TattingShuttles

MOTIF #16 - BEADED BOOK MARK

2009-06-08T07:59:00.002+05:30

Here is another beaded bookmark. My foray into tatting with beads is inspired by
Teri. Her work as you can see is awe inspiring.

I've always wondered how to get beads into rings - we usually see beads in picots.
I tried and the result is what you see here.

I got a few beads into the ring. I realised after sliding the beads from the ring thread close to the ds that a length of shuttle thread was bare. So I slid in the same number of beads from the shuttle thread before making the next ds.

Looking at the bookmark now, I wonder if maybe I should have used 1 bead less for the inner ring formed by the shuttle thread.

The pattern itself is very simple - just the basic rings and chains.

I have written down the instructions for working the basic ring and chain with beads - the rest, I am yet to write down.

Ring: 12 beads in ring thread and 12 beads in the shuttle thread.
[1ds, slide 3 beads from the ring thread and 3 beads from the shuttle thread close to the ds, 1ds, p] 3 times, 1 ds. slide 3 beads each from the ring and the shuttle threads close to the ds, p 1ds, close ring, rw - the extra p at the end is to join the chain to the base of the ring when working chains on the other side of the rings.

Chain: 8 beads each in ball and shuttle threads. * 1 ds slide 4 beads each from ball and shuttle threads close to the ds, 1 ds, * p, rep from * to * rw.

BEAD COUNT:
- for 1 ring - 24 beads - 12 in the ring thread and 12 in the shuttle thread.
- for 1 chain - 16 beads - 8 in the ball thread and 8 in the shuttle thread.

Criical comments on this pattern, and any pointing out of mistakes will be appreciated.

MOTIF #15

2009-06-03T09:40:00.003+05:30

Motif 15 was supposed to be a earring. Somewhere along the line it evolved into a flower and finally a book mark.

I made it a point this time to write down instructions as I went along.

I worked this motif with 2 shuttles using CTM.

50 beads (36 for the pattern + how many ever for the tail) in SHUTTLE 1.
36 beads (22 for the pattern + how many ever for the tail) in SHUTTLE 2.

RING 1: With SHUTTLE 1 form a ring sliding 3 beads in the ring thread (5ds, slide in a bead and make a picot) 3 times, 5ds close ring. Slide a bead close to the base of the ring just formed.

RING 2: With SHUTTLE 1 form a ring sliding 2 beads in the ring thread 5ds, join to the 3rd picot of the prev. ring, (5ds, 1 picot with a bead in it) 2 times, 5ds close ring. Slide a bead close to the base of the ring just formed.

RINGS 3-5: SAME AS RING 2

RING 6: is a split ring and also the 1st split ring in this design.

SR1 - With SHUTTLE 1, 5ds join to the 3rd picot of Ring 5. 5ds/ SHUTTLE 2 - slide 1 bead close to the base of Ring 1, 5ds, join to the 1st picot of Ring 1, 5ds, close ring.

SR2: With SHUTTLE 1, Slide 6 beads close to the base of SR1. Form a ring sliding 1 bead in the ring thread, 5ds, picot with a bead in it, 5ds / With SHUTTLE 2 Slide 6 beads close to the base of SR1, 5ds picot with a bead in it 5ds, close ring.

SR 3-9: Same as SR2 - slide just 1 bead close to the base of the prev SR instead of 6.

Slide all the remaining beads close to the last SR cut and tie.

NOTE: For each extra SR with beads you need 2 extra beads on each Shuttle. While you should have a bead in the ring thread for the first half of the SR, the bead remains in the shuttle thread itsel for the second half.

MOTIF #14

2008-12-25T10:33:00.000+05:30

This motif is from the book "Forty Original Designs in Tatting By Nelli Hall Youngbery" downloaded from the Antique pattern library. This is pattern no:26 in the book.

It is obvious that I have to work on joining the various chains neatly to the base of the ring.

The chains in my motif look pretty twisted. Now that I have figured out the instructions, I'll try working the same pattern in a single colour.

MOTIF #13

2008-11-16T10:33:00.001+05:30

Here is motif 13. This mat looked plain. So I have embellished it with a feather stitch border and beads. The motif is from a needlework magazine "Needle And Thread" published by Coats India. This is the only Needlework magazine in India.

MOTIF # 12

2008-06-10T10:23:00.002+05:30

Click on picture to enlarge.

Here is a bookmark I designed. Most of my projects start out as one thing and end up as something else. I started this as a heart in Teri Dusenbury's book Tatting Hearts. I made a mistake and thought I could convert it into an edging. It finally became a bookmark with split rings and beads.

The beading has not turned out as well as I would have liked. I should have added fewer beads for the diamonds and a few more for the hearts. I do hope the hearts look like hearts. The picots to which the beads are attached should have been smaller.

BTW, Teri Dusenbury had a blog Lover's knots
with some wonderfull beaded tatting. Does anybody know whether she has moved it or totally removed it from the web?

MOTIF 11

2008-05-26T09:59:00.001+05:30

I have been trying to make a corner for the edging in Motif 7. I have come up with 2 possibilities.

Here is the first-

And here is the second.

I like the second one. I would like some input on this.

MOTIF #12 IN PROGRESS

2008-04-03T10:21:00.001+05:30

I started this pattern about 6 months ago. I don't remember from where I took it. Probablyt from one of the antique tatting patterns on Public Domain. I have modifies it slightly. But as usually it is not what I wanted. The pattern sems to have ruffled. So I have to redo it.

Wind yarn in two shuttles using CTM.

The Central Ring
SR 1: 5-5-5-5-5/-5 (I think it will look better if I change the 5 to 7)

The next rnd:

{SR 2: 5-5-5/5 r.w.
Chain: 5-5 r.w.
*R1:5+5(join to the first picot of SR2)
Ch: 5-5
R1:5+5(join to the next picot of SR2)
ch:5-7 (using the core thread, lock join to the next picot pof SR2)r.w
Ch of 5 ds. r.w} 1st cluster.
R: 5 + (join to the next p of the 2nd p of the central ring) 5 - 5 -5.
Ch:7+5
Chain of 5ds, join to the free picot of the last chain in the prev cluster. Rep from *

MOTIF #10

2007-11-05T09:57:00.002+05:30

The flower and the leaf are my motif #10. They are actually pieces I discarded because of mistakes. I was going through all my tadded motif, the good pieces and the mistakes I just could not through away. I felt these two would look good tofether and here they are.

MOTIF # 9 - HANKY EDGING

2007-10-31T21:32:00.003+05:30

This edging is my motif #9.

Here are the instructions:

Using ball & shutle thread,
Insert a steel crochet hook through the edge of the hanky, pull the ball thread through the fabric.
* Pass the shuttle thread through the loop and tighten the loop. Now work a ch of 4 ds, 3 p sep by 2 ds, 4 ds.

Insert the hook through the edge of the fabric at a distance of about 3/4 cm in such a way the chain forms a small acrh and pull the ball thread throughthe fabric using a crochet hook as before. Rep from * and work around the hanky.

MOTIF # 8

2007-10-26T21:39:00.002+05:30

I found an interesting tatting pattern with a needlewoven center
here.

The motif I have used here is from one of the books I downloaded from
here.

I don't remember which book. I completed this motif during the first week of August but I somehow never got around to posting it until now.

MOTIF # 7

2007-07-18T21:41:00.002+05:30

This pattern is from the book called "Old and New designs in Tatting - Book 11", Page 5, Pattern 1122.

I downloaded the book free from http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/completelist.htm

The pattern looked like an interesting candidate for split ring tatting.

I am working a hanky edging using this pattern.

I have made a small mistake.

Wondering how to turn when I reach a corner. I'll figure it out by the time I actually reach a corner.

Here is the edging worked in shaded pink in thread size 40.

MOTIF # 6

2007-07-17T21:45:00.002+05:30

So, here is motif # 6.

I wanted to do something simple and challenging. With so much going on about Celtic tatting, I decided to give the basic ring and chain a Celtic twist. This bookmark is the result.

I worked this pattern using 2 balls and 2 shuttles. Putting the balls threads into separate little bags and sealing the ends, leaving just enough space for the thread to pass through, saves time. ( No need to waste time constantly untangling threads.)

I thought placing it on red velvet will look very good. But it looks gaudy.

I am back to good old scanning. The scanned image is on the right.

MOTIF # 5

2007-01-10T21:47:00.002+05:30

This particular seemed to be jinxed. I tried it atleast 5 times and kept making mistakes. I finally gave up and dedicated myself to some housework that was long overdue. I tried again today and included some beads.

The motif is a modified version from the book Tatted hearts. The author's blog is here. The inspiration for the beads in the first round also came from her blog post dated 27th Oct 2006.

I have to try the same motif adding a couple of more sts to the larger ring in the 2nd round and see what happens.

MOTIF # 4

2006-11-25T21:48:00.002+05:30

I found a picture of this motif
here.
This is a yahoo Celtic tatting group. I tried it out and the result is motif # 4. I have also added beads here.
I start out wanting to do one thing, get side-tracked and end up doing something else.

Tatting has reduced my reading time. Thank God!
I want to try out some Irish crochet motifs. And all those pictures of Sharon B's class in progess has me itching to work some embroidery samples. Looks like I have to organise myself if I don't want to be overwhelmed.

MOTIF # 3

2006-11-20T20:04:00.003+05:30

I was wondering how to use beads instead of chains in the drawing I posted yesterday.
Then I saw Sharon's comment. It never occurred to me that I could work the chain last. That meant I did not have to think too much. Just use the beads instead of chains and I could not resist trying it out immediately. So motif #3 turned out differently than intended.

Better write dOWN all the instructions before I forget.

I will use chains in motif #4. I realise that the extra chain will open out the groups at the base. I hope it will form a triangle so I can use it as a corner insertion for a hand towel.

MOTIF # 3

2006-11-19T20:15:00.001+05:30

This motif is a slightly modified version of a DMC pattern. I don't know the name of the book as I have only a couple of pages. The heading one of the pages says Motifs for applique. The page also has the DMC symbol.

I reduced the number of ds in the rings and the number of picots in the chain. As per the original instructions, the pattern is worked in 2 rounds. I used split rings to work this pattern.

The chain between rings 11 and 16 is another change I made. The original pattern has no chain.

I don't like the way the motif looks after I weaved in the ends. I is obvious I need lots more practice. I usually use the ends to sew the motif to fabric.

I want to try out the same motif increasing the number of picots in the rings. maybe that will be Number 4.

MOTIF # 2

2006-11-17T20:17:00.002+05:30

This is my first Celtic Motif. This a Rozella Linden Motif.

Here is my first attempt all wrong mainly because I did not take the time to read the instructions properly - as a result I did not cross over the long chain before joining the 2nd clover. I thought I could somehow adjust it and make it look right. But I could not.

I got it right the second time.

MOTIF #1

2006-11-13T21:33:00.002+05:30

I found the pattern for this motif here.
I have made the pattern with 8 arms instead of the 6 in the pattern. So I can't call this motif a snowflake - all snowflake patterns seem to have only 6 arms.

Split chain is a technique I have never used before. I struggled with it for about ten minutes. It is definitely worth the time.

I have used the same silk thread shown in my previous post. I discovered that apart from the thread being prone to getting cut and the twist unravelling more frequently, the picots have a mind of their own. The shape cannot be manipulated unless of course starched. I will be better off not using this thread for big projects.

On the whole working this motif was fun.

THE 25 MOTIF CHALLENGE

2006-11-12T22:16:00.002+05:30

I have joined The 25 motif Challenge
The challenge is to tat 25 motifs within the next year.
A good opportunity for me to compile lessons for my Advanced Tatting Course.

I usually use Anchor Pearl Cotton for tatting. This time however, I wanted to experiment with a different type of thread. I used what is popularly known here as cone thread.

This,I think is silk thread with a glossy finish. It requires a lot more care and practice to work with this thread as you can see in the picture below. The twist in the thread has unravelled in some of the picots. I tried to close the ring not realising the ring thread was twisted. The ring wouldn't close and I pulled the thread too taught and cut the thread - a pity - a few more rings and I would have completed my first motif for the 25 motif challenge. I wanted to work this motif climbing out of one round and into the next without any cutting and tying - and the thread gets cut right in the middle of a round! Now I'll have to start all over again. But then, this is only a small motif.

I think I'll also work on some Irish Crochet motifs side by side

Tatted Titbits

2006-09-09T22:26:00.001+05:30

I just put down the book "Detective" by Aruthur Hailey. It truly was unputdownable. So I was back to my original self - my time-tables and schedules for a better organised life be damned.

Now when I look around me and see that I have just done the barest essentials like cooking, eating, dishwashing, laundry and read the rest of the time,I curse myself. Work in all shapes and forms has piled up.

Knowing that nobody but me can do my work, why oh why can't I organise my time and put everything into a neat slot? Like a Robo? Oh no! I am a creative eccentric not a robo - I like myself the way I am so let me be.
Hubby says The inner debate will go on maybe forever especially after a stint of blissful reading ignoring all else as unimportant. He believes I was wired that way.

Here are some tatted titbits. The pattern for pink beaded flowers with leaves, is in Reader's Digest's "Complete Guide To Needlework".

And here is a bunch of tatted flowers I did when I first learnt tatting 13 years ago.

Shoe Lace Trick

2006-07-29T11:04:00.001+05:30

Below is square motif in blue tatted the conventional way and the same motif in pink using the Shoe lace Trick.

Cluny Leaf in Tatting

2006-07-08T10:38:00.001+05:30

I finally won my battle with making Cluny leaves. After several failed attempts, I managed to make a cluny leaf that closed right. I even managed this butterfly with 8 cluny leaves in it. Cant’t say they are perfect – each leaf turned out a different size and shape. I told myself that is how it is in nature.

I found the tatting instructions for the butterfly here.
Huh! What language is this? The butterfly was tempting. I just had to try it out. How hard could it be to follow instructions? Art has no language right? RIGHT! I decided to give it a try.

O = is obviously a ring
C = chains
- we know stands for picots and
+ a join
o / = split rings and therefore
c / must be split chains

I copied and pasted the first line of of the pattern page (which I now know is in German) in google search as I did not know the link to this pattern. I found there is an option to translate this page. Hmm... After all the struggle to decipher what the instructions said!

Split rings I know but split chains? A Google search and here is what I found.
Jane Ebroll Split Chain
Split Chain 1.
Split Chain 2.
and I found this interesting link on Knotless Tatting.

Several wrong closings of the Cluny leaf (and a couple of times of pulling the thread so tight that it snapped) later, I went back to check if there is some specific method to close the leaf. There is – I just assumed I knew when I didn’t.

Instructions for making Cluny leaves by hand.

I had to start afresh a couple of times and the result is the butterfly in the picture. I did not leave a length of yarn at the beginning to join fresh yarn for making the split chain and so I decided to cheat. I sewed the butterfly onto the denim base and worked the body in weaving stitch. A Single ring for the head and the butterfly looked natural complete with feelers.

I added a few leaves in weaving stitch, the carpet of grass in detached buttonhole, a few sequins and beads for field flowers. Not too satisfied with the pink beads. So I added a couple of flowers in the same shade and it blended with the yellow of the butterfly. Very few colours are available in pearl cotton. So I decided to try stranded cotton for the flowers. It worked. But I only had two small lengths of yarn (stranded Cotton) in that particular shade of pink and so I compromised on the number of picots in the last ring of both flowers. While I can't say the finished piece is wonderful, it is not so bad either. I might make this the focal point of my first ever CQ block that I plan to do in shades of blue.

Split Ring Tatting

2006-06-15T14:15:00.003+05:30

I made a bookmark in split ring tatting. It is a Jane Eborall pattern

Here is an interesting link on Celtic Tatting