Tis and Tat

I have been quiet on this blog though have been posting some on my Facebook page.  I find it easier and faster to update my Facebook because I can do the on my phone compared to updating my blog, where I'll have to log-in on my laptop to do that.

My niece will be getting married next year, in syaa Allah.  As with local traditions, there will be exchanges of dowry/gifts between the bride's and groom's family during the ceremony.  I decided to make some edgings for the tray cloth for the trays that will hold the gifts.  I picked a pattern by Mary Konior from her book, Tatting With Visual Patterns.  I started sometime in June, needed to start early because there are seven trays in all.  Finally finished tatting them in early November.

I will share pictures of the edgings when they are attached to the fabric for the tray cloth later when that is done and also how they are to be presented.

I stopped work on a Jan Stawasz project for this edgings.  With the edgings done, I can go back to it. I started the JS Doily 1 from Tatting Theory and Patterns over a year ago, May 2020 to be exact.  It is a no-rush kind of project, something that I don't mind putting down to work on an idea or another project.  Now that I am between ideas, here is where I am with this.

When I stopped, it was mid-way of Round 11.  Above is the photo when I started Round 12 a few weeks ago. There are eight repeats left to do to finish this round.  Thread used if Coats mercer size 40.  The size at this point (with Round 12 complete) is 49cm wide. There are three more rounds to go after this.

 

Adding new Thread in Bare Thread Tatting

 I had always shy away from bare thread tatting for two reasons;

1. I always had problems with estimating the amount of bare thread space to leave at the start of each new ring; and

2. How to add new thread when the shuttle thread runs out.

I still have issues with No.1 but have conquered No.2.  Sharing here is my method of adding new thread without making a knot.

Step 1

In almost all of my shuttle-only project, I tat the first ring by folding the beginning thread end and tat the first few double stitches over it.  This is not a new technique.  Jane Eborall shared this method in her techniques website, http://janeeborall.freeservers.com/StartRingCatchThread2.pdf

I will come back to the reason why I start this way later, but you can get the idea after going through the following steps.

Step 2

At the point where I need to add new thread, I start the next ring in the same way with new thread.  The new ring is joined to the previous ring following whatever the pattern says.  It may not be joined to any ring at all, but in this example it is joined to the previous ring.

Step 3

Bring the tail end of the old thread through the loop on the ring with new thread. Pull the end of the new thread (that was tatted over) to close the loop.

Step 4

Pull the end of the old thread to bring the two rings close together.  If you have bare thread pace between rings, adjust the thread to leave a space between the two rings.

I would sew-in the end of the old thread in the new ring, usually on the right side of the ring to reduce bulk in the double stitches.  If you prefer the magic thread method of hiding ends, you can add the magic thread to the new ring, but I prefer sewing in my ends,

And now, the reason for starting with a loop at the first ring.  After I have completed the flower motif, I will draw the tail end through the loop and do as in Step 4.  This way, if I need not have to add new thread midway in the motif, I will only have one end to hide as compared to two ends.

As an additional note, I also use this loop in the first ring method to add a second colour to my project without tying a knot. 

I do not pull the loop completely after adding the second colour.  I keep the loop visible so that I can use to 'tie-off' one end of the project (by way of Step 4), while the other end is tatted over in a chain.  This method of hiding in a chain is explained by Jane Eborall,  http://janeeborall.freeservers.com/HidingEndsNoKnot.pdf

By this method, I only have one end to hide at the end of my round or motif or project.  

Patchwork

 I was supposed to organise the storage of my tatting and other sewing stuff but, as always there are many distractions.  One of them is this mat. It surfaced among a stacked of tatting motifs and tryouts and I had hoped to get back to it later.  Never did, until now, ha ha ha ...

I can't remember when I tatted this. It must have been  for a bigger project that didn't happen. I know that I was working on an idea of patchwork pieces made up of several tatted motifs joined together.

Now that I found it again, I'd better share the pattern for it.

There are three parts to this mat, 2 square motifs and one border.  Join up the squares until you get the mat to the size that you want.  Finish it off with a border around it.  I have made the bigger square in one colour, green but you can mix and match the colours to your liking.

The pattern is given as stitch counts on the motifs.  This is an easy shuttle-and ball pattern.  The squares does not use up much thread.  It will be a good pattern to empty shuttles or use up the little remaining thread on a ball.

Update on the Sicilian Circle, a pattern by Mary Konior

 

Completed Round 3 of this project from the book, Tatting in Lace by Mary Konior.

I am not really happy with this mainly because of the long chains and large rings.  Had to block/press it after this round because my tension went haywire.  This is one reason why I seldom do patterns with long chains and big rings.

There is only one round left, so I will finish it.

I had my first dose of the Covid vaccine a week ago.  Was feeling okay on the day of the vaccination but came down with fever for the next two days.  There was slight body ache and soreness in the arm where the needle went in, but I was able to do some tatting.  My 2nd dose will be in 12 weeks.  

Stay healthy and stay safe everyone.  I know some restrictions have been removed in some countries but do continue to take precautionary measures.