Yarnvent Calendar

I love advent calendars.  I make or buy them for my neices and nephews every year.  Last year I was amazed to realise that they do yarn advent calendars but I don't really need lots of random yarn so they didn't quite work for me.  

This year I was delighted to find out that Log House Cottage Yarns had a micro mini skein advent.  This means that each day you get around 25 yards of yarn which is more than enough for my evil plan and not a huge expenditure of money.  I am using the yarn in 2 ways. The first is in a crocheted long narrow scarf using a grey speckle yarn from Log House Cottage Yarns as the main colour and the advent yarn as a strip of bobbles.  Bobbles just seem festive to me.  The second way I'm using the yarn is to make crocheted puff flowers.  My neice tried to claim one the other day so I'm pretty sure they will end up in a blanket for her.  I'm thinking that I can crochet around each flower with a green yarn to make squares and then join them together. Which means I get to but more yarn!

Don't worry I haven't abandoned tatting and will have a new tree pattern available shortly....as soon as I do the other things I'm supposed to do! lol

Thankful Poppy Pattern

A quick single shuttle poppy pattern to share with you on this day of Remembrance.

36 red seed beads (i used delicas)
4 black seed beads
Size 20 thread in black
Size 20 thread in red (i used 671 Lizbeth Poppy red)
1 shuttle or needle

Add 4 black beads to thread.  Wind 2 yards (this maybe overkill but I just made the pattern lol) on shuttle cut thread.

R. 6 vsp 6
R. 2 pull up bead on core thread 2 pull up bead on core thread 2 +(onion ring join to vsp) 2 pull up bead on core thread 2 pull up bead on core thread 2
Change to red thread.  Put 4 yards on the shuttle with 36 beads.  Cut from ball thread.  Join to picot formed over bead.

*Put 3 beads on back of hand when forming ring
R 6. Close ring (beads will form the inside curve of ring
Make 3 rings*
Join to picot above next bead
Repeat from * to * around center to make 4 petals.
Hide ends.

If you are ambitious you can hide the ends with a single shuttle split ring at the back.  This will allow you to add a clip

Thank-you to all that serve and those supporting them.💟💟💟

Success!

A couple of years ago I purchased Aileen's Best Press at a quilt shop.  I read on facebook that some people were using it on doilies between rounds.  They would do a quick block and use the best press on the doilies to add body.  So when I saw it I thought I would try it but it's been sitting in my cabinet since then. 
Recently, I had this pile of ice drops that I really didn't what to do with.  So I decided to block them and test out the best press.  The ice drops were all test tats or experiments so nothing was lost if they were destroyed.  I aldo wanted to see what the best press did to the plastic gems.
So I rinsed the tatting, laid it out in the shape I wanted and sprayed them with the best press. 
I think it was a win.  The dimensional tatting actually held its shape but was still pliable.  The plastic gems werr not damaged by the spray.
I'm really happy with the results.

Tat's up?

My sister made this sign for me to hang at my cottage.  I'm going to add tatting to either end of the sign. 

Found this

I found this pendant when I was organizing last week.  It just needs the findings added and its ready to go.  Its been in this state for around 3 plus years! 
Its been put in the priority pile lol.

Martha Ess's bath stitch button teapot

I finished Martha Ess's Bath Stitch Button Teapot from the Fringe Tatdays.  Unfortunately I made an early mistake, didn't realise and saw at the end.  I fixed it but then cut a picot when cutting the threads!  D'oh!

Let's Pretend We're at the FRINGE TATDAYS!!!!

You must think I'm Mr. Dressup by now (google it if you aren't Canadian).

However, I'm doing another Let's Pretend Day only this time you are pretending you are at the Fringe Element TatDays this Friday Sept 21 and Saturday Sept 22/2018. 

The rules are similar to last time:

1. tat a pattern by a present or previous teacher.  To make it simple I have provided one call the Shuttle Icedrop  It uses a similar stone as last time.  There is a video tutorial here

2. Share it on Facebook, Instagram or send me an email (victats@gmail.com) with the hashtag #tatting

3.  Say eh occasionally.  To help you with the proper use of "eh" I have found this link

Most of all have fun and start planning your local tatdays or a trip to a relatively near by tatdays!

Palmetto Tatdays- stuff I bought

I didn't plan on purchasing a lot of stuff buy at the Palmetto Tatdays.  However that's not what happened.....I bought a few things from the vending room and a few things at the silent auction.  I also won some of the live auction items.  I didn't purchase shuttles but I did get some books. 

Let's pretend we're at Palmetto Tatdays

First photo of the Tatty Square Ice drop from Elizabeth!  Looks amazing Elizabeth.

Let's Pretend You Are At Palmetto Tatdays 2018

Hi everyone!  I'm winging my way down to the Palmetto Tatdays on Sept 6-9 and it looks like its going to be a fantastic weekend!  I know not everyone can attend so I'm inviting you to share in the fun and pretend you are there tatting with the rest of us.  

The way to play along is tat any design by a present or past teacher at the Palmetto Tatdays then send me a picture or a link or share it in my comments section below. 
To make this easy I'm sharing the pattern I've put in the grab bags at Palmettos.  Its called the Tatty Square Ice Drop.  I have been a past teacher and so this pattern qualifies. 

You will need size 20 thread, a shuttle and a gem that is 12mm square.  I found sticker gems at the Dollarama that come in strips on a sheet and I either pulled off the glue or stuck them together to make the center stone.  If you look at the Dollar Tree in the stationary or craft section you should be able to find them.  I'm giving you the week's notice to find the gem.  

I used Karey Solomon's Hand Dyed Thread for this sample.

The link to the pattern is here: http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=8222013&da=y

A tutorial for the Tatty Square ice drop is also available on Youtube https://youtu.be/M6R_otq1TDc

Don't forget to send me a picture (email victats@gmail.com) or comment in the comment section when you participate.

Spiral Rings

Ninetta Caruso shared a tutorial a tutorial on Spiral Rings aka Lenka rings.  Lenka does a really neat thing where makes a ring distort into a spiral.  Its kinda like the Yorkie hearts yet not quite the same so you get spirals. Picture is some fiddling based on Ninetta's tutorial.   I'm loving the sharing of ideas and these rings!

Shuttle Review on Facebook

I did a review of the Debbie Comfi Shuttles I purchased from Snowgoose on Facebook.  I was going to share here too but I erased it.  So here's the link to the review.    Hope it helps!

Thanks Ninetta

Thanks to Ninetta we have a new tatting stitch called the treble double stitch (tds)!  Today I'm practicing rings and chains with the treble double stitch.  Its a fun challenge to play with the tds.  Thank you Ninetta for sharing this idea!

Lucky Penny!

I made a lot of these lucky pennies at Christmas.  The pattern is by Carolyn Craig and available in the Ice Drop Facebook group.  The only thing I altered was to make dot picots instead of the center chains. 
Pennies are not in circulation in Canada but my aunt Penny has been collecting pennies in a jar for years.  When she sold her house she gave the jar to my sister.  Jessica gave me a bunch of pennies so I could make them into lucky pennies.
Just fyi there are over 107 ice drop patterns in the group files!

Tat-a-long finished project

Brenda Spears kindly sent me a picture of her finished tat-a-long project!  Its so much fun to do something like this and see the finished projects.  I love the bead in the center.  Thanks Brenda for participating and sending the pic!

On another note I want to wish everyone a Happy Independance Day!

A Very Canadian Tat-A-Long- BONUS Pattern!!!!

It is so very Canadian to remember our neighbors to the south!

 Pattern can be found here, or on the Fringe Elements Tatting Group and the Beginners Tatting Chat Group on Facebook.

Materials

Size 20 thread in red, white and blue

Tatting shuttle or needle

Crochet hook

Terms

C- Chain

p- Picot

mp- mock picot.  Leave a space on both threads to make an imitation picot.  In this pattern it’s a vsp you are imitating and you only need a small space.

R- ring

vsp- very small picot

lj- lock join.  Make a lock join by using a crochet hook to pull shuttle thread through the joining space.  This creates a loop and you pass the shuttle through the loop then tighten to remove excess thread.  In these patterns a lock join is often joined to the space between chains.  Where to do the lj is indicated in brackets. 

LS- lock stitch, I do first half unflipped and 2^nd flipped but you can do the opposite and it will work.   Number beside indicates how many you to make.  Needle tatters there is a note below on how to make a lock stitch.

SCMR- self closing mock ring.  See http://www.janeeborall.freeservers.com/SCMR.pdf for instructions.

Round 1

 

Wind 1 yard of white thread on shuttle CTM with ball

Needle tatters blue thread on needle of choice. 

R         6 vsp 6 vsp 6 vsp 6 vsp 6

C         mp 4 vsp 4 vsp 4 lj (1^st p)

*C       4 vsp 4 vsp 4 lj (next p)*

Repeat from * to * around r and end by joining to the mp.

Cut and hide ends

Round 2

 

Wind 1 yard of blue thread on shuttle CTM with ball

Start at last picot made in Round 1 by joining the thread to the picot

*C                   3 p 3 lj (next picot)

C                     6

SCMR                        4 p 4

C                     3 p 3 lj (next picot)*

Repeat from * to * around Round 1

Join back to beginning and hide ends.

At this point you have 2 choices- 

1. You can stop now and add a red and white fringe to the picots on the SCMR then fray them

2.  Make the “fireworks” using a bangle

BANGLE Fireworks

For theme you will be using red and white thread.  If you have any pieces left over from the Very Canadian Tat-A-Long this is a great opportunity to use up the ends.

*You will start by joining to a picot on the tip of the star.

LS       4 (you may need a few more and don’t worry if the lockstitch chain bends a bit…they’re fireworks.  You are aiming for the star to sit in the middle of the bangle)

Now you will pass one thread in from of the bangle and one thread behind the bangle (this is called an alligator join)

LS       3 

Cut ends and fray with a pin.*  Don’t worry, the lockstitch will not unravel but if you are worried you can always add a dab of clear glue. 

Repeat from * to * adding fireworks at each picot.  In the sample I alternated red and white and made 3 sets of fireworks at each picot. 

NEEDLE TATTERS!

To make a lockstitch chain you will make the first half on the needle, slide it off and do your closing stitch.  It seems awkward at first but you will get into a rhythm. The lock stitch chain will be a little annoying but so worth it! 

A Very Canadian Tat-A-Long Day 3!

Happy Canada Day!

We have arrived at Day 3 of the Tat-a-long!
Just a reminder that there will be a bonus pattern posted tomorrow.
If you are a relatively new tatter I encourage you to be brave and try tatting around the bangle.  I have provided you with a couple links to help.
You can download the file here or find it at the Fringe Elements Tatting Facebook page and the Beginner's Tatting Facebook Group.

Day 3

For today you need 2 yards of white thread wound CTM on a shuttle. 

Start at first ring left of the stem.

R         3 + (p on first ring left of the stem) 3

C         8 p 8 p 8

R         3 + (p on next ring) 3

C         6 p 6 p 6

R         3 + (p on next ring) 3

C         7 p 7 p 7 lj (p on next ring) 7 p 7 p 7

R         3 + (p on next ring) 3

C         6 p 6 p 6

R         3 + (p on next ring) 3

C         8 p 8 p 8

R         3 + (p on next ring) 3

C         7 p 7 p 7 lj (p on next ring) 7 p 7 p 7

Join back to the beginning

If you have a bangle:

Fill a shuttle with thread and cut from ball. You will catch the picots at the same time that you are tatting around the bangle, see the Tatsaway link provided for help on catching the picots.  If you are not comfortable with making the rings then just tat around the bangle

(remember that W= wrap) http://www.janeeborall.freeservers.com/CoveringCaboneRing.pdf

https://tatsaway.blogspot.com/2007/09/wrapping-plastic-ring-with-double.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TofWCMBcT0I

I find it easiest to start with a ring.

*R       4 lp 4

Make the first wrap include a picot

W        6

R         4 + (lp) 4

W        6*

Repeat from * to * around bangle picking up the picots from the center motif as you go.   Add extra stitches as needed.

Please note that the bangle is not in the diagram

A Very Canadian Tat-a-long Day 2

I had a little scare last night when my computer decided to start an update and was still doing it at 2 am.  I was afraid we were going to have to delay until the computer was done doing its mysterious update.  Fortunately when I woke up this morning it was all done!  

I hope you are not shocked by today's shape.  Tomorrow you will need 2 yards of white thread wound CTM with the ball.  You will also need a bangle. I know I originally said that was for the bonus pattern but once I start with bangles its seems I can't stop.  For the bangle portion of tomorrow you will need a shuttle full of white thread.  To prepare for tomorrow you can look up covering a plastic ring (or bangle) on Jane Eborall's Techniques pages http://janeeborall.freeservers.com/TipsAssorted.html.  (Thanks to Jane for setting up those pages to help all of us in the tatting world)

You can find the pdf for today's post here or if that fails the files are also posted in the Fringe Element Tatter's Facebook Group and the Beginner Tatters Facebook Group.

Day 2

 

Terms

C- chain

R- ring

vsp- very small picot

lj- lock join.  Make a lock join by using a crochet hook to pull shuttle thread through the joining space.  This creates a loop and you pass the shuttle through the loop then tighten to remove excess thread.  In these patterns a lock join is often joined to the space between chains.  Where to do the lj is indicated in brackets.  For example lj (C2 & 3) means a lj in the space between the 2^nd and 3^rd chain.

rw- reverse work; turn the tatting towards you to change the direction the chain is facing

SCMR- self closing mock ring.  See http://www.janeeborall.freeservers.com/SCMR.pdf for instructions.

Round 2

Continue from where you stopped yesterday

C                     4

SCMR                        4 vsp 4

C                     4 lj (1^st p)  6

SCMR                        4 vsp 4

C                     7 lj (next p) 6

SCMR                        4 vsp 4

C                     4

R                     3 +(next p) 3

C                     6

SCMR                        4 vsp 4

C                     6

R                     3 +(next p) 3

C                     4

SCMR                        4 vsp 4

C                     6 lj(next p) 7

SCMR                        4 vsp 4

C                     6 lj (next p) 4

SCMR                        4 vsp 4

C                     4 lj (space above 3^rd lock join of round 1)

C                     3 lj (next p)  4

R                     3 vsp 3

Hide ends and cut.

A very Canadian tat-a-long, Day 1

Okay everyone, I hope you are ready!  Just a note that its not the end of the world if you don't have red and white...it may not surprise you that my alternative sugestion for colors is green, gold, orange, yellow....

There is a pdf at the bottom of the page for those of you who prefer to print off patterns.

Terms

 C- chain

R- ring

vsp- very small picot

lj- lock join.  Make a lock join by using a crochet hook to pull shuttle thread through the joining space.  This creates a loop and you pass the shuttle through the loop then tighten to remove excess thread.  In these patterns a lock join is often joined to the space between chains.  Where to do the lj is indicated in brackets.  For example lj(C2 & 3) means a lj in the space between the 2^nd and 3^rd chain.

rw- reverse work; turn the tatting towards you to change the direction the chain is facing

SCMR- self closing mock ring.  See http://www.janeeborall.freeservers.com/SCMR.pdf for instructions.

Wind 2 yards on a shuttle CTM with ball

R         6 vsp 6 vsp 6 vsp 6

C         6 vsp 6 lj (vsp on ring)

C         4 vsp 4 vsp 4 vsp 4 vsp 4 lj (next vsp on ring)

C         6 vsp 6 lj (next vsp on ring)

C         3 vsp 3 lj (beginning of round)

DO NOT CUT. 

We will continue from here tomorrow…

What?  Too quick?  For those of you that are super ambitious you can make a 2^nd more exciting by adding a 6mm bead to the middle of the ring...

http://www.janeeborall.freeservers.com/BeadRing.pdf

You can download a pdf here.
UPDATE...we've exceeded the limit of downloading for my Keep and Share files so I am posting it on the Fringe Element Tatters facebook group and in the Beginer Tatter Facebook Group.

A very Canadian tat-a-long more info

For tomorrow shuttle tatters will need to have 2 yards of red thread wound on a shuttle CTM with the ball.

If you are a needle tatter you will thread your needle with your usual length of tail...using red thread of course!  Use the size of needle that works best for you.

Just a word for needle tatters, we will be using lock joins.  Many needle tatters often just pass their needle through the picot when they see a lock join. It is my recommendation that you don't do that.  The secondary benefit of a lock join is to stabilize the core tension so that one yank doesn't pull things all to @#!$@.

*****For those who don't know, CTM stands for continuous thread method which just means don't cut the thread between the shuttle and ball.

*****Tips on how to do a self closing mock ring imcan be found at http://janeeborall.freeservers.com/TipsSCMR.html

A very Canadian Tat-Along!

Its almost Canada Day and to celebrate I'm doing a very simple tat along.  This tat along is open to both beginers and experienced tatters.  It will start on Friday June 29th and will finish July 1st.  
This pattern will inlcude rings, chains, lock joins and self closing mock rings. 
Colour of thread needed is red and white.
Tools: 1 shuttle or needle and crochet hook.  (Bonus pattern involves a brass ring or bangle.)

Fringe Element Tatting project

I'm teaching again this fall at the Fringe Element Tatdays.  For me beads seem to be the theme this year....so both classes I'm teaching involve beads.  This is the bugle bead snowflake class project.

Bunny Invasion!

I finally had the money to order some shuttles I really wanted.  Carollyn Tenn Brown hand carves beautiful bunny shuttles.  I have wanted one since she started selling them a few years ago.
I came back from the Fingerlakes tatting seminar with some money left over.  I know that's a big surprise! 
So I asked Carollyn if she was still making them...and she said yes!  I couldn't decide which one to buy so I took all 3.  
They are perfect and came beautifully packaged in their own nests.

Finger Lakes Tatting Seminar

This weekend is the Fingerlakes tatting seminar in beautiful Lodi.  On Friday Kelly and I load up my Escape and make the pilgramage to Lodi, New York.  Pictured below is the kit designed by me that is available at the seminar for $1.  The kit includes pattern and mirrors but not thread.  The money goes to the Finger Lakes tatting guild's fundraiser.  They are available after the seminar at Tatting Corner and the money will still go to the fundraiser thanks to Lisa!

Sometimes...

Sometimes it pays off to make up kits!  I have built up a selection of leftover kits that I've made for various reasons.  These bunny bookmarks are one of the first kits I've donated at the finger lakes tatting seminar for the fundraiser.  Its perfect that I've found them because I just told my niece i woild make her bookmarks for Easter!  Now I don't need to go looking for beads and thread, i can just start tatting.  Perfect!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!

🎉Cheers 🎉 to everyone in the official day of 💘!  I feel like its creeped up one me.  I don't have a moment for tatting today but here's a quick peak at the new design I'm tatting. I thought it would be done by Valentine's Day but alas no luck.  There's so many heart designs out there, what's your favorite?💗💗💗💗💗

Update on the Elements CAL

The Elements CAL is at week 10 but I'm only done to week 5.  This project has been a load of fun and I'm very thankful to Hooks and Yarn for hosting the CAL on their facebook group and to Sandra Kuijer for sharing her design.  Its larger than it looks in the picture and I'm thinking the next few rounds will start to be slow.  The original design is in the Scheepjes Stonwash which is a great cotton yarn.  I am doing mine in Patons Canadiana because that's my favorite acrylic yarn and I had a gift certificate. 

Happy New Year!

I celebrated the New Year by working on the Elements CAL .  Unfortunately I had to go back about of rows yesterday because of a missed stitch that made everything go askew.