Sunflower

After seeing Joëlle tatting Blomqvist and Persson's Ice Crystal, I just had to revisit my copy of the book and join in. I've tatted a few of the smaller snowflakes from this book before, but this time I decided to try one of the doilies. This one is called Sunflower:

It's tatted in Lizbeth size 40, Spring Garden and White. It definitely needed blocking after Round 2 because the doily was ruffling quite a bit. Luckily, Round 3 was a lot easier and didn't pose any problems. Here is the finished doily on a black background:

As I was tatting the doily, I kept wondering if Lizbeth thread was too stiff for the project. This seems to happen mostly with white thread, and I don't notice it too much with the colors. Next time I tat something from this book I might try using DMC Cordonnet Special to see if it makes a difference.

Triangles (Part 2)

This is a continuation of my previous post in which I was exploring different patterns that could be made with triangles. I was able to put together a cross based on the bookmark pattern:

Like the Priscilla Cross, this is a large piece of tatting and takes a while to complete. In size 40 thread it measures 6.75 inches long and 4.75 inches wide. You can get a better idea of how big it is in this photo:

I also wanted to mention that if you send me a message through my Blogger Contact Form, please check your spam/junk folder for a reply as well as your inbox. I try to respond within 24 hours, but sometimes my responses get sent to the spam folder (especially for those using Yahoo accounts). Always feel free to send me another message if you haven't heard back within a few days. It probably means that something went amiss with the email filters!

Triangles

After all of the pattern writing and proofreading, I really wanted to take a break and just tat. While brainstorming a few snowflake ideas, I stumbled onto a triangle. It looked like it would make a good building block for a variety of patterns:

I like to use building blocks as a basis for creating patterns. I think in terms of shapes (trefoil, rosette, multi-ringed flowers, triangles, squares, pretzels, "the scream") and I use these concepts to form larger patterns.

With the triangle pictured above, I have created a repeatable square, a small snowflake, and a bookmark:

I have already begun adjusting the bookmark to make a large cross. If the large cross is successful, I can use the inner portion to make another repeatable square. I also might be able to tweak the triangle itself and use split rings to make a bracelet or small bookmark.

Hopefully I'll make some progress in the next couple of weeks and will have more pictures to share!

Tatted coaster patterns are in the shop

Just a quick post today to let everyone know that the tatted coaster patterns are finally available in my Etsy shop. You can get to the listing by clicking here or on the Etsy icon on the right side of my blog.

The PDF file is 22 pages long, and contains full written instructions and diagrams for each pattern. The following seven patterns are included in the pack:

Rosette Coaster

Rosette Coaster (Variation)

Square Coaster

Kaleidoscope Coaster

Victorian Coaster

Floral Coaster: Five Petals (split ring and regular ring versions)

Floral Coaster: Six Petals (split ring and regular ring versions)

Testers: If you did not receive the full pattern pack from me within the past couple of weeks, please let me know. I've had a lot of emails going in and out and it can be tricky to keep track of them all.

I keep thinking that I should take a break, but I've already found myself drawing up a bunch of new snowflake designs. I'd really love to try putting a few Swarovski crystals into them, just like Joëlle uses in her Bentley pattern.

Updated Pattern: Garden Cross and Square

While the coaster patterns are out for testing, I have been revisiting a few of my "old" patterns. The Garden Cross and Square (available in my Etsy shop) was written in 2014, when I was first starting out with Inkscape.

Garden Square mat

Garden Cross

The twists and turns make this pattern complicated to follow and I have gotten a few requests for written instructions over the years. Well, I'm pleased to say that I have finally had the chance (and confidence) to do a full rewrite of the pattern. It has all new diagrams as well as a full set of written instructions.

I've updated the listing so that the new PDF file is available in my Etsy shop. However, I don't believe that Etsy has a way for people who have previously purchased the pattern to access new files. So, if you have bought this pattern from my shop before and would like the new instructions, could you please contact me so that I can email them to you? The best way to contact me is through the Contact Form on the sidebar of my blog or directly through my Etsy shop. That way you can be sure that I have your email.

In addition to this, I've also been taking a look at the Frauberger Doily. I never did get a proper pattern written for it, and am currently in the process of making that happen.

After that, the Frauberger bookmark also needs to be written up. Sigh...why am I always finding more things to add to my To Do list?