InTatters - Blogs - Making the Thread Dance by PattyD http://www.intatters.com/blog.php?87-Making-the-Thread-Dance Free discussion forum dedicated to the art of tatting and tatted lace and other crafts. en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:04:10 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.intatters.com/images/misc/rss.jpg InTatters - Blogs - Making the Thread Dance by PattyD http://www.intatters.com/blog.php?87-Making-the-Thread-Dance I am here! In Denver! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1378-I-am-here!-In-Denver! Fri, 17 May 2013 13:43:50 GMT I need to pinch myself! I am here in Denver and today we go sightseeing. There is a miniature doll and toy museum on the list, the Colorado State... I need to pinch myself! I am here in Denver and today we go sightseeing. There is a miniature doll and toy museum on the list, the Colorado State Capitol Building, a visit to the Hobby Lobby and who knows what else might turn up.

Dear husband snuck a card congratulating me into my suitcase without my knowing it! What a sweetie.

I am very much enjoying the weather and the mountain clouds. The last time I was here I got altitude sickness (Denver altitude is one mile high), but now I have medicine to prevent the effects and already feel much better than I was on my last visit here. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1378-I-am-here!-In-Denver! Getting Ready to go to Denver! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1375-Getting-Ready-to-go-to-Denver! Tue, 14 May 2013 00:09:02 GMT Oh my! This is it. Thursday I fly to Denver, with one of my best girlfriends for company! We will be there from Thursday to Sunday with straight... Oh my! This is it. Thursday I fly to Denver, with one of my best girlfriends for company! We will be there from Thursday to Sunday with straight through flights for short travel time.

I am practically delirious. According to the information I got, my Hyperbolic samples are "prominently displayed".

Come on Thursday! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1375-Getting-Ready-to-go-to-Denver! Help! Where did I see this? http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1316-Help!-Where-did-I-see-this Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:54:27 GMT Well, this is a fine pickle! There was a conversation about a vintage centerpiece (large doily) that is all worked with one shuttle and one... Well, this is a fine pickle!

There was a conversation about a vintage centerpiece (large doily) that is all worked with one shuttle and one thread in the Priscilla Tatting book #1. I looked at it online and said, "oh my! all those bits and pieces! There are almost as many ends to hide as there are rings and chains.

I like the center of it and manage the work about 25% of it in one pass. I am still working on making the outer rounds of the center in as few cut and ties as possible.

BUT! For the life of me, I can't seem to find where the original discussion was. Please help me find it again.

It looks like this:

]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1316-Help!-Where-did-I-see-this Oh My! A from the Denver Museum of Art for a piece of my Hyperbolic Tatting! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1311-Oh-My!-A-from-the-Denver-Museum-of-Art-for-a-piece-of-my-Hyperbolic-Tatting! Thu, 10 Jan 2013 01:10:52 GMT Well, just knock my socks off! I got an email today requesting one of my spiral pieces of Hyperbolic Tatting for an exhibition at the Denver Museum... Well, just knock my socks off! I got an email today requesting one of my spiral pieces of Hyperbolic Tatting for an exhibition at the Denver Museum of Art. The person making the request had seen my Hyperbolic Tatting in an IOLI Bulletin.

I consider this a slightly delayed birthday present! :yahoo: :bigclaps: ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1311-Oh-My!-A-from-the-Denver-Museum-of-Art-for-a-piece-of-my-Hyperbolic-Tatting! First Earthquake in the Valley http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1257-First-Earthquake-in-the-Valley Tue, 23 Oct 2012 04:19:25 GMT Early, early Sunday morning, I was sitting at my desk and I felt a rolling kind of earthquake. We now live in a mobile home and it literally felt... Early, early Sunday morning, I was sitting at my desk and I felt a rolling kind of earthquake. We now live in a mobile home and it literally felt like a wave moving along the short axis of our home.
I've lived in California most of my life, so I have felt lots of earthquakes, but not in some time. It was kind of cool. Mild earthquakes are not violent and there are so many kinds of earthquakes, too.
It's been over a year and a half since we moved here and I wondered when we would feel one.

I live just south of Fresno, CA. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1257-First-Earthquake-in-the-Valley New Students Coming! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1253-New-Students-Coming! Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:57:28 GMT Last night was crafts night at church. Several groups who usually meet separately were there. Lots of people noticed that I was tatting, but one... Last night was crafts night at church. Several groups who usually meet separately were there. Lots of people noticed that I was tatting, but one woman helps care for her nieces and asked if she could bring them next week. I said SURE! Come on down. I love to teach kids, they are so enthusiastic! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1253-New-Students-Coming! Words, Words, Words http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1212-Words-Words-Words Sat, 25 Aug 2012 20:10:26 GMT I have written several thousand posts and the reason I found that out was a lot of what I teach is explained right here on InTatters and refined over... I have written several thousand posts and the reason I found that out was a lot of what I teach is explained right here on InTatters and refined over time. The refined over time part is really interesting. I have developed new viewpoints as new complications come up. So I am re-reading all my posts and the threads they appear in and trying to use all this information as a rough draft of technical tatting advice.

It would be useful to me to let me know when I said something that turned on a light. I am marching into writing the book that so many people have asked me for. It could take years, but I think it could be helpful to someone struggling to make something that has inspired them to try.

(I'm trying not to let you hear the sound of my knees knocking in sheer terror!!!) ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1212-Words-Words-Words IOLI Convention Halfway Through - Classes are Great!!! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1195-IOLI-Convention-Halfway-Through-Classes-are-Great!!! Tue, 07 Aug 2012 23:36:42 GMT I am teaching a morning class of Free Form Tatting, and an afternoon class of Solutions and Possibilities and they are going smashingly well. I... I am teaching a morning class of Free Form Tatting, and an afternoon class of Solutions and Possibilities and they are going smashingly well. I asked both classes today if they felt the classes were going well for them and got some great comments. Everyone is going great, learning new things.

I was thrilled today when several tatters in the afternoon classed expressed interest in Maltese tatting and mastered the basic methods.

We were also able to compare the Catherine wheel join with the Larks Head join and decided that the difference is the Catherine wheel join connects to the DS below it and the Lark's Head join connects to the picot above it and that both are similar to the split chain and tatting on a cabone ring. I never expected this subject to create such interest. It was so fun!

Saturday is the Hyperbolic class and there are 13 students!!!!!! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1195-IOLI-Convention-Halfway-Through-Classes-are-Great!!! Off to Minneapolis/St. Paul Whooooeee! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1186-Off-to-Minneapolis-St-Paul-Whooooeee! Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:03:14 GMT Bright and early Saturday morning, I am off to the IOLI convention to teach 3 classes of tatting for the whole week! I may have no voice when I... Bright and early Saturday morning, I am off to the IOLI convention to teach 3 classes of tatting for the whole week! I may have no voice when I finish, but I am sure it will be a blast!!!! And I have accepted a brand newbie to be in the class. I just couldn't say no.

I am teaching a clinic type class: bring your problems and we'll take a crack at it. And I am teaching a Free Form Class. I can't even imagine how that will turn out! It is smaller, so we will have the courage to do something WITHOUT A PATTERN!!!!

And Saturday for 3 hours, 15 of us will be making Hyperbolic ruffles. I fully expect some of my students to be dumbfounded how simple and repetitive it is.

My samples are ready and my paperwork is printed (ran out of ink in the middle of it, yikes!)
I have found that some of my favorite pieces have gone walkabout. I sure hope they turn up some time.

Now I just have to pack the suitcases and GO!!!! Yippee! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1186-Off-to-Minneapolis-St-Paul-Whooooeee! <![CDATA[Well, it's been an interesting week...]]> http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1099-Well-it-s-been-an-interesting-week Thu, 31 May 2012 01:07:23 GMT Today, after having had a cough and feeling terrible for a week, the doc tells me I have pneumonia. So I got some strong drugs and told to rest. ... Today, after having had a cough and feeling terrible for a week, the doc tells me I have pneumonia. So I got some strong drugs and told to rest. (Mind you, taking codeine cough syrup tends to make you have a restful disposition.) But to the minute after I took the first dose, I started coughing again. But I already feel better because the fever is gone. What a blessing. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1099-Well-it-s-been-an-interesting-week When I was in school ~ http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1085-When-I-was-in-school Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:51:07 GMT Around the time I went to high school, teachers started asking for "papers". Nothing as fancy as a term paper, but we had to go through all the steps: pick a topic, research, write notes with references for the bibliography, copy a quote or make an observation, review the notes, write an outline and fill in the data with quoted and footnoted references.

You know what my biggest problem was? I didn't think I had any idea worthy of foisting on an unsuspecting public. To me the idea of writing a paper while I was still learning was preposterous!
What did I know? It was really hard to go through all that work, not believing that I had anything useful to say. Not surprisingly, I sometimes utterly failed to produce the desired product.

Isn't it interesting that now I answer questions at the drop of a hat! Who knew? ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1085-When-I-was-in-school I Broke My Toe! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1076-I-Broke-My-Toe! Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:53:45 GMT So I am limping around because I broke my toe! Doesn't interfere too much, but quite unexpected. I remember bumping into something yesterday, but it was today that I figured it out.

The only good thing is that I can still tat!!! Not like when I broke my hand. What a fun day this has been. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1076-I-Broke-My-Toe! Geek Deluxe! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1038-Geek-Deluxe! Sun, 25 Mar 2012 05:40:52 GMT I have been participating in a very geeky, but very fun thing. There is a website called Zooniverse that recruits normal, everyday people to help... I have been participating in a very geeky, but very fun thing. There is a website called Zooniverse that recruits normal, everyday people to help scientists go through lots of data and do what humans do best, image recognition. There are 20 something projects now, but one just closed and I have been notified that I have found a Kuiper Belt Object! The Kuiper Belt is the space out at the edge of the solar system where lots of icy bodies spend all their cold, dark time. Since Pluto got demoted from being a planet to a minor planet, it is actually a Kuiper Belt Object.

I review 10,000 plus images and found lots of Variable Stars and asteroids and just 1 Kuiper Belt Object! So I get my name listed in the scientific papers that will ensue.

The reason we were looking for Kuiper Belt Objects is because there is a space craft named New Horizons on its way to Pluto to spend a day taking lots and lots of pictures and measurements. No space craft has ever been so close as it will be. Where all the picture viewing comes in is that New Horizons will have plenty of power left to do something else and since it is heading toward the edge of the solar system, the Kuiper Belt is perfect.

But to be as economical as possible, we had to know where to point New Horizons when it is done at Pluto. So thousands and thousands of us have looked at about 50000 pictures and marked what we thought might be the little white blob that would be a Kuiper Belt Object (KBO). The vast majority of our sightings were variable stars well outside the solar system, which in itself is useful information. A fair number were asteroids, which are much closer to Earth between Earth and Mars. So the small, cold Kuiper Belt Objects were relatively scarce. Our whole effort was to find interesting scientific objects to inspect that were in the vicinity of Pluto and we have been successful.

It's very exciting! (to me anyway!):celebratefireworks: ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1038-Geek-Deluxe! Three New Tatters http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1020-Three-New-Tatters Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:33:27 GMT Went to my friend's house today to start to teach her tat. In the course of the afternoon, her neighbor showed up with her grandmother's tatting things and joined us in pursuit of the flip. Then my friend's son joined us and was soon tatting away.

The son made an error I hadn't seen before. Somehow he got the idea that you flip the first half and don't flip the second half. But I must say that his lock stitch ring was looking pretty good, even if he couldn't close it. Very clever lad, that one.

The neighbor had the most trouble, but I kept encouraging her to try a few different alterations to her tatting position and finally she felt best with pinch between her thumb and her middle finger and tensioning with her index finger.

We will get together again real soon (within a week) and advance their knowledge a little more.

I started them on rings with size 10 cordonnet and everybody got it. But I was tired after talking for 3 hours, I can tell you!

Almost as soon as we started, someone dropped their shuttle, so I showed them how to put everything back together again and keep going. I follow the shuttle thread to the finished work and find the thread that sprouts out of the top of the last DS, which is the thread that goes over the hand. I still remember after all these years, what misery I had when I removed work from my hand. There were very bad odds of actually getting going again.

It was a good day. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?1020-Three-New-Tatters That Reminds Me ... http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?695-That-Reminds-Me Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:12:59 GMT I read in the comments that new member wrote about how much the first tatting she had ever seen captivated her. Well, that triggered a recollection... I read in the comments that new member wrote about how much the first tatting she had ever seen captivated her. Well, that triggered a recollection of the first tatting I ever saw and received as a gift. In the fourth grade, when I was nine years old, Pasty Davis' grandmother tatted cross bookmarks for everyone in our class. I was mystified, enchanted and totally absorbed in trying to figure it out. As I recall, the crosses had a simple ring and chain design, but it was SO fascinating. I did learn to tat when I was 11. You know, I had never made the connection between these two events. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?695-That-Reminds-Me My History of Continuous Celtic Tatting http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?689-My-History-of-Continuous-Celtic-Tatting Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:51:53 GMT The whole principle of what I wanted was to have the chains around a ring woven celtic style and I wanted the whole thing to be unbroken by cut and... The whole principle of what I wanted was to have the chains around a ring woven celtic style and I wanted the whole thing to be unbroken by cut and tie.

Celtic the first. Seems pretty simple. Go around once and then the second time weave through.

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Celtic the second. Whoa! Not so simple. The first 7 chains always get tatted on top of all the previous chains. The last 4 chains complete the weaving, but some of the previous chains are already in the proper positionas if they had been woven and so the last 4 chains only weave every other repeat.

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Celtic the third. I had to try this 4 times to get it right. The first attempt was in a solid colored thread. Not a good idea. Really hard to know where you are. Then I started coming down with the flu and my thinking was going in circles. The last one worked, I think I would have given up if it had not succeeded. Writing the patterns now.

Click image for larger version.  Name: skip 3 celtic ring.jpg  Views: 36  Size: 15.9 KB  ID: 15511 ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?689-My-History-of-Continuous-Celtic-Tatting Fooling Around with Continuous Celtic http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?682-Fooling-Around-with-Continuous-Celtic Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:42:39 GMT
Quote Originally Posted by PattyD View Post
Attachment 15382

I've got to tell you! I was trying out a continuous celtic that skips 2 picots and it does work, but the weaving does not occur as expected.

Attatched is an updated file that shows the progress of the work. When you skip 2 picots (or attachment places) with the start ring having 11 attachment places, it behaves in a quite unexpected manner. But now that I have made one and have a clearer idea of how to proceed, I have updated the document

Attachment 15381
]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?682-Fooling-Around-with-Continuous-Celtic A Knitter, A Crocheter and a Tatter - 5 newbies all at once! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?529-A-Knitter-A-Crocheter-and-a-Tatter-5-newbies-all-at-once! Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:13:05 GMT I belong to a group at church that makes needlework of all descriptions and sells them, sending the proceeds to missionaries. We decided to start a... I belong to a group at church that makes needlework of all descriptions and sells them, sending the proceeds to missionaries. We decided to start a new group to make Prayer Shawls, which are items that the recipient can wrap around themselves and remember that they are in our thoughts and prayers. In order to get some new people involved, we offered to teach all comers to knit, tat, or crochet. So....

Last Thursday, I had 2 brand new crocheters, 1 knitter and a brand new tatter. Talk about maxed out emotional energy. They were all very kind about saying that I was a good teacher (I don't ever take things too seriously!) But, boy was i tired. This will be every 2 weeks ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?529-A-Knitter-A-Crocheter-and-a-Tatter-5-newbies-all-at-once! A New Student http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?477-A-New-Student Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:49:35 GMT Well, Diana didn't come yesterday, and knowing her, it was because the family was doing something else. Sigh, waiting for my star pupil.


....But! Lots of interesting things happened at yesterday's class. A good number of people in the shop stopped to look at my samples and talk a bit about tatting. You could see some of them thinking about trying to learn tatting. I kept telling them, I am here every Saturday afternoon!

Also, there had been 2 teenaged girls tying baby quilts all afternoon. One left the shop and the other one, Miriam, finished a quilt. Since I had seen her avid interest in what was going on over at our table, I called her over to me and said "Let's tat!". She jumped at the chance!

We had about an hour and she learned the flip and we decided together that the geometry of her hand was better suited to hold the pinch between her thumb and her middle finger. She tensions with her index finger. We are fighting the common beginner tendency to no want to relax the left hand in order to accomplish the flip. But she made stitches that slipped on the core and took home a shuttle and thread to keep practicing. I expect to see something she has produced during the week next Saturday. How exciting!

Both students are almost ready to make a butterfly of rings. I can hardly wait! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?477-A-New-Student Brilliant 8 Year Old Student! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?472-Brilliant-8-Year-Old-Student! Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:12:30 GMT My student and I had 3 hour class to ourselves last Saturday, again. It was delightful! I saw a lot of progress in muscle memory from last week. ... My student and I had 3 hour class to ourselves last Saturday, again. It was delightful! I saw a lot of progress in muscle memory from last week. She practiced! While she forgot how to make a ring, she kept wrapping the thread in preparation for tatting and it showed. The previous week, her left hand was had a mind of it's own. Now she wraps the thread without thinking about it. This week we tried chains and picots and joins and closing the ring. Diana got reversing the work instantly.

She is spoiling me for other students! Her mom thinks I am an angel of patience, but really, I am having a blast! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?472-Brilliant-8-Year-Old-Student! Taught Tatting Today http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?463-Taught-Tatting-Today Sun, 29 May 2011 04:01:25 GMT Well, I appeared at the appointed time at our local quilt center and waited for students. The knitting class was just ending. Since nothing... Well, I appeared at the appointed time at our local quilt center and waited for students. The knitting class was just ending. Since nothing appeared on the horizon that resembled students, I asked the knitting teacher if she would like to see my samples. The whole table was enthusiastic and oohed and aahed appreciatively. The quilt center is a non-profit, volunteer staffed organization and one volunteer was there who had her 8 year old daughter with her. The 8 year old, Diana, was my student.

We had a rollicking good time. She's a clever girl and dove right in. We started with finger tatting and within 20 minutes moved on to tatting rings with a shuttle. The only problem she had was keeping the tension on the shuttle thread after flipping the knot. She was delightful and we called it quits after about 2 hours because her pinch had been so fierce that her little fingers were sore.

Her mother was very pleased that the session had been enjoyable and productive for her daughter.

Next week, they will both be my students because the mom won't be working that day.

There were other people who came through the shop and stopped to admire the samples and ask questions. I have the feeling that this will grow! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?463-Taught-Tatting-Today Racing to Finish http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?442-Racing-to-Finish Wed, 27 Apr 2011 04:46:44 GMT Two weeks ago Thursday, I was at a meeting at church of a group of ladies that does needlework to sell at an annual fundraising sale for the purpose... Two weeks ago Thursday, I was at a meeting at church of a group of ladies that does needlework to sell at an annual fundraising sale for the purpose of providing funds to missonaries. One of our members, who is approaching the age of 90, saw a tatted snowflake I was passing around and fell to musing over it. Suddenly as she did, she asked "Do you sell your work?" and I said "Yes." Then she told me that her mother had tried to teach her to tat but that it was a complete failure. She has always regretted it. Finally, she asked if I could make a six inch doily in white, and I said I could. Then she asked me to do it and I said that she would have a doily at the next (and last!) meeting of the year in two weeks.

I am racing to finish the Corona Doily by Judith Connors in white size 80! The first thread I picked out of the box was old and unknown and it DID NOT WORK! Gakk! Then I tried my own methods of finishing because I don't like to weave the ends, but that didn't work at the size 80 scale with this pattern. So now I am behind, but catching up. Tune in for the reveal~ ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?442-Racing-to-Finish Back on the internet! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?399-Back-on-the-internet! Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:50:15 GMT I was beginning to think I lived on a cold, cold rock on the outer reaches of the solar system! I'm back!!! Has internet, has wireless, has happy feet!

Still working out a new email addy. So glad I am not tethered anymore!!!! Sit on the sofa with something yummy and just browse away!!!!!! Yes!!!

What a backlog of posts to look through, a whole month! Well, I will be heard again soon. What a wonderful feeling! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?399-Back-on-the-internet! The flood of boxes is receding http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?386-The-flood-of-boxes-is-receding Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:17:44 GMT Hi All,

I didn't fall off the planet! I've been living in the new home for more than a week now and still working through emptying all the boxes. Overdid it yesterday and DH has decreed that today I will not lift more than 2 pounds (~ kilo) at a time. Feels like a vacation!

I have found a number of tatting books that have been "on vacation" for quite some time. In fact, I almost ordered one of the books I found before we moved. Glad I didn't

Typing at the library right now, since we don't have internet yet. (Talk about feeling disconnected!)

Tonight is my first appearance at choir practice for the new church we joined. It should be interesting. Their choir is bigger than the number of people who attended the first service at the previous church.

Hoping to be back to normal (whatever that will turn out to be) very, very soon!

Patty ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?386-The-flood-of-boxes-is-receding Completely Unexpected Birthday Present! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?374-Completely-Unexpected-Birthday-Present! Sat, 08 Jan 2011 11:04:16 GMT Today, I received the IOLI Bulletin (US National Lace organization). And much to my surprise and delight, my Hyperbolic Tatting file was printed in... Today, I received the IOLI Bulletin (US National Lace organization). And much to my surprise and delight, my Hyperbolic Tatting file was printed in the Tatting section by editor Bina Madden. I got a 3 page spread, wow! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?374-Completely-Unexpected-Birthday-Present! Found! Easy Bobs at a Knitting Store http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?367-Found!-Easy-Bobs-at-a-Knitting-Store Fri, 31 Dec 2010 07:16:19 GMT Husband somehow decided that he could pick me up at the Lace Museum just about any old time (not so!) so when the museum closed, I wandered down to... Husband somehow decided that he could pick me up at the Lace Museum just about any old time (not so!) so when the museum closed, I wandered down to the friendly local knittery. There on the wall was a supply of easy bobs. Yahoo! What a great find.

The moral of the story is: seek ye the knittery! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?367-Found!-Easy-Bobs-at-a-Knitting-Store A Celebration is in Order! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?365-A-Celebration-is-in-Order! Wed, 29 Dec 2010 04:00:51 GMT Today, the escrow closed for our new home! We are just so happy. Our new home is a mobile home and the price was ridiculously low. We are so lucky... Today, the escrow closed for our new home! We are just so happy. Our new home is a mobile home and the price was ridiculously low. We are so lucky to have been able to buy it.

Tomorrow, we will go and start planning where to put our belongings and measure things so we know where they will fit. We have been sorting and discarding at a furious pace. Still, I have already packed 12 boxes of lace books and there are still more. I am not a hoarder, I am not a hoarder, I am not a hoarder ...... (I hope!)

I just hope that all my stuff fits in the "Lace" room. It is a lovely small room in the front of the house with a window onto the front porch and a small bay window. I think all the light will be lovely to work in.

Patty ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?365-A-Celebration-is-in-Order! Happy Thanksgiving! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?334-Happy-Thanksgiving! Thu, 25 Nov 2010 17:12:09 GMT Off to celebrate Thanksgiving! A wonderful, relaxed day with friends. Have a joyous day whatever you do today, wherever you are. Off to celebrate Thanksgiving! A wonderful, relaxed day with friends. Have a joyous day whatever you do today, wherever you are. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?334-Happy-Thanksgiving! Itsy Bitsy Laces http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?299-Itsy-Bitsy-Laces Sat, 16 Oct 2010 20:12:18 GMT The Lace Museum in Sunnyvale, CA is just down the road from me and I hang out there quite a bit. In preparation for the change of displays for the... The Lace Museum in Sunnyvale, CA is just down the road from me and I hang out there quite a bit. In preparation for the change of displays for the holiday season, I was asked to contribute some miniature laces for dolls to create the illusion that the dolls had worked the lace.

The first batch was some tatting, mostly single thread, single shuttle. Since the dolls are all Victorian, there had to be some Hens and Chicks, which was invented in that period. Now I am working on the crochet, which, to my amazement is much more difficult. I am working with a size 16 crochet hook (0.4 mm). It turns out that some silk thread I have is just the right size. But seeing it involves lots of magnifiers. I went straight to handweaving.net to the Griswold Archive and found a crochet book from Barbour Brothers. It has some nice edgings that work up to the right scale with a fine thread and hook. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?299-Itsy-Bitsy-Laces <![CDATA[I'll be scarce for a while]]> http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?268-I-ll-be-scarce-for-a-while Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:36:28 GMT Well, we have decided to move and that means I'll be up to my elbows in all the zillion things that have to be done. I'll probably be pretty scarce around here until the dust settles, but I will be back.
I hope to have time to peek in now an again, but won't be posting much. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?268-I-ll-be-scarce-for-a-while GAK! No computer http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?185-GAK!-No-computer Mon, 19 Jul 2010 05:48:45 GMT Boo hoo! Computer down and in the shop. Have to use hubby's when it is free. Sigh... Into every life a little rain must fall. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?185-GAK!-No-computer Interesting New Challenge http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?175-Interesting-New-Challenge Sat, 03 Jul 2010 22:54:02 GMT I received the item pictured below yesterday, as it seems my interest in all things "spare and strange" precedes me. My daughter produced this and from somewhere in the dark recesses of my brain came the word "fid". And that's what it is!



It's a tool used in splicing rope, but this one is about the same size as a steel crochet hook. That would be one small rope! My daughter acquired it from a friend who asked that I return the favor and make something pretty for his daughter, who is 11 (going on 23 by all reports!).

So I am thinking on something that might amuse a young girl. Any ideas? ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?175-Interesting-New-Challenge 2 Hours in the Kitty E.R. http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?168-2-Hours-in-the-Kitty-E-R Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:44:31 GMT Poor old kitty, being 16 years old and her claws decided to thicken and curve down into her paws. Doc says she'll heal nicely, but we are all worn out. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?168-2-Hours-in-the-Kitty-E-R Doh! No pictures of my snowflakes! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?160-Doh!-No-pictures-of-my-snowflakes! Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:27:58 GMT I have been industriously making snowflakes for the Lace Museum in Sunnyvale California and I haven't taken a single picture of them! Brain fade. It's not too late, I can just get some snaps next Thursday when i go back again. What was I thinking!

They are a varied lot, some in insanely small thread (so cute!), some in black and silver, even SOME white ones. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?160-Doh!-No-pictures-of-my-snowflakes! Sploosh! Drowning in the pollen! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?157-Sploosh!-Drowning-in-the-pollen! Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:19:24 GMT I can't see to type this. My eyes are watering continuously. Now how am I going to get anything done? Sigh..... The joy of summer. Spring usually leaves me alone, but the summer bites.

A lovely, unexpected bit of reputation put me over the top for the second draw. I am shocked and amazed that I made it. Does this mean I talk too much? (Don't answer that.)

What are your plans for summer? Poolside? The mountains? Theme parks? Stay at home? ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?157-Sploosh!-Drowning-in-the-pollen! <![CDATA[What a "bracing" day!]]> http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?102-What-a-quot-bracing-quot-day! Sat, 03 Apr 2010 03:41:43 GMT Today, I got fed up with the pain in my right wrist and was rewarded with a wrist brace for carpal tunnel syndrome. It already feels better,... Today, I got fed up with the pain in my right wrist and was rewarded with a wrist brace for carpal tunnel syndrome. It already feels better, YEAH!!!! :biggrin: I haven't tried to tat yet, so I still don't know if this will be tatting down tme or not, sigh:ermm:....... ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?102-What-a-quot-bracing-quot-day! A Lovely Tatting Afternoon http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?50-A-Lovely-Tatting-Afternoon Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:24:30 GMT I have spent most of this blustery, rainy day cozy with my shuttles. I finished an Immortal Heart by Tatmom and I am working on one of my own... I have spent most of this blustery, rainy day cozy with my shuttles. I finished an Immortal Heart by Tatmom and I am working on one of my own designs, Mardi Gras Snowflake (SSSR). The first time I ever made Tatmom's heart, I botched it miserably. It was very nice today to just wing through it smoothly without a bump or problem. ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?50-A-Lovely-Tatting-Afternoon <![CDATA[First UFO complete, I'm on a roll!]]> http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?31-First-UFO-complete-I-m-on-a-roll! Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:26:05 GMT I have completed the all rings snowflake and posted it in my Tatting Album Take a look! All Rings Snowflake... I have completed the all rings snowflake and posted it in my Tatting Album

Take a look!

All Rings Snowflake ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?31-First-UFO-complete-I-m-on-a-roll! My Cast Is OFF!! http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?27-My-Cast-Is-OFF!! Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:21:22 GMT Whoopee! I feel as free as a bird! My cast is off!

I am typing with TWO hands. The days duties are done and now I'm gonna TAT! Yippee! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?27-My-Cast-Is-OFF!! Maltese Rings and Daisy Picot Rings ~ Above the Shuttle Thread http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?123-Maltese-Rings-and-Daisy-Picot-Rings-Above-the-Shuttle-Thread Tue, 13 May 2008 13:16:00 GMT Maltese Rings are tricky little devils. While there was a lot to learn about AUX DS inside the normal ring, there are a few more tricks if the AUX DS... Maltese Rings are tricky little devils. While there was a lot to learn about AUX DS inside the normal ring, there are a few more tricks if the AUX DS are UPRIGHT alternating on the shuttle thread with the normal ring DS.

Forming the AUX DS Right Side Up
First of all I don't have a contortionist method of working the AUX DS from the left side of the shuttle thread. My elbows don't bend that way! BUT, if you work from the right side of the shuttle thread, just like split rings and reverse the halves of the unflipped AUX DS, bingo, there you go.

Reversed Unflipped AUX DS

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After forming the reversed AUX DS, just swivel it on the shuttle thread into the upright position and the cap is in the right place, in correct frontside tatting position.

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The ghostly dotted AUX thread shows how the AUX DS is worked laying to the right of the shuttle thread. like making the upside down AUX DS inside a normal ring. The solid AUX DS shows how it is front side tatted after being swung up into position above the shuttle thread. (Like turning the page of a book.)

Now for Some Picot Tricks
Let us keep inspecting the above illustration. Notice that the AUX thread comes in under the ring working thread and after making the AUX DS exits back under the working thread.
This process will place the AUX picots behind the picots formed by the normal ring DS.

The following illustration show that if the AUX thread enters in front of the working thread, and exits in front of the working thread, the AUX picots will be in front of the picots of the normal ring DS.

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The last trick in the bag is to twine the picots of the normal ring and the AUX thread.
In this case, the AUX enters under the working thread and exits over it.

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Daisy Picot Rings
These are worked just like the Maltese Rings above the shuttle thread, with one twist. The AUX thread works on the normal ring working thread (which means that the AUX DS rides on the picot of the normal ring DS). Like the Maltese Rings above, the Daisy Picot AUX DS are worked reversed and then swung up into position.

Click image for larger version.  Name: DaisyPicotRing..jpg  Views: 45  Size: 70.6 KB  ID: 4244 ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?123-Maltese-Rings-and-Daisy-Picot-Rings-Above-the-Shuttle-Thread Maltese Rings ~ Working an Added Thread Inside the Normal Ring http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?122-Maltese-Rings-Working-an-Added-Thread-Inside-the-Normal-Ring Mon, 12 May 2008 13:11:00 GMT The whole thing about Maltese Rings is that an extra thread comes into play (henceforth the AUX thread). Now, since these are rings and rings are... The whole thing about Maltese Rings is that an extra thread comes into play (henceforth the AUX thread). Now, since these are rings and rings are made with both ends of the same piece of thread and the AUX DS are worked on the shuttle end of the thread, AUX DS are always direct tatted (like the second side of a split ring ~ no flips).

Pearl Tatting, where either working thread CAN be direct tatted because they have free ends
Also note that the DS of the lower working thread BELOW the core thread are UPSIDE DOWN.

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Maltese Rings with the AUX DS Inside the Ring
The inner AUX DS are direct tatted and UPSIDE DOWN, just like Pearl Tatting.
The normal ring working thread end CANNOT direct tat, it has no free end.
Normal tatting the AUX DS with the shuttle end of the ring thread would require gymnastics I can't even imagine.

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A = The ring shows how the shuttle thread transitions from being the DS flipper to the DS flippee
B = Normal Ring DS - flipped onto the working thread by the shuttle thread
C = AUX DS direct tatted on the shuttle thread
Tat the AUX thread ring inside the ring normally in front side tatting.

The Burning Question
Yes, but HOW to work the direct tatted, UPSIDE DOWN AUX DS?

Normal Ring Loop Position
Usually, shuttle tatters position the loop of thread to work a ring around the tips of their fingers

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BUT, since the shuttle thread flip tats the normal working end and is direct tatted upon by the AUX thread, the shuttle thread needs to be free sometimes and held under tension sometimes (and alternately!)

Maltese Ring Loop Position and How to Tension the Shuttle End, As Needed
Position the loop to make normal ring DS further toward the palm of the hand, so you can leave it on your hand all the time.
When working direct tatted AUX DS, wrap and lock the shuttle thread around your hand as you would to make a chain.

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Forming the AUX DS Upside Down
Use exactly the same motions of forming the second half of a normal DS without flipping it,
which I refer to as the DOWN move because the AUX thread first goes DOWN over the shuttle thread.
Follow with exactly the same motions of forming the first half of a normal DS without flipping it, which I refer to as the UP move because the AUX thread first goes UP under the shuttle thread.
This is exactly like split ring tatting. The cap is at the bottom of the DS instead of the top.

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]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?122-Maltese-Rings-Working-an-Added-Thread-Inside-the-Normal-Ring Current Obsession~Part Deux: Rings and Multiple Working Threads http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?121-Current-Obsession-Part-Deux-Rings-and-Multiple-Working-Threads Fri, 09 May 2008 13:04:00 GMT The first part of this discussion Pearl Tatting (http://etatters.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1974032%3ABlogPost%3A4459) was about multiple working... The first part of this discussion Pearl Tatting was about multiple working threads on a chain. Now it's time to look at rings and multiple working threads. Since rings use both ends of the same piece of thread (making it difficult to count threads), I will use the term AUX to indicate when I am working with the thread that is not involved in actually creating the ring.

Maltese Rings

Maltese Rings are worked with an AUX working thread which ALWAYS works direct Tatting (NOT flipped). The normal ring thread and the AUX thread alternate working DS on the same shuttle thread.

The AUX thread in Maltese Rings is a little monkey of a thread. It can hang DS upside down (caps DOWN) or rightside up (caps UP) on the shuttle thread and throw off rings with abandon. When the AUX DS are rightside up, the AUX thread can also arrange its picots BEHIND, IN FRONT OF, or ENTWINED with the normal ring picots.

Maltese Examples

In all of these examples, the light thread is the normal ring thread and the dark thread is the AUX thread.

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A ring worked with an AUX thread forming direct tatted DS BELOW the shuttle thread (upside down). This is the closest Maltese Ring technique to Pearl Tatting because the AUX DS are upside down (caps DOWN) on the shuttle thread. When the AUX thread is working BELOW, the AUX picots are independent of the picots of the normal ring.

Moving around the ring from the bottom, ring DS and AUX DS alternate, first without picots, next with picots. The top of the ring shows AUX victorian sets alternating with ring DS and picots. Also shown is a ring thrown off from the AUX thread.

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A ring worked with an AUX thread forming direct tatted DS ABOVE the shuttle thread (rightside up) . The AUX picots are all BEHIND the ring picots. Note that the AUX picots are offset from the ring picots, an effect of alternating ring and AUX DS.

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A ring worked with an AUX thread forming direct tatted DS ABOVE the shuttle thread (rightside up) . The AUX picots are all IN FRONT OF the ring picots.

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A ring worked with an AUX thread forming direct tatted DS ABOVE the shuttle thread (rightside up) . The AUX picots are all ENTWINED with the ring picots.

Daisy Picot Rings

Daisy Picot Rings are worked with an AUX working thread which ALWAYS works direct Tatting (NOT flipped). The difference between Maltese Rings and Daisy Picot Rings is that the AUX thread in Daisy Picot Rings is direct tatted on the ring working thread and not on the shuttle thread.

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This is getting very long! Instructions on how to make Maltese and Daisy Picot Rings in the next blog entry! ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?121-Current-Obsession-Part-Deux-Rings-and-Multiple-Working-Threads Pattern for my Avatar http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?120-Pattern-for-my-Avatar Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:59:00 GMT Attachment 4229 (http://www.intatters.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4229) Attachment 4230... Click image for larger version.  Name: 50cropsq..jpg  Views: 84  Size: 20.7 KB  ID: 4229

DoubleRingsandHea.doc ]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?120-Pattern-for-my-Avatar Current Obsession ~ Multiple Working Threads (Pearl Tatting) http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?119-Current-Obsession-Multiple-Working-Threads-(Pearl-Tatting) Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:56:00 GMT The whole thing started out when I THOUGHT I knew what pearl tatting is. Well, I do, what I didn't know is that there are other similar, related techniques; which are Maltese Rings and Daisy Picot Rings.
What all three techniques share is the use of more than one working thread (the thread that actually becomes the DS knots).
Pearl Tatting is easiest to see what is happening.
Tie 3 threads together, hold the knot in the pinch.
The most unusual thing to remember about Pearl Tatting is that the DS are worked alternately Working Thread 1 makes one or more DS, then Working Thread 2 makes one or more DS. Picots or beads can be added to either or both sides of the tatting. The number of stitches do not have to be exactly the same on the top and the bottom of the core thread.
With the core thread and working thread 1, work a DS as for a chain.
If the Pearl Tatting is the beginning of the work, the Working thread 1 DS can be front side tatted, otherwise, choose front side or back side tatting as appropriate.
Stop.
Now you have a choice of how to proceed
A. Flip the work over so Working Thread 2 is in position to be worked as a chain. The DS should be worked reverse of how Working Thread 1 was worked. If Wkg 1 is front side, then Wkg 2 is back side or vice versa. To return to Wkg 1, reverse the flip to prevent tangling your threads.
B. Anchor the core thread and work Wkg 2 in direct tatting (also known as encapsulation, or the same as the DS on the unflipped side of a split ring.) This has the benefit of leaving the tatting in the same position all the time.


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The worked example has a pattern of
Wkg 1 = 2 DS
Wkg 2 = 2 DS
Final word. In my opinion, Pearl Tatting is much improved if multiple core threads are used to pad the work. A padded core is much easier to work like option A above, except that instead of normal tatting, both sides are direct tatted.

]]> PattyD http://www.intatters.com/entry.php?119-Current-Obsession-Multiple-Working-Threads-(Pearl-Tatting)