Hand dyed "Knitty Gritty"

 

The autumn leaves on the left side of the photo montage were seen during a recent visit to the Boerner Botanical Garden in Milwaukee County Parks. Immediately the thought occurred to me, "Those are 'Knitty Gritty' colors!" So, a fresh batch has been added to my Etsy shop.

Another project that I've been working on the last few weeks will become a new original doily pattern. Well, actually it's a motif pattern that can be repeated and arranged to become a doily or a larger item. For now, just a teaser photo of the work in progress. The pattern will be a bit challenging, however rest assured there are no split rings or Catherine Wheel joins in it! I've already begun the diagramming, so probably it'll be ready within a few weeks.

More Tatting Added to the Jacket

 Using the medium shade of green thread left over from the center leaves (plus yellow and orange), I made up the 1st long floral side motif as I went along. Then, I used the finished piece as a guide for tatting the 2nd motif to match. The techniques included are encapsulation, daisy picot, Josephine rings, and a little bit of spiral chain near the bottom.

After pinning the tatting in place I sewed it on using white thread to match the jacket. 

For the jacket lapel, I wanted a 3 dimensional button look, so I sewed around the center of the flowers only, leaving the petals free. Pattern is Double Flower Celtic.

Butterflies on the shoulder. Pattern is Flutterby Heart.

I'm already happy to wear the jacket as it is. But it will continue to be a work in progress.