Monday, May 21, 2018

Simple Filigree Heart pendant in tatting


Free pattern, folks! 

Tatting techniques used are ring, chain, join, and bead picots, with one shuttle and ball thread. Click HERE to download the pattern.


The story behind this pattern: 

I designed it in 2016 to teach at the Bead&Button Show. I intended to make it public after that, then "put it away" and forgot it.

I had finished a pink heart from this same pattern, but apparently never photographed it and I couldn't find the tatted necklace today. But obviously this little heart can be made in any color. The sample shown is in hand dyed "Stardate". The center is a metal filigree, and a link to where to buy that item is included on the pattern. If you don't want to add the metal piece, you could probably just tat a ring with 6 picots to use instead.


The story behind these colors:

I had used the same seed beads on another item and someone asked me this morning what brand and color they were. It took me most of the morning hunting through my "studio" to find that tube of beads, because, naturally, I had "put them away". You know how it is. I made it my goal of the day to find those beads :)

A lengthy search of the Internet showed that I indeed had a "rare" color of seed beads! I'm not sure but they are possibly Miyuki PF484 Winter Green Matte Galvanized. Apparently discontinued, it seems. I bought them at a local bead shop, and planning tomorrow to visit same bead shop to buy out the rest of their stock if they have any left :) Love that color!


I hope you have fun with the pattern in your favorite colors!

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Pattern diagramming is in progress

You probably remember this milkweed pod from last year. I've been working on writing up the pattern for a while now, and although it still isn't even far enough along for me to be able to tat more pods to show, I am making progress.

One of the challenges I have is presenting a 3 dimensional object as a flat diagram that people will be able to follow. What I have so far (which, naturally, I can't show yet!) will work well, I think.

I have accepted the fact that I must write it up for without beads, and with beads. If I left either version out, there'd undoubtedly be some disappointment.

Just so you know, there are a LOT of split rings. Be careful what you wish for!

This'll take a while.