4-Eva Spinning Wheel

I finished my 4-Eva Spinning Wheel! If you're new to my blog, I think that you need to know that this is my all-time-favorite pattern from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior. I've lost track of how many of these I've made, and I've given most of them away. I sure wish I'd remembered to take pictures of all of them. It would make quite a display! Thanks to Jess for this beautiful colorway. Yes, I've started another Spinning Wheel in another of Jess's hand-dyed threads. This time I'm using Navy Greens... can't wait to show it to you!

When working with hand-dyed threads, I like to wind the thread CTM onto two shuttles. I've found that the new Starlit shuttles from Handy Hands are perfect. I've used Tatsy shuttles in the past, but they really were larger than I needed and slowed me down tremendously. The SewMates are a little too small, but the Starlits are just right... hmmm... sounds like I've got a Goldilocks and the Three Bears theme going here!

The only thing I don't like about the Starlits is the pick. If I'm using a size 20 thread, I can sometimes unpick a knot, but I don't find it at all useful for finer threads or for joining picots. It just gets in the way. I did contact Barbara at Handy Hands about Starlits without the pick. She sent me a few that had been assembled incorrectly, and I love them!

Of course, I felt the need to own every color of the Starlit shuttles, and I do use them, but I've had this itch to get rid of the pick. This morning I got brave and decided to sacrifice a shuttle if necessary. Dave has been doing his Mr. Fix-It chores this summer, mainly replacing siding. Rather than make multiple trips up and down the stairs to his workshop in the basement, he set up shop on the porch... fine by me!

Keep in mind that Dave is not a tatter, however he does seem to support my addiction! I asked him for help with my Starlit shuttles, and he knew exactly what to do!

He used this handy-dandy tool to snip off the tip. I have no idea what the tool is called, but it worked like a dream!

As you can see, it needed a little more work.

There is a bit of a thickening where the tip protruded, but that little bit of extra thickness won't bother me.

Dave used his palm sander to smooth down the cut tip,

and to shape it.

It's not as perfect as the original short end, but I think it will work fine.

I did a little extra hand sanding with super fine sand paper to make it extra smooth. All it needs now is a little bling!

I haven't decided for sure, but I think I may be asking Dave to operate on my other Starlit shuttles!

Tools, Totes, and Tatting

My new shuttle with matching crochet hook from Emsyjane arrived yesterday! I had written asking about a hook and shuttle combo a while back, and I was thrilled when Emma listed it in her shop. I did leave it there for at least a week. When no one else pounced, I knew the set was meant to be mine!

Denise and I were finally able to get together to exchange Christmas presents on Monday. Yes, Denise and I have new Origami pouches with matching shuttles. Denise's bag is the opposite of mine, with the holly on the outside and the poinsettias on the inside.

I love these little bags!

I started another edging tonight, this time in Lizbeth olive green #678. This one is size 20, so it's quite a bit larger. I do like this pattern!

I'm still working on my rib warmer. I'm about halfway finished with the first side. I did find my old rib warmer. It looks much smaller! I think I must have used sport weight yarn. I'm using worsted weight this time around. I may have been a bit ambitious thinking I could finish it by this weekend, but I'm still gonna try!

Christmas is coming!

...and that always means presents under the tree!

What is that I see? Tatting goodies? I have to get a closer look...

Wow! An origami pouch, Lizbeth thread, and blinged Starlit shuttles! I guess it must be time for a Christmas giveaway!

Yes, dear friends, this is a Christmas giveaway. Just leave a comment on this post for your chance to win this entire Christmas set. That's right... only one lucky person will receive the whole shebang!

When will the drawing be? I'm thinking about December 6, Saint Nicholas Day. Good luck to all!

Good news!

Two Starlit shuttles hold one skein of HDT! Yippee!

Can you guess what I'm tatting? It's been a while, but I just gave four of them away, so I really need to tat some more. Yup... my favorite pattern... Mary Konior's Spinning Wheel glass mat!

This is size 20 HDT, but I lost the tag... again! I think this is one of LadyShuttleMaker's threads. I'm proud/ashamed to say that I have so much thread, that without a tag, I am clueless!

While I'm very pleased with the amount of thread these shuttles hold, I am not a fan of the pic, but then I'm not really a fan of any shuttle with a pic. I tend to separate the threads when I'm joining to picots, and I find a crochet hook much easier to use. The pic is similar in size to the old Boye shuttles. It does not come to a sharp point like the Clover or Sew Mate shuttles. The plastic is closer in feel to the Sew Mates. If Handy Hands comes out with the same shuttles without pics, I'm afraid I will be forced to buy every color! : )

I really, really, really like the thread holder! I had forgotten that it came with a ball of size 20 thread, which is inside the holder. There's no choice in color, but who cares? It's a bonus in my mind!

All in all, I'm very happy with my new purchases. Now all I need is a little more time to tat!

What did you do this morning?

I opened my package that arrived from Handy Hands yesterday. I was too tired when we got home last night, so I decided to wait until this morning so that I could fully enjoy opening my package of goodies!

Yes, ladies and gents, I ordered the new Lizbeth Thread Holder (with a free ball of Lizbeth thread) and Starlit Tatting Shuttle! Let me tell you, the thread holder is fabulous! I love the way the ball of thread spins around on the pin. The thread comes out of a hole on the side... very smoothly, I might add!

The shuttle package even has a free butterfly pattern on the back! What's a girl to do? I just had to tat a butterfly this morning!

As you can see, the Starlit shuttle is much larger than my Once Nekkid Shuttle from Karrieann.

It's also larger than my Sew Mate shuttle from Lacis.

And, it's smaller than my Tatsy. I think this could be the perfect size shuttle to wind on my beloved HDTs for Spinning Wheel glass mats! I'll try tonight and let you know.

Yes, I did indeed tat the butterfly from the shuttle package this morning. What a great way to start the day!

I think I NEED all the colors... don't you? : )

P.S. - The drawing for my blinged November shuttle will be tonight. If you're interested in a chance to win make a comment on the November shuttle post.