Friday, June 26, 2009

"Beguile" bracelet with spiral in hand dyed thread

I discovered that a bead could be in the center of a spiral shape. I started out sort of like a mock ring with bead in center. Then I continued a chain around in a spiral shape - I think the shape might properly be called an "Onion Ring" or "Catherine Wheel", but, busy as I've been, I haven't taken the time to research it.

I did use Catherine Wheel joins to very small picots, to keep the lines of the spiral shape smooth. Debbie Arnold of DS9Designs has prepared excellent directions for how to do the Catherine Wheel join - scroll down to the bottom of her page to find the link to her well-illustrated pdf file. I think there are more instructions for this technique prepared by other tatters, this just happens to be one link I had handy.
Something that confused me when I was learning this join was, "Which thread do I pull first?!" It's the thread that's coming from the chain! Pull till it "pops" through. Then a "hump" appears. Next pull the "hump"! That's when the first half of a double stitch appears, and then the rest is easy.
Anyway, I am thrilled with the effect given by the multicolored HDT in the spiral shape!

I finished the bracelet with tatted rings and chains in a coordinating solid, strung with pink beads to pick up the pink in the multicolored thread. By the way, I am currently working on dyeing more of this colorway I call "Vibrato", along with some of the solid blue as well.

18 comments:

Unknown said...

That is very cool! I love the spiral shape and the bead in the center. I can see how CW joins are a perfect technique for this kind of design! Very pretty! Love the colors, too! :)

Donnelly said...

This is beautiful! I aspire to tat the way you do. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.

Marilee Rockley said...

TattingChic, you are right, the CW join is perfect for spirals.

Donnelly, thank you very much for the nice compliment :-)
All I really do with tatting is just have fun seeing "what if". It's wonderful how the Internet provides opportunities to share creative ideas.

Sally Kerson said...

The bracelets are getting better and better, you are so clever.

Yorkie Sue's Tatting said...

well Marilee - It is sooo beautiful, how could I resist it??? It was shouting my name LOL
My solstice treat... (Big grin)
Love, light and Peace
Sue H

Fox said...

Ohhhh, very pretty - and it looks like such fun to tat! Lovely work you do! : ) Fox

Vinnie said...

Your bracelets are so charming!
Love the colors.
The Midnight oil HDT is lovely.

connie said...

Marilee
I liked the first example of this bracelet,but this one is just JUICY.
Thanks for sharing this with us.

Tattycat said...

Absolutely stunning!

Unknown said...

I LOVE it Marilee. The combination of the design and the HDT make it outstanding.

Gunhild said...

Beautiful! Love your idea with the pearl tatting flowers at the border and the spiral! Thanks for sharing!
Happy tatting ;-)
Guni

Marilee Rockley said...

So many wonderful comments! Thank you all so much!
Looks like this design is a keeper:-)
I will work on preparing the pattern.

Valerie said...

oh it's GORGEOUS! love the new bracelet with onion rings and bead in the centre. you are always provide fantastic inspiration. congrats on a job well done on this one!

Gina said...

I really like the way you've added a bead in the center of the spiral.

Tatskool said...

The bracelet and the colours are beautiful. Must learn the catherine wheel join! We all wait for the pattern with baited breath!

tattrldy said...

Very Pretty! It looks just great! You come up with such wonderful designs - keep it up!

Carol Schockling Lawecki said...

Wow Marilee, I love how this spiral bracelet turned out. Will you offer the pattern on ETSY? This HDT colorway has got to be my favorite so far. I will be watching for it in your shop. :)

Umintsuru said...

Really pretty bracelet. Exceptional colour. Did you mention the HDT you used? I must get it if I have not done so.