Vision pattern necklace and earrings sets

 

The necklaces are from my "Vision" necklace pattern which is found on the Free Patterns page of this blog. It's one of my very early patterns and recommended for experienced tatters. I recently updated it with some in-progress photos but the pattern is still difficult. What can I say? I love the design! 

The earrings pattern is also called "Vision" and is found in the "Boutique Tatting" book. 

But I have a confession to make :-O

Back in the day (early 2000s) my tatting technique was different (less sophisticated) in that I always started a split ring with shuttle 1. That resulted in the split ring "turning itself over" after it was made. I haven't done it that way for years, but back when I wrote that book I still did. 

Even worse, many of the "reverse work" instructions in the written directions for that earring pattern don't make sense to my current method of tatting. The numbers and where to join are all correct, though. The photo diagram is correct. It's a cute design, just tricky!

One each month 2025

 

Some creatives have been posting online about their projects completed in 2025, so here is my collection of one photo from each month.

January: Bobbin lace bookmark, pattern designed by Jenny Brandis.

February: Earrings in progress from "Tourmaline" hand dyed thread. (Actually, I don't remember finishing the pair, so I'll look for them!)

March: Heart Ukraine, pattern designed by FairyLaceAndMore

April: Commemorative shuttle displayed over my hand dyed thread, a happy memory from my trip to the Finger Lakes Tatting Conference for their 25th anniversary gathering.

May: Crocus in needle lace, my own design and a learning experience in trying needle lace.

June: Bag with tatted letters which accompanied me to several protest rallies. The tatting pattern for this alphabet style was designed by FairyLaceAndMore.

July: I opened an online shop on Goimagine, originally as a protest against some of Etsy's violations of their own policy guidelines, and now just enjoying having a 2nd shop with lower fees. I wish Goimagine would expand beyond the USA, maybe someday they will.

August: Shell earrings from a pattern I teach in a Craftsy class.

September: So exciting to see my own tatting displayed in Tiny Studio magazine, issue 28.

October: A lovely autumn day walking past all sorts of wild aster flowers inspired the dye batch "Asters".

November: My fiber art "Exuberance" was displayed in Artistonish magazine by Biafarin.

December: My free original pattern "One Small Candle" as a tree ornament.

One Small Candle tatting pattern

 

"One Small Candle" is one of my original FREE patterns (see the free patterns tab at the top of this blog) or click this link: https://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/p/my-free-patterns.html 

To help show some of the trickier parts of the pattern, I made a short video and posted it on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Link to the YouTube https://youtube.com/shorts/RyNqfnSTzV4?si=mcNcMGhbN5gymVIs  

For the example in the video I used size 20 Liz metallic gold for the base, Lizbeth size 20 in white for the "candle" and a vintage Flora thread for the red "flame". The finished motif measured 2 and 1/2 inches tall (6.35cm). I strung a fine thread through the tip of the flame for hanging.

Tatting a Catherine Wheel Join

New video demonstration of the "Catherine Wheel Join" has been added to my YouTube channel. Although I already had a video about the CWJ technique, I noticed that the original was posted 14 years ago (using outdated technology) so I made a new one! 

Leaves of Lace featured in Plantarium

 My artwork 'Leaves of Lace Garland' is now being showcased at Plantarium - 2025 exhibition, organized by Gallerium and powered by @Biafarin platform.

To learn more, please go to:

https://www.gallerium.art/plantarium-2025?AW=AW127356608

All of the artwork has a "plants" theme, and there is a wide variety of media used, including painting, sculpture, photography, fiber art, mixed media, etc. There are 105 works displayed. I think you'll enjoy looking at the online exhibition!

Tatting through designer's block

The "harlequin" and "stars" elements were finished weeks ago (or has it been months?) and were placed in a container to await inspiration for finishing. In the meantime, life went on. Then, earlier this week I used the "just do one thing" approach by moving the container to my work table. There!

On another day, I took the motifs and supplies out of the container. Another accomplishment!

Yesterday, I wondered about which thread to use for tatting the various elements together. Nothing suitable! But then, I remembered that I had some of the new Liz Metallic size 40 Icy Blue. So, I put that on a shuttle and tatted a ring, then a chain, counting the stitches to reach the next picot, and then to reach the next motif leaving what seemed to be enough space... and now a start on putting it together has been made. Yay!!!

The rest will come - I hope. ☺