Tatting for the Fall Fair? What should I tat?

[trampledbygeese]

I got the list of categories for the local Fall fair. I usually enter the spinning and sometimes the knitting category. There are lots of different kinds of things we can enter. Hand spun singles out of local materials, plied yarns, plied yarns out of local fleece...small woven object, large woven object, small woven clothing, ....The descriptions are very specific for most categories except for the tatting.

One section titled 'Tatting and Lace Making' has the categories:
18-B-119 Tatting, any article
18-B-120 Hairpin, bobbin, or needle lace, any article

Since I want to enter something into the tatting section, I was wondering what you think would be good? I don't enter to win, but rather I want to enter a tatted object that would make people curious about the craft.

I don't know if it means something with tatting like a handkerchief or something just tatting, so I think I had best stick with the latter. Any thoughts on a pattern? Something simple to do but with a good effect. Preferably with clean lines and maybe not a doily. I'm not big on those.

Thoughts?

[PattyD]

Something to stop visitors to the fair in their tracks! The thing that keeps coming to mind is TotusMel's mask. It's 3D and in black thread it would get attention! Another possibility is something celtic. That usually gets a lot of attention.

[carolivy]

Oh yes...Yarnplayer's Jubiloso would be great!

[gahorsley]

sounds daunting! I'm like you and would love to enter something in our fair, but don't have any idea what, and am always past the deadline to enter!!! good luck!

[Kersti]

I entered Pam Palmer's dragon in the Royal Melbourne Agricultural Show many years back - I did him in muted green with green filament thread, with blue wings using silver filament and the red and orange with gold filaments for the flames. I attached to black felt and framed. My result was a highly commended, which I'm told is the first time they'd given anything to a non-white/ecru piece.

[soyloquesoy]

That sounds great Kersti - do you happen to have photos of that dragon?

[Kersti]

Can't find any of the photos, will ask Mum to take some as it's now homed with her

[trampledbygeese]

Oh yes...Yarnplayer's Jubiloso would be great!

I know that one. I don't know if it's in my skill level but I could give it a try.
I can't find my bookmark of it though. Does anyone have the link?

[MercyPres]

I know that one. I don't know if it's in my skill level but I could give it a try.
I can't find my bookmark of it though. Does anyone have the link?

Yarnplayers blog
http://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/
Yarnplayers Etsy Shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/yarnplayer
Juiloso post at Yarnplayers
http://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/search?q=Jubiloso

[trampledbygeese]

Dragons are tempting but I think I'll make this mask for this year's fair. I have so many other projects on the go (right now I'm spinning the thread (silk and cotton) to weave a handkerchief and tat an edging for it to enter as a small handspun article - 'though I don't know if I should tat the edge out of cotton, silk, or a thread with a ply of each) that I'm not certain I could afford the time necessary to do a dragon justice. I wouldn't mind making it for next year.

I'm wondering what thread should I use for the mask? Can anyone suggest some? I almost wonder if there is some hand dyed, semi-solid, blue and black thread out there. Something reminiscent of Van Gogh's night sky without the stars? I'm keen on subtle colours. Preferably from a Canadian source or someone who doesn't charge a ridiculous amount to ship here. I would like something with either linen, cotton,or silk or perhaps a combination of some of those.

I haven't shopped for tatting thread before so any expert advice would be appreciated. Also, I don't know what size thread would be appropriate.