Showing posts with label Tatting theory and patterns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tatting theory and patterns. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Tollway Tatters

Oh, how I wish all of you could have joined us today! The Tollway Tatters always have a lot of fun, and I am so grateful that I have been able to spend time with these wonderful ladies!


Granddaughter Eva finished tatting a friendship bracelet, and she wanted to use some of Marilee's hand-dyed thread for her next project. Luckily, her mom was willing to hold the skein of thread while Eva wound it on to shuttles. Alison didn't get a chance to tat today, but she said she enjoyed the time spent together. Sometimes it's okay to just sit and soak it all in!


Sue Anna is always so much fun to be around! In addition to tatting, we did a little tech talking today. We have to try and keep up with the times you know. ;-)


Denise almost didn't come, but her husband Warren encouraged her to join us. He even washed floors and vacuumed so that she didn't have to feel guilty about taking the day for herself. He's a gem!


Marilee, our personal thread vendor, brought along some gorgeous threads, including her new Blue Streak. Can you guess what I bought?


Denise worked on a baby bonnet. The pattern is from Workbasket, one that my mom saved for years. Some day I'll try the pattern! Denise is using some Greek crochet cotton that I found on Etsy. It's so soft!


Sue Anna worked on Marilee's snowflake pattern, Marian... so pretty!


Marilee claims that we help her get her creative juices going. Today she was working on Clunys separated by Double Core Single Shuttle Split Rings. Now that's a mouthful! With this technique, Marilee can tat two split rings in a row in two different colors... very cool!


Right before we left for the day, I snapped this picture of Sue Anna's progress with Marian. I love the two shades of peach together!

And what did I accomplish? Well...


I finished this "Christmas Decoration" from page 64 of Tatting theory and patterns by Jan Stawasz. The thread is size 20 Lizbeth, Snow White.


This is Motif #2 from Minitats: 69 Petite Motifs by Patti Duff. Again, the thread is size 20 Lizbeth, Snow White. I think I need to use a larger picot in the center. The rings are too close together and distorted. I didn't have the patience for pinning it neatly, so the chains are distorted as well. Maybe I'll take the time to fix it tomorrow, or maybe I'll just tat another!


I skipped to Motif #6 in Minitats, because I wanted to use up thread on a shuttle. This is size 20 Lizbeth, Wedgewood Dk, one of my favorite colors!


We talked a little bit about scissors today, and I remembered that I had this little pair on my ironing board. These have the thinnest blades of all the scissors I own, and they are great for snipping threads very closely. I wish I could remember where I bought them!

In case I forget to post about it, our next Tollway Tatters meeting will be on President's Day in February. If you'd like to join us, drop me a line and I'll give you the details!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Tatting with Jan Stawasz

I managed to sneak in a little extra tatting time today, and since I've ordered Jan Stawasz's new book, I figured I should probably tat something from the first book!


I'm not overly fond of front side/back side tatting. I get lost, confused, and frustrated. Still, I decided to give it a go today. Yes, there are mistakes, but at least I tried. Now if I could only figure out how to consistently focus with my camera!


Now for the details...

Pattern ~ sample for Jan's Method
Book ~ Tatting theory and patterns by Jan Stawasz
Thread ~ size 40 Lizbeth, Cranberry Bush #181
Finished size ~ 3" long
Special tools ~
Penguin shuttle from Margaret Wall (purchased on eBay)
Holly shuttle from "'im in the garage" (sold in Jane Eborall's Etsy shop)
crochet hook from Grizzly Mountain Arts
picot gauge from Georgia Seitz