Saturday, June 27, 2015

Remembrance Tatted Ring Video


In response to popular demand, I've made a video of tatting the "Remembrance" ring. Hope this helps to clarify how it goes together. I used size 20 thread, which is a little difficult to see well on camera, but that's the thread size I use for these rings. Oh, and you can download the free PDF pattern HERE.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Vintage pattern reversing chains

 One of my Etsy customers had a question about a vintage pattern from "Old and New Designs in Tatting" by LaCroix, Sophie T., c.1910. The pattern #1143 is very pretty, easy to tat but a little hard to get started and explain. I gave it a try in my "Pansy" hand dyed thread, and had to think for awhile before I figured out how to do it. The picture in the book has the lace turned the opposite way from how it is seen while tatting it, so that made it seem difficult. Also the written pattern has mistakes. So, here is my version:
 R 4 - 4 - 4 - 4. Reverse work.
Ch 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4. Reverse work.
     
    *R 4 - 4 - 4 - 4. Turn only the ring over. Bring the ball thread up into position to tat the following chain.
Ch 4 + 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 (joining first picot of chain to middle picot of previous ring). Reverse work.

Continue in the same way from * for length desired. End by tying the end of the last chain to the middle picot of the last ring.
The reason I didn't do a "shoelace trick" at the base of the ring is because the thread positions do not need to be crossed or switched there, only the ball thread needs to be brought up so that the chain can proceed in the reversing direction. That was what seemed right to me, at any rate. The reversing point between the chains does not lie perfectly flat when using ball and 1 shuttle, but is sufficient. It could be made perfectly flat by using 2 shuttles, but a description of the 2 shuttle version will have to wait for another time.

Trip coming up! Sunday, June 21, I'll be leaving on a jet plane to travel to Denver, Colorado. I'll be teaching a class there for a few days. So, Friday, June 19 I will de-activate most of my Etsy shop except for the instant download patterns, since I won't be home to do any shipping. I'll re-activate the rest of my shop by June 26.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Flash sale with coupon code


Rarely do I ever have a sale, so this is the opportunity you've been waiting for! Just enter the Coupon Code:

JUNE15

into the coupon code area of the checkout form when making your purchase from my Etsy shop, to receive 15% off! The coupon expires on June 15, so hurry!

The discount is good on any item from my Etsy shop, including digital patterns, books, hand dyed thread, and tatted jewelry. But you need to enter the code JUNE15 at checkout, and it is only good until June 15, 2015.