique charm of this early project and move on. The only thing that frustrates me at this point is that the one in the pic does not look like the one I've made. Possibly an effect of bead size. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?511-Row-Four-done http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?507-Oh-my-god-it-s-BEADS!!! Sun, 07 Aug 2011 02:10:20 GMT I've finally given into temptation. Halfway through the first repeat of the second round of a three round cloverleaf doily (in the most oceanic Lizbeth "Seascape"), I decided to take the plunge, so to speak, and grab some beads. Threading a tiny needle that would fit through size 10 beads with size 20 thread was a challenge, but I've threaded the beads, and this is going to be one spectacular project. I decided to go whole hog at first and make one in all black. I can hear it now, warnings of "Black Lace!" but I have a nice bright light, and heck I'm already near sighted. I also bought a green and some silver beads (though I'm wondering if I should have bought clear) for a second bag. Not sure if I'll make it or use them for another beaded project. Maybe a matching bag and necklace, eh? Not sure I'm ready for jewelry yet. Not sure if that makes sense.

The instructions were actually pretty easy once I took out the color change in the beads. I'm a simple girl with simple tastes. I re-wrote the pattern just a bit, creating my own shorthand based off of the Blomqvist/Persson book, with more complex instructions written out. As good a book as it is, it does fall down a bit with the pictures and instructions. It's not a problem with something like the cloverleaf I'm working on, but I had to give up at the first medallion of the butterfly corner when I could not figure out a couple of the directions.

In other news, I'm almost late in mailing out the Red Lace doily. Should probably pack the envelope away on Monday, as I don't want to miss my sister's birthday. I'll post again when I have a couple of rows down on the bag, as right now it is simply a very pretty edging. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?507-Oh-my-god-it-s-BEADS!!! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?502-Finally! Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:40:03 GMT So, with about three weeks to spare, I finally finished the red lace for my sister. Pictures here: http://yfrog.com/gz33250416j on yfrog. I looked at... So, with about three weeks to spare, I finally finished the red lace for my sister. Pictures here: http://yfrog.com/gz33250416j on yfrog. I looked at a couple more projects, but I don't think I'm quite ready. Not very good at estimating 1/8th inch as stated in one project. But I decided to work on my frilly lace for a bit and then decide whether to do my next project, another clover doily, in Lizbeth's Seascape or in Christmas Greens. I still need to finish my FIRST project which is on the last row, but uses wool so is very difficult to tat without breaking. It looks pretty though, and needs to be finished and out of my basket.

Not sure of the state of Springtime Springtime Springtime, it's not quite tensioned right, and I don't know if I have the gumption to finish it. Maybe after the Frilly lace, Clover, and Basket of Clover is done, I'll give it another look.

In other news, I'm glad I gave myself some time for reflection before I went crazy. Today, I looked at a window dressing in one of my books an instead of gung ho, I was awed. This is much more reasonable. As my mother said, you have to work UP to tablecloths. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?502-Finally! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?491-Butterflies-are-a-little-girly! Sat, 16 Jul 2011 16:06:36 GMT I'm surrounded by guys all the time, so it's nice to girl it up now and again. Thanks to one suggestion, (I can't remember who or I'd thank them personally and profusely) I've made a few tiny tatted butterflies. Well, I give them away like hot cakes! Since I go through them so quickly, and again by suggestion, I've stopped attempting to weave the ends and now have butterfly bookmarks (Pictured here: http://yfrog.com/kix42exj ) but I'm still thinking I need something more "manly" for my little give away items. Maybe I should make small stars or perhaps a tiny motif. Oh alas, I may have to buy another ball of thread. I won't tell if you don't.

My butterfly pattern is:
R1: 3, p, 5, 3p sep by 1, 5, p, 3.
R2: 3, j, 7, 3p sep by 1, 7, p, 3.
R3: Same as 2.
R4: 3, j, 5, 3p sep by 1, 5, j, 3. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?491-Butterflies-are-a-little-girly! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?451-Monkey-Muffler! Wed, 11 May 2011 21:16:41 GMT Okay, I'm about to unleash a string of unholy curse words. If you have tender sensibilities, I suggest you cover your eyes: Oh Holy Heaven and all the Peanut Butter Sandwiches! Crumbs and Crackers! Blue Biscuits and Long John Christmas!

Okay, now that that's out of the way, I just pulled out my latest edging for my frilly lace. I've somehow misplaced one of my shuttles, I had a terrible mistake I had to cut out, and NOW I've learned that I've miscounted all but the first round. Fours became sixes, and the only thing that's RIGHT is the chaining.

Well, At least the chaining is right. Rather than cutting it out, I think I'm going to recount, double check, and then continue to tat this piece even from the mistaken portion. It will be going on the band overlaying where the tulle is sewn on. Luckily, I'm not a small chested woman, so it won't be as "Showcased" as the previous piece. In related news, when I tried it on earlier, the top tatting popped up to be more of an edging than originally intended. That's fine. it leaves a good space to sew on a butterfly or perhaps some small motif. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?451-Monkey-Muffler! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?449-Step-two-A-rethink Fri, 06 May 2011 16:47:11 GMT I finished sewing on the tulle to the walmart bra, just above the band. It's lovely, but when I tried it on, the tatting on the top didn't have quite enough stretch to lay down over the bra (I need a LOT of stretch) and popped up instead. Although after examining it, I'm actually rather fond of it. It will leave room for even more tatting, this time an edging sewn a little closer together to allow some more stretch. The same is true of the band.

The downside of this is that i have to paw through the books again and pick out another edging.

Wait, is that a downside?

I'll be off camping this weekend, so I'll have to find some time to tat the edging I'm already working on. But I'll find the time, even if it's midnight by glow stick, I'll find the time. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?449-Step-two-A-rethink http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?434-Top-Edging-done! Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:01:46 GMT Okay, finished the top edging on my bra with near perfection. I'm really proud of it! Here's the link to the y-frog pic of it laying across my knees. I'm also a prude. Yes it's sideways, my phone accelerometer is a jerk sometimes. http://yfrog.com/h2il1puj ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?434-Top-Edging-done! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?433-Frilly-Lace-Underthings Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:05:05 GMT Okay, using my vast (read: I'm a newbie) knowledge of tatting, I have decided to forgo the traditional "Hey I learned this last week now I'm going to make something complicated" and go instead with "I've been doing this for a month or so, I'm pretty good and I love it, so I'm going to try something smallish but practical." I thought this was far better.

SO, with a decided lack of frilly lace underthings in my particularly difficult to find size, and with whispers of frilly lace under things in time for Beltane, I have decided to do a couple of very simple edgings to attach to a soft-cup bra I bought at Wal-mart. I'm using this because, though it doesn't fit perfectly, it will stretch enough to be comfortable and still be cheap enough to replace if I destroy it in my experimentation. So far, I am doing a longer cloverleaf pattern for the top, and a running clover pattern for the band, both done in Lizbeth Christmas Greens, because I am fond of it. I wanted to use red, but I am terrified that it will run in the wash.

So there you have it. Yay me!

In other news, "Springtime, Springtime, Springtime" has been moved to the purse project at the moment. ]]> wodentoad http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?433-Frilly-Lace-Underthings