I don't have much luck with lock chains because they require a lot of support from other elements to keep them straight, but I did remember another technique called balanced double stitches that also creates straight lines when tatting chains. After a lot of trial and error I ended up with a usable snowflake design. Pictured below is all of the tatting that I did to get there:
This snowflake uses a lot of techniques. In addition to regular rings, chains, picots, and joins, there are:
- split rings
- joining to the second side of a split ring
- lock joins
- thrown rings
- Josephine knots
- self closing mock rings
- self closing mock Josephine knots
- balanced double stitches
- use of a picot gauge
All in all, it's much more complicated than I like for an Etsy shop pattern. However, if anyone is interested in this design, I can look into sharing it as a free instructional blog post. Comment below if that's something you'd like to see.
Sounds like a great instructional pattern, with plenty of things for a class/student to learn and practice. Even better, it's very pretty, too!
ReplyDeleteStephanieW
Very pretty !!! Successful learning 😍
ReplyDeleteNone of these techniques is new to me, but it's a pretty snowflake and if you share the pattern, I'd make it.
Wonderful snowflake!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous! I just love it!🤩💕💖
ReplyDeleteI will be so happy to make it 😍
Wow. Good practice for a variety of techniques.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a challenging snowflake for me, especially with joins on the second side of a split ring. That's a technique that sometimes works beautifully for me, and other times makes a frustrating mess. I would love to practice all of those techniques in one beautiful snowflake!
ReplyDeleteI would love love love to try it, even though SCMR Josephine knots is terrifying.... it’s a beautiful design and looks like a wonderful challenge!
ReplyDeleteLooks like there is quite a bit of interest, so I will get started taking some photos and preparing instructions.
ReplyDeleteMuskaan, you have experience in so many techniques, I know this will be a breeze for you!
Michelle, haha, the self closing mock Josephine knots are really no different than a self closing mock ring. The only thing I have to watch out for is remembering to pass my shuttle through the loop before closing the ring (sometimes I forget and think I’m making a regular Josephine knot).
Robin, your work is exquisite! I know this snowflake will be a real challenge for me but I would love to make it. I'm not sure where to get the instructions for some of those challenges but I am up for trying it. Thank you so much for offering to us!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
I too would love to give try they are so very beautiful and I need to get started on some flakes. your designs are always a treat in tatting land :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful snowflake, look forward to seeing the pattern
ReplyDeleteI’d love to give your pattern a whirl if you publish it. It sounds wild.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your other elegant patterns.
ReplyDeleteLovely blog. Thanks for sharing with us.This is so useful.
Beautiful snowflake. Would love to have the pattern, so many techniques to practice in just one pattern.
ReplyDeleteJillMcTats