Slowly but surely :)

[debbielamb]

Still learning to shuttle tat. It is definitely a slow process for me. I think I have watched every youtube video on it there is. Some are very helpful, so I can't even follow, but I am learning and I'm not giving up.

This is a small motif. I found the pattern at http://www.be-stitched.com. However, being that I'm TERRIFIED at the thought of adding thread I closed it when I ran out of thread. So its not actually complete, but my daughter will find use for it with her dolls.

Hints and critique are appreciated. There are mulitple mistakes so if anyone can give hints on not making them I'm more than open for it. I have for new rolls of size 10 Lizbeth I'm itching to open, so I'm off to find a pattern with small ring and small chains and I have a good bit of trouble with large rings at the moment.

Thanks everyone.shuttle1.jpg

[AnneB]

First hint: practice
Second hint: more practice
Third hint: even more practice
Fouth hint:...
I think you have got it by now

I don't see any big mistakes. The picots are not of the same size and a couple are twisted, but that will get better as you get more experience.

In order to get the size of the picots more equal (without using a picot gauge), try to notice how big the space between the double stitches are when making the first picot, then try to make it the same next time.

To avoid twisted picots, let the shuttle dangle every now and then, to remove excess twist. But also remember than every once in a while you might need a twisted picot.

And to remember to join every place you are to join - well, I'd love to be able to tell you that there is a way of doing this, I try to ignore missed joins if I can. But, when you don't need to pay close attention to how to make the stitches, you have more attention to spare for the pattern (there the experience was again).

Happy tatting!

[CrazyKwilter]

It looks lovely! Pat yourself on the back, since most people won't even TRY tatting!
With large rings, try to keep your stitches snugged up together and not all spread out. Before you pull the ring closed, stop and make sure it's all straight with no twists (and count your picots!), then you can pull the core thread and close it up.

Keep up the good work!

[soyloquesoy]

I liked it! I have done that pattern too. I agree 100% with Anne on the technical aspects - and with CrazyKwilter too.

Maybe a word of encouragement about adding thread... it is not too different to hiding ends at the end and tatting over tails at the start...

[xstchntat]

Congrats on making a square pattern from a motif pattern. You are doing great. Like everyone else said practice, practice practice. Practice really is the key to anything new you want to learn. You have come a long way already. You will learn more as you go along. In a few months you will look back on these and really see the progress you have made.

[crazytatter]

I love the threads you used with it. What are they called? keep up the practice.

[Batty Tatter]

That's gotta be Lizbeth "Ocean Sunset" I'm making a bookmark with it now. Very nice.

Years ago, I was taught to start my new thread with a square knot on the back. The back is facing you when you're doing the chains.

[debbielamb]

You have a good eye BatterTatter :)

[RowanFalar]

It looks lovely to me. And as everyone has said, you have to crawl before you walk, walk before you run. And your daughter will love it, I'm sure, just because "Mommy made it!"

[Lynn]

It looks good to me, Debbie. The picot sizes will come with practice. Your overall tension looks pretty good, so now it's a matter of paying closer attention. Don't let adding threads put you off. There's only one way to get past this, and that's to just do it. Set aside a couple of hours in which all you do is practice adding new thread. You'll get it pretty fast, I'm sure. And, as always, post if you really run into a wall.