End of the school year

The school year is winding down, and I am always amazed at how much there is to be done as we approach the last day, May 29.

My sister, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter came down this weekend and we went plant shopping with Mom and daughter Carol. It was a fun filled day, but all the activity wore me out.

My sister requested a doily and chose Anastasia from Bonded with Tatting by Laura Bziukiewicz. Janet requested black, but I wasn't sure about an all black doily. I tatted the first three rounds in both black and white to see which Janet preferred. She liked them both! She liked these two pieces as they are, so she took them home with her. She plans on framing them. After I finish Renulek's Spring Doily 2025, I will tat the full doily in both black and white for Janet. The shuttle is from Grizzly Mountain Arts. 

As for my progress with Renulek's Spring Doily 2025, let's just say it's been very slow tatting. I'm not having any trouble at all with this round. I just haven't spent much time tatting for the past few weeks. Still, my goal is to finish by the end of the month, which I think I can do. Have you been setting tatting goals for yourself?

Success!

I'm so happy that I chose to tat Anastasia again. This time I did it correctly! It's such a pretty pattern.

There's not a huge difference between the pattern as written and my adaptation, but I think Laura's pattern adds that little extra pizzaz that makes this doily special. The two different color combinations make the doilies look so much different. I think I prefer it in two colors, but I love the feel of the doily done in size 40.

It's time to choose my next doily from Bonded with tatting - doilies by Laura Bziukiewicz. Choosing which threads I want to work with could be a challenge!

Much better

I feel so much better knowing that I have round 4 of Anastasia tatted correctly! 

I'm using a size 40 Lizbeth thread pack called Cozy Cabin. The colors used so far are #654, #694, #121, and #168. The next color will be #684.

I really hadn't intended to get this much done, but I loved the way the colors worked together. I found that I was eager to see how the next one would look. 

Mom is ready to work on the arms and legs for Kara's doll. So, I'm going to pick up my knitting needles and work on the bonnet. We're making slow progress, but we're both having fun!

Anastasia modified

 

I'm pleased with the way my modified version of Anastasia from Bonded with tatting - doilies by Laura Bziukiewicz turned out. 

What was my mistake? On the fourth round, every other center ring was supposed to have four picots. All of my center rings have three picots. That meant I had to adapt the fifth round or cut off the fourth. 

Normally, I would have cut off the fourth round and re-tatted it. This time, I felt challenged to see if I could make the pattern work. It took a bit of aggressive steaming to make the doily lie flat. I think this one may benefit from traditional blocking.

I love the pattern, and I love the colors I used. My shuttles are wound for another one. I want to get this one right before moving on to another!

Not bad

 

My adaptation for Laura Bziukiewicz's Anastasia from Bonded with tatting - doilies is working out. I feel better knowing that I could make the design work without snipping off round 4. However, I'm really eager to tat this one correctly. I already have my shuttles wound!

Anastasia... oops!

 

I started round 5 of Anastasia yesterday morning, and it didn't take long to realize I had made a mistake in round 4. It looks like my adjustment might work, but I'll have to tat this little beauty again... correctly!

Anastasia, round 4

 

I finally finished round 4 of Anastasia from Bonded with tatting - doilies by Laura Bziukiewicz. I love the simple elegance of this pattern, and I think the blue and green thread combo works great!

New pattern

 

I've spent a lot of time researching center tabs for crescent shaped shawls. I can't say I've worked a center tab very often, if at all, but apparently the way it's worked does make a huge difference in the neckline shaping. Watching videos on neckline shaping left me too tired to make a second attempt at the Birch Bark Canoe Shawlette. I'm sure I will try it again, but for now I've moved on to another pattern.

This pattern is Equinox by Lisa Overby, the designer of Reyna which I have knit several times. I'm really enjoying the pattern, but I'm questioning my choice of yarn. This is another Mary Maxim Festive Feet, Candy Cane Sparkle. The yarn looks really pretty, but that metallic thread is tough on the hands! It's hard to tell this early on, but it seems like the metallic thread is going to affect the drape of the knitting. 

I did re-start the center of Anastasia from Laura Bziukiewicz's new book, Bonded with tatting - doilies. I'm working with size 40 Lizbeth, inspired by my friend Sue who loves size 40! I do too, but I find that it takes me a while to get back into the groove with finer thread after working with size 20.

We're having a Tollway Tatters Zoom meeting this Saturday. Just visit our Facebook page if you'd like to join us. Sue has been setting up our monthly meetings and it has been great fun to meat tatters from around the world! We start at 9 a.m. Central Time, and tatting friends visit for as long as they can. Sometimes it's just for a few minutes. It's great to connect and see what others are working on!

Anastasia Tatted Bookmark

I guess I'm on a bookmark binge! This is another bookmark by Kersti Anear in Altin Basak #3002, size 50. The tatting is about 6" long. I think I would like this one better in a solid color, the way Kersti tatted it. I did manage to unload another shuttle, though!