Design 7

This was a fun little design to tat. It's in the new Lizbeth thread from Handy Hands, size 20, color #680.

Christel Weidmann's book Tatting: 60 Original Lace Treasures has given me the mental break I needed. I'm starting to get back into the groove at school, so I think I can get back to something a little more challenging. I'm really feeling the pull of Eleonora, and I want to get back to the T.A.T. program. I'm sure Bonnie thinks I've forgotten all about it... I haven't forgotten, Bonnie! We'll see what I'm in the mood to work on tomorrow!

Design 6

I like this one much better than Design 5. I don't know why... I just do! I think the next time I make this one, I may try adding some picots to the chains to give a lacier effect. I really do love the lacy designs!

Design 5 again...

So, I decided that 7:30 was a bit early for bedtime... even for me! So, I tried Design 5 in size 20 Opera. I think it turned out better because my picot sizes were more appropriate, but I still can't say that this motif thrills me. So... on to Design 6!

Design 4

Yes, folks, I am still going with Christel Weidmann's Tatting: 60 Original Lace Treasures. Design 4 was another easy tat! The more I use the Omega thread, the more I like it. Still, I think I'll switch to something different for the next motif. I have so many threads to try. Why should I stick with just one?

Design 3

I love this little motif! It's Design 3 from Tatting: 60 Original Lace Treasures by Christel Weidmann. This one is also done in size 20 Opera, color #506 (a very pale yellow... I thought I should clarify in case someone's looking for a beautiful creamy color). This design was very easy to tat, and it was a quickie. It measures about 2 1/4" across. I'm not sure how far I'll get in this book, but I sure am having fun!

Design 2

I just finished Design 2 from Tatting: 60 Original Lace Treasures by Christel Weidmann. When I looked at the scan, I realized that I pulled too tightly when hiding my ends for the first round. If you look at the ring at the bottom, you can see that there is no 1/4" space between the small and large rings. This is something I'll remember to watch for in the future!

I love working with HDT, but I have quite a stash of thread that needs to be used. So, I've decided to use the threads I have on hand as my "practice" pieces. Then, if there's a pattern I really like, I'll make it in HDT. This idea of mine might change... I get really bored making more than one of something. Design 2 is tatted in Opera size 20, color # 506. The thread is very soft... kind of a strange feeling after the firmness of the HDT! I don't know if it's hard to retro-tat, because, believe it or not, I didn't have to undo any rings or chains in this one!

One thing I'll do differently if I tat this motif again will be to increase the number of rings. Design 1 calls for 17 rings, while Design 2 requires 15. I had to do a lot of steaming to get this to lie flat. I had no trouble at all with Design 1. The two motifs are about the same diameter. The center opening is smaller on Design 2. I'm getting used to using my picot gauges... they really help when I'm measuring the space between the large and small rings!

Picture frame?

I haven't had much time to tat or do any other type of needlework since school started a week ago, but I try to set aside a little time each day. I've started "Eleonora" by Iris Niebach, but I haven't had enough brain power to concentrate on it. I think I need to borrow one of Jane's brain cells!

Anyway, I decided something nice and easy was in order, so I decided to tat Design 1 from Tatting: 60 Original Lace Treasures by Christel Weidmann. I love the way it turned out! It's a shuttle only pattern, and I used one Clover shuttle full of size 20 Berry Parfait hdt from LadyShuttleMaker. It's about 3" across with a 1" opening. I think it would make a lovely little picture frame with my granddaughter's smiling face peeking through the lace. I guess that means I'll have to make three... one each for Eva, Lily, and the new baby due any time now!

Oops! I spy a missing picot! Wait! It's not missing... I joined in the wrong spot! Oh, well! It's going to have to stay the way it is. Maybe that blind man on the galloping horse will never know the difference! ; )

Weaving Wednesday

This is pattern #5 - Ribbing from the Square Deal Weave-Along. The blue is Lion Brand Baby Soft. The green is Red Heart... weaving with worsted weight is very hard on my hands, but I like the look!


When I get stuck on any type of needlework project, I tend to abandon it... sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently. Then I move on to something else, something that at least seems easier! This is the beginning of my newest tatting... Design #1 from page 7 of Tatting: 60 Original Lace Treasures by Christel Weidmann. The thread is Yarnplayer's "Summer Trail" size 50. I didn't measure, so the space between the rings is not the 1/4" that's called for. I'm going to finish this one anyway. I want to see how it turns out with incorrect measuring... I can be pretty stubborn!