Friday, May 24, 2013

Tatted "atoms"

 Handmade lace, beads, and science. All cool stuff.

When tatting a 6 shuttle pattern like my "atom", that's when the lesser used shuttles in a tatter's collection feel needed :)

The reason for 6 shuttles, is to allow the "orbits" of the "electrons" to cross over each other. Each orbital path is tatted as a separate chain. Only 1 pair of shuttles is in use at any one time. To minimize tangling, I've learned to keep the threads not in current use wound up onto their shuttles. I hadn't yet learned that trick at the time when I wrote up the pattern :)

The "atom" pattern is definitely not for beginners, but experienced tatters may enjoy the challenge. It's in my Up and Tat 'Em book.

By the way, it's supposed to be a Lithium atom.



11 comments:

Randi said...

While this is not a 'beginner' project, it is quite do-able. It was great fun to do as a Christmas ornament for my physicist brother.
Thank you for this design!

God's Kid said...

That is still one of my favorite patterns you created and I can't wait to get the chance to actually try it!!! :)
Yours all look so wonderful!! :)

Ladytats said...

Very nice. Your skill is inspiring

Jane McLellan said...

Stunning!

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

I guess I should pay more attention to this pattern. Six shuttles doesn't seem so bad after knitting socks with 5 needles, and I have a few shuttles that need to feel loved. Maybe when school gets out...

Margarets designer cards said...

Lovely pattern, six shuttles well I have knitted with five for a tablecloth or large doily so I expect it will be fun to try the pattern.
Margaret

StringyDogs said...

Heaven knows, we need more Lithium around. :-) Thanks for all your patterns and sharing your skills!

Lady Jane said...

Now this is just beautiful... Very simple but elegant....

eadochniak@gmail.com said...

I love it! I've seen this before (ofcourse with your name - and your name was one of not many I remembered and which are connected with tatting) and I fallen in love with it at first sight :)

Unknown said...

but you have an electron on each orbit ring, and thats not lithium =) Lithium has 2 on one and one on one, and nothing on the outer. I love this ...

Marilee Rockley said...

@Iti, thank you, that's a cool science fact to know!