Dark Matter hand dyed thread

 

This "Dark Matter" thread batch was inspired while touring the Yerkes Observatory recently. Dark matter is described on the NASA science web page as a mysterious substance that "doesn’t reflect, absorb, or radiate light – at least not enough for us to detect yet."

My new hand dyed thread is only my fun attempt to give the effect of "outer space" colors. ☺ Now listed for sale in my Etsy shop.

Here's some pictures I took of the telescope and observatory building, which was built in 1897. Learn more at the Yerkes Observatory website.

The tatted leaf project in progress

 

What I've got so far. I'm not sure about adding that stone. Actually, looking at it today I'm thinking it doesn't work with the leaves at all. Apparently this project is becoming an artsy necklace. So, I'll tat more leaves! I do like the colors.

I did finish the "grape" "raspberry" "coral" earring projects that I had mentioned in a previous post, so here's some pictures of that:

Leaves from vintage pattern

The pattern is vintage and in the public domain. It's in the Priscilla Tatting Book number 3, and is a free download found on the Antique Pattern Library website https://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/tatting.htm scroll down and look for a green cover. Also found in a House of White Birches tatting book number 5.

The pattern is quite easy to vary in size once the basic pattern is understood.

I began making these a few days ago as "comfort tatting". I don't know how else to explain it. I don't have a predetermined plan in mind but something usually occurs once I have a collection to look at.

 

Like the Grape Earrings except Raspberry?

 

Earrings like the "Grape" ones are quite a bit of extra work, but the results really "pop"! This is not my design. It's found in the Italian magazine IL MIO Chiacchierino October/November 2014. I bought my copy from Handy Hands Tatting. 

I do the base rings a little differently than described in the magazine. I use a self-closing mock ring with "floating" rings thrown off from it, so there are only 2 sets of tails to sew in.

For the coils I like Liz Metallic thread. Each coil is a long chain. What I do is start the chain on a paper clip, tat the long chain and leave tails long enough to tie. Remove the paper clip, sew 1 tail through the space left by the paper clip, then tie the 2 ends together with a double knot. I prefer to cut the tails leaving a little bit sticking out, apply some glue, and then let it dry. After that cut the tails very short and then use a crochet hook or small latch hook to pull the knot inside the coil to hide it.

This project is still in progress. The "leaf" at the top is added last. My notes on the first pair of "grape" earrings are in this post from 2019.

Free Watermelon Tatting Pattern

 

Slice of watermelon tatting design by Marilee Rockley

It's a slice of watermelon! Well, sort of, at least the best I could do for now. The pattern is a free download!  Click here.

I used size 10 thread with size 11/0 Toho seed beads for my sample, which measures 2 and 3/8" (6 cm) at the widest part.

I'm working on some video demos to post on TikTok, expecting to edit them down later into YouTube shorts. The trickiest part is the green "rind" which is done in pearl tatting technique.

Let me know if anything doesn't make sense in the pattern. Or, if it looks like a different object entirely! Somehow, looking at it now, I'm thinking UFO (unidentified flying object), lol.☺

Oh well, I really was trying for watermelon.

Split chain in shuttle tatting

For YouTube I made a demo of how I do a split chain. The project that I'm working on in the video is "Steampunk Belt" which has 1 split chain in the pattern.