My current method for the Vision earrings

 Since my tatting has "evolved" the reverse work directions in the original "Vision Earrings" pattern found in my book Boutique Tatting do not match what I do now. I hope these step by step pictures help.

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(Instead of joining the top ring to a jump ring while in progress I just tat the ring and add the jump ring later. I've also added one more double stitch to the top ring.)

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(I've tied the threads before tatting the final ring, and tatted over one tail in part of that ring. The tail that remains I sew under some stitches in the previous chain.)

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Dragon and flower and towels and more

 

It was fun making this dragon bookmark designed by GaliciaBee! Her bobbin lace patterns are beginner friendly and are an excellent way to learn basic bobbin lace techniques.

Because I still need step-by-step guidance with bobbin lace, I also purchased GaliciaBee's Dragon 1 Video Course and followed her demonstration while making my dragon. 

Wow, wow, wow!!! I love the tatted flower pattern "Broosh Karen" from FairyLace. I chose colors that remind me of springtime for my brooch. It's a challenging pattern for advanced tatters. This project certainly provides plenty of practice with using a picot gauge. 

These colorful tea towels (aka bar mops, artsy rags) were all woven from the same warp. Finished after 2 years on the loom, since I don't weave very often.

An example showing 2 different brands of thread that were both labeled "size 10". Yes, both in the same pattern (my own "Duchess" necklace from "Boutique Tatting". The green was Hakelgarn brand, the black is Lizbeth. Well, fortunately the pattern still works with the larger thread, though I replaced the 2mm beads with large hole rondelles.

Finished a bracelet from my own "Heart Aglow" pattern in hand dyed thread. This item has been listed for sale in my Etsy shop here.

“Berry Sundae” hand dyed

New hand dyed thread, "Berry Sundae" is now listed in my Etsy shop. The colors were inspired by a lovely berry sundae that I enjoyed recently.

If you've been waiting for my books to go on sale, the time is now. My self-published books (printed only) are currently on sale in my Etsy shop at a discounted price.

Another one of my wire + tatting experiments. I'm keeping this one!

The details: 

I used solid brass wire from Beadaholique in gauges 18, 20, and 28. The Sodalite stone I purchased from a local bead shop. The tatted "flowers" are a mix of my own hand dyed with white and some gray polyester thread. I basically used the same techniques as in this video, only this particular pendant got a little fancier.

For those wanting to learn more about wire weaving, I recommend Dawn Horner's Craftsy class Start Wire Weaving Cabochon Pendants (affiliate link).

PDF ebook versions of both my books

Okay, entering the eBook era now. By popular demand, both of my own tatting pattern books, "Boutique Tatting", and "Up and Tat 'Em", are now available in my Etsy shop as PDF eBooks.

It took me a while to figure out how to get an entire book into one file.

July 5 edit: With Kersti's help, the files have been reduced to a much smaller size, which is easier to download. Yay!

Another tiny peak at doily in progress, and what Vicki did

This is still the same doily that I have been designing using only one shuttle and ball method throughout. (Some celtic interlacing included). I'm sticking to it!

I thought the design needed some small motifs, which necessitate "tie and cut" and ends worked in. I plan on sewing them in using "Lily's Way".

I think the doily will be finished after a few more rounds, yay!

The butterfly in the next photo was tatted by Vicki, and is her interpretation of the "Bedazzled Butterfly" pattern in my book, "Boutique Tatting". I think Vicki did a terrific job! And thanks go to Celtic Dream Weaver for sending the photo.



Dye batch in progress is "Peace".

What Bina did with my "Duchess" pattern

Presented here with Bina's permission, these are two of her creative interpretations of my "Duchess" design (a pattern available in my "Boutique Tatting" book).

Here is what Bina has to say about them:

"Both show how I changed the finding attachment method to the one Nina uses in her Beanile work with the sandwiched rings. Also the segment bridging the second layer using the spiral tatting including the beads, uses 40 size 11 beads per side regardless if they are regular or hex beads. In the mulberry one, I substituted clunys for the victorian sets going in and out of the first round of petals with the large bead between."

I think they're both incredible! I'm so thrilled to know that people can be inspired by my little seeds of ideas to come up with their own fantastic creations. Keep going!

"Bedazzled Butterfly" in white

I call this design "Bedazzled Butterfly", and it is one of the patterns included in my book, "Boutique Tatting".



It is challenging, but some tatters may be happy to know that there are no split rings in the butterfly part of the pattern. I've put some in the neck cord, but that is optional.

My book's done!

Here it is!

"Boutique Tatting"

25 numbered pages, over 60 color photos, hints on working with beads, 11 patterns. Not all of the patterns require beads - 3 don't. There are 4 earrings, 1 pendant, 1 cross bookmark, a snowflake, 1 bracelet, 1 hair ribbon (which could also be a bookmark), and 2 challenging necklaces. There are detailed written instructions, and color photos with stitch counts indicated, but not drawn diagrams. This is a book for people who already know the basics of shuttle tatting. It is a soft cover book, 8.5 by 11 inches, stapled in the center, printed on quality paper.

 Available in my Etsy shop.

Book nearly there

Ok, I know that many of you are anxiously waiting for the book to be done - it's nearly there!

I had not been aware of the many details in preparing a book until I tried to do my own. So I have gained a deeper appreciation for all the hard work done by the authors of books!

The photo is just a "slice" of one necklace that will be included. It is the same one that I was working on in the last post, and I have decided to call this necklace design "Duchess".

Patterns included in the book will be 2 necklaces, 1 pendant, 4 earrings, 1 bracelet, all of which use beads, with hints on working with beads as well. Also some patterns which don't use beads: 1 bookmark, 1 hair ribbon (which could also be a bookmark), and 1 snowflake. There are over 60 color photos! Oh, and the book will be entitled, "Boutique Tatting".

I will get back to hand dyeing thread when the book is put to rest. Next on the dye list, "Sugar Maple"!

Necklace design in progress

This is the first row of a necklace design that I am working on. The beads are pre-strung, and are visible on the shuttles. I am in the process of tatting a string of split rings, and after a few more of those, will turn the work to tat the next row of the necklace. The neck cord will be added after the main area of the necklace is finished.

Hopefully it will turn out nicely enough to include in the book. I am about done with 21 pages, and expect the finished book to be around 28 pages.

"Pizzazz" is back

Bright 'n cheery!

The tatting in the photo is the center started of my "Holly Snowflake" - anyone remember that one? I need to tat it again, because I gave away the original, and the pattern is going into the book!

Just a little tiny peek

It's going to be in the book! It will be a design that should work for three different projects...bracelet, bookmark, or even possibly a hair scrunchie type of thing.

I am truly sorry to have to keep you in suspense - no one wishes more than I do that this book was done already! Oh my, soooo much work! I was wishing it could have been done by now, but I have about 5 or 6 more patterns that I want to put in. The print shop has given a price quote that should result in a reasonably priced book with lots of color photos (I am taking my own photos), so now all that is left is to get done.

"Snowflake" and "Fortune" HDT, and maybe a book title

"Fortune" is another gold, subtly shaded. A darker gold than either of my batches "Golden Glow" or "Golden Fleece". Similar to "Tigereye" but without the dark brown.

"Snowflake" is an idea I want to credit Tatty Patty, one of my Etsy buyers with. She asked if I could dye some thread with color inspiration coming from this snowflake photo site.
I did my best to come up with something that would give give an impression of being "cool like ice".

As far as progress on my book goes, I think I may have come up with a title!
How's "Boutique Tatting" sound to you? It's all small items that would make good gifts, things you'd be delighted to find in a boutique. Some is jewelry, but there will be other treasures as well. Not all items will require beads. Of course I will feature my own HDT in the photos, but they would also look lovely tatted in white.

I am finishing up the 5th pattern so far. It's the most challenging that will appear in it, and takes up a whopping 5 pages of instruction in itself. I'm still tatting the model for the photo. I'm making it as a necklace, but the neck cord could be left off for a motif suitable for framing, sewing to a garment, etc. Most of the other patterns will need only one page. I am including my own hints on how I work with beads. So, some progress is slowly being made!

Just a peak, an award, and a tag

First of all I want to thank TattingChic for thinking of me for an award, and Barbara for including me in her friendly game of tag.

As much as I appreciate the thought, I'm going to have to take the disclaimer clause as a way out of both of these honors. I really am working hard, trying to get my pattern book done! Photo above is just a peak at a detail from a pattern I will be including.

I also have a couple of interesting colorways for HDT that were custom ordered, so I am getting those underway as well - you'll be seeing those soon. Just a hint...one of them will make you feel cooler, and the other will make you feel rich!

Starting from the top

This is a peak at something that I hope to add to the little pattern book that I'm working on. I wanted the threads to come out of the top of the item. Starting with a chain simulates half of a ring in the photo. When I come around back to that area, I'll tat another chain coming out, to simulate the other half of a ring. That way, all the threads will end up at the same spot, and can be left out as a tassel or tail, for use as a bookmark. No ends to hide!

Progress on the book: 2 patterns finished and tested, 3 more started and partially typed. I hope to put at least 10 patterns in the book - so I am getting there!

Adding a jump ring

I want to thank Celtic Dream Weaver for showing me how to add jump rings for jewelry so that they encircle the tatted ring, rather than just joining them to the ring as I had been doing.

 

It is a little more trouble, but it's good to have another choice, and I think it gives a more secure hold.

The thread needs to be unwound from the shuttle to be threaded through the jump ring.

The jump rings I always use in my tatted jewelry are either "split rings" (coiled like tiny key chains), or jump rings that have been soldered closed. The regular jump rings that have an opening are just too risky for fiber jewelry, in my opinion.

There is also a special tool, used by jewelry makers, called a split ring pliers. With this tool, you can open the metal split ring to go over the threads. This can be done while the tatted ring is in progress, or I've also used it to put the metal ring on over the finished tatted ring. Split ring pliers can be bought from jewelry making suppliers, such as Fire Mountain Gems.

November 2010 note: I've added another post about jump ring findings  http://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/2010/11/split-ring-jewelry-finding.html
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Here is also a picture showing my new shuttle from Lady Shuttle Maker! It is one of hers that has that "musical" quality!

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What I am working on in the photo is the "Vision" earring pattern, which is in my "Boutique Tatting" book.

Ok, one pattern ready to test

Looking for a volunteer to test tat my "Vision" earrings pattern. This is the one that I was working on here, but I have managed to improve it by eliminating the join on the back half of a split ring - hurray!

This design is intended for size 20 or 30 crochet cotton, and involves split rings, size 10 or size 11 seed beads, one round 4 mm bead, and Victorian sets (zigzag tatting). The pattern is a Word document, and I have written directions plus a diagram. This design's a bit tricky, but small.

A peak at what is to come

This is a close-up of part of something I am working on for the book, just to tease! I am still writing this pattern out.

I am working on a pattern...

...for the book! The only hint I will give now is this photo which will probably appear in the final version. The item will be something wearable. I will explain how to add beads as best I can. People add beads in different ways, I can only show how I do it.

By the way, for those following my hand dyed thread colors, there will not be a new dye batch till next week; I need time to make some progress on the book.

The long and the short of it

Check out the top photo: This is a hand painted thread with really s-l-o-w color changes! Slow color change threads are more work to dye, so I will make them only as time and my whim allow. With color distances of up to 70 inches, a small project might show only one of the colors! So something to think about, and something else to play with. Shown in "Tourmaline" named for the gemstone with similar color variations.

The second photo shows "Tourmaline" in my usual skeins, with color changes about every 4 to 8 inches.

Progress on the book: I started on the largest and most challenging pattern that will appear in it. Decided I needed more thread, so I "bought" some from my own shop. Began tatting the design, thought of an improvement, so I need to start again.

Then I had to dye more thread!