Busy as usual

Due to stupid internet rule takes me 2 days to complete both the Flickr and Blogger updates. I've been back on MMOs scene lately prefer solo rpgs myself they take ages to complete. I don't the patience for epic rpgs anymore. Here is what completed so far.

Rose needle case from Cross stitcher this is my first time using water soluble canvas as I have only waste canvas. The quality of threads in these freebie kits are not good as they fray very easily I found that pass them through bees wax or similar and prevent this. I'm working on Jubilee Heart right now no problems so far. The brought threads Anchor or DMC tend to silky and doesn't match the mat texture of these kits.

This is rectangle concentric doily can came from rettangoli concentrici tatted pattern I found on google. Took ages to complete I guess about 3 weeks some parts I went wrong and often had to rejoin thread. The instructions are in Italian I found them easy to understand all it is clover joined by ring. Most of pattern is 4ds separated by a picot and with some extra on the corners. Look at the diagram and finished work for clues. I was told by my mum that she use to made doilies using a small crochet hook. I think I'll work on some my patterns from now on there are some tatted jewellery and bracelet I hope to make and sell in my Etsy shop.

I found on create and craft. I only watch the knitting, sewing and beads slots as papercraft is boring. All samey and don't like the comments. I love it when Jane Greenoff is on the show as often have examples of other cross stitch samplers. I saw this and had to buy from the site basically it is called Cherry Pie Watbo scissor keeper there's a pin cushion version as well. Watbo is place she stayed in Cambodia while you picked up this object in night market. I think this is nicest and cutest thing ever designed and keeping it in my sewing box. This Watbo consist of 3 squares sewn together and could be the next thing similar to biscornu in a way. I think should be called a whackbo as you can hit someone should they disturb you when crafting. There's enough materials in the kit to make another.
You can buy this from create and craft or crosstitch guild site.

This was my attempt at converting a image with lots of colours into a workable chart. I used Paintshop Pro and posterize- reduce the number before the image went funny and then import to cross stitch program (I use Cross stitcher it's rather old and dated about 2000 still works Windows 7) then reduce to colours to 30. I prepare to buy only 30 threads. Backstitch is optional makes the image stand out more. This is demon known as Crom Cruach and appears in Shin Megami Tensei- Devil Childen, Red Book, Black Book. Took me 5 days to complete and worked on 16ct Aida in Anchor threads.
I'm sure I have find a use for these cross stitch panels. There really not much difference between Anchor and DMC as I use both. DMC is much cheaper and popular.
I have too many kits to deal with right now, the Xmas stocking is no where near completion because  hate doing fractional stitches on Aida and started on wolf cross stitch kit. Have a look at Flickr album for any new completed projects.

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Own designed motifs and other completed projects

I'll update this when I have time here are some completed tatting motifs.

Original central motif intended for mignonette medallion worked on No.50 DMC cordonnet special. I have yet to try smaller size threads such as No.70 or 80. Successfully tatted motifs using beading thread.

My attempt at inverted picot the difference from inward facing version is you need drag the loop slightly. I found the loop tend to close and thread become shredded when pulled through.

Overlapping chains bookmark by Jon I went wrong in some parts due some confusion where the chains lie towards the end of the first row. Used No.20 Flora thread.

Tatted heart motif the original was used as an embellishment on Mother's day card but this was thrown away. Show how much my family care about my work they tend to ass kiss one person who copies. I'm the only one who creates original worked. I used N.20 Flora thread which came in beginners tatting kit. This second attempt is better as more experienced in tatting.

Woven picot I looked back on example found on scallop edging and discovered the picots were attached to rings not chains and twisting the picots worked best. I need more experiment with this technique can't find any practical patterns other than scallop edging. Used inward facing picot and Anchor Aida No.30 thread.

So far I like using No.30 thread as just step up from 20 find 50 tend to lock up there are other types of thread I would to try. Only 20 comes multi coloured might have to resort to dying my own thread. Current working on mignonette medallion.

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Tatting techniques I have learnt.

I haven't been able to update my blog as I like due to some people being stubborn and moronic. Only been tatting for 2 month and already becoming proficient, ring and chains are second nature to me. Also I noticed certain projects contain obmittance and mistakes. Here are techniques I have completed so far.

Cluny leaves are not as difficult as it seems and there are perfect tutorials on youtube. I have difficulty following written instructions even if they have clear photos. I recommend a pattern with lot of cluny leaves just so you can get used to make a loom and weaving.

Celtic tatting- I used Helen Bailey's Celtic Egg Pattern and noticed there were so errors, where it says 'repeat from * to ** 4 times.' It should be 5 otherwise there won't be enough rings to fit to first section. Third section instruction- after Chain B, etc it should be another chain 6 - 3 - 3 - 6 join to picot of ring from First section, chain 6 - 6 - 6 join to picot of ring from First section.
Here's a hint check the instructions before uploading online, 11 year old motif and still not corrected.

Motifs are from Diamond Rio Bookmark/Edging by Sabina Carden-Madden and Saundra Hameed Cluny.

Flying Minor Norwegian Dragon-Google threw up several images of this wonderful dragon motif, I traced the source it turned to be designed by Anne Bruvold. I used Lizabeth H&H 20 No.131 it has 4 different colours you can tell I have used SSSR because never quite mastered it. My dragon is the mystic psychic and appears a totem/guardian of mages/psychics/shamans. Well I am an RPG gamer. 

Inward face Picot- There was very few tutorials for this technique the nearest I could find is Tatted Moth Pattern on totusmel.blogspot.com Hard to notice the inward face picot from this image they are on the body of the moth.

Maltese/Pearl tatting- This is from Eliz's Maltese Pinwheel Snowflake
I must of miscounted on last chain as ended up with additional section of snowflake and it should be load 6 seed beads on shuttle 1 as I can't see how bead on shuttle1 can be encapsulate into a ring. This pattern is good as has clear photos on how a maltese ring is made.

Expermental1- block snowflake
My attempt to create a medallion with blocks. It seems last block has to 4 X 5 or the thread won't lie in the right direction. The first section can be made with split ring which means omitting the beads. I unattentional created floating rings.

Expermental2- Wide snowflake
This has 12 sides and variation of first design I sketched while I was learning how to tatt. Originally featured just chains and ring this motif has SCMR on the outer arms.
These patterns I created are experimental and won't be releasing instructions just yet. Threads I use are Flora H & H white or white with purple graduation.
There are still of other techniques to learn and becoming harder to find practise patterns for them. I have few more experimental motif of my own. Bye for now.

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Bead tatt and double/triple picot.

I'm still continuing learning new tatting techniques. My level is in between intermediate to advance I'm learning a new technique every week or fortnight. Feel like my tatting is slow because haven't mastered pull the top thread when ds is flipped.

I tried to follow the instructions for beaded snowflake motif it was pain taking out ds when no. of beads tatted was wrong in the end I designed simple motifs to make. There are numerous ways to bead tatt such as adding to joins or picots there's even split rings. I discovered a way to pull thread through 11/0 seed by using bent piece of beading wire (can't remember the gauge). As all of the hook are only suitable for 8/0 or E- beads however it is possible use 3mm Swarovski bicones. Beads themselves are not a problem as I have a plentiful supply and is good way to use the odd ones. Not possible to add beads on mock picot as I discovered.

Frilled Snowflake medallion by Lisa C.Trumble and another snowflake motif by Sally Magill. Sometimes I'm finding on complex techniques such as split rings I watch video on you tube to get an idea on how it's done. I find following written instructions difficult what happens if it was in different language. This time around I figured out how Josephine knots, node tatting/Victorian set and Double/triple picots are made. Possible to do 4/5 and even 6 something to experiment because the long picot is folded over the join.
Also learn split chain tatting I'll add this to next post, other techniques I hope to learn are block tatting and making cluny leaves.

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How long is a piece of string?

Depends on the size of the tatting motif. This time I'm learning the split ring it enables a pattern to be climbed out from the centre. Majority if antique patterns were cut and tie this was tedious as I soon discovered. Split ring is made using 2 shuttles or 1 shuttles (SSSR). There are some good videos on youtube showing both ways I find SSSR difficult to understand. 2 shuttles is much easier in fact the motifs here are worked with shuttles and not with a ball of thread.

 The green version is my first attempt there are times I forgot to add a picot or join in wrong place. The motif is from the tatter's round robin from www.georgiaseitz.com. Basic pattern for learning the split ring and mock picot you start with shuttle hs and end with normal hs on top cord.

Another split ring pattern from http://www.georgiaseitz.com/ , this is a practise attempt it's the first doily I attempted since there are a lot of mistakes. Maybe I'll do this one again the problem is during the second round the piece began to warp probally due to the errors.
I discovered there are loads of techniques to learn and aim to master most of them. Such as double/triple/quad picots, pearl tatting, cluny. The list is endless are tatting is constantly evolving I have come a long way since brought a basic kit from Roseground. Intricate work can be created from 2 strands of string and easier than traditional lace making you don't have to carry lots of bobbins. The shrink plastic shuttles are good for holding top thread since rings need a good length of cord to make.
Hopefully I can get this doily finished to attempt split chain.

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Tatting continues

Inspired by shuttles on google I decided to make some of my own using shrink plastic. I love this stuff it's magical, a thin sheet when heated becomes 7 times thicker. There's lot of shrink plastic in my collection which are not used much. The clear shrink plastic feels like acetate, I was intented to use that for jewellery.

The handmade ones are about 5 cms and perfect for using smallest amount of cord as possible. Some shuttles are self closing which means the cord won't fall out when tatting but tends to run out quicker.

I still trying to complete the pointed star challenge using template by Teryl's hollins. First of all I tried to create each indivdual piece only to be confused and which part to join because when you are working the design is reversed. Started again do 1st run and then the 2nd switching shuttles to create a double crescent.  Almost completed and can do SCMR without referring to the instructions. By learning new techniques it will make tatting a motif easier. After a while it becomes repetitive after a while.

Completed 16/12/2010

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Tatting adventure

I decided to continue where I left off in April there's so much to learn. Such as self closing mock rings (SMCRs) and lock joins.

Been along time since I last did tatting so best to start off some basic work, unfortunately the timeing wasn't good as I had little sleep thanks to some idiot staying up late. I had difficulty trying to make a ring it would close when the shuttle cord was pulled. It seems the top cord should flip and not the shuttle. Above are samples of the Dhamana bookmark as you see my first attempt wasn't good. The one below is better maybe because had more sleep. (hint, hint)

This wasn't a basic motif as I discovered as it involved the use of shuttle/lock joins. The shuttle cord is pulled through the picot instead of the top cord. There was some problems when it came to cut and tie the tails had to sewed through the ds which was tricky because the tightness of knotting. A tail should only be pulled through one set of knotting otherwise the ring will detach itself slighting from the chain.

On wednesday I was looking for some crochet/tatting yarn and found this instead Twilleys Goldfingering. Yarn with woven metallic thread I think is suitable for tatting but there is danger of the cord fraying. I used it for Rosemarie's Heart pattern and the yarn didn't fray some part snagged when pulled thorough the picot. Having a shuttle with a combine crochet hook is bonus so I won't lose track of which is the shuttle or the top cord.
 Next I will try the SCMR which looks tricky on first glance hopefully it can mastered easily as the others.

Little note I am NOT addicted to videogames and MMOs  and rather use the time for crafting. If anyone is addicted it's the selfish moron I have to put with she used the internet till 4.00a.m! and plays on the Wii before 7.00p.m.
Crafting FTW.

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