After several tries "Holly's Heart"

 

When I saw the original vintage photo on Ribbonwinners and the lovely pattern redesign by Lily Morales I decided to give it a try.

Although both the written pattern and diagrams are extremely well done, for some reason I just couldn't wrap my little brain around it enough to be able to follow it. I was ready to give up, but then took a look at the vintage original another way. 

The center is simply square blocks stacked up. 

They're turned at an angle to form the basic shape. 

Additional triangles fill in the gaps to make the heart shape. 

Since I do understand how to "climb out" using split rings, I decided to tat a row of blocks. And then "climbed out" to tat another row of blocks. I was able to finish the heart by taking a section at a time, in 3 sections. So, 3 sets of tails to sew in, not as clever as Lily's method which leaves only 1 set of tails, but I'm happy just to have been able to finish the heart! ♥

The winner of the "Goody Good Giveaway"

 

The winner is Julie! 

Thank you to everyone who entered, and I enjoyed reading your comments! Such fun! ♥

Goody Good Giveaway!

Giveaway!

This giveaway package includes:

• An assortment of hand dyed thread
• Tatted white collar 
• Tatted red earrings 
• Book "Artistry In Thread" by Helma Siepmann

To enter, leave one comment on this post. 

Be sure there's a way for me to contact you if you win, either a blog I.D. or an email address.

Readers of this blog from outside of the U.S.A. are welcome to enter this giveaway - but - please be aware that even though I'll mark the package as gift, sometimes customs fees may still be charged. 

I'll choose the winner on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 using a random number generator.

Tatting a Catherine Wheel Join from the back side

Here's the demo I did showing the tatting technique of the Catherine Wheel Join (CWJ) from the back side. 

The reason for doing it that way would be if the project was being tatted "front side, back side" and the CWJ was on the back side, and if you really wanted the smooth curving chains having an unbroken line of double stitches showing on the front side. So, probably rarely used, but there was interest so I made this video!

It's really just like the normal (front side) method of the CWJ, but reversed. Up where there was down, etc.

YouTube told me that my first CWJ video (the "front side" one) was made 10 years ago. Great Scott! Has it really been that long?

Knit sweater progress and CWJ thinking

The sweater has reached the stage of stitch holders for the front sections while continuing to knit the back. In the photo it's with some new fabric that I purchased to sew a skirt. Included is the Shell Pendant from my Craftsy class and here's the reason I have it out (other than it coincidently does look good with the future ensemble!)

Someone asked for instructions on tatting the shell so that it would face the opposite way. Well, the easiest is simply to tat it as written, then turn it over - but then it's back side up (which most people wouldn't really notice) but we tatters do notice the details, do we not?

So mostly, "back side" up tatting means making the double stitches in reverse order (2nd half first, 1st half second) but then we reach the Catherine Wheel Joins (CWJ) on the smooth outer curve. A recent search of the Internet didn't turn up instructions for tatting CWJ from the back side, so I guess I'll need to do a video of it myself. Let me know if someone else does have a tutorial for "Back side" CWJ! Anyway, it's been added to the to-do list.

Weaving has not progressed very far but here's a photo for those interested.

It's quite jazzy with all the colors and pattern jumbled up together; I like it! Also it's giving me more ideas!

On an unrelated note - literally a music note - I just found out the musician's concert seating for the December 1st concert of the community orchestra I play cello in. I've been assigned to first stand! (The first row of cellos nearest the conductor.) So, it means I had better not skimp on the practicing!!! Ah well, all this excitement keeps my mind occupied with good things.