will set me straight every time! I was feeling frustrated with all the mistakes I made with my tatting yesterday, so I decided to spend a little time with my beloved Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior. It worked!
This is one of Mary's "Briar Fragments" in size 40 Lizbeth, Col. 126. Just a little dose of Mary, and I'm back on track!
Okay... true confession time...
This is the first Briar Fragment I tatted today. I was getting ready to weave in the ends, when I realized my tatted piece looked different from the picture. I couldn't figure out why, so I poured myself a cup of coffee, and then I looked at it again. Duh! I didn't join the flowers!
After successfully completing the pattern, I decided to work some more with Anika's beautiful hand-dyed thread. I was feeling bad about the motif, because it wouldn't lie flat. I almost gave up. I'm glad I didn't!
A little blocking worked wonders! I'm very pleased with the way it turned out, but I'd still like to know how other tatters manage to have perfect pieces without blocking!
The pattern is No. 1: Motif from The 3rd Tatting Book by Kirstine Nikolajsen and Inge Lise Nikolajsen. If I ever figure out how to tat without blocking, I think I'll make the hat on the cover! ; )
Okay... true confession time...
After successfully completing the pattern, I decided to work some more with Anika's beautiful hand-dyed thread. I was feeling bad about the motif, because it wouldn't lie flat. I almost gave up. I'm glad I didn't!
The pattern is No. 1: Motif from The 3rd Tatting Book by Kirstine Nikolajsen and Inge Lise Nikolajsen. If I ever figure out how to tat without blocking, I think I'll make the hat on the cover! ; )
I've done that with the briar fragment more than once!
ReplyDeleteI can usually make my own designs lie flat without blocking, because I make the stitch counts right for my own tension. I find that, when tatting other people's patterns, some designers' pieces lie flatter for me than others; either they have a tension similar to mine, or they take the time to adjust their stitch counts very carefully before publishing their patterns. But still, I almost always have to block.
Oh, yes, the old weigh it down with the Criminal Code after outrageous stretching!
ReplyDeleteI do not know how - Umintsuru I think it is, and Jon as well, can get such perfect work with no blocking... it baffles me how my tension can be so ... well... unique!
Love that briar fragment.
Fox : )
Both pieces are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteDiane, if at first you don't succeed try again. I don't know about others but I often make mistakes in tatting and either have to retro tat or fling it outta window! LOL
ReplyDeleteThe tatted doily with Anika's HDT is awesome. Very soothing colour. I'm afraid I'm not one of those tatters who yield doilies that look alright (flat) unblocked. So you are not the odd one out. Hehehee...
I too would love to know how to tat without blocking.
ReplyDeleteFox, Jon will not have to block because she is a designer and she knows what works for her, unlike us.
Love the purple and white motif! :)
ReplyDeleteYa gotta love MK! She makes me think I can do anything!
ReplyDeleteYour work is always so beautiful.
I'm glad you didn't give up on the motif that might not lie flat. Sometimes that happens with crochet...when you finish, though, it's laying nice and flat.
I'm new to MK, but love what I've tatted so far. The motif with Anika's thread turned out beautifully!
ReplyDeletebeautiful pieces Diane. The more I see your work the more inspired I am to learn how!
ReplyDeleteOh my, beautiful tatting - and the lilac color fiber, what awesome color!
ReplyDeleteI have a 'to do' list on my desk (above the clutter) and all I itch to do is tat something!! LOL