Pattern diagramming is in progress

You probably remember this milkweed pod from last year. I've been working on writing up the pattern for a while now, and although it still isn't even far enough along for me to be able to tat more pods to show, I am making progress.

One of the challenges I have is presenting a 3 dimensional object as a flat diagram that people will be able to follow. What I have so far (which, naturally, I can't show yet!) will work well, I think.

I have accepted the fact that I must write it up for without beads, and with beads. If I left either version out, there'd undoubtedly be some disappointment.

Just so you know, there are a LOT of split rings. Be careful what you wish for!

This'll take a while.

Painted Parrot

Hand dyed thread "Painted Parrot"

The snowfall here last week really got to me. I'm sick of winter...literally, I got sick. It was only a cold, so I'm okay and feeling much better now.

I turned up the heat to tropical, and I'm calling this new colorway "Painted Parrot". Looking at it makes me happy!

Pictures from Finger Lakes

Here I'm teaching my "Atom" class!

Balls of yarn at Karey's shop, Graceful Arts Fiber Studio

Hand dyed yarns by Karey Solomon

Quilts and yarn in Karey's shop

Karey also has roving for handspinning and knitting tools in her shop

The food at the conference was delicious!

We were all well fed indeed!

The auction had many fantastic items, one of which was this treasure box brimming with booty! Many tatting people contributed to the contents. My offering was the blue tatted jewelry set ("Cool Circles").

The view from my vendor's table, where I sold hand dyed thread and books.

Sharon's thread winding service came in handy!

Tatting classes in progress

Pretty shuttles that I purchased from Rita Richmond. Check out her website: Shuttle By Design

While in the Finger Lakes area, I took time to enjoy the natural beauty! Here I'm standing by Rainbow Falls in Watkins Glen State Park.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, in spite of the April snowfall!

Tatting a chain and joining a ring with one hand

Inspired by the book “Tatting With One Hand” by Helen A. Chesno, in this video I'm tatting a chain, and then another ring joined to the 1st ring. This is a method of tatting for people who have the use of only one hand. It may also help anyone to understand the “flip” of shuttle tatting.

Left hand demo HERE.

Basically, the pillow and pins are doing the job of holding the thread and tatting in place of what the other hand would be doing. Other than that, it's the same as regular shuttle tatting.

The pillow I used for the demonstration is just an ordinary decorative "throw" pillow, with a synthetic pillow form insert. A small round "cookie" pillow designed for bobbin lacemaking would work well.

Blog post with still photos:
http://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/2011/07/one-handed-tatting.html
I used a different method of tatting the first half in those photos, with the same results.

Video of tatting a ring with one hand: http://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/2018/03/tatting-ring-with-one-hand.html

Tatting a ring with one hand

Inspired by the book “Tatting With One Hand” by Helen A. Chesno, this is my attempt to show the technique. A method of tatting for people who have the use of only one hand. It may also help others to understand the “flip” of shuttle tatting.

To see as left hand, watch the video in a mirror.

Blog post with still photos: http://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/2011/07/one-handed-tatting-ring.html
I used a different method of tatting the first half in those photos, with the same results.

Hand dyed thread "Peace" and travel plans

Named for the Peace rose, this new batch turned out with a brighter yellow than some of my previous ones. Just like the roses, each one is slightly different!

By the way, I'm busily making travel plans and preparing to teach my "Atom" pattern at the Finger Lakes Tatting Conference. 
Don't forget to register for your classes and choose your food preferences. It's coming up fast: April 6 - 8, 2018. 
Hope to see you there!