Tatting with gears and bobbin lace progress

 

From my "High Gear" pattern

This pair of earrings was tatted from Liz Metallic thread size 20, color number 311. I made several short videos while tatting this pair. Three of them are on my TikTok profile, and I just added a one minute video demonstrating a self-closing mock ring around a bead to YouTube as a short. The earrings have been listed in my Etsy Shop, and the pattern "High Gear" has been there awhile.

There has been some progress in my new hobby of bobbin lace. The pattern that I'm working on now is by Jenny Brandis. She has many instructional videos on YouTube and a lovely Etsy shop as well.

My first attempt at a Jenny Brandis bobbin lace pattern

I've removed some of the pins in the lace already completed to better see how the colors are interacting with the pattern. Mind you, I was really clueless about what would happen with the colors when I started. They didn't stay neatly in place like the simpler pattern that I tried in my previous post. But, now that I can see the color mixing it's like a painting! I love it! 

I'm using mainly size 40 Lizbeth and some of my hand dyed thread. This is thicker than the recommended thread for the pattern, so I enlarged the pattern to 115% and it seems that's about right. Jenny Brandis includes a lot of helpful information with her patterns, so that's how I learned about resizing the pattern to fit the thread.

Okay, so now I also do bobbin lace

 

Pattern is by GaliciaBee

The pattern is by GaliciaBee and it's so pretty and good for beginners. She also does videos! 

My current work under the pins is from one of her beautiful thread kits. I added some Lizbeth metallic size 20 to it, and I'm loving the combination.

I still do tatting also! Currently I'm in the process of writing up my version of the "Victory" necklace. Eventually I hope to offer my version of the pattern in my Etsy shop.

The jacket again, with clover edging

 

The clover edging that I'd been tatting has now made its way onto the front of the white jeans jacket. The edging pattern and my video demo tatting it is on YouTube HERE.

The back of the jacket features a pair of wings at the top, pattern is from FairyLaceAndMore.

 The circular pattern in the center surrounded by tatted leaves is from a public domain vintage book that's available as a free instant download from the Antique Pattern Library: Priscilla Tatting Book no. 3. 

The floral edgings on the sides are a "make it up as you go" design. I tatted one, then used what I'd done as a pattern for the 2nd side.

The triangular design at the bottom is from my own "Daylily Dance" pattern, which I have for sale as an instant download in my Etsy shop.

Tatted lace "Phoenix" necklace

 

Tatted lace necklace from "Phoenix" pattern in dark ecru and shaded greens.

For this necklace I chose size 20 Lizbeth thread in the color number 693 "Linen Medium", and some of my hand dyed from the "Pond" batch, also size 20. 

The 3 round center beads are size 4mm, and the seed beads size 15/0. The bottom center dangle is an 8mm bead. The tatted motif measures about 6 inches (15 cm) across. This is a smaller, more delicate lace necklace than the same pattern tatted in size 10 Lizbeth (see the bottom photo for a size comparison). With size 10, larger beads are required. 

The "Phoenix" pattern is my own original, and is available for purchase as an instant download from my Etsy shop HERE. The pattern also includes a smaller, slightly simpler version as well.

A join between beads in a tatted ring.

The "Phoenix" necklace in progress.

Size comparison:
"Phoenix" necklaces (blue on top, then the orange and red) tatted in size 10 Lizbeth thread.
Bottom necklace in size 20 Lizbeth from the same pattern. 

Vintage letter "B" made easier, or perhaps not!

 

The tatted alphabet in Priscilla Tatting Book No. 2, published 1915 has instructions in paragraphs so densely packed that it is hard to figure out. 

Here are my 21st Century "hacks" to make it easier... or perhaps I've made it worse! I'm only going to give instructions for the letter "B", but all the letters are combinations of similar elements. So here we go!

This project is mostly chains. For shuttle tatting only 1 to 2 yards on the shuttle and leave attached to the ball.

Begin at the top of the straight side of letter "B". R 2-2-2-2-2-2, close ring, RW.

Ch 7, 2 first halves, drop picot, 2 second halves. (It's simpler to write the same instructions this way: Ch 8, drop picot. The 2 second halves count as the first double stitch in the next set of Ch 8. I hope this makes sense.) The original instructions do not have a drop picot. They did a join at that area by wrapping the thread around the chain, like what we would call an "alligator join".  

Ch 8, drop picot, then normal picot.

Ch 10, drop picot, Ch 10. Tighten a little, but keep the chain straight. RW (turn work to go back).

Bottom ring: R 2-2-2-2-2-2, close ring.

[Ch 4-4-4. Lock join to next drop picot.] 2 times.

Ch 4-4. Lock join to next drop picot. Ch 4-4. Wrap thread below 1st ring, turning ring to face front side up.

Ch 9-9-10-8+(lock join to picot of 1st chain) 8+(normal join to previous chain) 11-12-12.

Wrap thread around bottom ring. RW. 

For front side, back side tatting, tat the following row "back side".

Ch 4-4-4. Lock join. Ch 4-4-4-4. Lock join.

Ch 4-4-4. Lock join to picot joining previous chain.

[Ch 4-4-4. Lock join.] 3 times.

Tie threads around top ring, hide ends, and cut.

Here is a sign I made using tatted letters. It says "Beach" to remind me that I live only a few miles from a beach!

The winner!

 

The winner of the giveaway is Melissa! Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful comments on my previous post. 

Published in Belle Armoire Jewelry!

 In today's mail I received a lovely surprise! The issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine with my own wire-wrapped tatted pendant article in it!

The issue is Summer 2023. It will arrive on news stands around June 1, 2023. 

Because I'm a subscriber to the magazine, I received 2 copies in the mail: my subscription plus a complimentary copy for being published. So, I have 1 copy to give away!

Giveaway!!! Open to residents of the USA only (because of shipping costs).

To be entered in the giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post before May 20, 2023.

I'll choose one winner on Saturday, May 20th and contact the winner (so please leave some contact info in your comment). This giveaway includes some hand dyed thread samples along with the magazine. ☺

Tatted Link Earrings

 

I've made a video demo and posted it on YouTube.

Short clips from the video are also on Instagram and TikTok. It's a very simple pattern, and here's the diagram:

The following photos list the supplies that I used:

An example of the 20mm links used:  https://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/H205131FY

Short story: I happened to be wearing a pair of these earrings while hiking on the Hank Aaron Nature Trail in Milwaukee. I passed a group of teenage students on a field trip there, and one of them said, "I like your earrings!"

That made my day and inspired me to put the tutorial online. I hope you'll enjoy!

Celtic Triangle Necklace pattern

This pattern is now available from my Etsy shop. 

Tatting techniques used include ring, picot, chain, join, Catherine Wheel join, bead picot, and floating ring. It's written from the shuttle tatting point of view, since that's what I do, but the pattern should be do-able for needle tatters as well, and they wouldn't even need a Celtic shuttle!

The center part of this pattern is a demonstration in one of my video lessons on Craftsy, in the "Next Steps In Shuttle Tatting" course. But, the extensions on the sides and bottom are new, and since so many people asked how to do this version of the motif it is now written as a pattern with stitch count photographs, written directions in English and several in-progress photographs.

 Be aware that this finished motif does require three 7mm jump rings to hold the parts together to keep it stable, otherwise the tatted extensions would just flop around loosely. That's one of the reasons that I hesitated in offering this version as a pattern. But, the jump rings do give it a rustic appearance and are decorative. I used Vintaj natural brass roped cable jump rings on the model, but any kind can be used as long as they're the correct size.

I finished the pattern model with 2.4mm cable chain, smaller 6mm jump rings to fit the chain, lobster style clasp, and extender chain. Of course it can be finished in many other ways, tatted in many colors, and I'm looking forward to seeing the creativity of others using this pattern!

Updated "Quadrille" earring pattern

 

My original "Quadrille" pattern had been in my Etsy shop since 2009. I think it was the first pattern that I put there, 1 page with only one picture and written instructions. Time for an upgrade!

The new pattern has the same written instructions, so it's simply the very same pattern, but it is now 4 pages and I have added over 14 in-progress photos! Still the same price, only $2 USD.

Saturday morning update: Quadrille on Etsy now includes both the new 4 page pattern and the original 1 page pattern files for instant download.

Some Celtic necklaces and tatting plus wire earrings

 

Celtic Triangle necklace. I started with the Celtic Triangle Pendant taught in my "Next Steps In Shuttle Tatting" course on Craftsy, then added on to make the necklace. 

More about this shamrock pattern on this page.

I was talked into making these earrings! Making a pair of anything is twice the work of one item, plus they're expected to match or at least "go together". Also smaller so more difficult than a pendant. But pretty, aren't they?

Another person talked me into making these! But she bought me lunch and paid more than I asked, so that worked out better than expected! Wire in these is gold filled, which I hardly ever use, it's pricey!

Spring is "progressing" slowly with many steps back into winter. Just how it always is in my corner of Wisconsin.

But I have crocuses blooming!

700 words later

 

Tatting and wire pendant

In times past, I would have saved the following announcement as a surprise, but oh well, you wonderful blog readers will find out early! My pendant will be featured in the June 2023 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry! 

I submitted my pendant in January, according to the instructions that appear in the back pages of each issue. A few days ago I received a notice from their senior managing editor saying that my piece has been chosen for a spotlight in the June issue. That includes a full page photo of the jewelry along with a one page article. So I was asked to write an article about my technique and materials in general (not a detailed step-by-step) for which I'll receive a monetary compensation.

Okay, so I just finished writing about 700 words! 

Well, that's enough writing for today - just wanted to share the excitement!

Cadenza collar

 

Original tatting pattern, "Cadenza". 

Cadenza!

Today I put my new pattern "Cadenza" collar into my Etsy shop. I chose to call it "Cadenza" because that word means a virtuoso solo passage in music, and this pattern is challenging, also. The design is basically the same as the collar shown in my previous blog post, but improved to lie better around the neck. The white collar shown was tatted in size 10 Lizbeth thread.

For the black and purple collar, I used size 20 Lizbeth thread. The result is a smaller, daintier collar, only 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length but with a longer extender chain at the back still fits an adult. I chose to tat it in 2 colors to show how different the same pattern can look!

Techniques used are ring, chain, join, lock join, node stitch (also known as Victorian sets), alligator join. Node stitch is simply 2 first halves of a double stitch followed by 2 second halves, completing one set. In the diagram for the pattern, I used gray numbers to indicate sets, and black numbers for double stitches. There are written directions also, so I made it as clear as I could.

What I feel is the trickiest part of tatting this design is the large rings used in the center motif. But, it is easier to manage by making a very large working circle to tat the ring, and wrapping the excess thread around little finger until needed. That way, more thread doesn't need to be pulled through the double stitches to enlarge the working circle as often.

Here are the 2 collars side by side, comparing size 10 thread (white) and size 20 thread (black and purple). 

The new tatted collar

 

For several weeks I've been obsessed with designing a new collar, and here are pictures of the result. I'm mostly happy with it. The one thing I want to change is how it lays around the neck, to be a bit looser fitting without causing the 2 front points to overlap. But, that should be do-able, now that there's physical piece of work as a starting point.

I made a 1 minute video for TikTok and Instagram showing some of the process (very edited for fast speed), with music added from Wednesday plays cello "Paint It Black". 

Well, now that's out of my system, time to get back to hand dyeing thread! Next batch coming is expected to be "Mardi Gras".