Hand dyed thread "Lake Country" and a peek at a pattern in progress

 

"Lake Country" size 10

"Lake Country" hand embroidery floss

 It reminds me of a colorful autumn day next to a lake. Sort of a rainbow, but without violet.

"Primal" pattern with loop tatted ring in progress

"Primal" pattern with Catherine Wheel join in progress

The original "Primal" necklace from 2013 with a current sample started

I'd totally forgotten about my "Primal" design from this post in 2013 and just found the necklace in my stash recently. Apparently I'd called it "Primal Pods" for a while, but my plan now it to simply call it "Primal", to avoid confusion with my other pattern "Milkweed Pod".

I think one reason I never got around to writing it up is because of the "loop tatted ring"  technique used on the bottom of the necklace. It's tricky (difficult for me!) and so I figured that many people would consider it a turnoff. 

So, my solutions: 

• To practice the technique until I'm competent enough with it to do a demo 
• To include an easier option that gives a similar look with less effort

So, this is the project that I'm working on now. When the pattern is done I plan to add it to my Etsy shop.

New tatting pattern Trixie

 

My new design "Trixie" is done! I've written the pattern for this necklace and earrings set and it's now listed on Etsy as an instant download.

The inspiration for this pattern is from one of my earlier designs "Beatrice" (still available in the book Tatting with Beads Jewelry at Barnes and Noble) which was a more complex design that involved pearl tatting and Catherine Wheel joins. Both of those techniques do not exist in "Trixie", so it is an easier tat. I put in some "front side, back side" directions in the pattern but of course those are a personal choice.

So, there is my first new pattern of the year 2026! I'm happy to have done it.☺

Island Breeze

 

New hand dyed thread batch "Island Breeze" is now listed in my Etsy shop! I'm really pleased how the colors turned out, giving a happy feeling of relaxing in a tropical paradise near a beach while a cool gentle breeze whispers past.

I'm also in the process of writing up a new tatting pattern to add to my shop! It will be a necklace and earring set. Actually inspired by one of my previous designs but changed and simplified from the original, so it is really a new pattern. Hoping to finish it before the end of this month. I'm going to call it "Trixie". ☺

Cuff edging finished on jacket

 The cuff edging is finished! 

I attached the edging to the jacket that I've been decorating with tatting. 

First, I cut off the original cuffs from the sleeves, pressed over a narrow edge, machine sewed that in place, then turned and pressed again for a hem, and finished sewing again by machine. That done, I used a needle and thread to sew the edging on by hand.

The edging did not go all the way around the sleeve opening, leaving a small gap at the back, but I left that open since it's not noticeable and makes the jacket easier to put on. 

I used a pattern from the book "The Tatted Artistry of Teiko Fujito" and size 10 thread in white and light gray.

Jacket decorated with tatting by Marilee Rockley

Jacket decorated with tatting by Marilee Rockley

Sleeve edging in progress

Sleeve edging in progress, from a pattern in the book "The Tatted Artistry of Teiko Fujito". My plan is to alter the sleeves of the white jacket by removing the cuffs, adjusting the sleeve length, and then add the edgings. I plan to take new photos of the jacket when the sleeves are finished.

Jacket decorated with tatting by Marilee Rockley

My work showcased at Boundless 2026

 

My artwork 'Suspension' is now being showcased at Boundless - 2026 exhibition, organized by Exhibizone and powered by @Biafarin platform.

To learn more, please go to:

https://www.exhibizone.com/boundless2026?AW=AW127176824